The Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

In toothpaste you will find a range of components that help ensure your mouth feels clean and fresh. It also helps get rid of stains, stop dental decay, and help improve bad breath.

There are toothpastes that contain remineralizing substances that strengthen enamel. They can cause tooth discoloration so be sure to choose the correct one to meet your needs.

Fluoride
Fluoride is a cavity-fighting and dental health-enhancing mineral. Fluoride is present in the soil, water and even foods. Add it to toothpaste or water supplies due to a myriad of reasons.

The primary purpose of this is to prevent tooth decay through “remineralizing” teeth. This helps in securing enamel to zones of decay while also drawing strengthening minerals such as calcium towards the area of damage. Fluorapatite, a harder and more robust form of enamel, is created. It is less prone to acidic bacteria.

The American Dental Association suggests that fluoride toothpaste be used at least two times a each day. Your dentist could recommend gels and varnishes with fluoride to provide additional protection.

There are a variety of options available for toothpastes containing fluoride. The majority of commercial brands contain at minimum 1000 parts per million fluoride. 0.221% sodium fluoride or 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate).

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids use a toothpaste that has at least 1000ppm fluoride. It is recommended to use the toothpaste as the form of a “smear” on a small toothbrush to minimize the risk of swallowing. Additionally, it is recommended to tilt it slightly downwards to ensure that any excess paste drips through the mouth instead of through the throat.

Fluoride too often can cause fluorosis (white streaks of teeth or spots) as well as gastro issues for youngsters who’ve consumed huge amount of toothpaste with fluoride. Furthermore, it has been linked to a range of other adverse effects in animal and human beings including the increase of levels of inflammation and altered brain development and bone loss.

SLS
SLS, which is also known as sodium lauryl sulfurate, is a common ingredient found in numerous personal product for personal care. It is derived from petroleum or natural sources such as palm and coconut oil.

SLS acts as a foaming ingredient that is used in toothpastes to eliminate plaque, food particles and other irritants in your teeth. SLS helps make the molecules of toothpaste much more slippery and allows it to go deeper the gums and teeth.

There are, however, plenty of toothpastes that are SLS-free and are still able to do an effective job in removing the dirt and plaque off your teeth, without the addition of this chemical. The ones that do not contain SLS are more likely to trigger irritation or discomfort while you brush, and will also help keep your breath fresh and clean.

SLS may also cause irritation to the lips and skin surrounding your tongue. The skin layer that covers the outside of your mouth could be damaged due to SLS, making it more susceptible to infection.

Additionally, it can dry out the inside of your mouth and disrupt the balance between bacteria in your mouth. This can lead to bad breath as well as other dental health issues. SLS-free dental products are widely recommended by dentists.

It can also hinder the effectiveness of fluoride, it can diminish its effectiveness and cause your teeth to be more susceptible to tooth decay. Furthermore, SLS can inhibit the bleaching effect that some toothpastes have. If you’re sensitive to SLS choose a toothpaste made from an alternative that is gentle and safe such as Decyl Glucoside or Quillaja triterpenesic saponins.

Sodium Hydroxide
Caustic soda, also known as lye which is also utilized in making soap, as well as sodium hydroxide are powerful cleaning ingredients that toothpastes employ to neutralise acids and stop the mineralisation of plaque into calculus. It may dry the mouth, and trigger irritation.

The fluoride component, often present in low amounts in toothpastes to strengthen and protect against tooth decay is the most important ingredient. It is absorbed gradually and over time and is the remineralisation agent, which assists to heal damaged areas of the surface of the teeth and protect against sensitivity from decay.

In toothpaste, it’s mixed with other ingredients like hydrated silica to help remove plaque and superficial stains from the teeth. It’s also a gentle Abrasive that is not as damaging to dentin and enamel than some other Abrasives.

The antiseptic can help prevent and treat gum disease. Additionally, it acts as an agent that foams, which enhances the cleaning power of toothpaste.

Additionally, there are other fluoride-containing substances that can be present in toothpaste to enhance its effects as well as help keep teeth in good shape. In order to protect against cavities dental toothpastes for kids and adults could be made up of sodium monofluorophosphate and the stannous fluoride.

Synthetic colours are often added to make toothpaste white. They are also used to give flavour. While they’re safe, some synthetic colours such as yellow #5 have been associated with hyperactivity and anxiety in children.

As well as sorbitol and parabens, these are substances to stay clear of. These are all known to trigger hormonal imbalances in the body and may build up and cause issues with your health.

Instead of using these products, instead, you can utilize natural sweeteners, such as xylitol or stevia. The sugar alcohol Xylitol found naturally in your body, has been found to reduce tooth decay and boost saliva. This can also help decrease bacteria levels.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
SLS, also known as sodium lauryl silfate, or SLS as it is commonly referred to, is one of the main ingredients used in toothpaste and other products for personal care. It can be manufactured either naturally or synthetically and is the ingredient that gives numerous products a foamy bubbly consistency.

It is a surfactant that lowers water-oil surface tension for bonding, and lifting debris like dirt and grease. SLS can also help create foam, which makes it much easier for people to put the products all over their mouths.

SLS is utilized in toothpaste because it helps dissolve plaque, and also prevents staining. SLS also has antibacterial properties, that reduces the risk of developing gingivitis or cavities.

It’s also a good detergent and foaming agent making toothpaste foam more quickly and produces a more effective clean-up impact. It helps in the elimination of irritants and makes it easier to wash your teeth It’s an ingredient that’s used in foaming toothpaste and mouthwash.

The main drawback of the use of SLS is the fact that it may irritate the skin, especially when it’s used for prolonged periods. This could make it the wrong choice for people who have sensitive skin, or suffering from rosacea, an inflammation of the skin, which causes inflammation, redness and itching.

SLS has been associated with increased risk for oral and throat cancers. There is no research-based proof to back these assertions, they’ve been widely circulated online and remain a source of concern.

Peppermint
Peppermint is the preferred scent of the season and has been widely used in toothpaste. The distinctive flavor and refreshing qualities of this herb makes it the perfect flavor for toothpaste.

Menthol from peppermint makes peppermint have that fresh, cool, and refreshing taste. Menthol is also used to combat the bad bacteria.

In addition to the breath-freshening properties, menthol can also stimulate the sense receptors within the mouth as well as on the skin. This creates an icy sensation. It is an ideal alternative if you want to maintain your teeth and gums healthy. It helps help strengthen the enamel and keep teeth from dental decay.

As per Bob Vogt, senior flavorist at Colgate Many people appreciate the “slightly sweetness” and “lingering chill” of peppermint. This can be a great way to disguise the off-flavors of other ingredients.

In the past, mint oil is used in the past to treat ailments and also as a drug ingredient. It is one of the most sought-after flavorings in mouthwash and toothpaste today. There is a reason for this. Mint oil is an easy to grow, widespread plant that is found in all regions around the world.

The ingredient menthol is antibacterial as well as antioxidant. It’s a great option for toothpaste due to the pleasant scent. It is also a great choice for children, since it can help prevent tooth decay.

If you’re considering testing a mint-flavored toothpaste be sure to choose brands that are free from fluoride, sodium lauryl-sulfate, and the triclosan. These toothpastes will provide the same refreshing characteristics and whitening capabilities however, they’re free of any harmful ingredients found in other toothpastes.