Toothpaste Ingredients: The Good & The Bad

From a young age we are all taught that it is essential that we brush our teeth with toothpaste every day, to ensure we keep our teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and clean. But have you ever studied toothpaste ingredients, stopping to wonder what exactly goes into the miracle paste we all use? Beyond that, are there ingredients that we should avoid, that do more harm than good? While each brand of toothpaste features their own unique formula, there are several key ingredients you should keep an eye out for to avoid or to add to your daily brushing routine.

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What is in Toothpaste?

While each brand of toothpaste possesses their own formula, there are several universal ingredients. These are:

• Abrasives: Materials such as calcium carbonate, hydrated aluminium oxides, and dehydrated silica jelly are used as abrasives in toothpaste. These remove food remnants and stains from your teeth.
• Humectants: Sorbitol, glycol, and glycerol are humectants used to ensure toothpaste remains as the creamy substance it arrives as. Without humectants, toothpaste would dry out.
• Detergents: Detergents are used in toothpaste to create that foamy texture the paste turns into once it is inside your mouth. Sodium cocoyl glutamate and lauryl glucoside are good detergents to look out for.
• Flavouring: None of the above ingredients taste good, which is why flavouring is used to make toothpaste palatable. While minty toothpastes may have a similar flavour to sugar-soaked treats, they healthily recreate this taste through ingredients such as saccharin and sorbitol.

Good Toothpaste Ingredients

While most of us have brand loyalty to a toothpaste we have been using for years or simply buy the brand that is on sale, those seeking the healthiest option should keep an eye out for these beneficial ingredients.

• Fluoride: A primary cavity-fighting ingredient in toothpaste, fluoride is designed to prevent tooth decay while strengthening enamel. Fluoride is recommended by dentists across the globe for these benefits and is a major help in maintaining oral health.
• Potassium Nitrate: If you suffer from sensitive teeth, then you should be on the lookout for potassium nitrate. Those without sensitive teeth won’t receive any benefits, but those who do will feel their teeth sensitivity going down after continued use for several weeks.
• Zinc Citrate: One of the most common ingredients used to reduce plaque, zinc citrate is another beneficial ingredient to be mindful of. Left untreated, plaque builds up and absorbs calcium from your saliva and turns it into tartar.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: Used to reduce stains, hydrogen peroxide is commonly used among toothpaste brands. If your teeth suffer from stains or you are worried about them appearing, invest in toothpaste that features this beneficial ingredient.

Bad Toothpaste Ingredients

Just like there are several positive ingredients to look out for, there are also negative ingredients that should be avoided when purchasing toothpaste. These ingredients risk causing harm to your teeth even as they seemingly clean them.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: A detergent used to turn the toothpaste into foam in your mouth, sodium lauryl sulfate unfortunately causes bad reactions in some users. These include swelling, mouth sores, redness, and peeling.
• Activated Charcoal: Many people have turned to using activated charcoal in their toothpaste to whiten their teeth. There is no proof of these benefits being real, however, and instead activated charcoal wears down your enamel.
• Triclosan: Triclosan used to be a common ingredient in toothpaste, as it is an antibacterial used to kill bacteria. Recent studies have shown that triclosan has been linked to negative effects such as gut inflammation and increasing antibiotic resistance. As a result, it has since been removed from most toothpaste formulas.
• Parabens: Paraben is used to increase the shelf life of toothpaste, but at the expense of the user. Parabens can disrupt your bodies hormones, which may result in breast cancer and other medical issues.

What About Dentures?

As dentures are a substitute for your natural teeth, it is important that you clean and care for them just like you would normally. This includes regular brushing with toothpaste. Dentures require their own unique toothpaste, however, as regular toothpaste can cause damage to your dentures due its abrasive materials. Brush your dentures daily with a nonabrasive denture cleaner and soak them overnight to keep them clean. You should also ensure that you regularly clean your mouth to keep your dentures clean once you put them back in.