Question

Is Toothpaste an Acid or Base?

Answer 1

Hint :We know that the acidic toothpaste will make a more acidic environment which is dangerous for teeth and neutral environment can’t decrease the acidity of mouth and in our mouth no corrosion type of phenomenon takes place, so there is no sense of taking these types of toothpastes.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Let us in detail try and understand the nature of toothpastes, why it is so and the compounds that make up the composition of the toothpaste and their action on teeth. Toothpastes are usually weakly basic in nature. The pH of saliva is $$7.4,$$ which is basic too. An acidic environment will cause teeth enamel to corrode, and will ultimately weaken them. Also bacteria which are present in the mouth produce different degrading acids by modification of food particles containing sugar and remain in the mouth after eating. Acidic conditions produced in the mouth lead to tooth decay, plaque and cavities. Thus, to prevent such problems there is a need to neutralize the acidic conditions in the mouth and hence, toothpaste often contains weak alkali to neutralize the acidic conditions in the mouth.
Mouth has salivary amylase enzymes and the process of digestion starts from the mouth by making an acidic environment in the mouth. For example: Sugar, Even though sugar itself does not contain high levels of acidity, it promotes the growth of acid creating bacteria in our mouth. A healthy mouth is in a neutral pH range. At a pH of $$5.5$$ the teeth begin to demineralize, putting teeth at risk for cavities. And for keeping our mouth healthy, we must keep oral acidity to a minimum. One reason for tooth damage is stomach acid: vomiting and reflux also can cause serious tooth damage when stomach acid comes into contact with our teeth.
Thus, the toothpaste is a base. It is alkaline in nature. After we have our food, the food breaks down and releases the acid. In order to neutralize the acidic effect in our mouths, we use toothpaste to brush our teeth. Thus, toothpaste should definitely be base.

Note :
Remember that the human teeth are made up of four different types of tissues: pulp, dentin, enamel and cementum. Teeth consist mostly of hard, inorganic minerals like calcium. And we know that food and drink change the pH level of saliva.