Toothpaste
Used to clean and improve the look and health of teeth, toothpaste is made up of a paste or gel. Using toothpaste improves oral hygiene, aids in removing plaque and food, cures and/or masks bad breath, and delivers ingredients like fluoride to help prevent tooth and gum disease.
History
Toothpaste was introduced into common use around 1800 in Britain. Most toothpastes were homemade with ingredients like chalk, salt, and pulverized brick. Around 1900, they were making toothpaste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Now, toothpaste often comes with a mix of ingredients including fluoride and is sold mostly in flexible tubes. Sometimes it is sold in hard containers that stand up.
Choosing a Toothpaste
With so many different brands and types of toothpastes you can buy, it is often hard to make a good choice. In general, you want a toothpaste that contains fluoride and bears the American Dental Association seal of approval. Beyond that, you have many choices related to your specific needs. For instance, if you have sensitive teeth, a desensitizing toothpaste should be used. There are also tartar-control, antimicrobial, baking soda, and whitening toothpastes.
How Does Toothpaste Work?
It acts as an abrasive that scratches and grinds away food and plaque on your teeth when brushing it on with a toothbrush. Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate is the abrasive substance found in toothpaste that works its magic on your teeth.
Here are some popular brands of toothpastes that you can buy:
- Colgate
- Crest
- Sensodyne
- Rembrandt
- Aquafresh
- Arm & Hammer
- Glister
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