chemistry in toothpaste? whoa! chemistry everywhere!

Our Group:)

hi.... we are ...
Alexandra (alex for short), suhaila( Su for short), aqila ( Qila for short) and Raihan (han for short). wee! we are all short people from 3c and this is our group:)



We are very Hygienic.

-alex, su, qila, han:p

I am a hygienic person. I bathe and brush my teeth twice a day.Of course, i am also aware of the ingredients used.

-alex:)

For our project's sake, we made a research about toothpaste. We went to the supermarket to shoot some photos and take a look of the ingredients of the different brands of toothpastes. We found out that each brand of toothpaste have unique formulas.You will find out more when you keep reading:) Have fun!!








Scroll down some more:)












Do you brush your teeth? if so, what toothpaste/s do you use? do u know the ingredients used for these toothpastes?and most importantly, do you know why you brush your teeth?... hmm....


First you need to know what is a toothpaste.

What is toothpaste then?

a toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used with a toothbrush to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it can aid in the removal of dental plaque and food from the teeth, aid in the elimination and/or masking of halitosis and deliver active ingredients such as fluoride or xylitol to prevent tooth and gum disease (gingivitis). Some dentist recommendations include brushing your teeth at least 2 times a day, if not more. In most or all developed countries, usage after each meal is encouraged by dentists. However when cleaning teeth with a toothbrush with toothpaste, the essential cleaning is done by the mechanical brushing, and not by the active toothpaste chemicals. Most toothpaste contains trace amounts of chemicals which are toxic when ingested, and is not intended to be swallowed.

What are the ingredients used in toothpaste?

The most recognized toothpaste ingredient is probably the class of compounds known as fluorides. Stannous fluoride was the first to be used in toothpaste, because it could be used with the abrasive most common at the time, calcium phosphate. The calcium prevents sodium fluoride from being effective.

Later, sodium monofluorophosphate was used, as it also could be used with abrasives common at the time.

When hydrated silica became the abrasive of choice, sodium fluoride could be used, and is the most widely used fluoride in toothpastes at this time.

Hydrated silica is the transparent abrasive used in gel toothpastes, and in the clear parts of striped toothpaste. It has become common to use it in white opaque toothpastes as well, because of its compatibility with sodium fluoride.

Fluorides work better in combination with surfactants, which help the remineralization process. The most common are the lauryl sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, or ammonium lauryl sulfate.

Surfactants (detergents) also help clean the teeth, and provide a foam that helps to carry away debris. Moreover, lauryl sulfates have significant anti-bacterial properties, and they can penetrate and dissolve plaque.

Lauryl sulfates can irritate oral membranes, and so a similar detergent, lauryl sarcosinate often replaces some or all of the lauryl sulfate. Allantoin is sometimes added to relieve the irritation caused by detergents, alkalies, and acids.

The sequestering agent tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) removes calcium and magnesium from the saliva, so they can't deposit on teeth as insoluble deposits called tartar, (calcified plaque). In this respect it acts as a water-softening agent. It won't remove tartar that already exists.

TSPP is slightly alkaline, and has a bitter taste, requiring additional flavorings to mask it. Also, additional detergents must be added to keep it in solution. All of these factors can irritate oral membranes and cause sensitivity.

Polymers such as the acrylic PVM/MA copolymer are added to prevent bacteria from breaking down pyrophosphates. Other long polymers used are polyethylene glycol (PEG) in various weights (i.e. PEG-6, PEG-8, PEG-40, etc.), and polypropylene glycol (PPG).

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is added for taste and mouth feel. It combines with acids to release carbon dioxide gas, adding to the foam produced by brushing. It is a mild abrasive. It may reduce the numbers of acid loving bacteria in the mouth, although this effect lasts only as long as the mouth stays alkaline.

Sodium carbonate peroxide is added to "peroxide" toothpastes as a whitener. It breaks down into sodium carbonate (washing soda) and hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide bleaches the teeth, and kills germs.

Sweeteners such as sodium saccharin are added for taste. Other flavors are usually strong essential oils in the mint family.

The anti-bacterial agent Triclosan is added to kill plaque-forming microbes.

Various gums are used to thicken the paste, but also to retain moisture, so the toothpaste does not dry out if the top is not replaced.

In white pastes, titanium dioxide is used to make the paste opaque and white.

Why we brush our teeth?

To prevent bad breath . haha

-alex:)

To fight germs

-su:)


Mr. Tan, Our chemistry teacher which is probably reading this right now at this very moment, once mentioned about toothpaste being a base. When we asked him why and how it should be a base, he told us that the food we eat and the drinks we drink are composed of different types of acids. Here are some types of food acids.

Acid	Source
Citric Acid	Citrus fruits- lemon, orange
Malic Acid	Apple
Tartric Acid	Grapes, pineapples, potatoes, carrots
Acetic Acid	Vinager
Oxalic Acid	Tea, cocoa, pepper
Tannic Acid	Tea
Caffeotannic Avid	Coffee
Benzoic acid	Cranberries, prunes and plums
Butyric acid	decomposition of butter
Lactic acid	Milk Digestion

Food acids are the only edible acids. The sharpness in the taste of any food is due to the presence of these acids. All fruits have these acids in some quantity and the result is that typical taste.

The naturally occurring food acids are citric acid, malic acid and tartaric acid. They are also called wholesome acids. They are found in oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, apples, peaches and other seeded fruits. Tartaric acid is found in grapes, pineapples and potatoes. Without the presence of these acids these fruits may taste bland.

These food acids are available from the natural resources except phosphoric acid. The presence of acid in a fruit determines many things like food preservation and jam and jelly setting etc. These acids have antioxidant and preservation properties as well. The most commonly used food acid is citric acid. Phosphoric acid is used in aerated drinks along with carbon dioxide.

so...basically, Toothpaste,which contains base, neutralizes the acids in our mouth.




Some Toothpaste we found at the supermarket....and its ingredients!

Colgate - contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide ( a base!!) and Sodium Saccharin.














Zact - Contains Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Monofluorophosphate, Sodium Benzoate and Sodium Saccharin.












Darlie - Contains Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium monofluorophosphate.














Sensodyn - Contains 0.221% Sodium Fluoride ,3.759% Potassium Chloride, and 2% Zinc Citrate.













Systema - Contains Potassium Nitrate, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Lactate, Sodium Hydroxide( Base again!) , Sodium Lauryl sulfate, and Sodium Saccharin.


Aquafresh - Contains Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium monofluorophosphate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and Sodium Saccharin.