You’re probably guilty of overlooking the ingredients on the label of different products like creams, gels, or even toothpaste, and using them without concern. However, would you overlook the ingredients used in a meal that is served to you or a dish that you’re preparing? You need to consider ingredients that you may be allergic to, those that you need to avoid for health reasons, or some that help you combat a certain health problem.
So while it’s good to be concerned about the food you’re consuming for your physical health, you also need to pay attention to the contents of your toothpaste for your oral health as well. By looking for specific ingredients that actually cater to your needs, you can better combat dental problems.
To help you pick the right toothpaste, here are some common dental problems and the respective ingredients to look out for to help resolve them.
1. Toothpaste for Sensitivity
If you’ve ever experienced a sharp, sudden sensation overpowering the joy of your creamy chocolate ice cream, then you understand how uncomfortable and inconvenient tooth sensitivity can be. If this is something you experience regularly, here are a few ingredients that you can look out for in the contents of your toothpaste.
Potassium Nitrate: According to research, potassium nitrate is an important ingredient that plays a vital role in providing relief from tooth sensitivity. (Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) It helps in blocking the transmission of pain from the tooth to the brain and calms the nerves of the teeth to prevent any discomfort.
Nano Hydroxyapatite: Nano Hydroxyapatite has a strong ability to bond with proteins, as well as with fragments of plaque and bacteria when contained in the toothpaste. It remineralizes teeth by refilling lost minerals like calcium and phosphate. This revolutionary ingredient is present in Dent91’s toothpaste, it helps in remineralizing the tooth and reduces sensitivity by strengthening the tooth enamel.
2. Toothpaste for Teeth Whitening
Ever noticed slight yellow discolourations on your teeth? Or maybe even a few pesky brown spots? This could happen due to smoking, consuming acidic and sugary foods, or not following a proper dental hygiene routine. Because of these factors, the tooth enamel gets depleted and opens the door to germs and bacteria that build up on the teeth and create brown spots. A few ingredients that help tackle these problems are listed below:
Hydrogen Peroxide: This ingredient is used in whitening toothpaste as it is a bleaching agent which helps remove stains and lightens the colour of your teeth. However, as this is a strong chemical, it is used in limited amounts in toothpaste and is more likely to show results over time. (Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Herbal Ingredients: Today, people prefer herbal products when it comes to teeth whitening as these chemicals can be harsh on the tooth if not used in the correct way. You can look for certain components in your toothpaste like papaya (papain enzyme), menthol, salt and citrus components has proven to show safe and effective results. (Source: ResearchGate)
3. Toothpaste for Weak Enamel
The enamel acts like a shield for your teeth against the harmful bacteria that may enter your mouth. It’s a transparent layer that protects your teeth from the germs that can get accumulated in its crevices. However, if you don’t regularly clean your teeth, these bacteria tend to release acids that can damage and erode the enamel over time, resulting in weak enamels. If your enamel is weak, it means that the shield protecting your teeth is weak, which could expose your teeth to problems like cavities, infections and gum disease. Here are two of the main ingredients you should look for in your toothpaste that can help prevent this problem:
Nano Hydroxyapatite: This unique ingredient is the main component of the teeth’s enamel and actually makes up 90% of the foundation of the enamel itself. It plays a crucial role in strengthening the enamel, preventing tooth decay and protecting it against plaque and other problems. Since it is a natural ingredient, it is also safer than most of the chemical ingredients used in other toothpaste.
Lactoferrin: This is a super protein that is originally found in mother’s milk, bovine milk, and other body fluids like saliva and tears. It is Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, and Anti-inflammatory. It supports your oral health by strengthening the defensive power of your saliva, fighting off harmful bacteria, and promoting the growth of good bacteria with its ability to absorb iron. Because of its natural properties, it is safe to use across age groups.
Dente91’s Toothpaste is uniquely formulated by combining the dental potential of these two powerful ingredients.
4. Toothpaste for Plaque Build-up
Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on the surface of your teeth. This normally happens due to a buildup of bacteria from starchy and sugary foods that can release acids and damage your teeth. If this is not dealt with properly, plaque can build up in your mouth and turn into tartar which is extremely difficult to remove without professional help from a dentist.
Sodium pyrophosphate: Research shows that this ingredient plays an instrumental role in preventing the build-up of plaque on the teeth and in turn preventing the formation of tartar. It does this by preventing the formation of crystals that can eventually turn into tartar. (Source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Lactoferrin: Human saliva plays an important role in fighting the harmful bacteria that enter through the mouth. Lactoferrin strengthens this defensive power of saliva and promotes the growth of good bacteria by helping it absorb iron. In this way, it proves effective against dental plaque and other oral pathogens. Dente91 Oral Care is powered with Lactoferrin which gives Antimicrobial protection to the teeth.
5. Toothpaste for Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a gum disease that develops solely due to poor oral hygiene. It can cause swelling on the base of your teeth and gums. If it’s not dealt with promptly, it can develop into a much worse disease known as periodontitis which can result in tooth loss.
Simple habits like brushing your teeth twice a day and using mouthwash can help prevent the onset of gingivitis. However, if you’ve started noticing the early signs of gingivitis already, here is the main ingredient you can look for in the contents of your toothpaste.
Nano Hydroxyapatite: Since Nano Hydroxyapatite is a biomaterial that makes up the enamel part of the tooth, it has the ability to bond with the enamel and make it stronger. This strengthens the protective layer of the tooth and helps in preventing the accumulation of harmful bacteria or the formation of plaque. Using toothpaste containing this highly effective ingredient, twice a day, can surely prevent gum diseases like gingivitis.
Other Ingredients Used in Toothpaste
1. Flavourings
While all the ingredients mentioned above play a vital role in strengthening and protecting your teeth, they do not have any flavour. This is why many kinds of toothpaste add certain ingredients like sorbitol or saccharin that give a minty or menthol-like taste. Dente91 has a cool mint flavour that makes your breath fresh.
2. Humectants
A few flavouring agents also act as a humectant, such as sorbitol and xylitol, and form a part of the constituents of toothpaste. A humectant helps in trapping water in the toothpaste so that when you squeeze the toothpaste out of the bottle, you get a consistent and smooth paste-like texture on your toothbrush.
3. Thickening Agents
Thickening agents are also known as binders that complement the work of humectants in toothpaste contents. It helps stabilize the toothpaste formula and gives it a smooth, thick texture. One common thickening agent is called xanthan gum which is mild and does not give any irritation to the teeth or gums.
Now that you know what to look out for in the ingredients of toothpaste, you will be able to find the right components that will cater to your specific tooth problem. A good place to start is to search for ingredients that strengthen your enamel, which is the most important part of your teeth. Lactoferrin and Nano Hyadroxypatite are two of the main ingredients in Dente91’s toothpaste that help remineralize your teeth and significantly improve oral health.