Whitening toothpaste: what it should contain…
– A fluoride : Usually sodium or potassium. These minerals are best anticaries, because they promote the remineralization of the enamel during acid attacks on the tooth. The dosage depends on age: less than 500 ppm (parts per million) in children under 6 years old and up to 1450 ppm in adults.
– Antiseptics : Like triclosan and chlorhexidine, which have several effects: anti-inflammatory on the gums; antibacterial to limit the dental plaque formation ; anti-odor by stopping the degradation of volatile sulfur compounds.
– A surfactant : Foaming agent and detergent, sodium lauryl sulphate facilitates the detachment of dental plaque. Composed of food debris, this very adherent deposit to the enamel is conducive to the development of micro-organisms. It can mineralize and turn into tartar in 36 hours.
– Whitening agents:These are pigments that act optically, in order to make the whiter smile. Red, they accentuate the natural color of the gums and form a contrast with the teeth. Blue, they enhance the white of the enamel. Like little mirrors, synthetic nacre reflects light and makes teeth shine.
And also…
– Humectants, polyols (sorbitol and glycerol), which bind water molecules. They prevent the toothpaste from air drying and preserve its fluidity.
– Thickening agentsespecially plant extracts, alginates or cellulose, to give consistency and smoothness to the texture.
– A sweetener often saccharin for its sweet taste.
– A conservationist with antibacterial properties: benzoic acid is the most common.
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Whitening toothpaste: what to watch out for…
– Polishing agents : They promote the elimination of dental plaque and stains on the teeth (coffee, tobacco…). Here, it is rather silica or sodium bicarbonate, sometimes abrasive. In case of dental hypersensitivity, it is better to seek advice from your dentist.
– Flavorings and colorings:They can cause allergies or intolerances. The aromas give taste and stimulate salivary secretion. Mint essential oil, refreshing, is not compatible with homeopathic treatment (unlike artificial flavoring). Natural or synthetic, the dyes give the toothpaste its color.
Toothpaste: what we ask of it
– To facilitate brushing thanks to a slightly foaming and above all “wetting” texture, which promotes the elimination of plaque.
– To have a creamy consistency that spreads well on the toothbrush, while offering a fresh and pleasant flavor.
– To be well tolerated by the gums and the oral mucosa.
– To be homogeneous, so as not to scratch the enamel but slightly abrasive to polish the surface.
Toothpaste: the focus of the dentist
Due to the nature and size of their polishing particles, some abrasive toothpastes are only used twice a week against stubborn stains. The others can be used every day, if the enamel is not particularly fragile. The electric toothbrushwhich removes two or three times more bacterial plaque, completes their whitening action.
Thanks to our expert Dr Christophe Lequart, dental surgeon and spokesperson for the French Union for Oral Health
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