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.

See also

• dental floss
• fluoride therapy
• sodium dodecyl sulfate