Contents• Definition

• Purposes

• Ingredients

• Types of toothpaste

• How to choose a toothpaste?

• Toxic components of a toothpaste

• Caution on toothpaste usage

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Definition

A toothpaste or dentifrice is a substance used with a toothbrushfor the purpose of cleaning the accessible surfaces of the teeth.

Purposes

• Cleaning

• Polishing

• Removal of stains

• Reduce incidence of tooth decay

• Reduction of oral malodors

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Toothpaste Ingredients

Abrasives

20%-40%

Solid, insoluble particlesCausing abrasionRemove debris and residual stain from teeth

Aluminium oxideCalcium pyrophosphateCarbonates like sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, Silica

Binders 2% To provide consistency and shape.

Polymers like Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)Alginate ,Gums

Humectants

20%-40%

Used in toothpaste to prevent loss of water and subsequent hardening of the product upon exposure to air.

GlycerineSorbitolPolyethylene glycolMannitolPropylene glycol 3

Sweeteners and Flavors

2% each Improve taste of toothpaste

Sweeteners: sodium saccharin, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitolFlavours: peppermint, spearmint,

Surfactants 1%-2% Produce foam and aid in the removal of debris.

Sodium Lauryl SulfateSodium N-LaurylPolyethylene glycol (PEG)

Fluoride actives

Adults: 1000-1450ppmChildren:<1000ppm

Increases resistance to enamel solubility.

Sodium fluorideSodium monofluorophosphateStannous fluoride

Preservatives <1% Prevent the growth of micro organisms

Alcohols, sodium benzoate,

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Different types of ToothpastesAnti-Caries / Cavity Protection toothpastes

Sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate

contain fluoride to stop tooth enamel decalcification and protect teeth from tooth decay and cavities

Eg. Colgate cavity protection

Plaque & Gingivitis Prevention toothpastes

Sodium LaurylSulphate, Triclosane, Zinc and Stannous ions.

antibacterial and prevent the formation of dental plaque.

Eg. Crest-pro-health clinical gum protection

Tooth Whitening toothpastes

Papain, Dimethicone

have either higher abrasion value than normal toothpastes to mechanically remove food, smoking and other stains from teeth.

Eg. Colgate Optical White and Colgate Pro-clinical White.

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Sensitivity toothpastes

Potassium nitrate,strontium chloride, potassium citrate

contain de-sensitising agents to relief those with tooth sensitivity by closing the dentinal tubules.

Eg. Colgate sensitive, Sensodyne

Tartar Control toothpastes

Pyrophosphates reduce new tartar build-up (but they can't remove the existing tartar).

Eg. Colgate tartar protection with whitening

Fresh Breath toothpastes

Peppermint, spearmint, menthol

enhance flavoring agents along with antibacterials to fight halitosis

Eg. Colgate Max-fresh

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ANTI-CARIES AGENTS

Fluoride:

– considered to be the most effective caries-inhibiting agent, and almost all toothpastes today contain fluoride in one form or the other

– The most common form is sodium fluoride (NaF), but mono-fluoro-phosphate (MFP) and stannous fluoride (SnF) are also used

– Fluoride is most beneficial when the mouth is not rinsed with water after tooth brushing. In this way a bigger amount of fluoride is retained in the oral cavity

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How do teeth decay?

Tooth decay begins when the outer surface of the tooth is

attacked by acid. The acid is produced by bacteria which live on

the surfaces of the teeth as a layer called plaque. When foods or

drinks containing sugars enter the mouth, the bacteria within the

plaque rapidly converts the sugars into acid. The plaque can

hold the acid in contact with the tooth surface for up to 2 hours

before it is neutralized by saliva.

During the time that the plaque is acidic, some of the calcium

and phosphate minerals, of which enamel is largely composed,

are dissolved out of the enamel into the plaque. This process is

called demineralisation.

Fluoride:

There are three main theories considering the positive action offluoride in the prevention of caries:

FLUORIDE MODE OF ACTION

The action of fluoride on enamel• Enamel consists primarily of a calcium-phosphate-based

crystalline mineral called hydroxyapatite (HAP).

• Fluoride is incorporated into the solid crystal lattice to form fluorohydroxyapatite (FAP). This form of enamel is harder than the naturally occurring HAP and more resistant to decay.

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Positive action of fluoride in the prevention of caries:

• the most important anti-caries effect is claimed to be due tothe formation of calcium fluoride (CaF2) in plaque and on theenamel surface during and after rinsing or brushing withfluoride.

• CaF2 serves as a fluoride reservoir.

• When the pH drops, fluoride and calcium are released into theplaque fluid.

• Fluoride diffuses with the acid from plaque into the enamelpores and forms fluoroapatite (FAP).

• FAP incorporated in the enamel surface is more resistant to asubsequent acid attack.

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Mouthwashes

• A mouthwash is defined as a non-sterile aqueous solution usedmostly for its deodorant, refreshing or antiseptic effect.

• Mouthwashes or rinses are designed to reduce oral bacteria,remove food particles, temporary reduce bad breathe and providea pleasant taste.

• Mouth rinses are generally classified as either cosmetic ortherapeutic or a combination of the two.

• Cosmetic rinses

commercial over-the-counter products that

• help remove oral debris before or after brushing,

• temporary suppress bad breath,

• diminish bacteria in the mouth

• refresh the mouth with a pleasant taste.11

Mouthwashes

• Therapeutic rinses

– often have the benefits of their cosmetic counterparts,

– but also contain an added active ingredient, f. ex. fluorideor chlorhexidine, that help protect against some oraldiseases

• The amount of the different components in mouthwashesvaries from product to product.

• Some practically have the same composition as toothpastes,although they do not contain abrasives.

• Distinct from toothpastes most mouth rinses contain alcohol,as a preservative and a semi-active ingredient .

• The amount of alcohol is usually ranging from 18 – 26 %

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