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Common Toothpaste Ingredients & What They Do

Michael Wahl • Sep 04, 2019

Have you ever looked at the list of ingredients on the back of your toothpaste box and been overwhelmed? Confused? Disgusted? A long list of scientific names can be intimidating, but most ingredients can be broken down into a few key roles they play in the toothpaste’s function.

Roles of Ingredients

  • Abrasives : gently polish away plaque and bacteria
  • Humectants : helps toothpaste retain water so it stays smooth and not gummy or clumpy
  • Flavorings : make your toothpaste taste good, and can include non-sugar sweeteners
  • Thickening Agents : binds ingredients together and prevents separation of ingredients
  • Detergents : creates bubbles and foam to spread toothpaste around your mouth and helps it stick to your teeth

Common Ingredients

  • Fluoride – fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral proven to strengthen teeth. As long as the person using toothpaste is competent not to swallow toothpaste, this is one of the most important ingredients your toothpaste should have.
  • Glycerol – a humectant that helps maintain texture and moisture. Also found in many processed foods like yogurt, icing, and peanut butter.
  • Sorbitol – a sugar alcohol that works as a thickening agent which also adds a sweet flavor. Bacteria in the mouth can’t feed off sorbitol in the same way they can feed off sugar.
  • Calcium Carbonate – this is an abrasive that helps polish away built-up plaque and tartar. They may also make your smile whiter.
  • Silicates and Silica Gel – also an abrasive that is rough enough to polish away build-up, but gentle enough to protect your enamel.
  • Xylitol – a sugar alcohol that flavors your toothpaste, but has also been proven to have a positive effect on cavity prevention. This is the most common sweetener in sugar-free gums, but is more expensive than sorbitol. It also has helped with patients that suffer from dry mouth.
  • Parabens – preservative that helps prevent mold growth in your toothpaste tube. It has come under more scrutiny recently as studies have shown that too many parabens in our bodies can have negative effects.
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – this detergent helps your toothpaste foam and dissolves dental plaque. Some people react negatively to SLS and develop red, irritated gums or dry mouth. If you suffer from either, consider finding a SLS-free toothpaste.
  • Polyethylene – this is the scientific term for the small plastic micro-beads in some toothpastes. They are meant to make the product more visually appealing and potentially aid in brushing away plaque. Many hygienists have expressed concern that these micro-beads can become lodged in and under patients’ gums, causing tiny cuts, inflammation, and irritation. We recommend you avoid toothpastes with micro-beads. Their benefits are unproven and the negative side effects are substantiated.

These should cover most of the types of ingredients you find in the list on your toothpaste. This field of scientific study is not well developed and many toothpaste ingredients are not found unsafe but also not proven to be safe or beneficial. Take some time to research more on your own and make the decision based on your comfort level with different toothpaste ingredients.

This information is not meant to replace your dentist’s advice. You should speak with your dentist if you are concerned about the effect of your toothpaste’s ingredients on your oral health. Together you can decide the right toothpaste for you.

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