Colors/Visuals

Finally, coloring agents are added to provide dentifrice with pleasing colors. The opacity of a paste dentifrice comes from the addition of titanium dioxide. Dentifrices formulated without titanium dioxide result in the formation of a gel dentifrice, rather than an opaque paste. Mica is used to provide a sparkly appearance in some dentifrices, such as those marketed to children. A summary of dentifrice additives can be found in Table 3.

Table 3. Nontherapeutic Dentifrice Ingredients: Summarized Below are Common Dentifrice Ingredients and Their Functions.

	Examples	Functions
Humectants	Sorbitol, glycerin	Provide flowability Prevent dehydration Prevent microbial growth
Solvents	Water	Provide flowability Solvate polar ingredients Hydrate binders
Abrasives	Hydrated silica, alumina, calcium carbonate	Remove stains Increase viscosity
Surfactants	Sodium lauryl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, poloxamer. Sodium Hexametaphosphate	Create foam Emulsify flavors Clean
Buffers	Trisodium phosphate, sodium hydroxide, sodium citrate	Maintain pH to maximize stability and maintain efficacy
Binders	Xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) carbomers, carrageenan	Provide structure and thickening.
Flavors and Sweeteners	Menthol, peppermint, spearmint, green tea, sodium saccharin	Mask taste of unpleasant ingredients Provide consumer acceptability
Emollients	Glycerin, Propylene Glycol	Retain moisture Soothing feel in mouth
Colors and Visuals	Titanium dioxide, dyes, pigments, mica	Enhance esthetics
Bleaches	Peroxide/Ca-Na Carbamide	Extrinsic Stain removal

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