Mouthwashes and dentifrices

Question 1

What is a dentifrice?

Answer 1

A paste, powder, liquid or other preparation for cleaning the teeth

Question 2

What does binding agents do?

Answer 2

holds all ingredients together and assists in creating texture of toothpaste

Question 3

What are some examples of binding agents?

Answer 3

carboxy methyl cellulose

hydroxy ethyl cellulose

carrageenan

cellulose gum

Question 4

What do preservatives do?

Answer 4

prevent contamination by bacteria

maintains purity of product

Question 5

What are some examples of preservatives?

Answer 5

formalin

alcohols

sodium benzoate

methyl paraben

Question 6

What does colour/flavourings do?

Answer 6

mask flavour of other ingredients

especially SLS

promotes user compliance

Question 7

What are some examples of colour/flavourings?

Answer 7

peppermint/spearmint

menthol

eucalyptus

aniseed

saccharin

Question 8

What does water do?

Answer 8

solvent for some ingredients

provides consistency

Question 9

What does inhibitor do?

Answer 9

stops corrosion of tube

especially metal tube

Question 10

What are some examples of inhibitors?

Answer 10

sodium silicate

vegetable gums

Question 11

What does pigment do?

Answer 11

helps make whiter and brighter

Question 12

What are some examples of pigment?

Answer 12

titanium dioxide

glycol

enzymes

paian

Question 13

What do humectants do?

Answer 13

prevents evaporation of water keeping toothpaste moist

Question 14

What are some examples of humectants?

Answer 14

glycerine

sorbitol

water

xantham gum

carrageenan

cellulose gum

Question 15

What does colloidal substances do?

Answer 15

keep toothpaste powders suspended and prevent separation of fine particles

Question 16

What are some examples of colloidal substances?

Answer 16

sodium alginate

bentonite (colloidal clay)

Question 17

What are some examples of emollients?

Answer 17

baking soda

glycerin

propylene

Question 18

What do detergents/foaming agents do?

Answer 18

lowers surface tension

loosens debris which assists removal with toothbrush

Question 19

What are some examples of detergents/foaming agents?

Answer 19

sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)

sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate

Question 20

What do polishing/abrasive agents do?

Answer 20

clean and polish tooth surface without damaging enamel

keeps pellicle thin

prevent accumulation of stain

Question 21

What are some examples of polishing/abrasive agents?

Answer 21

sodium bicarbonate

calcium carbonate

calcium sulphate

sodium chloride

silica particles

diatomaceous earth

diacalcium phosphate

Question 22

What is a mouthwash?

Answer 22

A usually antiseptic liquid preparation for cleaning the mouth and teeth or freshening the breath

Question 23

What does a mouthwash contain?

Answer 23

therapeutic agents

buffering agents (reduce acidity)

anodynes (phenol additives to assist pain relief)

astringents (shrink tissues and aid healing)

sweeting agents (saccharin)

colouring (caramel)

flavourings

oxidising agents

alcohol (not usually enough for antibacterial effect - mildly astringent)

water

Question 24

What are some types of astringents in mouthwash?

Answer 24

zinc chloride

zinc acetate

citric acids

Question 25

What are some types of oxidising agents in mouthwash?

Answer 25

hydrogen peroxide sodium perborate

Question 26

What are the cosmetic effects of dentifrices?

Answer 26

Feeling of well-being with pleasant tasting mouth and fresh breath Whitening Removing plaque and stain, and polishing teeth

Question 27

What are the therapeutic effects of dentifrices?

Answer 27

Prevent plaque and gingivitis by inclusion of antimicrobials Relief of specific oral conditions Prevent and reduce dental caries by applying topical fluoride Desensitisation

Question 28

What is xerostomia characterised by?

Answer 28

Smooth red mucosa Difficulty with speech and eating A greater incidence of periodontal disease and caries A tendency towards fungal infections Detrimental effect of retention of complete dentures

Question 29

What are some key ingredients for xerostomia in dentifrices?

Answer 29

xylitol (natural sweetener, reduces harmful bacteria, maintains moisture) glycerin (humectant, lubricating effect, immediate soothing relief) fluoride (to protect against caries)

Question 30

What are the benefits of using SLS-free products?

Answer 30

SLS can cause dryness and irritation to mouth Impacts people with sensitive mouths and increases incidence of aphthous ulcers SLS-free toothpastes lead to 70% reduction of mouth ulcers ulcer healing is more effective

Question 31

What are some key ingredients for plaque control?

Answer 31

triclosan (0.3%) + gantrez (2%) triclosan + pyrophosphate baking soda + peroxide stabilised stannous fluoride + zinc citrate (antimicrobial agents) dual zinc + arginine (reduces gingival bleeding cetylpyridium chloride (antimicrobial, prevents ecological shift)

Question 32

What does gantrez do?

Answer 32

polymer that enhances retention of triclosan on teeth and gums

Question 33

What does triclosan do?

Answer 33

effective against formation of gram positive and gram negative bacteria anti-inflammatory effects

Question 34

What are some active ingredients against dental caries?

Answer 34

fluoride (sodium or stannous) calcium phosphate chlorhexidine

Question 35

What are some fluoride alternatives?

Answer 35

xylitol nano-hydroxyapatite arginine

Question 36

What are 2 types of staining?

Answer 36

- Non-metallic are direct stains eg from diet, oral hygiene and habits - Metallic stains are indirect caused medications or occupation/environmental exposure to certain metals

Question 37

What are some active ingredients against staining?

Answer 37

calcium carbonate hydrogen peroxide carbide peroxide sodium bicarbonate silica pyrophosphates