Introduction

Toothpaste is a staple of modern hygiene, yet most of us rarely pause to consider what’s inside that minty tube we use every day. Behind the slick packaging and refreshing flavor lies a carefully balanced formula of chemical compounds - each chosen for a specific role in cleaning, protecting, and maintaining oral health. 

In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into the science of toothpaste ingredients, exploring what they do, why they matter, and how they work together to fight cavities, freshen breath, and keep your smile bright. From abrasives to fluorides to humectants, get ready to decode the label and understand the true chemistry of your daily dental routine.

Dentifrices

A dentifrice is any substance used along with tooth brush or other devices to clean and polish the teeth. It is typically toothpaste, but also includes powders, gels too. 

Dentifrices has 3 important functions:

• Abrasive and detergent action - efficient removal of debris, plaque and stained pellicle.

• Polish teeth for superior esthetics. It also prevents accumulation of microorganisms.

• Vehicle for delivery of therapeutic agents like anticaries agents, desensitizing agents, etc.

Composition 

Abrasive:

Abrasives are one of the main components in dentifrices making up 20-55% of paste form or 90-98% of powder form. Therefore, powder dentifrices should be used more sparingly and with greater caution by patients especially where cementum and dentin are exposed, to avoid excessive dentinal abrasion and pulpal sensitivity.

It removes plaque or stains. It polishes the tooth surface.

Materials: Calcium carbonate, Dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, Hydrated alumina, Hydrated silica, Sodium bicarbonate 

Detergent:

It makes up 1-2% of paste form 1-6% of powder form.

It aids in debris removal.

Material: Sodium lauryl sulphate

Colorant:

It makes up 1-2% of dentifrices.

Food colorants are used for the appearance.

Flavouring:

It makes up 1-2% of dentifrices.

Flavour is provided by oils of Spearmint, Peppermint, Wintergreen or Cinnamon.

Humectant:

It makes up 20-35% of paste form. It is not present in powder form.

It maintains moisture content.

Materials: Sorbitol, Glycerine

Water:

It makes up 15-25% of paste form.

Deionised water acts as a suspension agent.

Binder:

It makes up 3% of paste form.

It acts as a thickener and prevents liquid-solid separation.

Material: Cartageenan

Fluoride:

It makes up 0-1% of paste form. 

It prevents dental caries. 

Materials: Sodium monofluorophosphate, Sodium fluoride, Stannous fluoride

Tartar control agent:

It makes up 0-1% of paste form. 

It inhibits formation of calculus above the gingival margin. 

Materials: Disodium pyrophosphate, Tetrasodium pyrophosphate, Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate 

Desensitization agent:

It makes up 0-5% of paste form. 

It acts as a nerve desensitizing agent. It promotes occlusion of dentinal tubules.

Materials: Potassium nitrate - depolarizes nerve endings to reduce transmission of pain, Strontium chloride, Stannous fluoride - blocking dentinal tubules.

Antimicrobial agent:

It reduces gingivitis.

Materials: Stannous fluoride, Triclosan

Whitening:

It contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to bleach intrinsic stains.