Kya Apke Toothpaste Mein Namak Zaroori Hai?

Content Curator updated

You must have often heard the line, Kya apke toothpaste mein namak hai? But if you’ve ever wondered whether salt is required to get clean teeth, then, read on!

Toothpaste have come a long way from its inception when they were made from varied materials such as crushed eggshells, ground hooves and spices. If you walk down the supermarket aisle or your favorite local grocery shop, you will find lots of different variants of toothpastes. Some are for sensitive teeth, some contain fluoride while others are for whitening, however, the most promoted ingredient in an Indian toothpaste these days is ‘salt’. Colgate started the revolutionary trend with a simple question, Kya apke toothpaste mein namak hai? Since then, a question has plagued my mind, is active salt in toothpaste really required? If so, what is its purpose? If you’ve had the same query then do read on.

In light of my question, I decided to do a little research on the composition of salt-toothpaste. A key ingredient in salt toothpaste is sodium chloride or table salt, and in some cases, rock salt. Salt has been a part of oral care regime centuries. Salt water gurgles are a popular recommendation from doctors, you might even have heard your parents and grandparents ask you to rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water. Salt water rinse is given to relieve patients off gum swelling, and other oral infections, because salt is a natural disinfectant. Furthermore, salt is a mild abrasive, gentle enough to remove stains from teeth.

In recent years, 'alternative' toothpastes have been gaining prominence among Indian consumers. Companies are promoting toothpastes prepared from ‘household’ ingredients such as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), coconut oil, cinnamon and even charcoal, besides, of course, salt. The popularity of salt in toothpaste was single handedly created by Colgate, but it appears to be way more than a marketing gimmick.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research notes, ‘saliva contains several minerals that help strengthen the enamel on the teeth, including phosphate and calcium. The increased flow of saliva can help protect the teeth from acids and bacteria that cause decay.’ The action of active salt particles in toothpaste stimulates the production of saliva and promotes oral health. Furthermore, salt is naturally capable of reducing inflammation and swelling in the gums, thereby minimizing the chances of gingivitis. This is because salt balances the Ph level inside the mouth which makes it impossible for bacteria to thrive in it.

One may ask if he/she can simply sprinkle salt on their toothpaste and brush teeth, it’s a stupid question but worth asking. Well, the answer is no. Salt in itself is quite abrasive and can damage your teeth enamel, so it has to be mixed in particular proportions in order to gain maximum benefits. So do not go about DIYing your toothpaste just yet, when there is a cheaper alternative already at hand. Get the Colgate Active Salt Toothpaste, which contains sodium chloride as well as ‘baking soda’, which will gently cleanse your teeth while also disinfecting your mouth.