Toothpaste

Everyone have to brush their teeth at least twice in a day.

Do you ever wonder since when human have started using toothpaste?
Or the ingredients present in modern toothpastes?

The earliest toothpaste usage can be traced back to 4th century A.D., a manuscript from Egypt describes toothpaste as 'a mixture of iris flowers'.

Early toothpastes were made by adding ingredients such as crushed bones and oyster shells, during the time of ancient Greece and Rome.

However, toothpaste did not come into general use until the 19th century.

Let's look at some history of toothpaste:
-By 1900, toothpaste was made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.

-Toothpaste was first manufactured in the form of collapsible tube in 1892, and was called 'Dr. Sheffield's Creme Dentifrice'.

-Fluoride was first added to toothpastes in 1914, but were only approved by American Dental Association (ADA) in the 1950s after much development of the toothpaste.

-Striped toothpaste was invented in 1955.

So, what are the ingredients present in the modern toothpaste?

1 of most common ingredient would be fluoride.
Fluoride in toothpaste is able to prevent cavities (caused by decaying of tooth).

Fluoride can be present in various forms in the toothpaste:
- Sodium fluoride (NaF) is the most common form
- Sodium monofluorophosphate (Na₂PO₃F) in some of the brands of toothpaste.
- Organic amine fluoride(AmF)

The next common ingredient in toothpaste would be an abrasive (sand like structure used to polish or cleaning a surface).
Abrasive is able to cause small amount of enamel erosion, which is termed 'polishing' action.

Ingredients like baking soda, enzymes, vitamins, herbs and mouthwash can also be found in toothpaste.

Sometimes antibacterial agents like zinc chloride or triclosan( common in UK) are also added to the toothpaste.
Besides, bases like sodium hydroxide would also being added to toothpaste to neutralize acids.

Modern toothpaste normally comes with colouring and flavours.
The most common flavouring would be some variation on mint.
Some other less common flavouring would be like cinnamon, lavender, ginger, vanilla, and lots more........

Normally toothpaste cannot be swallowed after brushing your teeth. Except those used by pets or astronauts.
Swallowing toothpaste could cause nausea or diarrhea.
Fluoride toothpaste could also be toxic if too much of it was swallowed.

Besides, actually fluoride toothpaste is not suitable to be used by children.
Because excessive consumption of toothpaste on the teeth which is still developing, could cause fluorosis.