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Toothpaste Ingredients

Toothpastes have come a long way since ancient times. Powders, crushed chalk and even twigs have been used in the past to clean teeth. A quick look in any drugstore or supermarket will show you toothpaste designed specifically for children, tartar control or sensitive teeth. They may contain tooth whiteners and come in a variety of flavors.

  1. Foaming Agents

    • All commercial toothpastes must contain foaming agents. These agents have two functions. They help create an environment that will trap and remove particles from your teeth. Foaming agents also aid fluoride, another toothpaste ingredient, to work better. Lauryl sulfates or one of its variations are used in major brands. Some brands may add an alkalizing agent to reduce sensitivity from these detergents. Lauryl sulfates also have anti-bacterial properties and may help remove plaque from teeth.

    Abrasives

    • Besides the foaming agent, or detergent, toothpastes also need to have an abrasive element to help scrub teeth. This ingredient is usually silica, sometimes found in white toothpaste, or hydrated silica, found in gel toothpaste. Hydrated silica is highly compatible with sodium fluoride, so it is often used. Calcium is sometimes added to toothpaste as well. Its salts also act as an abrasive agent.

    Fluoride

    • Fluoride, specifically sodium fluoride, is used in toothpaste in small quantities. It takes up less than 1 percent of the total composition of any toothpaste. Fluoride helps harden teeth to protect them from developing cavities. This ingredient works best when combined with a detergent or foaming agent.

    Whiteners

    • Not all toothpaste varieties contain whiteners, but those that do often use peroxide. A weak solution of hydrogen peroxide is the most common, but some may use carbamide peroxide. Another commonly used peroxide is sodium carbonate peroxide. This divides into a washing soda and hydrogen peroxide. Not only does hydrogen peroxide help whiten teeth, it also acts as an anti-bacterial agent to kill germs around your teeth.

    Thickeners and Other Ingredients

    • Last but not least, toothpastes contain thickening agents to help create a pleasing texture and feel in your mouth. They are different types of gums and polymers and also help to retain the moisture so that your tube of toothpaste will not dry out. Artificial sweeteners and flavorings are added as well to make the taste more pleasant. Another active ingredient, Triclosan, is often on the ingredient list. Its job is as an anti-bacterial to help eliminate microbes that cause plaque.

      Your saliva contains calcium and magnesium, so anti-tartar toothpaste contains an ingredient called TSPP. TSPP stands for tetrasodium pyrophosphate, and it binds with these minerals in your mouth to remove them. In this way, TSPP acts much like a water softener to prevent tartar from forming on your teeth. It will not remove existing tartar, which gets scraped off your teeth at your dentist's office during a cleaning.

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