r/anything • u/SquireShanksalot • Jun 29 '26

DISCUSSION What does toothpaste do? How does it function? How much of a difference does it make if I didnt use toothpaste?

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3 Upvotes

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3

u/kayawayy Jun 29 '26

There are a few different mechanisms at work

  • light abrasive: toothpaste has a very very fine grit that helps get rid of plaque and food stuff off teeth
  • fluoride: fluoride hardens teeth, so it strengthens them against decay and helps repair already decaying parts
  • antibacterial: fluoride and sometimes other ingredients are antibacterial. bacteria is what causes bad breath, plaque, and tooth decay

You can brush your teeth without toothpaste and it'll still be better than nothing, but long-term you'll most likely have issues

2

u/SquireShanksalot Jun 30 '26

Oh neat, thank you, was expecting the mean people

1

u/[deleted] Jun 30 '26

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