Toothpaste is a big part of American life. If you’re out, you’ll make a trip to the store even late in the evening so you don’t have to face work with residual morning breath. If you find a brand you love, you’re likely to stick to it for years to come. We’ve become quite accustomed to the minty fresh feeling these…
Toothpaste is a big part of American life. If you’re out, you’ll make a trip to the store even late in the evening so you don’t have to face work with residual morning breath. If you find a brand you love, you’re likely to stick to it for years to come. We’ve become quite accustomed to the minty fresh feeling these abrasive pastes leave us with. If we brushed just with water, we would still get a lot of cleaning benefits, but toothpaste takes oral hygiene an extra step. For some interesting facts on toothpaste from your Knoxville dentist, Dr. Jim Erpenbach, read on.
Basic Toothpaste Facts
It is a requirement of the American Dental Association (ADA) that any toothpaste containing fluoride carry an expirations date. The reason for this is not really because the toothpaste product will go rancid, but because the fluoride might be less effective after a certain passage of time. The average shelf life of toothpaste is approximately two years, so if you’re brushing twice-a-day as recommended by your Knoxville dentist, you should finish up that tube long before it expires. If you do come across an old tube and try to use it, not only will you likely be getting less benefit from the lacking fluoride, but the toothpaste may have hardened somewhat, making it much harder to squeeze onto your toothbrush.
Toothpaste and Orange Juice
It’s not a wise idea to eat or drink anything right after you brush your teeth. You should brush following meals as opposed to before them. However, if you’ve ever taken a sip of orange juice after brushing your teeth, you may be puckering even now over the very thought of it. How can toothpaste make the sweetness in OJ go away? One of the main ingredients in toothpaste is a non-toxic detergent called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). One of the main things you’ll note from SLS is the sudsy foam it produces. and gives toothpaste its distinct mouth-feel. SLS also influences your taste buds. We have five tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. SLS changes the way you taste certain things, and orange juice is a perfect example.
Dental Checkups From Jim Erpenbach DDS
Your Knoxville dentist, at Jim Erpenbach DDS, offers regular cleanings and checkups. If you would like to schedule an appointment to see the dental hygienist and Dr. Erpenbach, you can call 865-584-8630 and schedule an appointment at ourÂ?37919 dentist office. We welcome patients from Knoxville and the greater metropolitan area.
