The calorie-counting mania that permeates much of the cultural landscape of the United States has even made its way into the toothpaste industry.
Because there are a lot of concerns regarding whether or not there are calories in toothpaste on well-known discussion boards like Quora, we would want to address this topic with something that is more helpful.
The fact that toothpaste, unlike a great many other products, is not required to feature a Supplement Facts or Nutrition Facts label that includes calorie information is the most significant contributor to confusion. This is due to the fact that toothpaste does not precisely fall within the category of food items.
Overview: How Many Calories Are In Toothpaste To Be Safe
Many individuals are curious about the answer to the question "what happens if you swallow toothpaste" and how many calories are in their favorite brand of toothpaste.
According to the questions asked, some individuals who are watching their calorie intake are afraid that the use of toothpaste on a regular basis would dramatically increase the number of calories they consume.
The sugary flavor of many famous brands may have caused diabetics to worry that the products include a lot of calories that don't contribute to the body's function. The reason that the problem still exists is probably due to the fact that the majority of toothpaste packaging does not disclose any dietary details.
The labels on tubes of toothpaste only include information on the toothpaste's medical and non-medicinal ingredients, as well as instructions on how to use the product. They also feature a warning that states one should not ingest the preparation and that it should be kept out of the reach of minors.
Because toothpaste does not come with a nutrition information label that lists its calorie content, many individuals are curious about the number of calories that toothpaste contains. Another common concern is whether or not it is dangerous to swallow toothpaste.
If you have also been wondering whether or not there are calories in toothpaste, How Many Calories Are In Toothpaste, or whether or not it is safe to swallow toothpaste, we have the answers to all of your questions in this article. In addition, we will explain why you shouldn't be concerned even if there are calories in your toothpaste.
Can one consume calories while using toothpaste?
It's likely that the typical quantity of toothpaste, between 0.25 and 1 gram, that each person consumes on a daily basis includes between 0.25 and 3 calories. That quantity cannot possibly make a meaningful contribution to the amount of energy used on a daily basis. Additionally, it is quite unlikely to be sufficient to dramatically boost glucose levels in diabetic patients. To put this into perspective, the typical individual burns roughly 75 calories per hour when doing nothing more than sitting still and watching YouTube, but a 172-pound adult American woman burns between 63 and 78 calories per hour while sleeping.
However, since it includes substances that might be harmful if ingested, toothpaste should never be swallowed when brushing your teeth. These components could be hazardous to your health, and they might even put your life in jeopardy.
Your mouth's lining does not take in a large number of calories from the toothpaste you use. You do not need to be worried about the calories in toothpaste or the potential for damage caused by the harmful substances provided that you do not swallow significant quantities.
Ingredients that make up the calories in your toothpaste
Before we can determine how many calories are in toothpaste, we need to look at the components and how much of each one is used.
Several sources provide contrasting formulas for the same basic toothpaste products. This is due to the fact that the precise composition of toothpaste might change depending on the brand and manufacturer.
According to Oyewale's findings, the amount of water found in dentifrice brands varied from 20% to 39%, with 85% of the samples having water levels that were lower than 29% by weight.
According to Reynolds, the usual composition of dentifrices consists of the following components: humectants: 20-70%; abrasives: 10-40%; water: 5-30%; binder: 1-2%; detergent: 1-3%; flavor: 1-2%; preservative: 0.05-0.5%; and therapeutic agent: 0.1-0.5%.
The majority of toothpaste kinds don't contain any calories.
The majority of the components in toothpaste are manufactured or exist naturally and are compounds that do not contain any form of energy that may be derived from nourishment.
Although you may be able to get minerals from toothpaste, including fluoride, sodium, calcium, phosphate, potassium, and magnesium, you cannot obtain calories from components such as:
- Calcium hydrogen phosphates, aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, silica, and hydroxyapatite are some examples of abrasive materials.
- Fluorides: Sodium fluoride.
- Products that clean, such as sodium lauryl sulfate detergents
- Wintergreen, peppermint, and spearmint are the three flavors that are present.
- Strontium chloride and potassium nitrate are two examples of anti-sensitivity agents.
- Agents that inhibit the growth of germs, such as triclosan and zinc chloride
- Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and calcium phosphate have been shown to be effective re-mineralizers.
Some toothpaste ingredients do contain calories.
Humectants included in toothpaste, including xylitol, propylene glycol, glycerol, and sorbitol, all provide calories to the product.
Sugar alcohols, often known as polyols, are a group of compounds that include glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol, and propylene glycol among its members.
Polyols are carbohydrates that have been hydrogenated, and their absorption in the small intestine is only partial.
Both diabetics and non-diabetics experience an alteration in their post-meal blood glucose levels when polyols are consumed.
On the other hand, there is evidence from a few studies that suggest they result in a lower glycemic response than simple sugars like fructose, glucose, and sucrose.
Calculation: the number of calories contained in toothpaste
Depending on the composition, toothpaste may include anywhere from 0.5 to 3 calories per gram. The suggested amount of toothpaste for older children and adults is the size of a pea, which weighs around 0.25 grams. Therefore, if you wash your teeth twice a day, you probably only need between 0.5 and 1 gram of toothpaste each day. This is the same as consuming between 0.25 and 3 calories each day.
Polyols like glycerin, propylene glycol, and sorbitol are examples of the most prevalent types of humectants that are used in the production of toothpaste, as stated by a number of academic and industrial sources.
Calories may be found in polyols. Because of this, we should be able to determine the number of calories contained in a normal sample of toothpaste by analyzing the different kinds and amounts of polyols that are employed as humectants.
We can only conduct a preliminary estimate that provides you an idea of the sort of calorie range to anticipate from any dentifrice brand since various toothpaste samples will most likely have different humectant components or varying amounts depending on the manufacturer.
What are the possible consequences of swallowing toothpaste?
What kind of health risks are associated with swallowing toothpaste? Because it includes chemical components that, if consumed in sufficient quantities, might be harmful to your health or even prove fatal, you should make every effort to avoid swallowing your toothpaste. Fluoride and triclosan are two of the substances that have the highest potential for toxicity. We are going to do a comprehensive analysis of how harmful these two compounds are.
Is the fluoride that's found in toothpaste dangerous?
The fluoride included in toothpaste does have the potential to be harmful. However, this substance is only dangerous if it is ingested in large quantities all at once or in moderate amounts repeatedly over a period of time.
It is possible to have acute poisoning and even pass away as a result of swallowing a tube of fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride toxicity: Dental fluorosis
When it comes to swallowing considerable quantities of toothpaste when brushing their teeth, young children are often more inclined than older children or adults to do so.
When young children are forming their permanent teeth, dental fluorosis may be caused by the ingestion of significant quantities of fluoride dentifrice over an extended period of time.
The disorder, which may be recognized by observable alterations in the look of the teeth, is almost always solely of significance from an aesthetic standpoint.
In moderate instances of fluorosis, the enamel of a child's teeth may have white flecks or specks; in more severe cases, the enamel may have striations, blotches, dark patches, or pitting.
In most cases, children who are less than three years old should use a swallowable toothpaste that does not include fluoride. However, if your kid's healthcare professional determines that the child has an increased likelihood of developing dental caries, they may suggest fluoride toothpaste for children ages 0 to 2 years old.
Children less than six years old are only allowed to take fluoridated dentifrice when being closely supervised by an adult.
Caregivers of children aged 0 to 2 years old should make sure that the youngsters use just a grain's worth or a smear's worth of toothpaste.
Pea-sized amounts, or around one-fourth of a gram, are appropriate for usage by older children.
It is imperative that you prevent your kid from putting fluoride toothpaste in their mouth and swallowing it. Instead of ingesting the dentifrice, demonstrate to the kid how to spit it out.
Skeletal fluorosis is a symptom of fluoride poisoning.
Skeletal fluorosis is an uncommon complication that may arise from persistent fluoride use in high amounts.
Skeletal fluorosis is a chronic condition that affects the bones and joints that is brought on by an excessive buildup of fluoride in the body. In most cases, buildup occurs as a result of prolonged contact with water and food sources that are polluted.
Skeletal fluorosis is a potential outcome of prolonged fluoride exposure during the formative years of children, while bones are still growing.
In individuals who suffer from pica, this condition has also been linked to the persistent use of dentifrice.
Skeletal fluorosis may be identified by its hallmark symptoms, which include anomalies in bone mineral accretion and the resorption of bone tissue.
It results in weight-bearing bones that are brittle or misshapen, joints that are painfully stiff or inflexible, discomfort, and muscle dysfunction, as well as varying degrees of osteosclerosis, osteomalacia, and osteoporosis.
Skeletal fluorosis may also lead to the following:
- Problems relating to the gastrointestinal system, such as non-ulcer dyspepsia
- Kidney damage
- Causes of fetal defects include the potential for teratogenic effects, chromosomal aberrations, and problems with fetal bone development.
- Changes that occur in the central nervous system as a result of aging are related to numbness, discomfort, and muscular spasms. Additionally, memory and learning abilities are negatively impacted.
According to the findings of a few pieces of research, prolonged exposure to drinking water containing fluoride in concentrations that are below the recommended levels of less than 0.5 mg/l has the potential to affect thyroid hormone levels.
On the other hand, several other researchers came to the conclusion that there is no link between consuming fluoridated water and the rate of having thyroid function that is impaired or being diagnosed with a thyroid problem.
How much toothpaste do I need to use?
Even while using fluoride toothpaste to clean one's teeth has been shown to lower the risk of cavities in children, it is still important to avoid giving them too much.
For children older than six months, researchers suggested giving them between 0.02 and 0.10 mg/kg/day of fluoride.
The recommended quantity of toothpaste that a kid between the ages of six months and two years should use to clean their teeth is equivalent to the size of a rice grain or a smear.
The dosage recommended by specialists for children ages 2 or 3 years to 6 years is around the size of a pea.
If your kid accidentally consumes toothpaste while brushing their teeth, the danger of a fluoride overdose may be reduced by using the proper quantity of toothpaste.
However, fluoride may cause acute toxicity if it is eaten in quantities that are far greater than what is advised.
How much toothpaste is necessary to be fatal?
Some studies have shown that an immediate toxic reaction may take place at consumption amounts between 5 and 8 mg/kg of body weight and that this reaction can be lethal.
When compared to other fluorides, such as calcium fluoride, sodium fluoride has a greater propensity to be toxic due to the fact that it is more soluble and consequently releases a greater quantity of fluoride into the system.
Because of calcium fluoride's low toxicity compared to sodium fluoride, there has been growing interest in using it as a replacement for sodium fluoride in the manufacture of dentifrices, dental care products, and supplements.
Acute toxicity is one of the signs of fluoride overdose.
Ingestion of a significant quantity of fluoride toothpaste is a medical emergency that calls for immediate care from a trained medical practitioner.
Fluoride-containing toothpaste has a far higher risk of being swallowed by young children, either on intent or by mistake, than it does by adults. In addition to this, they are more prone to have severe impacts. Dentists consequently suggest that children who are not at risk of developing dental cavities use swallowable dentifrices that do not include fluoride.
If you or your kid were to ingest a significant quantity of toothpaste, acute fluoride poisoning might develop, which is characterized by a number of signs and symptoms, including the following:
- The patient presented with symptoms including hypotension, bronchospasm, fixed and dilated pupils, and hyperkalemia.
- Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting with blood, and hypocalcemia are among symptoms that may be linked with gastric disturbances. Stomach disturbances can be accompanied by widespread or localized muscular tetany.
- There is some evidence that fluoride poisoning may lead to ventricular arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest.
- It is possible to develop progressive metabolic and respiratory acidosis along with the failure of the renal and respiratory systems. If left untreated, this condition may result in unconsciousness, convulsions, and even death.
- Some people may have persistent polyuria that is similar to the symptoms of diabetes insipidus.
- Hypovolemic shock, electrolyte imbalance, and low blood pressure are all possible outcomes of fluid loss in the body.
- Acute renal failure due to polyuria might potentially be fatal.
What steps should be taken in the event that fluoride poisoning occurs?
Do not put off getting medical care. Do it right now. You may contact your local poison assistance hotline for advice on first aid you can offer the sufferer while help is on the way. This can be done while help is on the way.
Use this Poison Help line if you are living in the United States: 1-800-222-1222, and if you are living in Canada, check out this website.
Make sure that you provide the poison expert with proper answers to their inquiries so that they can decide the appropriate first aid treatment to provide to the sufferer. They could inquire about the victim's age as well as their condition at the time.
The poison specialist may want to know which brand of dentifrice was ingested, how much of it was consumed, and how much time has passed since the event took place. They could ask you to acquire the tube of toothpaste and read out loud the list of components so that they can determine the level of possible risk.
Dentifrices that do not include fluoride and triclosan are nonetheless likely to contain other potentially dangerous compounds, therefore it is important to keep this in mind.
Toxic effects of triclosan
Because of triclosan's ability to fight bacteria and other microbes, many brands of toothpaste and other personal care products include it.
Back in September of 2016, the FDA placed a prohibition on the use of the chemical in over-the-counter (OTC) consumer antiseptic hand and body wash products.
A final rule was released by the FDA in 2017 that prohibits the use of triclosan by manufacturers in certain healthcare antiseptic items that are intended for use by healthcare workers in a hospital environment or in other healthcare circumstances outside of the hospital.
Hand rubs, hand washes, patient antiseptic skin treatments, and surgical hand scrubs were some examples of the goods that fell under this category.
Concerns concerning the efficacy and safety of triclosan had a role in the decision to make this choice. In addition, there were worries that extensive usage of the ingredient in soaps might lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and hormonal consequences.
However, triclosan was not banned from use in toothpaste since there was research suggesting that it may protect against gingivitis.
Studies conducted on animals suggested that being exposed to triclosan may lower levels of thyroid hormone. According to certain studies, prolonged exposure may also be connected with an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
Toothpaste ingredients
The following is an exhaustive list of the components that could be included in toothpaste:
Different types of toothpaste include a variety of substances in varying quantities. However, the majority include comparable groups of substances that serve analogous goals, such as cleansing, whitening, and giving protection against cavities in the mouth.
Dentifrice available only with a doctor's prescription often includes active substances with specialized functions, such as antibacterial action, tartar management, and tooth whitening.
People who are prone to tooth decay may benefit from using toothpaste that is available only with a doctor's prescription. Standard dentifrice does not compare to the mineral content of these products, which includes fluoride, phosphate, and calcium in much greater amounts.
The increased mineral concentration contributes to the enamels' ability to withstand more pressure.
There are various kinds of toothpaste available by specialty and by prescription for those with sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity is often brought on by the enamel becoming thinner over time.
The dentin and the softer tissues below are shielded from damage by the enamel, which is a tough covering. Consuming foods or beverages that are cold, hot, acidic, or sweet might cause pain or discomfort if you have enamel that has been weakened.
Toothpaste may include compounds that assist desensitize or reducing sensitivity, such as stannous fluoride, potassium nitrate, and strontium chloride.
It is possible for a standard dentifrice formulation to include the following components or classes of compounds in order to clean, whiten, and prevent cavities in the teeth:
Fluoride and remineralizing agents
In toothpaste, fluoride chemicals provide the dual role of preventing cavities and caries.
Together with calcium phosphates, they prevent the enamel of teeth from losing its mineral content. Additionally, they assist strengthen or remineralize parts of the tooth enamel that were previously weak.
The following are examples of fluoride compounds that are used in dentifrices:
- Stannous fluoride has the benefit of having antibacterial and anti-hypersensitivity qualities, but it also has the potential to induce tooth discoloration.
- The fluoridation of drinking water in the United States makes use of sodium fluoride, another use for this molecule.
- The anti-caries medication sodium monofluorophosphate is another option.
Additional remineralizing agents include the following:
- The following are examples of calcium phosphate compounds that may be utilized in conjunction with fluorides: The mineral tricalcium phosphate, Calcium phosphate in an amorphous state, and Hydroxyapatite.
- Novamin
Fluoride concentrations in toothpaste available without a prescription or over-the-counter vary anywhere from 1000 to 1500 parts per million. Toothpaste with a fluoride content of 1,350 to 1,500 parts per million has shown to be the most effective in preventing cavities. Dentifrices available only with a doctor's prescription may contain concentrations of up to 5000 parts per million.
Abrasives
Abrasives are components of toothpaste that scrub away food particles, non-food particles, stains, and other items that get caught in the crevices that form between the teeth and the enamel surface.
They function via an abrasion, as well as cleaning and polishing, as is suggested by the name "abrasive."
In most cases, they do not have an effect on the prevention of tooth decay, dental caries, or gum infections. However, eliminating decaying particles that lead to caries and gum disease, they perform an indirect role in the prevention of these conditions.
For an abrasive to be successful, it must also have a mild, non-wearing impact on the surface of the tooth. This will prevent the enamel from suffering increasing damage.
The following are the abrasives that are most often used in toothpaste:
- Dehydrated silica gels, zirconium silicate
- Carbonates: magnesium carbonate, Calcium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate
- Hydrated aluminum oxides
- Charcoal
- Calcium pyrophosphate, sodium metaphosphate, and dicalcium phosphate are examples of phosphates.
However, the use of polyethylene as an abrasive agent is now illegal in both the United States and Canada.
The majority of abrasives used in contemporary dentifrices have an abrasive activity that is mild but nevertheless quite effective. However, dental professionals recommend that you avoid using excessive force while brushing your teeth in order to avoid causing damage to the tooth surface, gum, and gumline.
Flavors and sweeteners
Dentifrices often have flavors and sweeteners added during the manufacturing process in order to cover up the taste of some of the chemicals, such as the detergents.
As was just said, the fact that many types of toothpaste have a sweet flavor may have given rise to fears that these products include sugar or calories from sugar.
However, producers of dentifrices avoid adding sugar for flavoring since sugar is known to increase tooth decay. They substitute natural sweeteners with artificial ones.
The tastes of peppermint, wintergreen, cinnamon, spearmint, fruit flavors, and menthol are the ones that are used the most often.
In addition to calcium or sodium saccharin, xylitol, aspartame, and sorbitol, sweeteners include xylitol.
Humidifiers, texturizing agents, and thickening agents
Products that are packed often have humectants added to them so that they can absorb water and retain moisture.
The ability of toothpaste to retain moisture is helpful in preserving both its consistency and its texture. In addition to this, it stops the components from dividing up into solid and liquid components.
Glycerin, propylene glycol, water, sorbitol, pentatol, polyethylene glycol, and xylitol are just a few examples of the humectants that are used on a regular basis.
Cellulose, titanium dioxide, and carrageenan are examples of the thickeners that may be found in dentifrices.
Detergents
Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, a lathering or foaming agent, and Dimethicone, a silicone-based polymer with anti-foaming qualities are examples of the types of detergents, foaming agents, or surfactants that may be added to toothpaste. Other types of detergents include soaps.
Binding agents
Binding agents include alginate, gums, glycerin, synthetic cellulose, and sorbitol. Sorbitol and glycerin are also capable of performing this role.
Coloring agents
Some examples of coloring chemicals that see widespread application are:
- However, its primary function is that of a buffering agent, despite the fact that aluminum hydroxide has a white hue.
- The color white is caused by titanium dioxide.
- Xanthan gum
- Alternate sources of colorants
Antimicrobials, sometimes known as preservatives
The development of dangerous bacteria as well as microbes that might potentially shorten the shelf life of toothpaste is inhibited by preservatives.
- Triclosan
- Sodium benzoate
- Methylparaben
- Chlorhexidine
- Ethylparaben
Other types of alcohols that are employed as preservatives include as follows:
- Benzyl alcohol is a kind of alcohol that is sometimes referred to as phenylcarbinol or benzene methanol.
- Alcohol that has been specially denatured
- Coconut oil
When consumed in large quantities, alcohols that have been denatured pose a possible health risk.
the agent that lightens, removes stains, or bleaches the surface.
Whiteners are products that help remove stains from teeth, which may cause discoloration.
The following are the most common ones:
- Citroxain
- Peroxides, such as carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and calcium peroxide.
- Covarine
- Anti-staining agents include sodium triphosphate, also called sodium tripolyphosphate or pentasodium triphosphate. Sodium triphosphate also goes by the name pentasodium triphosphate.
- Hexamethylenetetraphosphate of sodium
Buffering agents
The pH of toothpaste may be regulated with the use of buffering agents so that it does not become too alkaline (with a pH greater than 7) or overly acidic (with a pH lower than 7) when the pH falls outside of the normal range. Too much of a negative pH might be harmful to dental enamel.
These are some of the buffering agents that are often used:
- Sodium hydroxide
- Aluminum hydroxide
- Zinc Citrate
Components that inhibit hypersensitivity
These are the following:
- Potassium nitrate
- Stannous fluoride
- Strontium chloride
- There is some evidence that the amino acid arginine may assist in the management of tooth sensitivity.
Conclusion on "How Many Calories Are In Toothpaste"
The correct response, in our view, is "no." It will not make a big difference in your ability to lose weight whether you eat 10 calories while brushing your teeth or if you consume 1 calorie while brushing your teeth. And considering that you don't swallow the vast majority of the toothpaste that you use, the difference in calories between high-calorie and low-calorie toothpaste is probably just a few hundredths of a calorie.
We urge that you use whichever toothpaste is suggested to you by your dentist and that you ignore any possible calorie concerns with the product.
Although there are variations in the number of calories contained in various types of toothpaste, these variations are so small that they are essentially insignificant.
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