Of the numerous materials we use on daily basis, toothpaste probably ranks high up in the list of things. A normal morning routine would be to stand in front of your mirror as soon as you wake and begin the routine activity of brushing your teeth with a toothpaste you are most comfortable with. However, have you ever wondered what type of substances are being used to prepare your toothpaste?
While it may seem like an unwanted piece of information for some, it is absolutely necessary for you to be aware of the type of substances that are used for making the toothpaste. Although different brands of toothpaste companies swear about using a perfect combination of products that would clean your teeth and make it sparkling white, most of these brands make use of predominantly the same type of chemicals with slight modifications.
Here are the main components of a toothpaste:
1. Fluoride
This is the most common and famous ingredient of a tooth paste. Fluoride is extremely effective in treating cavities and preventing tooth decay. A combination of fluorine and sodium called sodium fluorite is used in some brands. While fluorine is very effective in preventing cavities, it should be used extremely carefully, especially if you have small children at home. Kids have a habit of ingesting or swallowing small quantities of toothpaste because they love the minty or candy flavor. However, it is crucial for you to understand that even small quantities of fluorine can cause dangerous reactions inside the body leading to death if consumed in large amounts.
2. Baking Soda
Are you are wondering how toothpaste helps your teeth to whiten up in a natural manner? The presence of baking soda in toothpaste is responsible for bringing about this glistening action. Baking soda acts as an abrasive, gently scrapping off the layers of plaque that accumulates on teeth. Abrasives also remove bacteria and other particles that form a layer over the enamel (the visible white covering of your teeth), thereby removing yellowish stains from your teeth.
3. Silica
These act as natural scrubbers, gently removing any type of microscopic food particle or microorganism that would have firmly fixed itself on your enamel.
4. Glycerol
Humectants like glycerol are used to prevent your toothpaste from drying up even for months. These substances prevent the toothpaste from drying up or crystallizing, making them retain the gel like consistency under all types of climatic conditions. If consumed in excess, glycerol may cause nausea.
5. Lauryl Sulfate
The more you brush, the more foam is formed inside your mouth. This foaming property is attributed to the presence of lauryl sulfate, an antibacterial agent. Foaming is an important attribute of toothpastes. Foams help to collect germs and other foods particles inside your mouth, paving way for easy removal, preventing the formation of tartar. These foaming agents are also useful in helping fluoride function better.
6. Triclosan
This is used to destroy microorganisms growing in and around your teeth, preventing the very possibility of tartar formation. They are very effective in preventing tooth decay and cavities. Accumulation of tartar can also lead to the development of several gum diseases. Some toothpastes also use zinc citrate or pyrophosphates to remove tartar formation.
7. Flavoring Agents
The typical minty flavor of toothpastes is due to the presence of various flavoring agents. Saccharin is the most widely used sweetener in toothpastes. Methanol is used for developing the characteristic minty flavor. The absence of methanol would make your toothpaste taste more or less like chalk. Peppermint oil is also used to get the minty aroma, giving you a dash of fresh breath.
8. Coloring Agents
Finally, to add a special touch to your toothpaste and make it stand out from the rest, different companies make use of different colors like red, green, and blue to make your toothpaste attractive.
A perfect combination of the aforementioned ingredients makes your toothpaste a unique and special one. While there have been numerous theories and research work that have criticized each one of the above ingredients for causing side effects or bringing about harmful reactions in the body, the possibility of a person developing serious illnesses or diseases just by brushing his teeth with toothpaste have never been established, making this invention a truly marvelous.
