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We started our search by typing some of the better-known toothpaste brands into our browser's location window. We tried www.crest.com, www.colgate.com, and www.mentadent.com and received some information on the various types of toothpastes, what they do, and how they do it. However, we were ultimately unsuccessful in finding the basic toothpaste ingredients. Realizing our quick approach was ineffective, we went to the old standby and typed "toothpaste ingredients" into the Yahoo! search box. As expected, Yahoo! didn't have a Toothpaste Ingredients category, but our search wasn't a waste -- we received thousands of web pages that featured the words "toothpaste" and "ingredients." We were on our way to
a clean and sparkling answer. We clicked on the BDA Facts File, a subpage of the official British Dental Association web site. We scrolled down to find a list of active and inactive ingredients that may be included in toothpaste. Active Ingredients: - Fluoride
- Antibacterial agents, most often Triclosan is used to control plaque
- Desensitizing agents
- Anti-tartar agents
- Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- Enzymes, to enhance the antibacterial properties of saliva
- Xylitol, a non-sugar sweetener, which reduces levels of cariogenic (decay causing) bacteria in the mouth and enhances remineralization
(Natural toothpastes may contain a variety of ingredients - anything from oil of ginger
to seaweed extract.) Inactive ingredients: - Water
- Detergents, to make the toothpaste foam
- Binding agents
- Humectants to retain moisture
- Flavoring, sweetening, and coloring agents like peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, wintergreen, and menthol
- Preservatives
- Abrasives for cleaning and polishing
We clicked on another link, this one an article from WebMD titled "What Are You Putting on Your Teeth?" The article explains that almost all toothpastes start with mild abrasives and detergents, as well as the near-universal ingredient, fluoride. After that, toothpastes vary quite a bit. Possible ingredients include: tartar-control agents, most often pyrophosphate; sensitivity
reducers, such as potassium nitrate; triclosan; baking soda; and teeth whiteners.
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