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In a lifetime, the average person will spend 852 hours, or 35.5 days, brushing their teeth. Have you ever wondered what are the ingredients of toothpaste as you brush your teeth?
First and foremost, a toothpaste refers to a paste-like substance that helps to remove food particles and plaques from your teeth. It can prevent bad breath in your mouth as well.
A typical toothpaste will contain both active and inactive ingredients. Active ingredients fight cavities and reduce the risk of gum diseases. Inactive ingredients give toothpaste its taste and texture.
Read on to find out what are the 4 ingredients found in your toothpaste that helps to clean your teeth!
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Fluoride
This is the big brother of all the active ingredients of toothpaste. Other than preventing cavities, fluoride aids the growth of dental enamel and bones.
It also makes your teeth stronger against acid wear, resulting from the food and drinks which we consume on a daily basis, that could potentially cause damage to your teeth.
While the ingestion of a high concentration of fluoride can be acutely toxic to the human body, especially for children, most toothpaste contain a low concentration which makes it safe in case of ingestion.
Toothpaste is not a toothpaste without fluoride!
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Abrasives
Abrasives constitute at least 50% of a typical toothpaste which are either chalk-based or silica-based.
These insoluble particles help to remove plaque from the teeth. It also helps to reduce the chances of contracting various dental diseases.
Abrasives also aid in removing stains from your teeth and act as the main ingredient of toothpaste that is responsible for that shine you get on your teeth.
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Water
Did you know that water is one of the main components of toothpaste? Toothpaste comprises at least 20% water to keep it from drying out.
Without water, the toothpaste would be too hard in texture to be applied onto the toothbrush. The ratio of water to abrasives in the toothpaste will determine its degree of abrasiveness.
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Surfactants
Simply put, surfactants are detergents. Not all, but many kinds of toothpaste contain this ingredient.
Its sole function is to act as a foaming agent, allowing toothpaste to be spread out evenly in order to clean your teeth more thoroughly.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, for instance, is one of the most commonly used ingredients of toothpaste. It helps to remove food particles, bacteria and plaque from your teeth which may potentially cause harm to your oral health.
It is able to remove stains that are stubbornly stuck on your teeth as well.
Other Ingredients of Toothpaste
Other ingredients include antibacterial agents that prevent the build-up of bacteria, reducing the risk of gingivitis.
Flavourants provide the “minty” taste you get when brushing your teeth, and remineralisers help to rebuild the outer layers of your teeth.
Hydrogen peroxide has proven itself to be an excellent whitening agent for the teeth. As a bleaching agent, it is able to remove the stains that discolour your teeth.
With the higher concentration applied to your teeth when you are brushing, the whitening process on your teeth will more likely be faster.
Conclusion
Now that you know the ingredients of toothpaste, keep them in mind the next time you brush your teeth!
Brushing your teeth with toothpaste should be part of your daily oral care routine and you would want to do so at least twice a day. Brushing your teeth after every meal would be a great help to your oral hygiene.
If you have any questions, feel free to send an online enquiry or call us at one of our branches to book an appointment for T32 Dental‘s various services such as scaling and polishing. We will get back to you as soon as possible.