An introduction to toothpaste - its purpose, history and ingredients
Abstract
Toothpaste is a paste or gel to be used with a toothbrush to maintain and improve oral health and aesthetics. Since their introduction several thousand years ago, toothpaste formulations have evolved considerably - from suspensions of crushed egg shells or ashes to complex formulations with often more than 20 ingredients. Among these can be compounds to combat dental caries, gum disease, malodor, calculus, erosion and dentin hypersensitivity. Furthermore, toothpastes contain abrasives to clean and whiten teeth, flavors for the purpose of breath freshening and dyes for better visual appeal. Effective toothpastes are those that are formulated for maximum bioavailability of their actives. This, however, can be challenging as compromises will have to be made when several different actives are formulated in one phase. Toothpaste development is by no means complete as many challenges and especially the poor oral substantivity of most active ingredients are yet to overcome.
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Modern toothpastes often contain between 30% and 40% abrasives, which are usually various shapes and sizes of silica particles.
“An abrasive ingredient is necessary to remove plaque and biofilm [70, 71], so modern toothpastes often contain between 30% and 40% abrasives, which are usually various shapes and sizes of silica particles.”
From Effects of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice on dental calculus, dental plaque, gingivitis, halitosis and stain: A systematic review (2019) · cites this paper as [70]
An abrasive ingredient is necessary to remove plaque and biofilm.
“An abrasive ingredient is necessary to remove plaque and biofilm [70, 71], so modern toothpastes often contain between 30% and 40% abrasives, which are usually various shapes and sizes of silica particles.”
From Effects of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice on dental calculus, dental plaque, gingivitis, halitosis and stain: A systematic review (2019) · cites this paper as [70]
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References 42 · Cited by 257
- Authors
- Lippert, F.
- Affiliations
- Indiana University Health (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lippert, Frank
- ORCID
- Lippert, Frank
- Venue
- Monographs in Oral Science
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 2013
- Volume
- 23
- Pages
- 1-14
- ISSN
- 0077-0892 (ISSN-L)
- 1662-3843
- OpenAlex
- W1508517801
- Cited by
- 257
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 30.60
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Monographs in oral science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- IUScholarWorks (Indiana University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Orthodontics › Dental Erosion and Treatment
- Keywords
- toothpaste, toothpaste ingredients, oral health, dental caries, periodontal disease, malodor, dental calculus, dental erosion, dentin hypersensitivity, abrasive materials, tooth bleaching, breath freshening
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Tooth Diseases, Toothpastes, History, 19th Century, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century, History, Ancient
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