Do you wonder what’s in your toothpaste that your Dentist Epping thinks is vital for you to brush twice a day on your teeth? What exactly does it do?
Toothpaste is a complex mixture of many ingredients designed to achieve so many goals.
Abrasive particles are included for cleaning your teeth surfaces as you brush back and forth.
Its fluoride fights tooth decay. Toothpaste for children aged 18 months to 6 years contains less than half the fluoride in the toothpaste for older children and adults, and that’s why it is important to use children’s toothpaste for youngsters under 6.
Toothpaste also contains chemicals to help reduce the build-up of calculus on your teeth. Your teeth are naturally covered in a sticky substance, dental plaque, a combination of bacteria plus food remains. When minerals from your saliva enter the plaque, it hardens to a solid substance called calculus – and can only be removed by a professional cleaning from your Dentist Epping.
Some types of toothpastes contain the main mineral in tooth enamel, hydroxyapatite, a source of calcium to help repair tooth structure. Others aim to lessen tooth sensitivity by calming tooth nerves or forming a barrier over sensitive areas. And others contain ingredients to repel stains from teeth surfaces, lighten the teeth colour, or bleach the teeth.
Surfactants are included to foam up the toothpaste and spread it around your mouth during brushing, demolish dental plaque, loosen sticky food particles, and minimise the growth of mouth bacteria. Children’s toothpaste doesn’t foam as much as adult ones.
Thickeners stop the ingredients from separating. Humectants retain water within the toothpaste so it won’t dry out. Water keeps it flowable and hydrates the thickeners. Buffers prevent acidity, and titanium dioxide makes it appear white – or food colours create a designer colour. Spearmint or peppermint are used as breath fresheners but are always paired with a non-sugar sweetener for a pleasing taste.
So, when it’s time to clean your teeth, think of all these ingredients and your Dentist Epping working to help keep your oral health in tip-top condition.
To find out more, please click the link for an appointment with us:
