Salt Toothpaste- Creditable For Stronger or Whiter Teeth?

The TV commercial of a notable toothpaste brand, screening the Bollywood biggie, who suddenly turns into a news anchor, panning the cameras over the face of a dental problem victim, the moment he whimpers “aah”, and asking ’Kya aapke toothpaste mein namak hain?’, always seemed logical and convincing to us that salt is not only an intrinsic ingredient of our diet but is also a pivotal element to our toothpaste. With people progressively finding herbal products more appealing than the chemical ones, toothpaste never got spared. Many big brands started promoting ‘active salt’ as a key component in their products to gain their consumers back and were quite successful. But the legitimate question still remained the same - Does salt toothpaste really make our teeth stronger or whiter?

Since ages, salt has been known for its preservative and disinfectant properties. Since it is a natural disinfectant, saltwater mouthwash is normally recommended to patients suffering from certain types of mouth infections, gum swelling and even after oral surgeries. Salt increases the pH of the mouth, slightly above seven, under which bacteria are incapable to endure, but it still does not makes teeth stronger. Salt is available to us as coarse particles which in turn is capable of eroding the tooth enamel (which acts as a shield for teeth, preventing them from decay). Therefore, when added to the toothpaste along with other components it surely helps to reduce the decay but does not lead to a whitening effect, rather may actually damage teeth by being too abrasive, claims British Dental Association (BDA) after studying effects of such pastes.

As appropriately said by a Danish writer, Isak Dinesen ”The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea”, we have grown up listening to its importance in maintaining oral hygiene by our grandmothers, but scientific reasons were always required to give it a justification. Natural teeth are never pure white and may range from slightly yellow to grey. Therefore, having white teeth never meant that they are strong or healthy, writes Claudia Hammond describing why white teeth does not mean they are in better condition.

Though gargling with salt water actually does wonders, writes Jason Tetro, microbiology, health & hygiene expert but, it would still be incorrect to say that salt can make one’s teeth stronger and whiter. Salt can definitely help in removing any stains, but its profound use may lead to complications like sensitivity to hot or cold foods. It can be used as a sterilant for the mouth but it should always be made sure to spit out, otherwise, it will increase the dietary sodium intake which is harmful. High sodium ingestion in the diet raises the amount of calcium our body expels via urine, making the bones and teeth weaker and may even cause tooth loss.

Therefore, one can not just rely on salt to maintain their oral hygiene or expect it to make their teeth whiter or stronger. There are many other methods which the dentists always recommend like brushing twice a day, flossing, chewing gum and not to forget eating healthy which are sufficient enough to keep the dental problems at bay.