Blog - What is inside Toothpaste

What is inside Toothpaste?

May 5, 2018

Recently a patient at the Port Kennedy Dental Group asked what is in toothpaste?

Toothpaste is a paste/gel used to assist in cleaning teeth and keeping the mouth healthy. But what is in it? There are many standard toothpastes (and special toothpastes) on the market. It is very difficult even for me a dentist at Port Kennedy, to know what is what inside toothpaste. The answer is long and somewhat boring.

After researching ingredients, I created a list of the main ingredients. While each brand has different composition, most usually have some of the ingredients listed in the classifications below. The type of toothpaste will also determine which of the ingredients are present. Many of the ingredients have multiple actions (listed by main action).

ABRASIVES assist in plaque and food removal when brushing. Abrasives used vary but may include calcium carbonate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, dicalcium phosphate dehydrate, silica or hydrated silica and sodium chloride. Toothpastes should be formulated to clean the tooth surface without harsh scratching or damage to tooth surfaces.

WATER usually makes up 20-40% of toothpaste.

HUMECTANTS minimise drying out and hardening of toothpaste. Sorbitol, polyethylene glycols (PEG-8) and glycerol may present.

THICKENERS or BINDERS help keep toothpaste as a paste. Gums such as arabic, tragacanth, xanthan, carrageenan, Carbomer and Carmellose Sodium are common.

SURFACTANTS are foaming agents that assist in the loosening, removing of plaque and food. Sodium lauryl sulphate is the most common surfactant. Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) or Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate (Tauranol), Polaxamer, may be used as an alternative.

FLAVOURINGS - Mint is the most common flavour and peppermint oil may be present. Other non-mint flavours are also used.

SWEETENERS help improve flavour of toothpaste. Sorbitol, glycerin, xylitol , stevia and sodium saccharin may be present.

PRESERVATIVES minimise bacterial contamination of toothpaste. Hydroxyl-benzoates, methyl-paraben, or benzyl alcohol are common.

COLOUR - Titanium Oxide (white), Chlorophyll (green) and Cl42090 (blue) may be used to give the tooth paste a colour.

ANTI-DECAY - Fluoride in the form of Sodium Fluoride, Stannous Fluoride or Sodium Monofluorophosphate is the main anti-decay agent. Triclosan and Xylitol may also be able to reduce tooth decay(but to a lesser degree).

ANTI-GINGIVITIS - Triclosan may be present to reduce gingivitis. Zinc Citrate may reduce plaque build-up.

ANTI-CALCULUS - Tetrasodium or tetrasodiumpotassium pyrophosphate may used for anti-calculus or tartar control. Zinc Oxide may also be used to reduce tatar build-up.

STAIN REMOVAL - Limonene may be used as a stain remover. While most toothpastes rely on abrasives to "whiten teeth" a peroxide may present for this effect.

SENSITIVE TOOTHPASTE may contain various ingredients such as Potassium Nitrate, Novamin, Strontium Acetate, Oxalates or Arginine.