Toothpaste helps to enjoy a refreshing breath and white teeth, but the most important functions of toothpaste are to protect against decay, and this protection is due to a specific component, so what is it?
The answer is "fluoride", but the problem is that some pastes do not contain this ingredient, or they do not contain it enough.
Dentists unanimously
believe the
key ingredient in toothpaste, if it comes to the
prevention of caries.
Professor Dietmar Osterreich, Vice President of the German Dental Association, explained that some products rely on coconut oil, sage or green tea to protect against tooth decay, but this effect has not been sufficiently scientifically proven.
For his part, German Professor Ulrich Scheffner pointed out that there is a lack of "accurate studies" regarding materials that have been shown to prevent tooth decay in the oral cavity.
Metal hook
On the importance of fluoride, Osterreich explained that there is a continuous interaction in the mouth with bacteria, which form layers deposited on the teeth and produce acids, which in turn work to dissolve minerals from the hard tooth material.
And tooth decay could be the result of this in the long run.
Here, the importance of fluoride appears in the repair, as it binds to dissolved minerals such as calcium, and stores it again in the solid material of the teeth.
In addition, fluoride slows the metabolism of bacteria, which means that they are no longer active in producing acid.
Fluoride content
Regarding the fluoride content in toothpaste, Osterreich explained that international guidelines for adults specify 1500 parts per million, and for children one thousand parts per million.
There are also children's toothpastes that contain about 500 parts per million, and you must consult your doctor to find out the right type for your child and the amount that is placed on the brush to brush his teeth.
But in general, for the appropriate amount for children up to two years old, put a rice-sized amount of toothpaste on the brush, and for children from two to six years old, an amount the size of a pea should be placed.
Tips for children
Pediatric dentistry and prevention specialist Dr. Muhammad al-Kalzi, who holds the specialty from the German Society of Pediatric Dentistry, says - in previous statements to Al-Jazeera Net - that child dental care is based on 3 basic rules, namely:
First: Brushing (cleaning) the teeth twice a day, and choosing a brush that suits the child's age. As for the toothpaste, children’s toothpaste is used with a concentration of fluoride in it 500 parts per million.
A reputable toothpaste is recommended.
An amount of toothpaste is placed on the brush the size of a small pea, and all teeth and all surfaces are brushed, and the doctor explained the method for this on a model.
Second: healthy food and organizing meals, by eating vegetables and fruits, avoiding sticky foods such as jelly and chips, reducing sugary foods, and organizing food into 4 meals a day, among which the child only drinks water or sugar-free flower tea.
Third: the periodic visit to the dentist every 6 months, to examine the teeth, apply topical fluoride to the teeth, detect any problem and treat it early.