How Personal Care Product Chemicals Promote Healthy Teeth and Gums
Personal care products tend to bring to mind materials designed to enhance the way an individual looks or feels. Only a few categorically improve health as personal care product chemicals formulated for oral care do. Bell Chem highlights some of the chemicals it stocks to protect the health of gums and teeth.
Fluoride, calcium, and phosphate
If only one chemical was part of dental care, the majority of dentists would choose fluoride. Before fluoride was added to drinking water beginning in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the sheer number of cavities in the general population’s teeth flourished. When fluoride was researched and adjusted to perfectly control the small amount necessary to prevent cavities in both children and adults, it was determined the ultimate method of dispersal was community water fluoridation. When water fluoridation became the norm across the United States, the amount of severe tooth pain, unnecessary extractions of permanent teeth, and a tremendous amount of fillings fell dramatically. It has been estimated that fluoride alone accounts for a 25% reduction of oral cavities.
Calcium and phosphate are both good for bones and teeth, which are chemically different from each other. Both calcium and phosphate are positively charged ions that interact with acidic compounds. This is extremely important in oral care because acids, such as those consumed in dark soft drinks and citrus drinks, can rapidly break down the enamel protecting the sensitive interior of teeth. Thinner enamel leads to fissures and chips in teeth where bacteria lurk. As the bacteria consume the same foods the mouth consumes, their acidic waste products erode teeth and cause dental caries and may lead to infection. Even worse, the human body is incapable of repairing any oral damage; the only alternative is to secure the hole with a filling that can withstand the pressure of mastication.
Gum disease prevention
Most dental patients worry about their teeth, but the gums are extremely important in oral care. Gum disease (often gingivitis) can easily lead to tooth loss and is often unnoticed since bacteria lurk below the gum line out of sight. Small pockets at the base of teeth enlarge and bacteria enter, breaking down and giving off acidic waste products. The diseased tissue eventually dies and falls away from the teeth and more bacteria enter the larger space. This feedback loop eventually causes the teeth to loosen or fall out.
The addition of the personal care product chemicals fluoride, calcium, and phosphate in oral care products has significantly improved oral health around the world. Bell Chem has hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including oral health chemicals. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.