Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a kind of gel dentifrice or paste which is used in conjunction with a toothbrush in order to maintain a decent level of oral hygiene and to maintain the appearance of your teeth. Toothpaste can help in removing plaque and food debris from your teeth and combat halitosis. Modern types of toothpaste also contains a number of active ingredients which can help protect against tooth decay and gum disease. Most dentists agree that you should brush your teeth twice a day at a minimum and preferably after every meal.

The History of Toothpaste

Historically toothpaste dates back to ancient Egypt, manuscripts from the 4th century tell of a concoction made from iris flowers. The Greeks, Romans and Persians are all thought to have had there own forms of toothpaste but it's popular usage only began in the 19th century. Toothpastes which came pre-mixed were first made commercially available in the 19th century but took a while to overcome the popularity of tooth powder until the first World War. Fluoride was first used in commercial toothpastes from 1914 onwards.

Ingredients

By far the most popular ingredient used in toothpaste is fluoride which can help prevent cavities and decay. Applying fluoride has the added benefit of preventing a build up of moisture on some surfaces. Other, less commonly used ingredients include calcium phosphate, potassium nitrate and Hydroxyapatite nanocrystals. A great deal of toothpaste also contains sodium lauryl sulfate which can act as a highly effective antimicrobial. Some toothpaste manufacturers also add antibacterial agents in order to protect against gingivitis.