a) Toothpaste –

i. The only two active ingredients in toothpaste are Sodium Fluoride (NaF) and Triclosan
(C12H7Cl3O2)

ii. Triclosan it works as antifungal and antibiotic preventing gingivitis

iii. Most abundant ingredient in toothpaste which, accounts for 50% of it, are abrasives such as
silica gels or Silicon Dioxide (SiO2).

iv. Surfactants (detergents) work well with fluoride to form foam that clean the tooth surface
and wash away leftover food between our tooth.

v. The rest of the ingredients include sorbitol (C H O ) for flavor and as a

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humectant to keep the toothpaste smooth and wet.

vi.

vii. The outermost layer is the enamel. 95% of enamel is made from a hard and strong subtance,
called hydroxyapatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2.

viii. Although hydroxyapatite is strong and firm, it is easily decay if attacked by acid. The reaction
occurs is:
ix. Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 ＋ 8H+ ↔ 10Ca2+＋ 6(HPO4)2- ＋ 2H2O
x. This equation means that the reaction will proceed toward the right side by the addition of
acid (H+ ion).
xi. The more acid added, the more hydroxyapatite that is dissolved into the saliva. This reaction
is called 'decalcification'
xii. When we brush our teeth with toothpaste, fluoride ions are delivered to the enamel and
replaces the OH ions in hydroxyapatite, to form fluoroapatite, Ca10(PO4)6F2. The reaction
occurs is:
xiii. Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 + 8H+ ---> 10 Ca2++ 6HPO42+2H2O