Question

To protect tooth decay we are advised to brush teeth regularly. The nature of the toothpaste commonly used is ……………….in nature.
A) basic
B) Neutral
C) Acidic
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that the bacteria that occurs in our teeth is of acidic nature. So you can refer to this question on the neutralization concept, as there is a need to neutralize the bacteria that is present inside our mouth. Acid have pH lower than $7$, base has pH higher than $7$ and neutral substance has a pH of $7$.

Complete answer:
We have to remember that toothpastes are usually basic in nature; they have a pH generally more than 7 which makes it alkaline. It is a mild basic in nature that means it must have a pH between $7$ to $10$. The bacteria that lie inside our teeth will make our teeth corroded due to the acid environment and this also makes our teeth weaken. Toothpaste is basic in nature and is made up of different salt. The main ingredient in toothpaste is tetrasodium pyrophosphate that is useful in removing calcium and magnesium from saliva due to which it restricts the depositing in teeth. Since TSSP is alkaline it is bitter in taste so flavors are added to it so as to cope up the taste of toothpaste.
Option A) this is a correct option as explained above that toothpaste is basic in nature so as to neutralize the excess acid that present in the form of bacteria in teeth.
Option B) This is an incorrect option as there is a need of neutralizing. If a neutral medium is used we cannot remove acid from the tooth.
Option C) this is an incorrect option as acidic nature cannot neutralize the acidic bacteria inside the tooth.
Option D) this is an incorrect option as we got option A as the correct answer.

Note:
We need to know that toothpaste is basic in nature and is made up of different salt. The main ingredient in toothpaste is tetrasodium pyrophosphate that is useful in removing calcium and magnesium from saliva due to which it restricts the depositing in teeth. Since TSSP is alkaline it is bitter in taste so flavors are added to it so as to cope up the taste of toothpaste.