The harm of toothpastes! Detailed analysis of the composition. How to brush your teeth?

• Types of toothpastes
• Properties of toothpastes
• Composition of toothpastes
• Choosing toothpaste according to problem

How many of us buy toothpaste? They make a shopping list and go to the hypermarket. If this sounds like you, then most likely you underestimate the role of toothpaste in your health. A good toothpaste protects against caries, ensures that teeth do not lose minerals, and most importantly, does not harm the enamel. In this article, we will analyze in detail the compositions of modern pastes and tell you how to choose the one that really suits you.

Main components

Abrasives are responsible for removing plaque, otherwise known as cleaning or polishing agents. These include baking soda, silicon compounds, calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate. More expensive toothpastes contain a substance called hydrating silica, which is a better alternative to baking soda or calcium phosphate.

The abrasiveness of toothpastes is determined using the abrasiveness index. On the packaging it is marked with the abbreviation RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasivity). This indicator was invented by the American Dental Association. RDA determines the ability of a paste to disrupt the structure of tooth enamel and produce mechanical effects (enamel abrasion). It is believed that effective plaque removal is achieved with RDA values ​​just above 100. Regular toothpaste consists of half abrasive components. If it contains more than 50% polishing agents, it can cause tooth sensitivity.

Almost any toothpaste contains foaming agents that save consumption and help fight plaque. However, large amounts of such substances cause irritation and redness in the mouth.

Flavorings and flavoring additives are added to the paste. Also, for normal consistency, toothpastes need binders (also called hydrocalloids) - components that help retain moisture so that bacteria do not grow in the paste, and preservatives.

Without all these components, toothpaste will not work. However, often instead of harmless natural flavors, abrasives and preservatives, chemists use harmful and life-threatening substances.

Application

• Hygienic. Remove dental plaque. Recommended for people with healthy teeth. Contains useful microelements and antiseptic additives.
• Fluorine-containing. Used to strengthen teeth. Fluoride-containing pastes should be used after consultation with a doctor: some filling materials are destroyed by fluoride.
• Medicinal. The composition contains antibacterial components, protects against caries, and helps prevent diseases of the teeth and gums. Natural extracts, oils, minerals, and biologically active components are used as additives.
• Whitening. Contain abrasive particles and additives to lighten tooth enamel. Recommended for occasional use. Does not eliminate the formation of tartar.
• Children's. They contain substances that have a positive effect on the health of baby teeth, strengthen gums, and disinfecting components.
• Anticarious. Active components penetrate into hard-to-reach places, strengthen enamel, and reduce tooth sensitivity. Ways to stop caries in the initial stages.
• Anti-inflammatory. For sensitive gums. Contains components with antibacterial, antimicrobial, hemostatic effects. Activate the processes of restoration of tissues and mucous membranes.

What should not be in toothpastes

• Lauryl sulfate (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) is a foaming agent that is part of cleaning products. Causes burning and itching in the mouth.
• Propylene glycol is a solvent used in industry. It is used as antifreeze or brake fluid. Particles that enter the body settle in the liver and kidneys and negatively affect their functioning.
• Triclosan (Triclosanum) is an extremely dangerous antibiotic that kills not only pathogenic microorganisms, but also has a detrimental effect on the kidneys and lungs. In medicine it is used only as prescribed by a doctor.
• Paraben is a preservative that increases the shelf life of products. It can be found not only in pastes, but also in shampoos, shower gels and bath foams. It is believed that this substance affects the development of malignant tumors. In 2004, experts studied the levels of parabens in breast cancer tumors. The presence of these substances in malignant tumors has indeed been proven, but the real reasons for their appearance have not been identified.
• Polyphosphates are a substance that softens water. Polyphosphates are included in almost all washing powders. There are suggestions that this particular component can cause an inflammatory process in the oral cavity.
• Chlorhexidine is a substance with an antimicrobial effect that can kill any microflora. With frequent use it causes dysbacteriosis in the oral cavity.

Benefits of natural remedies

The most important advantage of natural cosmetics is the natural origin of the components included in its composition, which not only perfectly cope with their functions, but also do not harm health.

There is an opinion that natural teeth cleaning products are also not able to effectively cope with problems such as whitening, for example, or decreased sensitivity. But this is just a misconception. In fact, natural ingredients can take just as good care of a person’s oral cavity.

In addition, several more significant advantages of natural-based paste should be highlighted:

• Most of these products are certified. And this indicates their unconditional safety and high quality;
• packaging is often self-degrading, which also, albeit to a small extent, helps preserve nature.
• they are not tested on animals;
• when producing products with a natural composition, there is no release of harmful substances into the atmosphere due to the absence of synthetic components;

Composition of toothpaste depending on type

Pastes are divided into two main types: hygienic and medicinal. The former freshen breath and eliminate plaque, the latter fight a specific problem. Dentists, in turn, divide medicinal pastes into several more types. Only a dentist can help you choose the right remedy.

Sensitive paste

The doctor will recommend it if your gums and enamel are sensitive. This product contains potassium salts and strontium chloride. In this case, there should be extremely few abrasive substances in the paste. A substance called hydroxyapatite can also reduce gum sensitivity.

Examples of sensitive toothpastes:

• LACALUT Extra Sensitive.
• Sensodyne Gum health.
• PRESIDENT Sensitive.

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Doctors usually advise patients with hypersensitive teeth to use special gels, for example, the Russian drug RemarsGel, which cannot be found in pharmacies, but can be purchased to order in online stores. Sensitive gel is also available in the line of products under the brand name ROCS (Medical Sensitive Gel).

Whitening toothpaste

The main substances in this product are hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate. The composition may also contain an abrasive index (on the packaging it is designated as the RDA index) equal to 200, but in this case the paste cannot be used daily; it must be alternated with other brands every two to three days. However, your dentist should give more precise instructions for use. Regular toothpastes have RDA values ​​slightly above 100.

Examples of whitening toothpastes:

• WhiteWash NANO.
• Lacalut White.
• Oral-B 3D White.

Anti-inflammatory paste

This remedy is prescribed by a doctor when periodontal disease or periodontitis is detected. In the composition of such pastes you can often find extracts of medicinal herbs.

Examples of anti-inflammatory toothpastes:

• Parodontax classic.
• DIAVIT Diadent Active.
• ASEPTA Active.

Strengthening toothpaste

Necessary for those who have enamel caries (light brown spots on the surface of the teeth). Such pastes must contain either fluoride or calcium. These two substances cannot be present together. It is also worth noting that fluoride in large quantities is harmful to teeth and can cause a disease called fluorosis (damage to tooth enamel). Fluoride paste should not be used for more than three weeks. A more effective and safer alternative to fluoride is glycerophosphate or calcium gluconate.

Examples of strengthening toothpastes:

• President Unique.
• Splat Biocalcium.
• ASEPTA Remineralization.

Remineralizing pastes

The products are designed to strengthen the enamel by saturating it with calcium and phosphorus compounds. Typically, pastes contain calcium citrate and calcium glycerophosphate. To get the proper effect, you need to brush your teeth for at least three minutes.

In addition to toothpastes, remineralizing gels are used at home: they are applied to the teeth and left for the time specified in the instructions for the product.

The use of remineralizing agents is especially indicated for children from 6 years of age, during adolescence, when permanent teeth appear, intensive skeletal growth occurs and the need for calcium increases. Pastes are also recommended for pregnant women, as their tooth enamel often suffers from a lack of calcium.

Toothpaste and braces

When installing braces, you need to be more careful when choosing toothpaste. After all, the non-removable structure creates additional difficulties when brushing your teeth. In addition, while wearing braces, it is necessary to abandon whitening toothpastes so that after removing the corrective devices, the teeth are the same color. Dentists advise changing toothpastes at certain stages of teeth correction. For example, in the first months after installing braces, calcium is actively lost from the teeth, so pastes with a high content of this substance are needed. Then it is important to eliminate possible risks of caries, so strengthening toothpastes are suitable. At the final stages of wearing braces, doctors recommend switching to anti-inflammatory pastes to prepare the patient for painless removal of corrective systems. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the brands of those companies that specialize in producing toothpastes for braces, and consult with the treating orthodontist.

Examples of toothpastes for braces:

• ROCS PRO Brackets & Ortho.
• Gum Ortho.
• Dentaid Vitis Orthodontic.

Making your own tooth powder at home

You can make your own tooth powder. A homemade product will definitely be natural and, accordingly, harmless and even useful.

The recipe may contain the following components:

• 2 tablespoons of baking soda;
• 1 tablespoon ground turmeric.
• 60 g white clay;
• 1-2 tablespoons of Himalayan salt;
• Essential oil of tea tree, mint, orange;

After thoroughly mixing all the ingredients, the powder can be used.

Is it worth paying extra for luxury toothpaste?

Premium toothpastes add expensive and higher quality components, for example, hydroxyapatites, which are also called artificial tooth enamel. They help fight acids that are present in the mouth.

In addition, fluorine and fluorides are not found in luxury pastes; they are replaced with theobromine. This substance, which is obtained from cocoa beans, strengthens enamel and has an antibacterial effect.

Doctors also advise not to skimp on oral care products if you have recently installed an implant. Special toothpastes (Curasept ADS 712, Bluem, Implaclean) help the implant take root and have a good effect on the condition of the gums. When choosing between regular and premium toothpastes, you should understand that an expensive product will not help if you do not follow basic hygiene rules and do not visit the dentist every six months.

Features of the composition: active substances

• Ammonia - added to toothpastes in past decades due to its good whitening properties. A number of manufacturers continue to add amines - organic components that are derivatives of ammonia, obtained from animal fats. In large doses, ammonia and its components cause irritation to the oral cavity.
• Dibutyl phthalate is a substance used as a solvent in the manufacture of toothpastes, perfumes, and cosmetics. Dibutyl phthalate is toxic and prohibited for use in the USA and Europe: the permissible concentration is no more than 0.1%.
• Camphor - the essential oil of the bark of the camphor tree is famous for its whitening properties, but the high percentage of the substance makes the paste unsafe for tooth enamel.
• Dyes - used to give the paste a rich color. Manufacturers use pigments based on natural, artificial components; They produce toothpaste without adding coloring additives.
• Mineral oils strengthen dental tissue, prevent gum disease, and have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Odorless and colorless mineral oils obtained from petroleum refining are added to toothpastes; undergone multi-stage cleaning. The component is harmless, but production does not meet environmental standards.
• Fragrances - give the paste a pleasant aroma. The basis is natural mint oils, menthol, cloves, eucalyptus, anise and other plant extracts. Used together with a sweetener: sodium saccharinate.
• Parabens are components based on ethyl, propyl, methyl bases. Serve as a preservative, a means to extend the shelf life of products. They accumulate in the environment and are not environmentally friendly substances.
• Silicones - liquid silicone is harmful to the body; in some types of toothpastes the substance is added in a minimal dose as a binding component.
• Alcohol kills germs, but has an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Pastes with alcohol are contraindicated for children; persons who have undergone a medical alcohol coding procedure; people with intolerance to the component; managers of vehicles, machinery, etc.
• Sulfates are surfactants added to toothpaste as a binder. Sodium lauryl sulfate is toxic in high doses; it is added to toothpaste in safe proportions.
• Toluene - methylbenzene is used as an organic solvent. Exceeding the concentration causes irritation of the mucous membranes and poisoning of the body.
• Formaldehyde is a substance that kills bacteria in the mouth. This is a dangerous component: a serious dose if ingested leads to poisoning and serious health consequences.
• Fluoride strengthens enamel and prevents the development of pathogenic bacteria. Fluoride-containing toothpastes are used to prevent caries. Not suitable for people with fillings; receiving fluoride from other sources (drinking water, medications, etc.).
• Xylitol is a sweetener that is good for teeth. Strengthens enamel, supports immunity.
• Calcium - The calcium carbonate in toothpaste is a chalk, an abrasive ingredient used to whiten enamel.
• Urea peroxide is a bleaching component based on urea and hydrogen peroxide. A gentle brightening agent.
• Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic, a useful microelement that strengthens teeth and gums; killing bacteria.

Harmless composition of children's toothpaste

When choosing toothpaste for a child, you need to look at the amount of fluoride. This substance is essential for children's teeth, but can be toxic in large quantities. Children from one to four years old need to select a toothpaste with a fluoride concentration of no more than 200 ppm (a unit of concentration that stands for parts per million). For children from 4 to 8 years old, products containing no more than 500 ppm of fluoride are suitable. From 8 to 14 you need to choose a paste with a fluoride content of about 1400 ppm.

You also need to look at the degree of abrasiveness. For children under four years of age, the RDA index should be no more than 20 USD, and for older children - no more than 50 USD. e.

Examples of children's toothpastes:

• Rocs Pro Kids.
• BioRepair.
• Splat baby.

Choice

Natural toothpastes must be selected depending on the individual characteristics of the teeth, as well as taking into account the specific needs of the oral cavity for a particular care.

Pastes have different compositions in accordance with their basic properties. Some are focused on whitening, others on protection, and still others on reducing hyperesthesia.

• The ideal components in toothpastes suitable for sensitive teeth are plant extracts. They will help get rid of pain when taking cold and hot drinks, as well as food. But it is better to avoid the content of coarse abrasive components, sulfates and ingredients that have the property of intense bleaching;
• If you are confident that there is a sufficient amount of fluoride in the diet, you should pay attention to pastes without it. In them, this substance is replaced with a component of organic origin that can perform similar functions without harm to health. This is, for example, algin.
• For bleeding gums, products containing herbal extracts, vitamins, especially B12, and oils are suitable. These ingredients will help relieve gum inflammation and their subsequent restoration;
• natural toothpastes, unlike mass-market products, are able to whiten teeth carefully, without destroying the enamel with harsh abrasive components. In such pastes they are usually replaced with small particles of silicon. Those wishing to achieve a snow-white smile should pay attention to the cleaning product from Logona;