Toothpaste

Because enamel doesn’t shed like our skin, teeth can host hundreds of millions of bacteria, often clumped together as plaque. When we consume carbohydrates, certain bacteria break them down and produce acids that weaken enamel. Over time, toothpaste formulas have evolved to include ingredients that strengthen enamel, reduce bacterial growth, and address other oral health needs. If you’re choosing a new toothpaste and feel overwhelmed by the ingredient list, here’s a simplified guide to help you understand what’s beneficial and what you might want to avoid.

Abrasives

“Exfoliants” for teeth—polish and remove stubborn deposits. (Prophy paste often uses pumice, a volcanic rock; too rough for daily use.) Ranked least → most abrasive:

Least abrasive

• Calcium phosphate, dibasic (dihydrate) (CaHPO₄·2H₂O) — gentle abrasive with a smooth feel. Gentle on enamel; suitable for sensitive teeth; neutral pH; can supply calcium for remineralization. Can lose water and convert to harder anhydrous form (formulas add magnesium salts); can reduce effectiveness of sodium or stannous fluoride—many pair with monofluorophosphate or go fluoride-free.
• Aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) Mild; less abrasive than silica or CaCO₃; good for sensitive teeth; can neutralize acids; compatible with fluoride; generally safe daily. Less effective for heavy stain removal than stronger abrasives.
• Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) — heavy type from ground limestone; precipitated type is synthetic. Common and cost-effective; removes plaque/stains well; insoluble, white, odorless. More abrasive than calcium phosphate; particle size/shape matters; with hard brushing may increase wear—avoid hard bristles.
• Silica / Hydrated silica (SiO₂, SiO₂·nH₂O) Tunable abrasiveness (gentle → strong); compatible with fluoride; popular in whitening; low refractive index for clear gels. High-abrasive versions can be harsh for thin enamel/dentin if used daily.
• Calcium pyrophosphate, insoluble sodium metaphosphate, alumina Very effective for stain/tartar removal; strong polishing (alumina especially hard; used in professional pastes). Higher abrasiveness—can accelerate enamel wear/recession if overused; better for occasional use or targeted needs.

Binders

Hold dry + wet ingredients together so paste keeps its shape.

• Sodium alginate (from brown seaweed) Plant-based; smooth gel texture; works in fluoride pastes; popular in “natural” formulas. Not great at suspending heavier particles for long storage; often paired with xanthan/carrageenan.
• Carrageenan (red seaweeds: Chondrus, Gigartina, Eucheuma) Creamy, premium mouthfeel. Can over-gel with calcium if not balanced; some consumers avoid due to controversies (typically about degraded forms).
• Carbomers (synthetic acrylic polymers) Excellent for clear gels; stable, consistent thickening. Costlier; start acidic and require neutralization so they swell—if off, texture turns runny or too stiff.
• Xanthan gum (fermentation product) All-around stability; suspends heavy abrasives; wide pH range. Overuse can feel sticky; can slightly mute flavors.
• PEGs (polyethylene glycols) (synthetic) Smooth texture; help prevent separation. Rare irritation on very sensitive tissues; petroleum-derived (preference issue).

Humectants

Prevent drying/hardening and give a creamy texture. Common: glycerol, sorbitol, propylene glycol, PEG.

• Keep paste moist; improve feel; some (xylitol, sorbitol) add mild sweetness. Sorbitol can be slowly fermented by bacteria; PEG origin concerns (cosmetic preference); rare sensitivities.

Solvents

• Water — Dissolves and disperses ingredients; essential. Requires preservatives to prevent microbial growth.
• Alcohol (mostly in rinses) — Solubilizes essential oils; enhances flavor “bite.” May dry/irritate sensitive mouths.

Foaming Agents / Surfactants

Lower surface tension to spread paste, lift debris, and disperse flavors.

• General — Boost cleaning efficiency; foamy “clean” feel. SLS can irritate mucosa and is linked to more canker sores in some people.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) — Strong cleansing/foaming; effective across pH; can inhibit plaque-forming enzymes. Irritation potential; incompatible with certain cationics; may increase RAU frequency in susceptible users.
• Gentler options — sodium lauryl sarcosinate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium cocomonoglyceride sulfonate, sucrose fatty acid esters, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate.

Flavoring Agents

• Mask raw tastes; refreshing; some essential oils offer mild antibacterial effects. Occasional irritation/allergy; flavors can fade over time.

Sweeteners

• Common: sodium saccharin, sorbitol, glycerol, xylitol. Improve taste; xylitol can inhibit cariogenic bacteria and reduce acid production. Sorbitol is slowly fermentable; large swallowed amounts of polyols may upset the stomach; xylitol is toxic to dogs.

Coloring Agents

Artificial dyes (e.g., Blue 1, Blue 2, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6) and titanium dioxide (white base).

• Attractive appearance; TiO₂ makes pastes bright white. Some avoid artificial dyes due to sensitivities/preference; TiO₂ concerns largely pertain to food, not toothpaste.

Preservatives

Prevent microbial growth and extend shelf life. Common: sodium benzoate, methylparaben, ethylparaben.

• Sodium benzoate — Effective, generally well tolerated. Very rare irritation; the benzene issue is mainly with beverages + vitamin C, not toothpaste.
• Methylparaben & Ethylparaben — Highly effective and stable. Some consumers avoid parabens due to public concerns, though harm from toothpaste use isn’t supported by evidence.

Anti-Caries Agents

Strengthen enamel and resist acid attacks from plaque bacteria; enhance remineralization and reduce demineralization.

• Hydroxyapatite ↔ Fluorapatite: Enamel is mostly hydroxyapatite. Fluoride can replace hydroxyl groups to form fluorapatite, which is more acid-resistant.
• Sodium fluoride (NaF) — Fast fluoride release; strong evidence base. Can react with calcium abrasives (e.g., CaCO₃) unless formulated to prevent it.
• Monofluorophosphate (MFP) — More compatible with calcium abrasives; slower release can persist during brushing. Requires enzymatic breakdown—slightly slower action than NaF.
• Stannous fluoride (SnF₂) — Fluoride + antibacterial/anti-plaque; can reduce inflammation and sensitivity; enamel may become more hydrophobic. Can cause temporary staining; less stable without special stabilization.
• Xylitol — Non-fermentable by cariogenic bacteria; reduces acid production; can lower S. mutans in plaque/saliva. Large swallowed amounts may cause GI upset; toxic to dogs.
• Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) — Buffers acids; mild abrasive; freshens breath; inexpensive. Less whitening than stronger abrasives; salty taste.
• Calcium/Phosphate — Supplemental ions can support remineralization and fluoride uptake.

Anti-Plaque & Anti-Calculus Agents

Plaque is a soft, sticky layer of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. If not removed, it can irritate gums, contribute to cavities, and harden into calculus (tartar)—a rough deposit only a professional can remove. Anti-plaque agents slow plaque growth; anti-calculus agents help prevent mineralization into tartar. They don’t replace brushing/flossing but make it harder for bacteria and tartar to stick.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) — Inhibits plaque-forming enzymes (glucosyl/ fructosyltransferases); strong cleaning and foaming. Can irritate oral mucosa; may increase canker sores in some people.
• Triclosan — Broad antimicrobial; anti-inflammatory (COX/LOX pathways); works better with PVM/MA copolymer or zinc for retention. Only moderate clinical plaque reduction; environmental/resistance concerns reduce use in some markets.
• Stannous ions (as SnF₂ / stannous pyrophosphate) — Reduce plaque and S. mutans; may make enamel more hydrophobic; contribute to caries protection via CaF₂ reservoir. Temporary staining; stability challenges without proper formulation.
• Zinc ions (chloride/citrate) — Inhibit bacterial metabolism (glycolysis/PTS); reduce plaque and calculus; cut volatile sulfur compounds (breath). Metallic taste possible; often enhanced by compatible surfactants.
• Essential oils (thymol, menthol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate) — Mouthrinses with these can significantly reduce plaque/gingivitis; refreshing flavor. May irritate sensitive mouths; strong flavors not for everyone.
• Chlorhexidine — “Gold standard” antimicrobial; retained in mouth ~24h; excellent plaque/gingivitis reduction. Tooth/tongue staining; taste alteration; typically short-term use only.
• Anti-Calculus: Pyrophosphate — Binds to enamel/HA; interferes with crystal growth; smoother feel. Hydrolyzed by phosphatases (short-lived) unless stabilized (e.g., with PVM/MA); may increase sensitivity in some.
• Anti-Calculus: Zinc ions — Dual action on plaque and calculus by inhibiting crystal growth and bacterial enzymes. Metallic taste for some; requires continued use for benefit.

Desensitizing Agents

Reduce tooth sensitivity (often from exposed dentin) by blocking tubules or calming nerves. They don’t repair enamel loss but can make daily life more comfortable.

• Potassium nitrate — Calms intradental nerves; safe for daily use; widely available. Takes ~2–4 weeks; does not physically block tubules.
• Stannous fluoride (SnF₂) — Blocks dentin tubules; strengthens enamel; antibacterial. Temporary staining; needs stabilization.
• Arginine + Calcium carbonate — Helps seal exposed tubules; can provide faster relief for some users. Availability varies; results vary person-to-person.

Whitening Agents

Toothpaste whitening removes or prevents extrinsic (surface) stains from foods, drinks, tobacco, and plaque. Works by polishing stains away (abrasives) or using non-abrasive helpers (enzymes, coatings) to break down/prevent stains. It doesn’t change the internal tooth shade like peroxide bleaching.

• Abrasives — Immediate surface stain removal; good polish on smooth surfaces. Overuse/too harsh can wear enamel/dentin; limited in gumline/interproximal areas.
• Dimethicone — Creates slick surface that resists new stain/plaque; gentle and non-abrasive (preventative). Doesn’t remove existing stains.
• Papain (enzyme) — Breaks down protein components of stains without abrasion; gentle for sensitivity. Limited on deep/old stains; effect is formulation-dependent.
• Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) — Mild abrasive + acid buffer; freshens breath; inexpensive. Less whitening power than stronger abrasives; salty taste.

Mouthwash

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Floss

Coming soon.

Whitening

Coming soon.

Trends

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