Talk:Toothpaste/Archive 1

Urine and ammonia
"Since urine contains ammonia, it was probably effective in whitening teeth."

I have to question that statement. The body converts all ammonia into urea when it finally passes as urine.

I've heard that baking soda has no effect, anyone have any information on this?

Herbal Toothpaste Contents
A study by the Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (DIPSAR) has found that many of the toothpaste manufacturers are adulterating toothpastes and toothpowders with high quantity of nicotine.An article in India Today dated 2011-09-11. The study has names of well known brands. How reliable could this study be?

How much?
How much toothpaste is one to use? I know children are supposed to use a pea sized amount so they decrease the chances of them swallowing flouride which is bad for them if they get too much. 128.6.175.15 13:47, 1 March 2006 (UTC)


 * The vast majority of dental experts, including professors, say that a pea-sized amount is all that is necessary for an adult or child. Children should use children's toothpaste for safety reasons.
 * You'll find that even when you use a pea sized amount you'll have excess toothpaste to spit out.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association all recommend a pea-size dose (0.25 grams) of fluoride toothpaste. http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/G_fluoridetherapy.pdf http://www.ada.org/1761.aspx http://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/fact_sheets/cwf_qa.htm It's especially important for children ages 2-6 for prevention/reduction of visible fluorosis. Children up to the age of 14 are at risk for fluorosis, but the teeth forming between 6-14 are normally not visible when the children smile, so they are of less aesthetic concern. There are companies now creating products to ensure that a pea-sized dose of fluoride is delivered. http://www.elevateoralcare.com/Consumers/Just-Right-24-Flouride-Toothpaste_2 § Steve

Alternating
Is it true that you're supposed to switch toothpastes once in a while because your teeth get used to it and the toothpaste would thus be less effective? 71.250.16.57 12:34, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
 * I have heard it recommended to switch toothpastes once in a while, but not because you get used to it. I think it has something to do with the fact that having the same type for an extended period of time can cause a mild allergic reaction, but I would need to look it up to be certain. - Dozenist  talk  23:07, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

DEG
I added the DEG ingredient *FDA Health Warning* in history section. The CNN news link quotes an FDA spokeswoman as saying the ingredient shouldn't be added to toothpaste in any amount. Though on the wikipedia articles covering the chemicals themselves there are edits suggesting that the chemicals are "considered safe" in foodstuffs at certain levels. I'll leave my edit as is, leaving "potentially fatal" (40 deaths in panama linked to DEG in cough syrup) in until someone who knows about this stuff can clarify. Thank you. --Dean1970 18:58, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

The article that is cited claims that DEG is used in antifreeze - however, I can't find a source anywhere that validates this claim. While Diethylene glycol can be used as a coolant, ethylene glycol is most commonly used in antifreeze, so the last sentence in the Modern Toothpaste section might be misleading. There were no deaths or sicknesses from this event. Didn't want to change it until I got some feedback, but I say this should be put into a new section called "Controversy" or something to that effect. --Deuser 10:57, 19 February 2010

Toothpaste Recall
Hi there, everybody. I had to tell you guys something. There is a toothpaste recall I found in the news today. Chinese toothpaste has a special chemical that might cause you something worse! To solve this toothpaste recall problem, look closely at the label that says "Made in China". If it says "Made in China", THROW IT OUT! Because you don't want any chemicals in that toothpaste!--  PNiddy  Go!  0 01:58, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Baking Soda
"I've heard that baking soda has no effect, anyone have any information on this?" Not only are there various sources claiming this, I've also in personal expirience verified that baking soda, if applied corrcetly is very effective for whitening and getting rid of stains. I am, in all honesty too tired right now to look up and link text sources on the net, but if anyone else can confirm this as well I'd be very much looking forward to it.


 * Rinsing one's mouth with Baking soda definitely has a therapetuic benefit. Because it contains bicarbonate ions (which is also mother nature's natural buffer) it lowers the acidity of the mouth and thus helps prevent caries. In terms of whitening teeth, well, they use it in toothpaste so I guess it's possible but i am not sure. Billyb 02:12, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

Baking soda is not a whitener. It acts as a mild abrasive. --Ericjs 19:30, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

Tooth Whiteners
Whiteners are increasingly becoming a common ingredient in toothpastes, at least in the US. This article ought to have some mention of this, and some information about the safety and efficacy of the ingredients added for this purpose. --Ericjs 19:33, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

Contradiction
one part says: ''In 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield of New London, Connecticut manufactured toothpaste into a collapsible tube. Sheffield's toothpaste was called Dr. Sheffield's Creme Dentifrice. He first came up with the idea of toothpaste in a collapsible tube after his son travelled to Paris and saw painters using paint from tubes. In 1896, Colgate Dental Cream was packaged in collapsible tubes imitating Sheffield.By 1900, a paste made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda was recommended. Pre-mixed toothpastes were first marketed in the 19th century, but did not surpass the popularity of tooth-powder until World War I. In New York City in 1896, Colgate & Company manufactured toothpaste in the first collapsible tube, similar to that recently introduced for artists' paints.''

This is a contradiction —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.81.53.142 (talk) 14:26, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

Wonder about the Photo?
I am questioning why there is that photo of "Katz Dentistry" in the toothpaste article? It seems like someone may have just stuck it in there to plug their practice? Kmpintj (talk) 17:52, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

Stats?
Does anybody know what the use per person (tubes) per country is? This might be wrong but i have leanrt that in Germany(sat3) the usage are 3,4 tubes per person per year and in teh States 7 pppy. Does anybody have more detailed information? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.177.148.172 (talk) 16:58, 21 July 2008 (UTC)

There is an article on fluoride toothpaste used by parents of young children. Using this information, one could calculate how much toothpaste in grams is used per month/year and determine the number of tubes for US adults. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/aapd/pd/2013/00000035/00000003/art00008 § Steve

Urine
The 2 sources are, well, lets call them weak - they pretend to refer to other, primary sources that are not even named or no longer accessible. Thus, i'd like to see that sentence go, unless better sources come up. AFAIK ancient urine paste is a myth. --Echosmoke (talk) 03:55, 22 November 2008 (UTC)

Tooth powder?
I got to this page looking for info on tooth powder, but it's only referenced briefly in the history section. I know that it is still used, as I've seen commercial tooth powder for sale as well as recipes for homemade tooth powder. I would love to see more on this topic, and perhaps it deserves it's own page as tooth powder isn't really a type of toothpaste anyhow. AliaGemma (talk) 00:17, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Tooth powder is essentially the constituents of toothpaste, without the water added. The profit margins on toothpaste make it a more attractive option. There isn't really any other advantage. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 217.198.33.252 (talk) 13:01, 9 January 2009 (UTC)

WHY DOES IT NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT Tooth powder use in nations like India.....Tooth power is marketed still in india and most of south asia —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.247.65.233 (talk) 03:42, 19 January 2009 (UTC)

Healing
Does anyone know what ingredient in toothpaste gives it the ability to facilitate the healing of small wounds? Also, why does it seem to draw the moisture out of skin? 68.166.71.189 (talk) 03:21, 21 March 2008 (UTC)

just like soap it destroys the fat layers on the skin. --Echosmoke (talk) 03:55, 22 November 2008 (UTC)


 * Does this explain why people use toothpaste as an emergency treatment for small burns? — Loadmaster (talk) 21:08, 30 March 2009 (UTC)

History section, "Earliest Toothpastes"
The first sentence in this section reads, "The earliest known reference to toothpaste which is your mom in a manuscript from Egypt in the 4th century A.D., which prescribes a mixture of iris flowers." Looks like someone was messing with this; it makes no sense and needs to be fixed. Myles (talk) 04:00, 18 January 2009 (UTC)
 * Next time be Bold and change it back yourself! Washburn mav (talk) 06:35, 4 May 2009 (UTC)

Too much toothpastes
there is too much toothpastes on the last picture of a toothbrush —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.111.228.123 (talk) 09:51, 15 September 2009 (UTC)

Grammar and such
All of "Environmental and Health Concerns" needs to be re-written, it doesn't even make sense. Themathkid (talk) 13:23, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Vegetarian?
I have deleted this statement: "Calcium used in toothpaste can be derived from animal bones or from lime. Many vegetarians prefer to use products free of any ingredients derived from animals. For this reason, in India toothpaste suitable for vegetarians has been introduced and has done extremely well."

It is unsourced, and implies that vegetarian toothpaste is unusual and not available outside of India. This is untrue. My regular cheap toothpaste from ASDA (British Wall-Mart) is suitable for vegetarians. Also, do that many toothpastes contain added calcium, and are that many of them derived from animal bones? I somehow doubt it, if so, it needs a reliable citation. Saluton 23:16, 5 April 2007 (UTC)

I am an Oral Health Promoter at Kings College Hospital. I would go as far to say that most toothpastes in the UK are not-vegetarian (gelatine from bovine source), though you are right to say it is not hard to find vegetarian toothpaste, though it is often not clearly labelled.

Tim_holeTim hole (talk) 12:31, 22 January 2010 (UTC)

Toothpaste ingestion causes fever?
Have been looking for material on this 'phenomena' after hearing numerous friends of mine pointing out that this was so. Googling it results in a few hits where the websites confirm the effect but only very briefly and without any explanations of why it happens.

I myself have experimented with it and apart from the desire to vomit after ingestion and a slightly raised body temperature, I have not actually had any fever.

Anyone has any leads on this one?

Cheers, --BlueStream 03:01, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

This sounds a little ridculous. Large volumes over a long period of time can cause fluorosis and extremely large volumes can cause nausea and diarrhoea.

Tim_holeTim hole (talk) 12:34, 22 January 2010 (UTC)

Brushing teeth with soap
There's some stuff online about how brushing your teeth with soap is the best way to get them clean, that toothpaste leaves a layer of glycerine that won't wash off, preventing remineralization, etc. Is any of this founded in reality?

http://www.tipking.co.uk/tip/6569.html http://100777.com/health/teethcare —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.167.59.98 (talk) 21:52, 10 October 2009 (UTC)
 * I just watched a youtube vid about receeding gums and Tooth Soap was mentioned with a website/store link (the store is also the first link in a google search with little cross-referencing material available, so I fear it may be a single source that all the affiliates pull from a.k.a. circular referencing). I came here to look it up, but it appears there's no info on it yet. I'm wondering about the validity of these claims 76.10.149.151 (talk) 01:16, 1 March 2010 (UTC)

why isn't called teeth paste???--RIVER 17:58, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Repeated removal of triclosan reference
The following two edits are puzzling - the editor removed a citation to the American Dental Association that supports the (so far unsupported) statement that Triclosan is an anti-gingivitis agent. 

In the comment of the first edit they cite an FDA web site which they claim contradicts the addition, when in fact it supports it ("The evidence showed that triclosan in this product was effective in preventing gingivitis.")

Please explain/discuss the problem, or add superior references rather than just removing relevant, sourced material. Zodon (talk) 23:59, 17 April 2010 (UTC)

Pearl Drops
Would like to see and entry on Pearl Drops Tooth Polish. Sort of a '70s retro thing but it turned out to be harmful because it scraped tooth enamel —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.234.20.23 (talk) 00:10, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

Misuse of sources
is one of the main contributors to Wikipedia (over 67,000 edits), and most of his edits have to do with Islamic science, technology and philosophy. This editor has persistently misused sources here over several years. This editor's contributions are always well provided with citations, but examination of these sources often reveals either a blatant misrepresentation of those sources or a selective interpretation, going beyond any reasonable interpretation of the authors' intent. Please see: Requests for comment/Jagged 85. That's an old and archived RfC. The point is still valid though, and his contribs need to be doublechecked. Thanks!

I searched the Requests for comment/Jagged 85/Cleanup6, and found 4 edits by Jagged 85 (for example, see this edit). Tobby72 (talk) 21:15, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

Tastebud numbness
Has anyone got any information on why toothpaste numbs the tastebuds? Is this just so that we won't want to munch on sugary morsels after we've brushed, or is it an unintentional-but-desirable side effect from the chemicals employed in manufacture of the product?

By numbs (this is an edit), I mean makes the tastebuds taste sugar as nothing, or perhaps slightly bitter. Try brushing your teeth and drinking some orange juice. It's the fluoride dude you won't have problems like that using a fluoride-free toothpaste. 67.225.25.187 (talk) 00:27, 18 September 2011 (UTC)

Whitening Toothpaste
This section is very poorly written, in addition to having absolutely no sources in the entire paragraph. Would anyone be willing to look into the claims made there? I may later rewrite it with an improved flow. What are everyone's thoughts? 173.22.224.247 (talk) 03:14, 29 November 2010 (UTC)

It's probably poorly cited because it's lifted directly from this Mayo Clinic article:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/whitening-toothpaste/AN01818 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.255.91.102 (talk) 16:57, 26 November 2011 (UTC)

History section - some remarks
There are some mistakes in the history section. Sheffield was NOT the first to sell toothpaste in collipsable tubes. In 1887 launched Carl Sarg, a huge industrial producer of glycerol in Vienna, Austria, his Kalodont in lead tubes and sold them all over Europe. I think its a modern myth that Sheffield's son (himself dentist and inventor, e. g. he had patents for fixed partial denture) saw the tubes in Paris when he watched painters - he just had to look to the things and advertisings in drugstores. Paris was one of Kalodonts first markets, e. g. Sarah Bernard made advertisings for Kalodont in collipsable tubes in 1890. See the german articles [|Zahnpasta] and [|Kalodont]

But Dr. Washington Sheffield was infact the inventor of toothpaste in 1850. He was the first to mix toothpowder, soap and glycerol (?) to produce a paste. He sold it in tins or so.

The first fluoride toothpaste for the mass market was Blend-a-med produced by Blendax, Germany in 1951.95.112.130.181 (talk) 08:44, 12 February 2011 (UTC)
 * This claim is wrong, even though it is made on the ORCA website (featuring Hertha Hafer as the inventor). The first fluoride toothpaste was made in the 1890's ("Tanagra") based upon work by chemist Albert Deninger; the first one for the mass market was a product called "Biox Fluor", the first toothpaste containing an amine fluoride (ethanolamin-HF) as the active ingredient. It was marketed by Knoll AG, of Ludwigshafen, Germany. -- Tren (talk) 12:40, 2 April 2012 (UTC)

Is toothpaste necessary?
This article does not provide references to scientific studies showing using toothpaste is more effective that brushing teeth without toothpaste. Please improve the article by providing references. Wikfr (talk) 20:06, 9 January 2012 (UTC)


 * So far, I found one article in Dental Update. Wikfr (talk) 20:41, 9 January 2012 (UTC)

WE CAN ADD ANOTHER MATERIAL TO INCREASE THE ACTIVITY OF TOOTH PASTE BY ADDING ?PLEASE CALLED ME? TO LEARN MY e.mail muad1985@yahoo.com — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.224.40.65 (talk) 13:08, 7 April 2012 (UTC)

What reaction(s) makes fluoride an active ingredient?
I think i remember an reaction that did this, can't remember which, though. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.159.74.89 (talk) 12:58, 30 July 2009 (UTC)

Also, why does this page have no links whatsoever nor any mention of the fact that Fluoride's safety and effectiveness is widely disputed? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.96.220.76 (talk) 23:21, 3 July 2012 (UTC)
 * Because fluoridation is not widely disputed. There are a lot of people who loudly complain about fluoride (a major source of vandalism at Wikipedia is from drive-by editors who are infuriated by the positions held by dental organizations, major health organizations, and biostatisticians. But you are correct that we could mention that fluoride-free toothpastes are available.  I dont hold to any of their nazi conspiracy theories, but I will see about adding something about fluoride controversy. --Smokefoot (talk) 00:18, 4 July 2012 (UTC)
 * I disagree with one thing there Smokefoot. There are not "a lot of people who loudly complain about fluoride". There are really only a few, and they are generally very poorly informed scientifically. (I think we're very much on the same wavelength here.) HiLo48 (talk) 01:03, 4 July 2012 (UTC)

Triclosan
Reports have suggested triclosan, an active ingredient in many toothpastes, can combine with chlorine in tap water to form chloroform, which the United States Environmental Protection Agency classifies as a probable human carcinogen. An animal study revealed the chemical might modify hormone regulation, and many other lab researches proved bacteria might be able to develop resistance to triclosan in a way which can help them to resist antibiotics, also.


 * I'm moving this section here to discuss. I don't feel it's sourced enough for a health related claim. There is no source discussing this ingredient in toothpaste, specifically the first source used violates WP:SYNTH. The second is based on animal studies which is not good enough for a health claim, as most laypeople don't know how to evaluate them. Ultra Venia (talk) 21:45, 7 September 2012 (UTC)
 * Thank you for taking this prudent step. --Smokefoot (talk) 22:26, 7 September 2012 (UTC)
 * And I'm moving it back. It appears quite well sourced to me — Preceding unsigned comment added by The Master (talk • contribs) 01:34, 22 August 2014 (UTC)

Should this be in a category about toothpaste brands?
Looking at the categories at the base of this article, one of them reads "Toothpaste brands". I wonder whether this should really be here, since the word "toothpaste" itself is NOT a brand name of toothpaste, unlike colgate, macleans, signal or aquafresh. ACEOREVIVED (talk) 23:03, 15 August 2012 (UTC)

Objection to the striped toothpaste part
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toothpaste#Striped_toothpaste

http://files.sharenator.com/dantys_Frozen_toothpaste-s480x1060-2981-580.jpg —Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.159.136.5 (talk) 10:59, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

He's right Jim. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 46.7.228.74 (talk) 21:09, 31 October 2012 (UTC)

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Teethpaste
Y'all know it should be teethpaste, stop denying it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:8C:800:AC76:CC93:5A71:A296:A1DF (talk) 20:26, 9 November 2017 (UTC)

striped toothpaste
Here's a simple question that the article really should answer:

Does the various stripes have the same contents? That is, is it the same paste just differently colored? Or does the red strip (advertised as "for your gums" or some such) contain the gum ingredient, the blue strip (advertised as "gives you fresh breath") contain the breath freshener ingredient, and so on? CapnZapp (talk) 12:21, 20 November 2018 (UTC)

Nonfluoride toothpastes
The section on fluoride could point out that it is possible to buy toothpastes which do not have fluoride in them. Vorbee (talk) 17:08, 20 October 2018 (UTC)
 * Sure. Just remember that the overwhelming evidence tells you non-fluoride toothpaste is really really bad for your teeth. CapnZapp (talk) 12:22, 20 November 2018 (UTC)

Living persons
Am I alone in finding it strange that this article has the tag "This article must conform to the Biographies of Living persons..because it contains material about living persons" on its talk page?Vorbee (talk) 20:42, 9 August 2018 (UTC)
 * Fixed. Probably someone just copied in the wikiprojects template and accidentally left blp = yes CapnZapp (talk) 12:25, 20 November 2018 (UTC)

Nazi-CIA influence
I believe there is no credible evidence of fluoride in toothpaste being safe for the brains. Yes, the one time amount is small, but in the case of toothpaste the exposure is daily, so effects can be dramatic. Yet, there is no study if this practice is safe. Why that is? One cound claim that since so many people do it and have done for decades, it couldn't possibly be dangerous or have an effect of making a person more dumb. However, if you look at the state of society, there is no reason to assume, there isn't a factor making people more dumb. Elsewhere in the article there actually is a line "Water fluoridation has been praised as one of the top medical achievements of the 20th century". To me that seems to suggest once again possible CIA-related nazi influence in the Wikipedia. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:14BB:83:A2D6:F8CB:12C9:3083:D20D (talk) 18:24, 5 March 2019 (UTC)

usefulness ?
Hello, Your article is off to great start! I would suggest to change content under usefulness to "controversy". The title usefulness is contradictory, since article states that it is not useful to brush teeth. In addition to expanding content more regarding this controversy. Information can be misleading to readers it is important to cite all information. E razo0821 (talk) 05:44, 17 September 2019 (UTC)

Toothpaste is made from chicken nuggets??
In addition to 20%–42% water, toothpastes are derived from a variety of components, the three main ones being abrasives, fluoride, and detergents also chicken nuggets.

I'll change that two

In addition to 20%–42% water, toothpastes are derived from a variety of components, the three main ones being abrasives, fluoride, and detergents. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Vhalan (talk • contribs) 12:13, 28 September 2019 (UTC)