Composition Of Tooth Paste And Its Uses

Toothpaste is a paste or gel which is used with a toothbrush to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it is an abrasive that aids in removing dental plaque and food from the teeth, and also helps in preventing bad breath ( halitosis) and fluoride help prevent tooth decay. Salt and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can be substituted for commercial toothpaste.

These are the major components that is used in our regular tooth paste:

Abrasives

Abrasives helps remove plaque from the teeth. The removal of plaque and calculus prevents the accumulation of tartar and is widely claimed to help minimize cavities and periodontal disease.

Fluoride

This mineral is key ingredient that helps to fight tooth decay. Fluoride makes the enamel of your teeth harder and more resistant to acid wear. To make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride, check the list of active ingredients for sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride. Only these three forms of fluoride are important for cavity prevention. Most toothpastes contain only 0.15% fluoride ion, or 1500 parts per million.

Glycerol

This ingredient keeps toothpaste from drying out, gives it a consistent texture and helps it glide smoothly from the tube.

Sorbitol

Along with glycerol, it helps hold the toothpaste together, and it’s also a sweetening agent. sorbitol does not cause cavities. It can also be used as a sugar substitute for people with diabetes.

Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate is an abrasive which helps remove plaque, debris and surface stains. Abrasives, combined with the scrubbing motion of your toothbrush, it cleans the surface of your tooth. They’re the reason your teeth feel so smooth and clean after brushing. These abrasives are rough enough to remove plaque, but avoids damage to your enamel.

Other ingredients used are:

• Antibacterial agents
• Xylitol
• Flavorants
• Remineralizers…. Etc…..