TOOTHPASTE

What is toothpaste? Toothpaste is a dentifrice which is used in conjunction with toothpaste to keep the mouth clean and healthy. Toothpaste should be part of your daily oral hygiene routine along with your toothbrush as they help to control tartar, halitosis, caries, periodontal diseases. Brushing your teeth without a toothpaste is really not a good idea because it's equivalent to you not brushing your teeth. Toothpaste cannot be used alone as well. Putting the toothpaste in your mouth and gargling it with water is same as not brushing your teeth. This is to say, it must be used along with a toothbrush. Toothpaste can come as a gel, paste or powder. In as much as their ingredients differ slightly, all toothpastes contain the same general component. 

Components of an ideal toothpaste

1. Colloidal binding agent:- It helps to prevent separation of the components in the tube during storage. e.g., Sodium algenate, methyl cellulose.
2. Humectant:- it helps to prevent water loss by evaporation, and keeps the toothpaste from drying out or getting gummy. e.g., Glycerin.
3. Preservatives:- It helps to inhibit bacterial growth and prevent gingivitis, periodontitis, e.g., Triclosan
4. Flavoring agent:- It gives the toothpaste a bit of sweetness since sugar can not be used. e.g., peppermint flavor, aloe Vera, spearmint.
5. Mild abrasives:- It helps to remove the debris and stains on the teeth. e.g., Calcium carbonate, hydrated silica, calcium pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate.
6. Detergent:- It helps to reduce surface tension and enhance the removal of debris from the tooth surface. The foaming action while you are brushing comes from the detergent. e.g., sodium laury sulphate (SLS).
7. Therapeutic agent:- It increases the uptake of fluorine ions leading to increased resistance of fluoro-apatite to acid demineralization. e.g., sodium benzoate.

Types of toothpaste

1. Desensitizing toothpaste:- This is the toothpaste used by people having sensitivity. It contains compounds which helps to reduce tooth sensitivity
2. Caries prevention toothpaste:- This is the normal fluoride toothpaste, not all toothpaste contain fluoride. Fluoride is a natural cavity fighter and also it helps to strengthen the tooth enamel. Be sure to use a fluoride toothpaste as it is the best. But if you base in a region that have fluoride in their water already, there is no need using a fluoride  toothpaste to avoid consumption of excess fluoride which can lead to fluorosis..
3. Whitening toothpaste:- This type of toothpaste have a special chemical and polishing agent that helps to remove more stains than regular toothpaste.

Use of toothpaste for children

Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children ages 2-6 years. This is to minimize the risk of swallowing the toothpaste. If a child swallows regularly a large amount of toothpaste, the excessive fluoride can damage tooth enamel and cause dental fluorosis which causes white stains on the teeth. So, it is important to supervise a child or even better help a child to brush his or her teeth for proper cleaning of his or her teeth and do not allow a child to put toothpaste on their brush without proper supervision.