Humans have been cleaning their teeth for centuries. Granted, it wasn’t always with the minty, fresh toothpaste we know today, but it was always the same concept – an abrasive material used to cleanse the teeth.
Colgate provides some fascinating history on the earliest toothpastes and their evolution into modern day toothpastes. The Egyptians were credited as the first people to use a pasty substance to clean their teeth circa 5000 BC. The Greeks, Romans, and Chinese all made tweaks to the consistency and flavor to suit their preferences. Toothpaste was officially developed during the 1800s, and Colgate began mass-producing jars of toothpaste in 1873, followed by tubes in the 1890s. By the second half of the twentieth century, toothpastes were developed for specific conditions such as tooth sensitivity. By 1914, fluoride became a staple ingredient.
Toothpaste ingredients have come a long way since 5000 BC. For instance, the abrasives were originally a combination of pumice with crushed up bones, shells, etc. Not so appealing for fresh breath, huh? The early to mid 1900s saw the production of chlorophyll and whiskey toothpastes. Talk about some interesting options.
According to Delta Dental, these are the most common ingredients used in today’s toothpastes.
Calcium carbonate: an abrasive that helps remove debris, plaque, and stains
Fluoride: a natural-occurring mineral that fights tooth decay and strengthens tooth enamel
Glycerol: an additive that keeps the smooth consistency of the toothpaste
Sodium laurel sulfate: a detergent that creates the bubbly foam created from brushing
Sorbitol: a sugarless sweetener that doesn’t cause cavities
Toothpaste is not “one tube fits all”. The function of toothpaste depends on its active ingredients. The job description of toothpaste is to prevent and reduce bad breath, cavities, gingivitis, plaque, and tartar. Here are the types of toothpastes you will find at your local store.
All-in-One: This multi-purpose toothpaste is great for covering all your bases, especially if you don’t have any specific dental problems.
Antimicrobial: The main objective of this toothpaste is to fight microbes and germs that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Children’s: Children require different dental care than adults. Children’s toothpastes contain less (or zero) fluoride as well as fewer abrasives. They come in fun flavors like bubblegum and tutti frutti.
Natural: For a holistic approach, natural toothpastes are made from herbal extracts and other natural ingredients. They typically do not contain fluoride, nor have been clinically proven.
Sensitive: Tooth sensitivity can be very painful, and toothpaste containing potassium nitrate can help ease the discomfort.
Tartar Control: This type of toothpaste contains specific agents such as sodium pyrophosphateto help prevent the buildup of tartar (calculus) on teeth.
Whitening: Probably the most popular on the market, whitening toothpaste is promoted for cosmetic purposes with abrasives and cleaners that make tooth enamel brighter and whiter.
With the variety of toothpastes on the market, choosing the right one might seem slightly overwhelming. Just make sure the one you choose has the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This ensures that the toothpaste has been clinically proven and also contains fluoride, which fights cavities and helps remineralize damaged teeth.
If you have any questions about toothpaste, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.