Elephant Toothpaste Lab Report Answers
In toothpaste, there are a number of ingredients that make your mouth feel clean and fresh. Additionally, they help get rid of stains, stop tooth decay and enhance bad breath.
Remineralizing ingredients can be found in some toothpastes that strengthen enamel. These can lead to tooth discoloration therefore make sure you choose the best one that meets your needs.
Fluoride
Fluoride is an anti-cavity and dental health-enhancing mineral. It is found in nature from various sources such as water, food and soil. You can add it to your toothpaste or water supply due to a myriad of reasons.
Its most important function is to stop tooth decay by “remineralizing” teeth. It assists to connect enamel to the areas of decay and attracting strong minerals like calcium towards the area of the damage. Fluorapatiteis a tougher and more durable form of enamel, is created. It’s less susceptible to acidic bacteria.
The American Dental Association suggests that fluoride toothpaste be used at least two times a daily. In addition, your dentist may prescribe fluoride varnishes or gels for your teeth to put on for extra protection.
There are numerous options of toothpastes containing fluoride. The majority of commercial brands contain at least 1000 parts of million fluoride. 0.221% sodium fluoride or 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate).
It is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children use a toothpaste that contains at minimum 1000ppm fluoride. The toothpaste should be used as the form of a “smear” using a small toothbrush in order to limit the possibility of swallowing. It is recommended to tilt it slightly downwards so that excess paste dribbles out of the mouth, not into the throat.
But, excessive fluoride could cause a problem called fluorosis. This is the appearance of white spots or streaks on the teeth, and digestive problems for children who swallow large amounts of toothpaste containing fluoride. In addition, it has been associated with a variety of negative effects on animal and human beings, such as an increase in levels of inflammation and altered brain development and bone loss.
SLS
The most commonly used ingredient in personal and cleaning product is sodium sulfate (SLS). SLS is derived from oil or from natural sources such as coconut oil and palm oil.
The foaming ingredient used in toothpastes to help get rid of plaque, food particles and other irritants that build up on your teeth. SLS helps make the molecules of toothpaste more slippery, which allows them to penetrate deeper into the gums and teeth.
There are many toothpastes that do not contain SLS. They will remove all plaque and grime from your teeth. They won’t cause any irritation or discomfort while brushing as well as help keep your breath fresh.
Another concern associated with SLS is the possibility of it irritate your mouth, especially the lip skin and tongue. The skin layer that covers the outside of the mouth may be affected by SLS, which makes the mouth more susceptible to infection.
The dryness can affect the inside of your mouth and disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria that is in the mouth. This could lead to bad breath, as well as dental health issues. The reason dentists advise making use of toothpastes that are free of SLS.
SLS may cause fluoride to be less effective, which could lead to more tooth decay. Furthermore, SLS can inhibit the bleaching effect that some toothpastes have. SLS may cause irritation, so be sure to select a toothpaste made from an uncomplicated and safe ingredient like Quillaja triterpenic saponins and Decyl Glucoside.
Sodium Hydroxide
Caustic soda or lye that is used for soap making, and sodium hydroxide are potent cleaning ingredients that toothpastes employ to neutralize acids, and to stop plaque mineralization into calculus. It can dry out the mouth and cause irritation.
Fluoride, commonly present in low amounts in toothpastes , to help strengthen and prevent tooth decay, is the primary ingredient. The fluoride is slowly absorbed over time and is the remineralisation agent, which assists to repair damaged areas of the tooth surface and prevent teeth from being sensitive to decay.
It’s commonly used in conjunction with other ingredients, such as hydrated silica in toothpastes to get rid of the superficial stain and plaque. The mild abrasive can be gentler on dentine and enamel as well as less harmful.
It also acts as an anti-septic that helps to prevent gum disease and reduces plaque build-up. This foaming agent increases the power of toothpaste to clean.
In order to increase the efficacy of your toothpaste and to keep your teeth healthy The toothpaste contains a number of fluoride components. To provide protection from cavities, toothpastes for children and adults may be made up of sodium monofluorophosphate and Stannous Fluoride.
Synthetic colors are utilized in toothpaste to create whiteness. Additionally, they can be used as flavourings. Although they are safe however, certain synthetic colors such as yellow #5 for instance have been associated with hyperactivity and anxiety in children.
The parabens and sorbitols are two other components you should avoid. These chemicals are known to interfere with hormones, and they can build up in the body, which can cause issues.
Instead of using such products it is possible to make use of natural sweeteners such as the stevia or xylitol. The xylitol ingredient is a natural sugar alcohol and has been found to reduce the decay of teeth and boost saliva. This can assist to reduce bacteria within your mouth.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
The most well-known ingredients in toothpastes is sodium lauryl commonly referred to as SLS. It is made either by using synthetic or natural. It gives products that are bubbly and foamy.
It’s a surfactant that decreases the water-oil’s surface tension to help bond and lifting debris like dirt and grease. SLS can also help make foaming products, which makes it much easier for people to put the products all around their mouths.
SLS is utilized in toothpaste as it aids in dissolving plaque as well as prevent stains. SLS is also antibacterial helping to reduce the chance of developing gingivitis or cavities.
It’s also a fantastic detergent and foaming agent, making toothpaste get more lather and gives a greater clean-up result. Because it helps to eliminate irritants and makes it easier to clean your teeth It’s an ingredient which is utilized in mouthwash and foaming toothpaste.
SLS can cause skin irritation especially if it is employed for long periods of time. It can cause irritation for individuals with sensitive skin as well as those suffering from rosacea (an inflammation condition that results in swelling, redness itching and other manifestations).
There are concerns over the possible health effects of SLS, including its potential to increase the likelihood of developing cancers of the throat or oral cavity. The claims do not stand by scientific evidence, but they are popular online.
Peppermint
Peppermint is the preferred scent of the season and has been widely used in toothpaste. The herb’s properties for freshening breath and cool sensation paired with its unique scent make the ideal flavor to use in toothpaste.
The menthol contained in peppermint is the reason for the refreshing, cool feeling it gives. Menthol can also be used in fighting the bad bacteria.
Apart from the breath-freshening properties it also triggers the sense receptors within the mouth as well as on your skin. This can cause a cooling effect. It is a great idea to use peppermint toothpaste if you wish to keep good gums and teeth, as it can also help in preventing cavities through strengthening enamel.
Bob Vogt (Colgate senior flavorist) claims that peppermint is a popular choice due to its “slightly sweet taste” and “lingering coolness”. This can be a great way to disguise some of the flavors that aren’t as appealing from other ingredients.
The mint oil is a long-standing tradition that is used in the past to treat ailments and also as a drug ingredient. It is still one of the most sought-after flavors in toothpaste and mouthwash today. It’s not difficult to understand why: Mint is a common and easily available plant, which is grown in all areas of the world.
The menthol ingredient is antibacterial as well as antioxidant. It is a good option for toothpaste due to its pleasant smell. It’s also a great choice for toothpaste for kids since it may help prevent tooth decay.
Peppermint toothpaste is a great alternative if you’re looking for brands without fluoride or sodium lauryl-sulfate. These toothpastes will provide the same refreshing qualities and whitening capabilities, but without any of the dangerous ingredients that are found in many toothpastes.