What are the things one should check in their toothpaste - Dos and Don’ts

Have you ever wondered what does your toothpaste contain that makes your teeth look brighter? Toothpaste has both active and inactive ingredients, the active ingredient helps fight bacteria and plaque, whereas the inactive ingredient helps maintain taste and texture of toothpaste. So, next time you’re in the toothpaste aisle and wonder about its content, flip the box of the toothpaste and read the contents, so you get an idea whether it will provide protection or not.

Fluoride plays a starring role in fighting off cavities. Fluoride is a mineral that's added to most of the toothpaste, it strengthens the enamel, slows down the acid producing capability of plaque, which further prevents tooth decay.

One must look for this key ingredient before buying a toothpaste.

This ingredient plays an active role in toothpaste. Abrasives technically help to remove the debris and stains from the teeth.

Abrasives should be gentler and typically include calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels and hydrated aluminium oxides.

The goal of the abrasive should be to gently scrub off the surface of teeth, without damaging your enamel.

Generally, toothpaste designs to whiten teeth contain more abrasive content than non-whitening toothpaste.

Although fluoride and abrasive contains may aid in cleaning and protecting teeth. But they may not have an ideal taste to brush with.

Hence, flavours are added to the toothpaste to make it more acceptable to use.

Toothpaste flavours come from sweetening agents, such as saccharine or sorbitol. Moreover, it is important to note that these toothpastes don’t contain sugar, which will eventually cause tooth decay.

The key ingredient for the sensitivity relief is potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride, and strontium chloride

The active ingredients in the toothpaste help to calm the nerves in your teeth, de-sensitising them to hot, cold, and sugar.

This resistance is build up over time by using de-sensitising toothpaste for few weeks.

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Dr. Rajesh Shetty, Founder, Dazzle Dental Clinic, Mumbai