A Dental Therapist, Maria Onu, says regular use of toothpastes can prevent dental diseases as toothpaste contain some active ingredients created specifically for such purpose.

She said this on Thursday in an interview in Abuja.

According to Onu, toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used with a toothbrush to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of the teeth and is generally useful to maintain dental health.

She said, “It is an abrasive used to promote oral hygiene and aids in removing dental plaque or its build-up and food from the teeth while also promoting healthy gums.

“It assists in suppressing halitosis and delivers active ingredients such as fluoride to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

“Toothpastes containing fluoride are effective at preventing tooth decay and it’s a very necessary ingredient for toothpastes.

“Toothpaste are made up of 20 to 40 percent of water, abrasives including aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydrogen phosphates, calcium carbonate, silica, and hydroxyapatite.”

She said that a good toothpaste should contain 1450 (parts per million) ppm of fluoride, mainly in the form of sodium fluoride, detergents and sodium lauryl sulfate with concentration ranges of 0.5 to two percent.

Onu said that toothpastes should also contain antibacterial agents such as triclosan or zinc chloride, flavourants including spearmint, peppermint, and wintergreen.

“Anti-sensitivity agents in sensitive toothpastes containing strontium chloride and potassium nitrate or arginine and anti-calculus agents such as sodium polyphosphate or zinc citrate.”

She said that proper oral hygiene would protect the teeth and gums and keep one’s smile beautiful.

She added that brushing the teeth using fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush at least twice a day was a good practice.

“A soft-bristled one for children and a medium toothbrush for adults as hard bristles can damage the gums and tooth enamel.

“When you brush, place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward your gums. This helps sweep away plaque and bacteria at the gum line.

“Also, be sure to brush all teeth surfaces, including the backs and sides,” Onu said.