Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a paste used to clean teeth, almost always in conjunction with a toothbrush. It can perform several functions that promote good oral hygiene: it can aid in rubbing dental plaque and food off of the teeth, it can eliminate or mask undesirable breath odors, and it can deliver active ingredients such as fluoride to prevent disease of the teeth and gums. Most people in Western, industrialized countries consider toothpaste a necessity and use it at least once a day.

Ingredients and flavors

Sodium fluoride (NaF) is the most popular active ingredient in toothpaste to prevent cavities; some brands use sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP). Nearly all toothpaste sold in the United States has 1000 to 1100 parts per million of one of these active ingredients. This consistency leads some to conclude that cheap toothpaste is just as good as expensive toothpaste. When the magazine Consumer Reports rated toothpastes in 1998, 30 of the 38 were judged excellent.

Related Topics:
Sodium fluoride - Sodium monofluorophosphate - Consumer Reports

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many, though not all, toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate or another of the sulfate family. SLS is found in other personal care products as well, such as shampoo, and is largely a foaming agent.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A small percent (15%) of the population may be affected by long-term usage of SLS in toothpastes, in the form of increases in minor cold sores in one's mouth. Switching to a non-SLS brand, such as Natural White (a UK-based blend) may reduce this effect.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Like many shampoos, healthier ingredients (such as baking soda, pseudo-mouthwash, etc.) are often combined into base mixes of varying qualities and marketed as being beneficial.

Related Topics:
Shampoos - Baking soda - Mouthwash

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Toothpaste comes in a variety of flavors, most often being some variation on mint (spearmint, peppermint, regular mint etc). Other more exotic flavors include: anise, apricot, bubblegum (marketed mostly to children), cinnamon, fennel, ginger, vanilla, lemon, orange, even unflavored.

Related Topics:
Flavor - Mint - Spearmint - Peppermint - Anise - Apricot - Bubblegum - Cinnamon - Fennel - Ginger - Vanilla - Lemon - Orange

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Toothpaste is intended to be spat out. Some types of toothpaste may cause nausea or diarrhea if swallowed in sufficient quantity. This is why children of a young age should not use it, or use it only under close supervision.

Related Topics:
Nausea - Diarrhea

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Calcium used in toothpaste can be derived from animal bones or from lime. Vegetarians prefer to use products free of any ingredients derived from animals. For this reason, in India toothpaste suitable for vegetarians has been introduced and has done extremely well.

Related Topics:
Calcium - Vegetarian

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~