Radius Organic Toothpaste
The ingredients in a toothpaste are a range of ingredients to make your mouth feel fresh and clean. The ingredients can also help remove staining and help prevent tooth decay.
Remineralizing ingredients are present in many toothpastes which help strengthen enamel. They can also be rough, so it’s important to know the best one for your mouth and teeth.
Fluoride
Fluoride can be used to strengthen your oral health and protect against cavities. It is found in nature from a variety of sources like soil, food and water. It is added to toothpastes and other water sources for a variety of different reasons.
The primary purpose of this is preventing tooth decay by “remineralizing” teeth. This helps in securing enamel to places of decay, and also attracting the strengthening minerals, such as calcium to the site of the damage. This creates a fresh hard, stronger, and more resistant enamel called fluorapatite that’s stronger and more immune to acids and bacteria.
That’s why it is recommended that the American Dental Association recommends brushing using a fluoride-based toothpaste at least two times a day. Your dentist could recommend gels and varnishes with fluoride to provide additional security.
There are a variety of options available for toothpastes with fluoride. Most commercial brands have at minimum 1000 parts per million fluoride. 0.221% sodium fluoride or 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate).
In the case of children with a sensitivity to fluoride, for children, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses using a baby’s toothpaste with at least 1000 parts per million of fluoride, and is suitable for ingestion. It is recommended to use the toothpaste as a “smear” with a tiny brush to reduce the chance of swallowing. It is recommended to tilt it slightly downwards so that excess paste dribbles out of the mouth rather than down the throat.
But, excessive fluoride can cause a condition called fluorosis, which is white streaks or spots on the teeth, and even gastrointestinal problems in kids who consume large quantities of toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride has also been shown to increase inflammation and altering the neurodevelopment of animals as well as humans.
SLS
SLS, or sodium lauryl sulfurate, is an ingredient that can be found in a variety of personal and cleaning product for personal care. SLS can come from either oil or from natural sources such as palm oil and coconut oil.
SLS acts as a foaming ingredient used in toothpastes to help eliminate food particles, plaque and other debris that build up on your teeth. SLS can make the particles of your toothpaste more slippery, which allows the toothpaste to get deeper into the gums and teeth.
There are, however, plenty of non-sLS toothpastes on the market that are still able to do an effective job in removing the dirt and plaque off your teeth with no use of the chemical. They won’t cause any irritation or discomfort while brushing and will also help to retain your fresh breath.
Another major concern about SLS is the possibility of it irritate your mouth, especially the lip skin and tongue. SLS may slough off or remove the outer layer of skin cells that line the mouth, making the mouth more susceptible to infections.
SLS can dry out the inside of your mouth, which may result in bad breath as well as other health issues. SLS-free toothpastes are recommended by dentists.
Additionally, it can affect the effectiveness of fluoride, which can reduce its effectiveness and leave your teeth susceptible to tooth decay. SLS can also hinder some toothpastes’ whitening effects. If you’re allergic to SLS, look for toothpaste made from SLS in a safe and gentle way like Decyl Glucoside or Quillaja triterpeneic saponins.
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide, also known as Lye (used for soap production) or caustic soda, is a potent cleanser used in toothpastes to neutralise acidity and stop plaque from forming into calculus. It may dry the mouth, and cause irritation.
Fluoride, which is often found in very low levels in the toothpaste to protect and stop tooth decay is the primary ingredient. It is slowly absorbed over time. It functions as a remineralizing agent and helps to repair damage to tooth surfaces as well as reduce the degree of sensitivity.
In toothpaste, it is mixed with other ingredients like hydrated silica to help remove the stains and plaque that are superficial to the teeth. It is also a mild Abrasive that is not as damaging to dentin and enamel as compared to other types of abrasives.
This antiseptic aids in preventing and treat gum disease. Additionally, it acts as an anti-foaming agent, increasing the power to cleanse the toothpaste.
Additionally, there are other fluoride-containing substances that can be included in toothpaste in order to enhance its effects as well as help keep teeth in good shape. Stannous fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate can be added to toothpaste for children and adults for effective protection from cavities.
Synthetic colors are employed in toothpastes to produce whiteness. Additionally, they can be used as flavourings. Though they’re not harmful however, certain synthetic colors like yellow #5 have been associated with an increase in anxiety and hyperactivity among children.
Parabens and sorbitol are also substances to stay clear of. They are known to cause hormone imbalances within your body, and can build up, which can lead to issues with your health.
Rather than using these products, you can use natural alternatives such as the xylitol or stevia that can enhance the sweetness of your toothpaste. The sugar alcohol Xylitol found naturally in your body, has been found to slow tooth decay as well as stimulate saliva. This can also help lower the levels of bacteria.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
A very well-known ingredients used in toothpastes is sodium lauryl, commonly referred to as SLS. It can be manufactured synthetically or naturally and gives numerous products a foamy bubbled consistency.
It’s a surfactant that decreases the water-oil’s surface tension for bonding, and lifting off debris such as grease and dirt. SLS is also a foaming agent that helps products lather up, making it simple for users to spread the product around their mouths.
SLS is used in the production of toothpaste as it aids in dissolving plaque, and also prevents staining. SLS also contains antibacterial qualities that reduce the likelihood of developing gingivitis and cavities.
It’s also a great detergent as well as a foaming agent making toothpaste foam more quickly and gives a greater cleaning result. It’s a popular ingredient in foaming and mouthwash as it helps to eliminate irritants from the mouth, making it less uncomfortable for people to clean their teeth.
SLS could cause skin irritation, particularly if used for prolonged periods. This can make it a poor choice for people who suffer from sensitive skin or who have rosacea, which is an inflammation condition that affects the skin which can cause swelling, redness, and itching.
There are concerns over the health risks that could be posed by SLS as well as its potential to raise the chance for developing cancer in the throat or oral cavity. There is no research-based basis to prove these assertions, they’ve been extensively circulated on the internet and are still a cause for concern.
Peppermint
The season of peppermint has become the most popular flavor and toothpaste has been making use of since long. This herb’s breath freshening properties and cooling sensation, paired with its unique scent make the ideal flavor to use in toothpaste.
The menthol contained in peppermint can be responsible for the refreshing, cool sensation it provides. Menthol is an antibacterial ingredient which helps to fight off bacteria that cause harm and also reduces bad breath.
Along with its ability to freshen breath, menthol can also stimulate your sensory receptors inside the mouth and on your skin. This can cause a cooling effect. The peppermint toothpaste is an excellent choice if you are looking to keep the health of your gums and teeth. It helps strengthen enamel, which helps prevent decay.
According to Bob Vogt, senior flavorist at Colgate the majority of people like this “slightly sweetness” and “lingering coolness” of peppermint. It can also help mask any off flavors of other ingredients.
Historically, mint oil was used for centuries as a therapeutic and medicinal ingredient and is one of the most popular flavors used in mouthwash and toothpaste in the present. You can see why. Mint oil is an easily grown, common plant that is found in all regions across the world.
The fresh breath and smell makes it an excellent choice for toothpaste, but it also comes with antioxidants, antibacterial properties, as well as other properties that can assist in fighting gingivitis, plaque and bad breath. It’s also a good option for children’s toothpaste because it helps prevent tooth decay.
If you’re considering trying a peppermint-flavored toothpaste make sure you choose ones that don’t contain fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate as well as the triclosan. They’ll provide the same breath-freshening properties and whitening abilities but without any of the harmful ingredients found in other toothpastes.