What’s In Your Toothpaste?
The Manifest Love Inside Toothpaste
However, before I get to that, I want to emphasise the close association between good parenting and getting kids to clean their teeth. I remember as a child and teenager the constant nagging from my mum about whether I had brushed my teeth. It was annoying at the time but I can see now that it was love made manifest. Often, it is only in retrospect that we clearly see what was going in our lives at that time. Toothpaste, you see, is not only the material substances that go into its makeup but is also imbued with our parent’s and carer’s love. So, what else is in your toothpaste?
The Taste of Toothpaste
I don’t know about you, but in my experience, when I was a kid, the only thing I worried about then was whether I liked the taste of the tooth paste. Do you remember the shock of tasting different tooth pastes as a child, say when you stayed for a sleep over at a friend’s place? It came like a bolt from out of the blue and it was way outside of my comfort zone at the time. Tooth paste was one of those essential ‘had to stay the same’ parts of my growing up years. I will let you in on a family secret from back in the day – we were a Colgate family through and through.
What Was Your Family Brand Of Toothpaste?
Colgate ran in my veins, in terms of acceptable tooth paste fare. I remember the ads on TV. Mrs Marsh’s Colgate Fluoriguard and the idea that teeth were like chalk. A school teacherish, confident maternal woman espousing the key concept that fluoride via Colgate tooth paste gets into the enamel of our teeth to protect us from? Well, tooth decaying agents but, perhaps, all things evil too.
I remember the Colgate ‘ring of confidence’ even more prominently in my brain’s backroom of old files. Perhaps, because as a youngster the body was a potential minefield of dimly understood odours and emanations which could prove to be socially unacceptable. Bad breath, of course, was a worry for boys and girls embarking on their journey to eventual cohabitation and procreation. Dandruff was another black hole to be avoided if at all possible. Health rituals, which our mother’s did their best to inculcate within us, would ward off these dangers if followed scrupulously enough. Thanks be to mum for the fact that I have 2 kids of my own, perhaps? Thanks to my toothpaste and my regular imbibing of this substance.
So, what is actually in this stuff, we have used twice daily for the most part of our lives? The key ingredient, as we have discovered via Mrs Marsh is fluoride, in most reputable tooth pastes this is true. Fluoride is all about remineralising enamel and strengthening our teeth. This kryptonite for tooth decay makes our tooth enamel resistant to the acids formed by bacterial plaque.
You could describe fluoride as the cavity fighter in our corner in the battle against poor oral health.
What else is in most quality toothpastes? Abrasives, those scrubbing agents that help the brushing process when we put paste to bristles and get down to work. Remember not to go at it too hard, however, as this causes more problems for our teeth and gums. Brute force is not a recipe for success when it comers to cleaning our teeth. What abrasive agents? Calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, and hydrated silica are commonly used as scrubbing substances in tooth paste. It is all about achieving a balance between cleaning and not hurting your enamel and dentin inside your oral cavity.
Anything else in our toothpaste? The foaming agent. I mean, what would brushing your teeth be like in modern times without that foaming experience inside our mouth and to satisfyingly spit out into the basin? Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is what is used within most tooth pastes to achieve this foaming business. Some sensitive folk, however, can find SLS irritating and a cause of canker sores and mouth ulcers.
In addition, there are speciality toothpastes offering stuff like antimicrobial agents. These are usually things like zinc citrate or triclosan and are aimed at tackling bacterial plaque to help in the fight against gum disease.
Sensitive mouths may be buying and utilising sensitive tooth pastes, which have desensitising agents in their makeup. Stuff like strontium chloride or potassium nitrate, which can really assist those with sensitive teeth issues. The relief of discomfort caused by temperature changes in foods and drinks or acidic food stuffs are aided by these substances in tooth paste.
Popular today, are the addition of natural extracts to your tooth pastes. Aloe Vera is a proven healing substance and some tooth pastes now include it in their formulations. Echinacea is another natural ingredients which is making its way into some brands of toothpaste. Anti-inflammatory is a key issue being addressed by some of these new formulations of tooth paste.
Tartar Control Tooth Pastes
“The formulation of tartar control toothpaste specifically prevents plaque from hardening into tartar, a major contributor to gum disease and decay. Manufacturers commonly use ingredients like pyrophosphates or zinc compounds for their efficacy in tartar prevention. However, these chemicals can sometimes lead to side effects such as dental sensitivity or gum irritation. It’s essential to monitor adverse reactions and consult a dental professional if symptoms persist.”
– Dental News
Whitening Teeth Via Tooth Paste
Of course, we all know and want uber white teeth in the 21C. The proliferation of digital images of faces everywhere we look these days has generated the desire for the perfect Hollywood smile. Tooth paste manufacturers have exploited this from day one via ranges of teeth whitening pastes and gels for the general public. Bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide are whitening and stain removing. Over-use of these, however, can damage tooth enamel via their acidic effect. It is advisable to proceed with caution and consult your dentist about teeth whitening procedures and use of speciality whitening toothpaste formulations.
All About Flavour & Sweetness For Kids
Flavoured tooth pastes and sweetened tooth paste formulations are favoured by kids, of course. It is, therefore, a balance for manufacturers to get right in marketing and selling their tooth pastes to the public. The fresh flavours of mint and spearmint have been incorporated into the popular reputable brands of tooth paste for decades. Xylitol and sorbitol are the sweeteners of choice in most pastes, which promise to be non-decay causing but sweet enough to please our palates.
So, what‘s in your toothpaste? This is an important question to ask and it pays to check out the list of ingredients on the packaging. If you are unsure about what is what, remember that you can always ask your local dentist for their expert advice.
Disclaimer: The material posted is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary with each patient. Any dental procedure carries risks and benefits. If you have any specific questions about any dental and/or medical matter, you should consult your dentist, physician or other professional healthcare providers.
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