SITI FATIMAH BINTI MOHD KAMAL

3
RD
YEAR MALAYSIAN DENTISTRY
(DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH)

IMPORTANCE OF THE CONSTITUENTS IN TOOTHPASTE (DENTIFRICE).
1-Detergent (1-2%)
Detergents create foam and loosen plaque and other debris from the tooth surface. Principal
examples are sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate.

2-Cleaning & Polishing materials (abrasive) (50%)
Most brands contain at least 50 percent abrasives. It is one of the most important ingredient to
remove food particles remaining on the teeth. These insoluble particles help remove plaque
from the teeth. The removal of plaque and calculus helps minimize cavities and periodontal
disease. High levels of abrasives may not be a good thing, since they can harm your teeth
sensitive by weakening enamel. It's preferable to use toothpaste with a gentle abrasive. The
right concentration of baking soda works best to clean stains of teeth.
3-Binder (1%)
It serves to prevent separation of ingredients in toothpaste. Materials used include sodium
alginate. Binders are hydrophilic colloids which disperse or swell in the presence of water and
are used to stabilise toothpaste formulations by preventing the separation of the solid and
liquid phases. Examples of binding agents used in toothpaste include the natural gums (arabic,
karaya and tragacanth), the seaweed colloids (alginates, Irish moss extract and gum
carrageenan) and synthetic celluloses (carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose), with
the latter now being used increasingly for economic reasons.
4-Humectants (10-30%)
It give toothpaste its texture as well as retain moisture of the paste. Humectants are used in
dentifrices to prevent loss of water and subsequent hardening of the paste when it is exposed
to air. The most commonly used humectants are glycerol and sorbitol.
5-Flavoring
It serves to provide aroma and flavor in paste and avoid feeling of nausea. In addition, to
increase the freshness of toothpaste. Peppermint oil, spearmint, cinnamon, wintergreen and
menthol are among the many different flavourings used.
6-Water (20-42%)
To help keep it from drying out.
7- Fluoride and other therapeutic agents
The majority of toothpastes combine the caries protection of fluoride with other therapeutic
agents to control plaque, tartar and gum disease. The inclusion of antibacterial agents can help
individuals improve their plaque control. Many toothpastes include triclosan, which has been
shown to offer a clinically useful improvement in gum health. Other pastes specifically target
"tartar" (hardened plaque) and use phyrosphosphate to inhibit the mineralisation of dental
plaque and hence the buildup of tartar (calculus).
8- Preservatives, Sweetener and Coloring Agent.
Preservatives (0.05-0.5%)
to help prevent microorganisms from growing on the organic binders and humectants,
certain preservatives are added. These may include sodium benzoate, methyl paraben,
and ethyl paraben. Between the three common preservatives, sodium benzoate is the
safest. Some natural toothpaste use citric acid. Too much citric acid may cause side
effects such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
Sweetener
to improve the taste of toothpaste, especially those containing the horrible taste of
sodium lauryl sulfate, such sweeteners as saccharin, stevia or xylitol are added. The best
form is xylitol, since it does have many benefits for a healthy mouth, as stated earlier.
Coloring agents
artificial dyes and coloring agents are not uncommon in most commercial toothpaste.
Titanium dioxide may also be used to make toothpaste white. Its best to avoid
toothpaste with artificial dyes and colorings.

9- Therapeutic dentifrices have a drug of chemical agent added for a specific
preventive or treatment.