Patients often ask dentists this question ”Which toothpaste should I use?” You can find many opinions on the internet and among toothpaste manufacturers as to why their product is the best. Personal preferences certainly enter into your decision, depending on whether you want tooth whitening agents, toothpaste for sensitive gums, etc. However, the best toothpastes meet dental industry standards.
The American Dental Association (ADA) gives its seal of approval based on whether a toothpaste meets ADA standards for safety and effectiveness.
Toothpastes come in the form of powders, gels or pastes. Brushing with toothpaste helps remove the film of bacteria, called plaque that forms on teeth and gums.
What ingredients are in toothpaste?
Most toothpaste contains:
Fluoride. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and re-mineralizes tooth decay. The ADA seal of approval requires toothpaste to contain fluoride.
- Mild abrasive. Calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, hydrated aluminum oxides, magnesium carbonate, and phosphate salts and silicates are all abrasives that help remove debris and stains on the tooth surfaces.
- Humectants. Humectants help toothpastes retain water. Glycerol, propylene, glycol and sorbitol are humectants.
- Flavoring agents. Saccharin and other non-sugar sweeteners give toothpaste a pleasant taste but do not promote tooth decay.
- Thickening agents. Mineral colloids, natural gums, seaweed colloids or synthetic cellulose are agents that help bind the toothpaste formula.
- Detergents. Detergents like sodium laurel sulfate and sodium N-Lauryl sarcosine are detergents that cause the foaming action of toothpaste.
If you have any other questions about toothpaste, please feel free to ask us.
Hutto Hippo Family Dental provides state-of-the-art and caring dental services to families in the Austin area.
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