Have you ever had the weird urge of wanting to eat your toothpaste? Toothpaste can indeed be sometimes tempting to consume while brushing your teeth. But, how will it affect your body? Read on to find out about toothpaste and how it plays a vital role in our oral health.

History of Toothpaste

Did you know that the earliest forms of toothpaste include some very unusual ingredients? Ancient humans used ox hooves, burnt eggshells, pulverized charcoal, among other weird concoctions, into their toothpaste. They believed that this compound helps in cleaning the teeth. Aren’t you glad you aren’t born in the old days?

Historians recorded the first “proper” form of toothpaste as early as 5,000 BC in ancient Egypt. The mixture from the Egyptian era contained crushed rock salt, mint, iris flowers, and pepper. Due to the salt content, this type of toothpaste usually causes gum bleeding. Even with drawbacks, this method was proven to be effective in cleaning the teeth. Some historians believed that this was one of the best types of toothpaste until a century ago.

In 1873, the first smooth, Colgate, created the first flavored toothpaste. They used small jars as containers for their product. In 1914, inventors added fluoride to the toothpaste products produced. This was around the time that fluoride was discovered to have positive effects on oral health. In 1987, NASA invented edible toothpaste for astronauts who will go on a space mission. This toothpaste allowed the astronauts to brush their teeth in space without spitting. Children’s toothpaste uses a similar formula today. It allows children to swallow the lather without any adverse effects. In 1989, Rembrandt started selling the first toothpaste, marketed as “whitening.” Since then a lot has changed in how toothpaste is made and sold. But one thing that remained the same is its purpose. Toothpaste has been evolving for a long time now. But it continues to help in maintaining good oral health.

How Does Toothpaste Work

Since ancient times, people have somewhat been obsessed with having clean teeth and mouth. Brushing only does half the job. So our ancestors invented something that will complete the process. The human teeth are made up of three layers. The outermost layer is called the enamel. Damages to the enamel are the beginning of most oral problems. Since the enamel is the outer layer, it is the most vulnerable to tooth decay. When this layer gets damaged, it will become a breeding ground for a wide variety of bacteria. This is called plaque. These bacterias that dwell in the enamel then produce acid as one of their byproducts. The acid eats into the enamel and causes a cavity. This is the reason why you will have bad breath and tooth decay.

Brushing the teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste can solve this problem. The compounds and chemicals mixed into the toothpaste will help ward off bacterias. These compounds also help to prevent any oral problems. As mentioned earlier, it is not enough to brush your teeth. You need to use a proper toothbrush and an adequate amount of toothpaste as well.

As manufacturing techniques evolved, toothpaste products also improved. Manufacturers keep adding new ingredients that help to improve our oral health further. Nowadays, it is prevalent to find toothpaste with Himalayan salts or charcoal. This and other components are claimed to help keep our mouth healthy and more protected.

Each toothpaste product might have a different composition. But, most include some fundamental ingredients that make it toothpaste. One of these ingredients is abrasives. This compound polishes the teeth by breaking down stains and food particles. Detergents are also added to the mix. This ingredient is the one responsible for creating foam when we brush. This foam helps in removing other particles stuck on the surface and between our teeth. One more important thing is flavor. After all, this is something that we put on our mouths at least twice daily. The last important thing included in toothpaste is preservatives. This compound handles the prevention of bacterial growth in the toothpaste itself.

Fluoride is a compound that is natural in rocks, drinking water, and soil. But, chemists have developed a way into formulating a synthetic version. This ingredient is something that we should look for in our toothpaste. Research shows that fluoride makes teeth stronger. It can also reverse the early stages of tooth decay. Fluoride does this by triggering a chemical reaction on the enamel surface of the teeth. This reaction replaces the lost minerals like calcium and phosphate. Restoring these chemicals will make your teeth healthier.

What Happens if You Eat Toothpaste

Those are only some of the most common compounds found in our toothpaste. You may have wondered if it is safe to ingest it while brushing. Or, out of curiosity, you wanted to know if you could eat it. Toothpaste is not formulated to be consumed. Its purpose is to clean our mouth and teeth and then spit afterward. But, there are those times when we accidentally swallow some of it in our mouth while brushing. Most of the active ingredients in our toothpaste are not considered to be harmful. Even the fluoride that is the most common ingredient, though classified as a toxin, is entirely safe to ingest in small quantities. For the toothpaste to cause a severe alarming reaction, a person has to consume many tubes. With that said, you can stop worrying. Nothing wrong will happen to you if you ingest some of your toothpaste while brushing.

The most common causes of toothpaste ingestion occur in children. Toothpaste made for them is usually made from sweet flavors. This might cause them to be tempted to eat their toothpaste on their own. To prevent this from happening, consider keeping the toothpaste somewhere out of reach. It will also help to practice proper brushing with the children. They must be taught that they should not eat toothpaste. In worse cases, if you suspect that your child has ingested too much toothpaste, they might experience stomach aches. Most of the time, they will vomit the toothpaste that they ate. But if their condition worsens, contact your doctor immediately.

The Best Toothpaste to Use

With all the most important things out of the way, you might wonder what the best toothpaste you should use. Properly selecting your toothpaste will help in maintaining the best oral health. Of course, each person has different needs depending on the state of their teeth. Still, it will be helpful to consider the following in finding the best toothpaste that you should use.

Aside from keeping your mouth and breath feeling fresh, a good toothpaste should keep your teeth and gums healthy. It should be able to remove plaque, bacteria and help in preventing cavities. A good toothpaste should also include ingredients that will keep your teeth white.

Each toothpaste has a different set of compounds that can help in eliminating the most common dental problems. So it is crucial to use one that will help in maintaining or improving your oral health. It is very important to talk with your dentist about the best type of toothpaste that you will use. Each mouth is unique, and each set of teeth has its own specific needs. But what remains consistent is the fact that we should always brush our teeth regularly to keep our teeth healthy.