Toothpaste

What is it?

Toothpaste is a paste or gel used to clean and improve the overall health and well-being of your teeth. It helps get rid of plaque and food from your teeth, it can help if you have bad breath, and it can include ingredients like fluoride to prevent tooth and gum disease. Most people feel it is a necessity and should use it at least twice per day.

When did using it become Popular?

Toothpastes became generally popular in the 1800s. In the early 1800s, the toothbrush was usually used with water, but tooth powders began to be popular. Most were home made, with chalk, crushed brick, and salt.

By 1900, a substance made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda was recommended. Pre-mixed versions were first marketed in the 19th century, but did not become more puplar than tooth-powder until World War I. In New York City in 1896, Colgate & Company manufactured toothpaste in the first collapsible tube.

Before WWII, it was packaged in small lead/tin alloy tubes. The inside of the tube was coated with wax; however, it was learned that lead from the tubes leaked over into th paste and because there was not enough tin and lead during WWII, manufacturers started using laminated (aluminum, paper, and plastic combination) tubes. At the end of the 1900s plastic tubes were used.

Fluoride started to be added in 1914. In the early 1900s the American Dental Association (ADA) did not like the use of fluoride. However, the discovery that changed it into a vital defense against tooth decay was the finding that fluoride could reduce cavities. So fluoride being included began to be manufactured in the 1950s got the ADA´s seal of approval. Different countries have different recommended limits and suggest different amounts to be used for health.

Why is it important?

Your mouth has hundreds of microorganisms jumping around inside. Some of these, mainly streptococcus mutans, create plaque from leftover food pieces in your mouth. Microorganisms in your mouth feed on left over food to form acid and particles called volatile sulfur molecules. Acid eats into tooth enamel and we are left with cavities, while volatile sulfur molecules are what make our breath stinky.

Toothpaste works with toothbrushing to clean teeth and fight plaque bacteria. Specifically:

• Toothpaste takes fluoride to the teeth. Fluoride combines with the tooth enamel weakened by acid attack, making it stronger and more resistant to future acid attack from plaque bacteria and food. This is probably the most important purpose that toothpaste serves. Fluoride is the reason why we see so few cavities in individuals who brush their teeth often today.

• It has abrasives that scrub and clean away plaque. Also, toothpaste abrasives help get rid of food stains from teeth and polish tooth surfaces.


• Some versions have ingredients which reduce the growth of plaque bacteria. These may include ingredients like Xylitol and triclosan.

What kind do we like in our Seattle Bellevue Dentist Office?

One type that we recommend is Colgate Total. This brand has triclosan which can reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth for up to 12 hours after you use it. This helps to reduce the germs that create plaque and helps keep your mouth and teeth healthy and clean. If you have any questions, please call us at (425) 454-2005. We look forward to speaking with you.