Why does toothpaste contain polishing agents?
All toothpastes contain some form of polishing or cleaning agent. The purpose is to help remove bacterial deposits (plaque), food debris and stains from the surface of the teeth.
What are polishing agents in toothpaste?
Often lime or silica
The most common types of polishes are lime-based substances or silica. These are non-water-soluble particles and need should therefore have a very small grain size to avoid the risk of damaging tooth enamel.
A toothpaste with coarse abrasives – especially in combination with hard brushing pressure, incorrect brushing technique, a hard toothbrush or excessive use of an electric toothbrush – can cause toothbrush damage . These are often visible as wedge-shaped defects at the gum line and can cause irritation.
How do you know if the polish is coarse-grained?
Unfortunately, it's not always easy to tell with the naked eye or to feel it directly when brushing. But there are a few ways to get an idea:
- Check the ingredients list: Look for ingredients like "hydrated silica," "calcium carbonate," or similar. These can vary in particle size, and in some cases, coarser versions are used in so-called "whitening" toothpastes.
- Whitening toothpaste is often more abrasive: Toothpastes that promise whiter teeth often contain more abrasive particles to remove superficial stains.
- RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasivity): Some toothpastes list their RDA, where a lower value means less abrasiveness. Values below 70 are considered gentle, while those above 100 should be used with caution.
- Ask a Dentist: Who can give you a better answer than someone trained in the subject?
Alternative: Bicarbonate
Another type of polish is bicarbonate , which works in a completely different way. Bicarbonate is a salt that is water-soluble. When it comes into contact with water, a bubbling reaction occurs – and it is this mechanism that lifts dirt from the tooth surface. Since bicarbonate is water-soluble, it is also uninteresting to look at particle size in dry form, but must be reported in the dissolved state as it is in saliva.
Bicarbonate of soda is well known to all “housewives” – it has been used for generations to clean burnt-on pans, remove stains, clean windows and remove limescale.
In the mouth, it works in a similar way. Here, it is not about scrubbing the teeth, but about carefully distributing the bicarbonate over the surface with a soft toothbrush and a gentle movement . This minimizes the risk of abrasion and irritation at the gum line.
The extra benefit of bicarbonate: Raises the pH value
In addition to its cleansing effect, bicarbonate has another important property – it helps raise the pH of saliva. Or more precisely: it supports saliva's own ability to neutralize acid.
Since tooth decay is caused by acid attack from certain types of bacteria, a higher pH in the mouth is a crucial factor in reducing the risk of tooth decay .
Choosing bicarbonate over calcium or silica was a no-brainer for me – but there are different schools of thought here. As they say: everyone is blessed according to their faith.
Do you want to feel the difference yourself?
Try Tjikko – a toothpaste tablet based entirely on bicarbonate.
What happens to food residue and discoloration?
Discolorations
From a dental health perspective, discolorations don’t matter – they don’t affect the function or health of your teeth. However, it is a matter of aesthetics and personal preference . More on this in a future post about teeth whitening.
Left-overs
Food particles themselves are not an acute dental health problem , as long as they do not get stuck and remain there long enough for bacteria to grow. The exception is when food is pressed against the gums and causes mechanical damage.
Removing food particles is primarily a mechanical task for the toothbrush. Toothpaste plays a less important role here – you often need help from dental floss, toothpicks or interdental brushes instead. More on this in future posts about brushing your teeth .
Conclusion: What does the polish do?
A well-chosen polishing agent in toothpaste is a very important aid. It helps to:
- keep bacterial deposits (plaque) under control
- raise the pH of saliva
- reduce the risk of discoloration