Talk:Toothpaste

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[edit] Baking Soda

"I've heard that baking soda has no effect, anyone have any information on this?" Not only are there various sources claiming this, I've also in personal expirience verified that baking soda, if applied corrcetly is very effective for whitening and getting rid of stains. I am, in all honesty too tired right now to look up and link text sources on the net, but if anyone else can confirm this as well I'd be very much looking forward to it.

  • Rinsing one's mouth with Baking soda definitely has a therapetuic benefit. Because it contains bicarbonate ions (which is also mother nature's natural buffer) it lowers the acidity of the mouth and thus helps prevent caries. In terms of whitening teeth, well, they use it in toothpaste so I guess it's possible but i am not sure. Billyb 02:12, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

Baking soda is not a whitener. It acts as a mild abrasive. --Ericjs 19:30, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Healthier?

About usage of the word "healthier" (versus "more healthful" or "more healthy"): all these pages agree that "healthier" is fine. [1] [2] [3] - DrVeghead 05:34, 24 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Urine and ammonia

"Since urine contains ammonia, it was probably effective in whitening teeth."

I have to question that statement. The body converts all ammonia into urea when it finally passes as urine.


I've heard that baking soda has no effect, anyone have any information on this?

[edit] How much?

How much toothpaste is one to use? I know children are supposed to use a pea sized amount so they decrease the chances of them swallowing flouride which is bad for them if they get too much. 128.6.175.15 13:47, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

The vast majority of dental experts, including professors, say that a pea-sized amount is all that is necessary for an adult or child. Children should use children's toothpaste for safety reasons.
You'll find that even when you use a pea sized amount you'll have excess toothpaste to spit out.

[edit] Alternating

Is it true that you're supposed to switch toothpastes once in a while because your teeth get used to it and the toothpaste would thus be less effective? 71.250.16.57 12:34, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

I have heard it recommended to switch toothpastes once in a while, but not because you get used to it. I think it has something to do with the fact that having the same type for an extended period of time can cause a mild allergic reaction, but I would need to look it up to be certain. - Dozenist talk 23:07, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Tastebud numbness

Has anyone got any information on why toothpaste numbs the tastebuds? Is this just so that we won't want to munch on sugary morsels after we've brushed, or is it an unintentional-but-desirable side effect from the chemicals employed in manufacture of the product?

By numbs (this is an edit), I mean makes the tastebuds taste sugar as nothing, or perhaps slightly bitter. Try brushing your teeth and drinking some orange juice.

[edit] Holding toothpaste in the mouth for a minute or so

Does this give any kind of benefit? 80.47.200.74 03:21, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Vegetarian?

I have deleted this statement: "Calcium used in toothpaste can be derived from animal bones or from lime. Many vegetarians prefer to use products free of any ingredients derived from animals. For this reason, in India toothpaste suitable for vegetarians has been introduced and has done extremely well."

It is unsourced, and implies that vegetarian toothpaste is unusual and not available outside of India. This is untrue. My regular cheap toothpaste from ASDA (British Wall-Mart) is suitable for vegetarians. Also, do that many toothpastes contain added calcium, and are that many of them derived from animal bones? I somehow doubt it, if so, it needs a reliable citation. Saluton 23:16, 5 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Words missing

There is something missing from this "Ingredients and flavors" bit:

"When the magazine Consumer Reports rated toothpastes in 1998, 30 of the mild abrasive to aid polishing of the tooth surface, and also adds a cosmetically-pleasing glittery shimmernt etc). Other more exotic flavors include: anise, apricot, bubblegum (marketed mostly to children), cinnamon, fennel, neem, ginger, vanilla, lemon, orange, pine,......"


Unfrotunately I can't edit it 'cos I don't know what is missing. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 217.43.3.79 (talk) 17:07, 24 April 2007 (UTC).


Oh. It was fixed. Cool. The machine or the human can delete my bit now.

[edit] DEG

I added the DEG ingredient *FDA Health Warning* in history section. The CNN news link quotes an FDA spokeswoman as saying the ingredient shouldn't be added to toothpaste in any amount. Though on the wikipedia articles covering the chemicals themselves there are edits suggesting that the chemicals are "considered safe" in foodstuffs at certain levels. I'll leave my edit as is, leaving "potentially fatal" (40 deaths in panama linked to DEG in cough syrup) in until someone who knows about this stuff can clarify. Thank you. --Dean1970 18:58, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Toothpaste Recall

Hi there, everybody. I had to tell you guys something. There is a toothpaste recall I found in the news today. Chinese toothpaste has a special chemical that might cause you something worse! To solve this toothpaste recall problem, look closely at the label that says "Made in China". If it says "Made in China", THROW IT OUT! Because you don't want any chemicals in that toothpaste!--  PNiddy  Go!  0 01:58, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Tooth Whiteners

Whiteners are increasingly becoming a common ingredient in toothpastes, at least in the US. This article ought to have some mention of this, and some information about the safety and efficacy of the ingredients added for this purpose. --Ericjs 19:33, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Wonder about the Photo?

I am questioning why there is that photo of "Katz Dentistry" in the toothpaste article? It seems like someone may have just stuck it in there to plug their practice? Kmpintj (talk) 17:52, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Contradiction

one part says: In 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield of New London, Connecticut manufactured toothpaste into a collapsible tube. Sheffield's toothpaste was called Dr. Sheffield's Creme Dentifrice. He first came up with the idea of toothpaste in a collapsible tube after his son travelled to Paris and saw painters using paint from tubes. In 1896, Colgate Dental Cream was packaged in collapsible tubes imitating Sheffield.By 1900, a paste made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda was recommended. Pre-mixed toothpastes were first marketed in the 19th century, but did not surpass the popularity of tooth-powder until World War I. In New York City in 1896, Colgate & Company manufactured toothpaste in the first collapsible tube, similar to that recently introduced for artists' paints.

This is a contradiction —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.81.53.142 (talk) 14:26, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Toothpaste ingestion causes fever?

Have been looking for material on this 'phenomena' after hearing numerous friends of mine pointing out that this was so. Googling it results in a few hits where the websites confirm the effect but only very briefly and without any explanations of why it happens.

I myself have experimented with it and apart from the desire to vomit after ingestion and a slightly raised body temperature, I have not actually had any fever.

Anyone has any leads on this one?

Cheers, --BlueStream 03:01, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Healing

Does anyone know what ingredient in toothpaste gives it the ability to facilitate the healing of small wounds? Also, why does it seem to draw the moisture out of skin? 68.166.71.189 (talk) 03:21, 21 March 2008 (UTC)