What do we find inside a common toothpaste?
- water
- Abrasive substances: calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate dihydrate or anhydrous, silicas, silicates and dehydrated silicate gels. They have a cleaning and polishing action.
Moisturizing and lubricating materials: glycerin, sorbitol and polyethylene glycol. Their function is to retain moisture and prevent hardening of the toothpaste in contact with air.
- Binders and thickeners: to prevent the separation of solid and liquid ingredients, glycerine and cellulose derivatives are used.
- Flavor: the substances that are added to the toothpaste are different, such as menthol, thymol, peppermint, cinnamon and other essential oils.
- Acariogenic sweeteners: sorbitol (also has a preservative function), saccharin and xylitol (it also has an anti-plaque function).
- Functional substances such as fluorine, hydroxyapatite, chlorhexidine, etc.
Types of toothpaste
Fluorine toothpastes - anti-dentifrices
Among the ingredients common to practically all toothpastes, fluoride is certainly the best known. This mineral and its salts remineralise tooth enamel and perform an antibacterial action, preventing tooth decay. Fluorine is not added as such but in the form of soluble salts, such as sodium, potassium and stannous fluoride.
The fluoride present in the mouth has the ability to penetrate the most superficial layers of the enamel and bind to the calcium ions that form the hydroxyapatite, anchoring them together so as to make them more resistant to flaking by plaque acids.
The use of fluoridated toothpaste leads to a reduction in the formation of new caries by 33.3% compared to the control placebo.
Fluoride gels and special toothpastes with a high fluoride content are particularly suitable for the intensive prophylaxis of caries and the treatment of sensitive collars. Generally these products are used once a week to complement daily oral hygiene. In special cases, they can be applied every day for a limited period. Agree the use of these products with the dentist or dental hygienist.
PLEASE NOTE: for oral hygiene for children under the age of six, it is advisable not to use toothpastes containing fluoride in concentrations above 500 ppm (parts per million). The risk is that the child swallows the toothpaste, absorbing excessive amounts of fluoride and therefore suffering from the so-called fluorosis. This fluorine "intoxication" manifests itself with aesthetic and functional changes in tooth enamel, as well as in more severe cases with similar problems at the bone level.
Hydroxyapatite-based toothpastes
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, hydroxyapatite is a natural component of bones and teeth, which acts by creating a physiological barrier against hypersensitivity, plaque, tartar and caries. Hydroxyapatite-based toothpastes can therefore be used to strengthen tooth enamel.
Anti-plaque toothpastes
They contain substances with direct or indirect antibacterial action, and as such prevent the excessive accumulation of plaque. These include sodium chloride (cooking salt), which stimulates the production of saliva (in which buffering and antibacterial substances are normally contained), iodine (with antibacterial action), and metal salts, such as zinc, tin and aluminum (which induces protein precipitation with formation of a protective film on the oral cavity). In the anti-plaque toothpaste, enzymes, such as lactoperoxidase, glucose oxidase and amyloglucoxidase, can also be added, which hinder bacterial proliferation in the oral cavity.
ANTISEPTIC DENTIFRICES: unlike the previous ones (commercial or cosmetic) they are anti-plaque toothpastes containing medicinal substances or active ingredients with direct antiseptic action. They must be prescribed by the dentist or dental hygienist and used according to specific instructions, for limited periods of time. The chemical disinfectant and anti-plaque agent par excellence is called chlorhexidine; however, it is advisable not to use toothpastes containing chlorhexidine for too long periods, due to the possible chromatic alterations of the enamel.
Other antiseptic substances, indicated for the control of bacterial plaque and for the treatment of periodontal problems, are represented by triclosan, sanguinaria, tibenzenio idouro and quaternary ammonium salts.
Antitartar toothpastes
Characteristic ingredient of the antitartar toothpastes is represented by pyrophosphates, which have the function of preventing the precipitation of calcium salts. The association between pyrophosphate and calcium salt has proved even more useful in preventing calcification of bacterial plaque.
Whitening toothpastes
Generally, these products contain detergents and microspheres of low abrasiveness, which remove the external pigmentations of the teeth caused by food and drink, smoke, plaque and tartar by contact and rubbing. Depending on the level of abrasiveness, some of these products can be used daily, while others must be alternated with commonly used toothpastes.
Desensitizing toothpastes (against sensitive teeth and gums)
They contain mostly fluoride salts and hydroxyapatite, possibly assisted by strontium chloride, potassium nitrate and zinc citrate. Triclosan, as well as an important anti-plaque action, is also used successfully in the presence of gingivitis. The purpose of these toothpastes is to remineralise enamel and dentin, to make the teeth less sensitive to heat, cold, sweets or acids.
To make the most of their action, after having cleaned the teeth as usual, place a small amount of toothpaste near the gum with a finger, crushing it on the outside and on the inside of the sensitive teeth. After allowing the product to work for a few minutes, it is expelled without rinsing.
Another category of active substances, able to safeguard the health of the gums and mucous membranes of the oral cavity, is that of the so-called filmogens, such as delmopinol, lipophilic complexes and hexetidine, local anesthetic agent, astringent, anti-plaque and deodorant. During the use of these toothpastes, a lipophilic film is formed which is deposited on the teeth and gums protecting them mechanically.
