Is Toothpaste A Drug
A tooth paste is made up of a wide range of components that make your mouth feel clean and fresh. They also help to eliminate stains, slow dental decay, and help improve bad breath.
Certain toothpastes have remineralizing ingredients which strengthen the tooth’s enamel. They can cause tooth discoloration and therefore, make sure to select the correct one to meet the needs of your mouth.
Fluoride
Fluoride can help enhance your dental health and help protect against cavities. Fluoride is present in the soil, water, and food. You can add it to toothpaste or water supplies to meet a variety of needs.
One of the most important functions of this product is to prevent tooth decay. It does so by “remineralizing”, bonding enamel to areas damaged, then drawing more powerful minerals such as calcium. This creates a fresh tougher, more durable enamel known as fluorapatite, which is stronger and more immune to acids and bacteria.
This is why it is recommended that the American Dental Association recommends brushing using a fluoride-based toothpaste at least twice a daily. In addition, your dentist may recommend fluoride gels or varnishes for your teeth to put on for extra protection.
There are many options for toothpastes that contain fluoride. Most commercial brands have at least 1000 parts of million fluoride. 0.221% sodium fluoride or 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate).
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids use a toothpaste that contains at minimum 1000ppm fluoride. The toothpaste is best used in an “smear” with a tiny toothbrush in order to limit the possibility of swallowing. Additionally, it should be angled slightly downward to ensure that any excess paste drips from the mouth instead of through the throat.
Fluoride too often can cause fluorosis (white streaks on teeth or spots), and even digestive problems in youngsters who’ve consumed huge quantities of toothpaste containing fluoride. Additionally, it’s been associated with a variety of other adverse effects in humans and animals including increased inflammation, altered neurodevelopment, and loss of bone.
SLS
SLS, also known as sodium lauryl sulfate is an ingredient that can be found in a variety of personal and cleaning product for personal care. It could be made from petroleum or from natural sources such as palm and coconut oil.
In order to remove food and plaque particles from your teeth SLS foaming agents are used in toothpastes. SLS also makes the toothpaste’s molecules more slippery to allow them to penetrate more deeply into the tiny gaps between your gums and teeth.
There are many toothpastes that aren’t containing SLS. They’ll get rid of all plaque and grime from your teeth. They will not cause irritation or discomfort during brushing and can also assist in helping keep your breath fresh.
SLS can cause irritation of the skin and lips surrounding the tongue. SLS is able to slough off and strip away the outer layers of skin cells within your mouth, leaving it prone to infection.
The dryness can affect the inside of your mouth, which throws off your delicate balance of bacteria that is in your mouth. This can lead to bad breath as well as other oral health problems. That’s why dentists suggest making use of toothpastes that are free of SLS.
SLS may cause fluoride to be less effective, which could lead to more tooth decay. Additionally, SLS can inhibit the effects of whitening in some toothpastes. SLS could cause irritation. Therefore, be sure to select the toothpaste that is made of an uncomplicated and safe ingredient like Quillaja triterpenic Saponins , or Decyl Glucoside.
Sodium Hydroxide
The sodium hydroxide, commonly referred to as lye (used for soap production) or caustic soda, is a potent cleanser that is used in toothpastes to neutralize acid and keep plaque from mineralising into calculus. It is a drying agent for the mouth and cause irritation.
Fluoride, commonly present in low amounts in toothpastes to strengthen and prevent tooth decay, is the primary ingredient. The fluoride is slowly absorbed with time. It is the remineralisation agent, which assists to repair damaged areas of the surface of the teeth and protect against the tooth from becoming sensitive due to decay.
It is often used in conjunction with other ingredients like hydrated silica, for example, in toothpaste , to eliminate small stains as well as plaque. It’s also a gentle Abrasive that causes less damage to the enamel and dentin than other types of abrasives.
The antiseptic can help prevent and combat gum illness. The foaming agent boosts the cleaning capacity of toothpaste.
In order to increase the efficacy of toothpaste and keep your teeth healthy There are a variety of fluoride-containing ingredients. In order to protect against cavities, toothpastes for children and adults can include sodium monofluorophosphate, or the stannous fluoride.
Synthetic colors are utilized in toothpastes in order to make whiteness. These colors can also serve as flavourings. While they’re safe however, certain synthetic colors such as yellow #5 have been implicated in hyperactivity and anxiety in children.
As well as sorbitol and parabens, these are substances to stay clear of. They are all known to alter hormones and accumulate in your body and cause problems.
Instead of using these products, instead, you can use natural sweeteners like Stevia or xylitol. The sugar alcohol Xylitol that naturally occurs in the body, has been shown to reduce tooth decay and increase saliva. It can also decrease bacteria levels.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
The most popular components in toothpastes is sodium lauryl sometimes referred to SLS. You can make it naturally or synthetically. It gives products that are bubbly and foamy.
It’s a surfactant which reduces the surface tension of water to aid in bonding and lifting debris like dirt and grease. SLS is also a foaming agent which helps products lather up, making it simple for users to apply the cream around their mouth.
In the case of toothpastes, SLS is used because it helps to emulsify proteins and fats in tooth pastes, helping in dispersing plaque particles and prevent the formation of stains on the teeth. Additionally, it has antibacterial properties that reduce the likelihood of developing cavities and gingivitis.
It’s a cleaner that is foamy and assists to make toothpaste lather better. Since it assists in removing irritants and makes it easier to clean your teeth and gums, it’s a component that’s used in mouthwash and foaming toothpaste.
The main drawback of the use of SLS is that it can be irritating to skin, specifically in the case of long periods of time. It’s an unsuitable choice for those who suffer from sensitive skin or suffering from rosacea, which is an inflammation condition that affects the skin which can cause inflammation, redness and itching.
SLS has been associated with higher risk of developing oral and throat cancers. The claims do not stand by scientific evidence, but they have been popularized on the internet.
Peppermint
This season, peppermint is the most popular flavor and toothpaste has been using since long. This herb’s breath freshening properties and cool sensation paired with its distinct scent make it the perfect flavor for toothpaste.
The menthol in peppermint is responsible for the cool, refreshing feeling it gives. Menthol is also an antibacterial substance that fights harmful bacteria . It also helps reduce bad breath.
Along with the breath-freshening properties it also triggers your sensory receptors inside the mouth and on your skin. This can cause cool effects. It is a great idea to use peppermint toothpaste if you’re looking to preserve the health of your gums and teeth because it may help in preventing cavities through strengthening enamel.
Bob Vogt (Colgate senior flavorist) Bob Vogt (Colgate senior flavorist) says peppermint is a popular choice due to its “slightly sweet flavor” as well as its “lingering cooling sensation”. Peppermint can mask off-flavors from other components.
Mint oil was used historically as a medicinal and therapeutic ingredient. It’s one of the most popular flavors used in toothpastes and mouthwashes today. It’s easy to see why: Mint is a common easy-to-find plant that grows in most regions of the globe.
The fresh breath and smell makes it an excellent choice in toothpaste. But the menthol component also has antibacterial, antioxidant, and other properties that can help fight plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath. It’s also a great choice for kids’ toothpaste because it helps in preventing tooth decay.
If you’re interested in testing a mint-flavored toothpaste, look for brands that are free from fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate, and the triclosan. They’ll have the same freshening properties and whitening abilities but without any of the dangerous ingredients that are found in many toothpastes.