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Two minutes, twice a day
You've heard it your whole life, so you might take it for granted, but it's still true: brushing your teeth really can prevent cavities. Plaque is your mouth's No. 1 enemy. It's a tenacious film of saliva and bacteria that clings to your teeth and gums, leaving cavities and gum disease in its wake. If you don't show it who's boss by brushing and flossing regularly, it will thrive in its favorite environment -- your mouth. Toothpaste can actually inhibit the growth of bacteria, keeping plaque in check, not to mention freshening your breath.
Plaque that sticks around too long teams up with the minerals and bits of food in saliva, forming tartar. Tartar-control toothpaste can help inhibit tartar buildup, but once this hard, yellowish substance makes itself at home on your teeth, no toothpaste can get rid ot if. That's a job for your dentist.
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Four Out of Five Dentists Agree
- Simply speaking, toothpaste works in tandem with your toothbrush to remove stains from the surface of your teeth.
- One of the most effective ways to remove tooth stains is to simply scrub them off. Toothpaste generally contains about 25% to 50% abrasives, which are quite effective. Some contain baking soda, which feels gritty at first but dissolves quickly in water, rendering it ineffectual almost immediately.
- Don't brush too hard because it can damage your gums. Ask your dentist about proper brushing technique.
Sound Bites
- Half of all Americans have at least one cavity by the ripe old age of 2.
- By age 20, the average American mouth has 14 teeth that are decayed, have fillings, or have gone missing in action.
- The acid that causes tooth decay thrives on sugar. If you avoid heavily processed foods and refined sugar, you're helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
- Conventional chewing gum contributes more than its fair share to tooth problems. Sugarless gum is a good alternative.
- Much of America's drinking water is fortified with tooth-protecting fluoride and almost all water contains some naturally occurring fluoride.
- Using fluoride toothpaste can reduce cavities by 20% to 40%.
What Does a Toothpaste Do, Anyway?
- Toothpaste inhibits the growth of bacteria in your mouth, which keeps the growth of plaque in check. Plaque is a stubborn film of saliva and bacteria that clings to your teeth and gums, causing cavities and gum disease.
- Plaque can combine with the minerals and particles of food in saliva, forming tartar. Tartar-control toothpaste can inhibit tartar buildup, but once tartar appears on your teeth, only a visit to your dentist can get rid of it.
- Fluoride toothpaste helps to prevent cavities. As the acid in plaque goes to work dissolving tooth enamel, fluoride helps the minerals in your saliva penetrate the tooth and repair the damage.
- As we (and our teeth) grow out of childhood, we tend to be somewhat less prone to getting cavities and more prone to developing gum disease -- gingivitis. Good oral hygiene can help, so don't give up on your gums.
Choosing the Right Toothpaste for the Job
If you brush with fluoridated toothpaste, floss religiously, and see your dentist regularly, you're off to a very good start. But everyone's mouth is different and knowing the right toothpaste to use for certain problems can only improve your oral health:
- If your teeth tend to accumulate tartar quickly, choose toothpaste containing sodium pyrophosphates or zinc compounds. It can't get rid of existing tartar, but it can prevent further tartar formation.
- Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? See your dentist for complete care, then follow up by using toothpaste that contains triclosan, which can kill the bacteria that causes gum disease.
- Some people's teeth are sensitive to heat or cold. Choose toothpaste containing strontium chloride or potassium nitrate. These ingredients serve to desensitize nerve endings in any roots that may have been exposed by receding gums.
- Almost all of us would like a whiter, brighter smile. Toothpaste containing titanium dioxide or citroxain may perk up dull teeth a bit, but no toothpaste can compete with a professional dental bleaching.
- Look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. It's a good way to know that your toothpaste will do what it says on the label.
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Fluoride compounds
Your mouth is filled with millions of acid-producing bacteria, waiting to erode your teeth. But fluoride can help. It binds to the calcium in your teeth to make it more resistant to the bacterial acid assault.
Abrasives
Abrasives are gritty substances incorporated into toothpaste to help clean your teeth. Found in toothpastes, they help remove plaque that has built up.
Anti-tartar agents
Anti-tartar agents help reduce the buildup of tartar on your teeth. They do so by killing bacteria that cause tartar, which prevents formation. Only a dentist can remove tartar that has already formed on your teeth.
Flavoring agents
These chemicals have strong flavors and odors. They are used to cover up the odors of bad breath. They do not stop the cause of bad breath, bacteria, or absorb the noxious odors.
Foaming agents
The foaming agent in toothpaste is merely a surfactant or oxidizer. It is not necessary for the proper function of a toothpaste, but the lather and foam make you feel that the product is working.
Demulcents
Demulcents are very similar to humectants (some humectants are demulcents and vice versa). They coat and moisten your mouth.
Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are used in oral hygiene products because natural sugars promote tooth decay. These chemicals are used to make the taste of oral care products more appealing without promoting tooth decay.
| Fluoride Compounds | Ingredient | Description |
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| Sodium monofluorophospate | ? | Reduces gingivitis. | | Stannous fluoride | ? | A tin compound that safely and effectively reduces gingivitis. | | Sodium fluoride | ? | Reduces gingivitis and fights cavities. Upon ingestion, it may cause vomiting or death. | | Abrasives | Ingredient | Description |
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| Aluminum compounds | ? | Aluminum oxide and aluminum silicate help remove stains and plaque. | | Calcium compounds | ? | Dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and calcium pyrophosphate help remove stains and plaque. | | Silicates | ? | Hydrate silica and silica help remove stains and plaque. They are relatively safe. | | Bicarbonate | ? | Sodium bicarbonate helps scrub away stains and plaque. | | Anti-Tartar Agents | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| Pyrophosphate | ? | Prevents the chemical reaction that forms tartar and helps antioxidants do their jobs more effectively. It can cause irritation in some individuals. | | Triclosan | ? | Kills the bacteria that produce tartar. It can cause irritation in some individuals. | | Flavoring Agents | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| Menthol | ? | Can be purified from peppermint plants or made synthetically. It has a pleasant, minty flavor and odor. | | Methyl salicylate | ? | Also called oil of wintergreen, it has a pleasant, minty smell and flavor. Unfortunately, it is highly toxic. Just 10 mL and 30 mL are toxic doses for a child and adult, respectively. | | Cinnamaldehyde | ? | Gives cinnamon its flavor and smell. | | Foaming Agents | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| Sodium lauryl sulfate | ? | A surfactant that produces foam when you brush. | | Sodium methylcocoyl taurate | ? | A surfactant that produces foam when you brush. | | Vegetable soap powder | ? | A surfactant that produces foam when you brush. | | Sodium lauryl sarcosinate | ? | A surfactant that produces foam when you brush. | | Carbamide peroxide | ? | An oxidizing agent that bubbles when you brush. It also has antimicrobial activity. | | Hydrogen peroxide | ? | An oxidizing agent that bubbles when you brush. It also has antimicrobial activity. | | Demulcents | Ingredient | Description |
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| Glycerin | ? | Helps attract moisture, lubricate, and moisten mouth tissues. | | Sorbitol | ? | A sweet substance that helps lubricate and moisten mouth tissues. | | Propylene glycol (PEG) | ? | Absorbs moisture and has humectant and softener properties. | | Sweeteners | Ingredient | Description |
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| Saccharin | ? | An artificial sweetener that has been linked to cancer in rats. |
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Appropriate Uses
Toothpaste
When used regularly, it helps prevent cavities, gingivitis, plaque buildup, and tartar formation. Also cleans and polishes teeth surfaces, and freshens breath.
Antibacterial toothpaste
When it contains triclosan, it kills the bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay.
Baking soda and peroxide toothpaste
Cleans teeth and freshens breath.
Fluoride toothpaste
Helps remineralize the enamel of teeth.
Tartar-control toothpaste
Prevents tartar formation.
Whitening toothpaste
Removes stains from teeth and brightens the color of teeth over time.
Common Misconceptions
Antibacterial toothpaste
Cannot clean better than a regular toothpaste.
Baking soda and peroxide toothpaste
Cannot clean better than a regular toothpaste.
Tartar-control toothpaste
Cannot claim to remove tartar that has already been deposited on teeth. Tartar must be removed by a dentist.
Whitening toothpaste
Will not have the effect of bleaching teeth white. There will only be a small whitening/brightening effect.
Toothpaste is a Powerful Ally
- Use regularly.
- Put a small amount of toothpaste onto the toothbrush. For small children, dispense no more than a pea-sized amount.
- Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day. If possible, brush after meals as well.
- Toothpaste should be rinsed out thoroughly. Do not swallow.
- Pick a toothpaste with the American Dental Association seal. Once it carries the seal, it is strictly regulated by the ADA.
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Good for Your Teeth, Bad for Your Stomach
- Highly abrasive toothpastes can break down tooth enamel, causing yellowing and hypersensitivity of teeth.
- Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredient in the product.
- Young children should not use more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Children who swallow too much toothpaste can develop fluorosis: white spots on the teeth. Sorbitol and sodium lauryl sulfate can cause diarrhea in children if ingested. Supervise children and prevent excess fluoride ingestion.
- Stannous fluoride may cause yellow staining of teeth.
- Do not ingest. Seek medical attention if sodium fluoride is ingested. Overdose symptoms include:
- Constipation
- Appetite loss
- Rash
- Aching bones and stiffness
- Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
- Diarrhea or black stool
- Muscle spasms or seizures
- Discontinue use if you experience irritation.
Beware of Gingivitis
- Gingivitis is early-stage gum disease and is fully treatable. Be on the watch for it.
- It is caused by excessive plaque buildup and bacterial growth.
- Signs of gingivitis include red, inflamed gums, bleeding gums upon brushing or flossing, slightly receding gums, and possible pocket formation between gums and teeth. Usually no pain is involved.
- See your dentist immediately if you have any of these symptoms for more than a week. They could be the signs of gingivitis.
- If gingivitis goes untreated, it may lead to periodontal disease and tooth loss.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. Covington, TR; RR Berardi, LL Young, SC Kendall, MJ Hickey.Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, Washington DC, 1996.
- 2. Knodel, LC.Nonprescription Products: Formulations & Features '98-99. Americam Pharmaceutical Association. Washington DC 1998.
- 3. Zimmerman, DR.Zimmerman's Complete Guide to Nonprescription Drugs. Gale Research Inc., Detroit, 1993.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
Articles
- 1. Burrell, K; V Haywood.Testing Tubes (Choosing Toothpastes). Men's Health, Vol. 13, 9/1/98.
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