• Aniki@feddit.org
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    2 days ago

    toothpaste: so basically we’re turning your mouth into a small chemical laboratory to fix some issues with basic inorganic chemistry.

    • JayDee@lemmy.sdf.org
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      1 day ago

      Is it really that complicated? I was under the impression that toothpaste was mostly just a soft abrasive mixed with an antibacterial and some flavoring and scent. Basically like baking soda, which does all those things at once.

      • Aniki@feddit.org
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        1 day ago

        it’s a weak base to counteract the acid from the bacteria’s digestion products. that protects your teeth (which are mineralic) against acid attack.

      • Rooster326@programming.dev
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        1 day ago

        Flouride binds to your teeth to fill in the enamel.

        If it was just abrasive then your teeth would slowly wither away in the same way that everyone who uses magic erasers is destroying their home.