Table of Contents
What Is the Purpose of Fluoridated Dentifrice?
Dentifrice is the general term that is commonly used to describe any preparation that is applied to a toothbrush to clean or polish the surfaces of the teeth. In daily oral hygiene practice as well, the application of dentifrice is one of significant research value, because it can also prevent the user's bad breath or prevent oral halitosis, by providing the much-needed oral freshness. Dentifrice, whether in the powder or in the toothpaste form is developed with a traditional rationale of an abrasive compound or component present that can help eliminate the stained pellicle formation on the tooth enamel and aid in the polish of tooth surfaces.
The most commonly used active agents that combat the issue of tooth hypersensitivity as recommended in most ADA (American Dental Association) products are the following: arginine, calcium sodium phosphosilicate, SnF (stannous fluoride), and strontium in the dentifrice making or composition. Dental erosion is one of the common regressive alterations of the tooth that can result in dentine hypersensitivity in individuals especially when they are not using the right dentifrice or lack the specific dental awareness needed (the dentifrice which registered dental professional or practitioner will advocate to brush the teeth with). Hence improper dentifrices or ineffective fluoride lacking dentifrices can commonly result in dental erosion or loss of tooth enamel. This is a phenomenon in which there is a progressive and irreversible loss of the inorganic dental hard tissues because of the acids formed in the mouth by bacterial activity, resulting in the second layer of tooth-dentine exposure.
ADA, which is the largest national dental association, is the main source of oral health‐related information that is provided for dental care providers as well as their patients. The ADA seal of acceptance program first was initiated in the year 1931 and to this day, dental care professionals as well as consumers recognize this ADA seal to be the proper gold standard, especially when it pertains to the evaluation, safety, and efficacy of any dental products. It is hence recommended generally to use all products that are accompanied by the ADA seal of acceptance, which are shown to globally meet the standard criteria for the safety and effectiveness of a dental product. Most dentifrices (one used as chemical plaque control measures every day) have a seal that mentions that the dentifrice has fluoride contained within it.
What Are the Drawbacks of Certain Ingredients in Dentifrices?
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Fluoride dentifrices as recommended by the ADA offer a degree of protection from tooth sensitivity. The other effective formulation that is a common part and parcel of modern dentifrice or toothpaste is the detergent used in dentifrice which is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This is because it adds flavor to the dentifrice and also brings in an element of freshness for individuals to combat oral halitosis or bad breath.
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One of the drawbacks of SLS in dentifrices is that for some individuals, it would be a source of irritation to the oral mucosa or even cause the formation of recurrent aphthous ulcers (small, painful lesions that develop on the mucous membranes of the mouth) in the oral cavity in certain sensitized patients. In such cases, dental care professionals advocate dentifrice without SLS which appears beneficial in these susceptible patients, with a risk of repeatedly developing oral aphthous ulcers.
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Current dental evidence suggests that compared with the standard dentifrice with the above formulations, those fluoridated dentifrices that contain either triclosan (Tcs) or stannous fluoride (SnF) tend to have a substantial effect in sustaining good gingival health. Again, as is the case with all ingredients, even Tcs‐containing dentifrices would be of issue in some susceptible individuals who may experience blisters or eruptions on the buccal mucosa and lips.
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Tcs is an antimicrobial substance, the essential dentifrice ingredient in gingival health-promoting products, it has its fair share of drawbacks and has been currently restricted in some countries such as in Europe and some parts of the USA (United States of America).
What Ingredients Are Used in Dentifrices?
Current dentifrices have been designed to keep oral diseases in check and vary in ingredients based on the manufacturer. The most common ingredients used are:
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Bis biguanides (chlorhexidine), quaternary ammonium compounds (cetylpyridinium chloride), and different metal salts like zinc salts, stannous fluoride (SnF), SnF with amine fluoride, amine alcohols, amine alcohols, herbal or natural products, triclosan (Tcs), etc.
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The indications for dentifrices with active ingredients intended for patients with gingivitis are associated with long‐term use to prevent bacterial biofilm formation.
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Stannous fluoride (tin fluoride), commercially commonly referred to as SnF, is a well‐known dentifrice agent that has been used almost since the 1940s. It is known to have a potent remineralization potential on the tooth enamel that would possibly reduce the incidence of individuals developing dental caries. Triclosan on the other hand is a nonionic chlorinated aromatic element known to possess antibacterial and antifungal properties, used very commonly in other commercial consumer products, such as soaps and detergents.
Conclusion
In addition to fluoride, dentifrices further may be composed (brands and composition varying slightly based on your regional availability and manufacturing) or contain active ingredients as well to help combat the most common issue of tooth sensitivity in individuals. Further dentifrice should aim to not only just prevent dental biofilm or plaque formation and sustain gingival health, but also to sustain general health as well. For individuals following strict home care or personal oral hygiene, current dental research indicates that this can be the best way to prevent plaque accumulation or gingival diseases on a day-to-day basis. For example, toothbrushing and other mechanical cleansing procedures that one wants to adopt at home as per one’s dentist's instructions can not only just control plaque, but can also boost one’s oral immunity significantly because the healthy oral microbiome is considered to be the line of defense against anaerobic or pathogenic organisms of the body that cause systemic infections or diseases.
