How Does Toothpaste Work?

As any leading brand of toothpaste can tell you, brushing teeth prevents cavities, gingivitis, plaque and tartar. However, it is also proven that brushing and flossing teeth keeps the heart healthy. In a recent study, it was shown that plaque lining arteries may be reduced by up to 5% by flossing regularly.

Toothpaste originated many years ago. While brushing teeth has always been a common practice, it has never been actively done by any civilization until now. A class of compounds known as fluorides is well-associated with healthy teeth. Indeed, fluorides help cleanse the teeth. Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, adds taste and a good feeling to toothpaste. It is what creates the foam in your mouth when you brush. It combines with acids to form Carbon Dioxide gas bubbles. Baking soda is a mild abrasive, and will keep the mouth clean for a short time.

Another main ingredient of toothpaste is Sodium Carbonate Peroxide. It both whitens teeth and kills nasty germs. Hydrated silica, used for hundreds of years, also acts as a mild abrasive. It is usually in the clear strip found in many different toothpastes. Triclosan is used in toothpaste as well. (A common antibacterial used in soap). Finally, the toothpaste is dyed white using titanium dioxide.

The mouth may grow up to 500 different tiny organisms. Most of these make what is known as plaque, which sticks to teeth. They live off of food residue that remains in the mouth after eating. These bacteria expel acids as a by-product. The acid itself bores into the teeth, which causes cavities. Therefore, using baking soda alone as toothpaste will protect the teeth as long as the inside of the mouth remains alkaline. This is why people are encouraged to brush 2-3 times per day. Any less than that allows acids to bread down the teeth. Fluoride itself enters the tooth enamel and strengthens it, making it more resistant to acid breakdown. Thus, toothpaste both kills bacteria, and cleans and strengthens the teeth.

Homemade toothpaste works as well. A fourth cup of baking soda mixed with one eight cups of water makes good toothpaste. Also, fire ashes make a good tooth whitener and cavity preventer, making the inside of the mouth more alkaline. Dipping a wet toothbrush into Kosher salt works as well.

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