Most of us don’t give much thought to how toothpaste is made, but maybe we should. Especially considering the fact that it’s something we use each and every day, and that we spend over 3000 hours in our lifetime brushing our teeth. If we just spiked your curiosity, here’s everything you need to learn about what goes into your favourite tube of toothpaste and how it’s made.
What is Toothpaste?
If you check the label on most over the counter brands, you’ll likely see some of the following ingredients in your toothpaste: water, calcium carbonate, triclosan, cellulose gum, glycerin, xylitol, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium fluoride, and mint – a combination of abrasives, binders, antibacterial agents, thickeners, humectants, detergents, surfactants, fluorides, sweeteners, colours, and preservatives. These ingredients are essentially the building blocks of toothpaste and are what give the paste texture, colour, and taste.
How is it Made?
Most production processes are similar in scope when it comes to making toothpaste. The chemical ingredients arrive in sacks and are measured into large containers. Once the ingredients are combined, they are then sent off to be cooked in large aluminum pots to prevent any unwanted chemical reactions from occurring.
Once heated, the toothpaste will form a dough-like substance that looks just like icing. Then the colours are added to form the multi-coloured stripes commonly found in popular toothpaste brands. Chemists then add flavours into the mixture through essential oils. To create the exact flavours, the chemists break down the oils into their component parts and combine different quantities of oils to get whatever flavours they choose.
To ensure the toothpaste meets quality standards, a dedicated testing department spends hours each day testing all the flavours and batches of toothpaste. Once approved, the tubes are then filled by a state-of-the-art machine. For https://thetealumbrella.ca/contact-directions/request-appointment/tubes with stripes, each colour is injected at the same time from a different nozzle to ensure the stripes run along the length of each tool. Then they’re packaged up and shipped out to your nearest store.
So there you have it. Toothpaste comes in many different colours and forms, but underneath it all, it’s an important factor in protecting your teeth and gums from decay and disease.
At Teal Umbrella, our dedicated team takes your oral health seriously. To arrange your next appointment, contact us today.
