1. 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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2. Definition
A toothpaste or dentifrice is a substance used with a toothbrush
for 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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3. Toothpaste Ingredients
Abrasive
s
20%-
40%
Solid, insoluble particles
Causing abrasion
Remove debris and
residual stain from teeth
Aluminium oxide
Calcium pyrophosphate
Carbonates like sodium
bicarbonate, calcium
carbonate, Silica
Binders 2% To provide consistency
and shape.
Polymers like
Carboxymethyl Cellulose
(CMC)
Alginate ,Gums
Humecta
nts
20%-
40%
Used in toothpaste to
prevent loss of water and
subsequent hardening of
the product upon
exposure to air.
Glycerine
Sorbitol
Polyethylene glycol
Mannitol
Propylene glycol 3
4. Sweeteners
and Flavors
2% each Improve taste
of toothpaste
Sweeteners: sodium
saccharin, sorbitol, mannitol,
xylitol
Flavours: peppermint,
spearmint,
Surfactants 1%-2% Produce foam
and aid in the
removal of
debris.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium N-Lauryl
Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
Fluoride
actives
Adults:
1000-
1450ppm
Children:<10
00ppm
Increases
resistance to
enamel
solubility.
Sodium fluoride
Sodium
monofluorophosphate
Stannous fluoride
Preservatives <1% Prevent the
growth of
micro
organisms
Alcohols, sodium benzoate,
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5. Different types of Toothpastes
Anti-Caries / Cavity
Protection
toothpastes
Sodium fluoride
and sodium
monofluorophosp
hate
contain fluoride to
stop tooth enamel
decalcification and
protect teeth from
tooth decay and
cavities
Eg. Colgate cavity
protection
Plaque & Gingivitis
Prevention
toothpastes
Sodium Lauryl
Sulphate,
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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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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.
9. Fluoride:
There are three main theories considering the positive action of
fluoride 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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10. Positive action of fluoride in the prevention of caries:
• the most important anti-caries effect is claimed to be due to
the formation of calcium fluoride (CaF2) in plaque and on the
enamel surface during and after rinsing or brushing with
fluoride.
• CaF2 serves as a fluoride reservoir.
• When the pH drops, fluoride and calcium are released into the
plaque fluid.
• Fluoride diffuses with the acid from plaque into the enamel
pores and forms fluoroapatite (FAP).
• FAP incorporated in the enamel surface is more resistant to a
subsequent acid attack.
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11. Mouthwashes
• A mouthwash is defined as a non-sterile aqueous solution used
mostly for its deodorant, refreshing or antiseptic effect.
• Mouthwashes or rinses are designed to reduce oral bacteria,
remove food particles, temporary reduce bad breathe and provide
a pleasant taste.
• Mouth rinses are generally classified as either cosmetic or
therapeutic 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.
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12. Mouthwashes
• Therapeutic rinses
– often have the benefits of their cosmetic counterparts,
– but also contain an added active ingredient, f. ex. fluoride
or chlorhexidine, that help protect against some oral
diseases
• The amount of the different components in mouthwashes
varies 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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