What does toothpaste do when I’m brushing? Why is it better than not using toothpaste?
In: Chemistry
It’s like soap with some added benefits for your mouth.
It has things that reduce surface tension and make bacteria less able to cling to your teeth, just like how soap works.
It has fluoride that helps keep your enamel tough. It can’t fix holes or cavities, but can help prevent them from worsening.
It has abrasives, things that give it that slightly scratchy texture. This aids your toothbrush in scraping plaques and stuff off your teeth. Some toothpaste contains more/coarser abrasives than others. You want a balance in this, because too abrasive can damage your teeth.
It can also contain extra things for specialized toothpastes.
Some might have antibiotics or such to be more effective at killing bacteria.
Some contain potassium nitrate. This is found in toothpastes that reduce sensitivity.
Together, these things greatly increase the effectiveness of brushing.
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