Have you ever taken the time to really analyze the ingredients that are in your toothpaste—few patients do! However, when you take a closer look, you’ll find that your toothpaste is jam packed with helpful substances that will help you maintain a clean and attractive smile. Today our Saint Louis dentists are reviewing some of the key types of ingredients that are frequently included in oral hygiene products, let’s get started!
As you buff your toothpaste over your dental enamel and oral tissues, you’ll likely notice that the toothpaste produces foam and suds, which help to effectively and thoroughly clean your smile. These suds are the product of oral-hygiene-appropriate detergents, like sodium laurel sulfate. Detergents help you remove and neutralize existing plaque and bacteria.
Your toothpaste will likely also include some lightly abrasive ingredients, which help to manually dislodge dental debris and bacteria. Did you know that historically, oral hygiene products used things like crushed egg shells to help patients buff away plaque? Luckily, modern dental technology allows you to clean your smile with substances that are appropriately abrasive, while still being safe for your enamel and oral tissues: dehydrated silicia gels, aluminum oxides, and calcium carbonate.
Toothpastes do not naturally taste appealing; manufacturers add ingredients to improve your experience when you are brushing your teeth. The key thing about these ingredients is that they make the taste of your oral hygiene product more appealing without using harmful sugars. Ingredients like sorbitol and saccharine make toothpastes and mouthwashes more palatable.
If you have additional questions about choosing oral hygiene products for your daily dental routine, please feel free to contact our Saint Louis dentists to learn more. We are here to provide you with all of the information and guidance that you need to build a successful oral hygiene routine!