Toothpaste is a paste or gel used to clean teeth with a toothbrush. It contains abrasives to remove plaque, humectants to keep it moist, surfactants, binders, flavors, and active ingredients. Common active ingredients include sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate to prevent cavities by strengthening enamel. Toothpastes are classified based on their main functions, such as preventing cavities, plaque/gingivitis, whitening teeth, reducing sensitivity or tartar buildup, or freshening breath. The role of fluoride in toothpaste is to incorporate into enamel during and after brushing to form fluoroapatite, making enamel more resistant to acid attacks that cause cavities

1. Aesculpius Dental Pharmacology Toothpaste
9.1
Q. What is toothpaste?
Q. Define toothpaste.
Ans.
Toothpaste:
A toothpaste or dentifrice is a substance used with a toothbrush for the purpose of cleaning the
accessible surfaces of the teeth.
Or,
Tooth paste is a mixture of different ingredients that together form a paste or gel which when used
with toothbrush, aids in cleaning teeth and gums.
Or,
A toothpaste in defined as a semi-aqueous material for removing naturally occurring deposits from
teeth and is supposed to be used simultaneous with a toothbrush.
Q. What are the uses of toothpaste?
Q. Mention the purpose of toothpaste.
Q. What are the objectives of toothpaste?
Ans.
Purpose/Use of toothpaste:
1. Removing dental plaque from the tooth surface.
2. Cleaning the tooth surfaces.
3. Polishing the tooth surfaces.
4. Removal of stains.
5. Reduce incidence of tooth decay.
6. Reduction of oral malodours.
[Ref: Surender Singh+Walton+Tripathi]
Q. Classify toothpaste.
Q. What are the different types of toothpaste?
Q. Give the classification of toothpaste.
Ans.
Classification of toothpaste:
1. Anti-caries/Cavity prevention toothpaste
2. Plaque & Gingivitis prevention toothpaste
3. Tooth whitening toothpaste
4. Sensitivity toothpaste

2. Aesculpius Dental Pharmacology Toothpaste
9.2
5. Tartar control toothpaste
6. Fresh breath toothpaste
Q. Short Note:
a) Anti-caries toothpaste
b) Plaque & Gingivitis prevention toothpaste
c) Tooth whitening toothpaste
d) Sensitivity toothpaste
e) Tartar control toothpaste
f) Fresh breath toothpaste
Ans.
a) Anti-caries toothpaste:
Main component:
1. Sodium fluoride
2. Sodium monofluorophosphate
Function:
1. Contain fluoride to stop tooth enamel decalcification.
2. Protect teeth from tooth decay and cavities.
b) Plaque & Gingivitis prevention toothpaste:
Main component:
1. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
2. Triclosane
3. Zinc
4. Stannous ions.
Function:
1. Antibacterial action
2. Prevent the formation of dental plaque.
c) Tooth whitening toothpaste:
Main component:
1. Papain
2. Dimethicone
Function:
1. It has higher abrasion value than normal toothpastes to mechanically remove
food, smoking and other stains from teeth
d) Sensitivity toothpaste:
Main component:
1. Potassium nitrate
2. Strontium chloride
3. Potassium citrate
Function:
It Contains de-sensitising agents to relief those with tooth sensitivity by closing the
dentinal tubules.
e) Tartar control toothpaste:
Main component:
Pyrophosphates

3. Aesculpius Dental Pharmacology Toothpaste
9.3
Function:
Reduces new tartar build-up (but they can't remove the existing tartar).
f) Fresh breath toothpaste:
Main component:
1. Peppermint
2. Spearmint
3. Menthol
Function:
 Enhances flavouring agents along with anti-bacterials to fight halitosis.
Q. Give the composition of toothpaste. (DU-Aug-13,Feb-11,RU-Aug-13)
Q. Name the ingredients used in toothpaste.
Ans.
Composition of the toothpaste:
 Abrasive agents:
 Aluminium oxide
 Calcium pyrophosphate
 Sodium bicarbonate
 Calcium carbonate
 Silica
 Humectant agents:
 Glycerine
 Sorbitol
 Polyethylene glycol
 Mannitol
 Propylene glycol
 Binding agents:
 Carboxy-methyl Cellulose (CMC)
 Alginate
 Gums
 Surfactants:
 Sodium Lauryl sulphate
 Sodium N-Lauryl sulphate
 Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
 Sweetening agents:
 Sodium saccharin
 Sorbitol
 Mannitol
 Xylitol
 Flavouring agents:
 Peppermint
 Spearmint
 Wintergreen
 Menthol
 Cinnamon
 Preservatives:
 Alcohols
 Sodium benzoate
 Dichlorinated phenols
 Fluoride actives:
 Sodium fluoride
 Sodium monofluorophosphate

4. Aesculpius Dental Pharmacology Toothpaste
9.4
 Stannous fluoride
[Ref: Surender Singh]
Q. What are the toxic components of toothpaste?
Ans.
Toxic component of toothpaste:
1. Fluorides:
a. In higher levels cause fluorosis
b. Appear as tiny white streaks or specks
c. Severe form- mottling of enamel, pitting and cracking of teeth, black and brown
stains.
2. Titanium dioxide:
If inhaled can cause lung damage.
3. Sodium saccharin:
FDA lists it as a possible carcinogen.
Q. Justify the uses of fluoride in toothpaste. (RU-Aug-10,09)
Q. Describe the role of fluoride in toothpaste.
Ans.
Role of fluoride in toothpaste:
The most important anti-caries effect is claimed to be due to the formation of calcium fluoride
(CaF2) in plaque and on the enamel surface during and after rinsing or brushing with fluoride
containing toothpaste.
CaF2 serves as a fluoride reservoir

When the pH drops, fluoride and calcium are released into the plaque fluid.

Fluoride diffuses with the acid from plaque into the enamel pores and forms fluoroapatite (FAP).

FAP incorporated in the enamel surface and is more resistant to a subsequent acid attack.

Inhibits dental caries
Q. What is the role of toothpaste in essential oral and dental care?
Ans.
Role of toothpaste in essential oral and dental care:
Regular tooth brushing with toothpaste prevents-
 Marginal gingivitis
 Dental caries
 Tooth stains
 Bad breath
So, toothpaste plays an important role in essential oral and dental care.

5. Aesculpius Dental Pharmacology Toothpaste
9.5
Q. Is fluoride bacteriostaitic?
Ans.
No, fluoride is not bacteriostatic. It is bacteriocidal.
Q. How stannous fluoride produces stain on teeth?
Ans.
Stannous fluoride produces stain on teeth:
Stannous fluoride reacts with bacterial product and produces black or green stain on the tooth.
Stannous fluoride + Bacterial product → Black or green stain on the teeth