Toothpaste is a dentifrice in gel form that helps to clean the plaque and food remnants from the teeth surfaces. It is used along with a toothbrush and furnishes an abrasive to scrub teeth surfaces. It is also a medium to supply active agents like xylitol or fluorides to the teeth and gums to prevent diseases like tooth decay and gingivitis and other ingredients like biocide and a flavor.

It is believed that somewhere around 5000 BC Egypt, people started to use toothpaste to clean teeth before toothbrushes came around. Around 500 BC, it was the Roman, Greeks, Indian and Chinese who first used toothpaste. The toothpaste was used to address the same concerns as now. However, the ingredients were different, powdered bunt eggshells, horse hooves’ ashes along with pumice. Greeks and Romans liked more abrasives and added powdered bone and oyster shells. Romans added more fragrance too.

Modern toothpaste appeared in the early 1800s which was basically soap. In its evolution, it saw the addition of betel nut in the 1800s, chalk in 1850s, and also became a real paste. The 1850s saw the paste in a jar for the first time. Powdered charcoal entered in the 1860s. 1873 saw mass production of toothpaste by Colgate and in the 1890s introduced tubes like the current ones made of lead and lined with tin. Changes increased with the second industrial revolution. Soap was replaced with a synthetic chemical like lauryl sulfate. Studies and researches were the features of those days and many additives for specific needs to control specified conditions were identified and added. 1914 saw the introduction of fluoride and reduction of abrasives to counter excessive brushing. Special purpose toothpaste for whitening, to counter teeth sensitivity and more powerful antimicrobials are of recent origin. At the same time, there is a switch to old ingredients like charcoal, essential oils, calcium and salt.

These days go natural is gaining momentum and they have touched the toothpaste industry too. These toothpaste are made naturally that do not contain any synthetic chemicals including fluoride.

Toothpaste is a hugely competitive market and is tough to select toothpaste for daily use. Below are some brands that provided toothpaste for daily use that gives protection on multiple fronts whether its for daily use or addition special purposes. Listed below are some of the most popular toothpaste products in the country:

• Crest Pro-Health Original Toothpaste is good for those who have no specific dental issues and is for general protection. It is clinically proven to reduce and prevent cavities, sensitivity, gingivitis, bad breath, and plaque. Clean mint has ADA verification of their claims.
• In the special category toothpaste for sensitivity is the Sensodyne ProNamel Fresh Breath Toothpaste. It was found to be the least abrasive and has 5% potassium nitrate to reduce tooth sensitivity.
• For whitening Tom’s of Maine Simply White Natural Fluoride Toothpaste Sweet Mint has enough abrasive to reduce surface stains and its gentle for daily use. It is ADA verified.
• In the natural toothpaste category is The Natural Dental Healthy Teeth and Gums Anti-cavity Toothpaste. This fluoride toothpaste is free of sodium lauryl sulfate, artificial sweeteners, and artificial dyes.

There are quite a few brands that contain only natural ingredients without any mixture of chemicals.