Is Toothpaste Necessary
In toothpaste you will find a range of ingredients that ensure your mouth feels clean and fresh. The ingredients can also help remove staining and help prevent tooth decay.
Remineralizing components are found in a variety of toothpastes that help strengthen enamel. These can be abrasive, making it essential to understand what one is best for you and your teeth.
Fluoride
Fluoride is an anti-cavity as well as minerals that improve oral health. It is found in soil, water as well as in food items. It is added to toothpaste and water supply for a range of different reasons.
The primary purpose of this is preventing tooth decay by “remineralizing” teeth, helping to connect enamel to the areas of decay and attracting strong minerals like calcium to areas of injury. The fluorapatite mineral, which is the hardest and more durable form of enamel, is made. It’s less susceptible to bacteria that cause acidity.
This is why the American Dental Association recommends brushing with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day. In addition, your dentist may recommend fluoride gels or varnishes to apply to your teeth to provide extra protection.
Fluoride-infused toothbrushes are offered in a wide range of strength, with the majority commercial brands having at least 1000 parts per million of fluoride (i.e. 0.221% sodium fluoride or 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate).
It is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children use a toothpaste with at least 1000ppm fluoride. The toothpaste is best used as a “smear” with a tiny brush to reduce the chance of swallowing. It is recommended to tilt it slightly downwards to ensure that any excess paste drips out of the mouth, not into the throat.
In the long run, however, too much fluoride can cause a condition known as fluorosis. It causes spots or white streaks on teeth. There are digestive problems for kids who consume large quantities of fluoride toothpaste. The fluoride is also known to cause increased inflammation and impaired neurodevelopment in both animals and humans.
SLS
The common ingredient for personal and household items is sodium lauryl (SLS). It is derived from natural or petroleum sources such as palm and coconut oil.
SLS acts as a foaming agent employed in toothpastes in order to eliminate plaque, food particles as well as other bits of debris that can build up in your teeth. It can also make the molecules of the toothpaste more slippery to allow them to get deeper into the tiny spaces between your gums and teeth.
There are, however, plenty of non-sLS toothpastes on the market that will still do a good job of removing all the grime and plaque from your teeth without the use of the chemical. They won’t cause any irritation or discomfort when you brush as well as help retain your fresh breath.
SLS may also cause irritation to the lips and skin on the tongue. SLS may slough off or remove the outer layer of skin cells that line your mouth, leaving the mouth more susceptible to infections.
It can also dry out your mouth’s insides, which throws off your delicate balance of bacteria within your mouth, leading to bad breath as well as other oral health problems. SLS-free dental products are widely recommended by dentists.
SLS can hinder the fluoride’s effectiveness, which can reduce its effectiveness and cause your teeth to be more susceptible to tooth decay. Additionally, SLS can inhibit the whitening effect of some toothpastes. SLS may cause irritation, so be sure to select the toothpaste that is made of a safe and gentle alternative such as Quillaja triterpenic saponins and Decyl Glucoside.
Sodium Hydroxide
The sodium hydroxide, commonly referred to as Lye (used in soap making) or caustic sodium, is an effective cleanser used in toothpastes to neutralise acidity and stop plaque from forming into calculus. It can dry out the mouth, and cause irritation.
Fluoride, commonly found in very low levels in toothpastes , to help strengthen and stop tooth decay is the main ingredient. Fluoride is gradually absorbed in time, and acts as the remineralisation agent, which assists in the repair of damaged areas on the tooth’s surface, and also prevent teeth from being sensitive to decay.
It is often used alongside other ingredients, such as hydrated silica in toothpastes to get rid of small stains as well as plaque. It’s also a gentle Abrasive that causes less damage to the dentin and enamel than other types of abrasives.
The antiseptic can help prevent and cure gum illness. It is also an anti-foaming agent, increasing the cleaning power of toothpaste.
In order to increase the efficacy of toothpaste and help keep your teeth healthy, there are many fluoride-containing ingredients. Sodium monofluorophosphate and stannous fluoride are added to toothpaste for adults or children to provide effective protection against cavities.
Synthetic colours are often used to create toothpaste that is white, and can also be used to give flavour. Though they’re not harmful but some artificial colours, such as yellow #5 for instance have been associated with hyperactivity and anxiety in children.
As well as sorbitol and parabens, these are ingredients you need to avoid. They can cause hormonal imbalances in the body, and can build up, which can lead to health problems.
Rather than using these products instead, try organic alternatives like Stevia and xylitol to sweeten your toothpaste. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol which is naturally present in your organism, is found to reduce tooth decay and increase saliva. It can also reduce the amount of bacteria.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
The sodium lauryl sulfate also known as SLS in short, is one of the ingredients that is most commonly used in toothpaste and other products for personal care. You can make it by using synthetic or natural. It gives products that have a bubbly, foamy appearance.
SLS is a kind of surfactant. This means it lowers the surface tension between oil and water molecules for them to bond and remove debris such as grease or dirt. Also, it acts as a foaming agent that helps products lather up, making it easier for consumers to apply the cream around their mouth.
For toothpastes, SLS is used because it is able to mix proteins and fats in toothpastes. This helps to disperse plaque deposits and help prevent staining from developing on teeth. It also has antibacterial properties which reduce the chance of developing gingivitis or cavities.
It’s also a great detergent and foaming agent which means that toothpaste can foam more quickly and gives a greater cleansing impact. Since it assists in removing irritations as well as making it easier to keep your teeth clean and gums, it’s a component that’s used in foaming toothpastes and mouthwashes.
SLS may cause irritation to the skin, particularly if it is used over a long period of time. It can cause irritation for those with sensitive skin and people who suffer with Rosacea (an inflammation condition that results in swelling, redness itching and many other signs).
There are concerns over the potential health impacts of SLS, including its potential to increase the risk for developing cancer in the mouth or throat. The claims do not stand by scientific evidence, but they have been popularized on the internet.
Peppermint
Peppermint is the go-to scent of the season and has long been used in toothpaste. Its unique taste and breath freshening characteristics of this herb make it the ideal flavor for toothpaste.
Menthol from peppermint makes peppermint have that fresh, cool, and refreshing taste. Menthol is also used to fight harmful bacteria.
Along with the breath-freshening properties, menthol can also stimulate your sense receptors in the mouth and also on your skin, which produces cool effects. It’s a good idea to make use of peppermint toothpaste when you wish to keep good gums and teeth, since it also helps prevent cavities by strengthening enamel.
As per Bob Vogt, senior flavorist at Colgate, many people enjoy the “slightly sweet” and “lingering cooling sensation” from peppermint. Peppermint can help to mask the off-flavors of other ingredients.
Mint oil was utilized for centuries for its therapeutic and medicinal ingredient. It’s one of the most commonly used flavors in oral rinses and toothpastes of today. It’s easy to see why: Mint is a common and easily available plant, which is grown in all areas of the world.
The ingredient menthol contains antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It’s an excellent option for toothpaste due to its pleasant smell. It is also a great choice for young children as it prevents tooth decay.
Peppermint toothpaste is a fantastic choice if you’re searching for toothpastes that do not contain fluoride or sodium lauryl-sulfate. The toothpastes listed here will provide users with the same benefits as other toothpastes, which include whitening as well as breath-freshening.