Toothpaste Ingredients List: What They All Do

List of toothpaste ingredients alphabetized from A to Z with a concise description of what it does for your teeth, gums, and mouth.

A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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A

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera)	Flavor
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer	Maintains enamel integrity during whitening
Arginine	pH adjuster
Aqua (Water)	Base component (body, solubility)

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B

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Bark Extract	Flavor
Benzoic Acid	pH adjuster
Benzyl Alcohol	Preservative
Beta Carotene	Adds color
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)	Preservative
Blue 1	Adds color

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C

Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea)	Flavor
Carbomer (polyacrylic acid)	Thicken to form gel consistency Bioadhesive Drug delivery
Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Calcium Carbonate	Whitening Abrasive White color dye Helps remineralization Neutralizes oral acids Thickener
Calcium Peroxide	Whitening/Remineralizing
Calcium Pyrophosphate	Anti-tartar Anti-staining
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride	Moisturizing prevents drying out
Caprylyl Glycol	Humectant
Carbamide peroxide	Teeth whitening
Carboxymethyl Cellulose	Uniform toothpaste texture Stabilizer Thickener Holds toothpaste together
Carrageenan	Thicken to form gel consistency
Carvone (caraway, spearmint, dill)	Flavor
Cellulose Gum	Thickener and stabilizer
Cetylpyridinium Chloride	Antiseptic (plaque, bacteria, gingivitis)
Charcoal	Whitening abrasive
Chlorhexidine	Antibacterial
Cinnamomum Cassia (Cinnamon)	Flavor
Citric Acid	pH adjuster
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange Peel)	Flavor
Citrus Limon (Lemon)	Flavor
Cocamidopropyl Betaine	Surfactant Wetting Detergent/Soap Foaming agent
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine	Surfactant Wetting Detergent/Soap Foaming agent (Related to cocamidopropyl betaine)
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut oil)	Flavor Humectant
Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber)	Flavor
Cyclodextrin	Increase Water Solubility

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D

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
D&C Red No. 33	Adds color
D&C Yellow No. 10	Adds color
Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate	Whitening abrasive Enhance remineralizing
Diethanolamine	Detergent Foaming agent
Dimethicone	Silicone moisturizer
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate	Mild surfactant
Disodium Phosphate	pH adjuster
Disodium Pyrophosphate	Anti-tartar

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E

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Ethylhexylglycerin	Preservative
Erythritol	Natural Sweetener
Eucalyptus Globulus	Essential Oil

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F

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
FD & C Blue No. 1	Adds color
FD & C Green No. 3	Adds color
FD & C Red No. 40	Adds color
FD & C Yellow No. 5	Adds color
FD & C Yellow No. 6	Adds color
Flavor	Flavoring

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G

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen)	Flavor
Gelatin	Thickener
Glycerin	Humectant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid (Enoxolone)	Antibacterial Improves periodontal health
Green 3	Adds color

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H

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil	Mix ingredients
Hydrated Silica	Whitening Abrasive Compatible with other ingredients Thickener
Hydrogen Peroxide	Whitening Antiseptic
Hydrogenated Coconut Oil	Moisture Flavor
Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein	Improves enamel gloss Supports mineral deposition by nHAP
Hydroxyapatite	Anti-cavity Anti-sensitivity

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I

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Illicium Verum (Star Anise)	Flavor

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J

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K

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L

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Lactose Monohydrate	Flavoring/Appearance
Lecithin	Emulsifier
Lauryl Diethylenediaminoglycine HCL	Antimicrobial/Antibacterial Preservative Antistatic Surfactant

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M

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Mangifera Indica (Mango)	Flavor
Maris Sal (Sea Salt)	Whitening abrasive Antiseptic
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree)	Antiseptic
Mentha Arvensis (Wild Mint)	Flavor
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint Oil)	Flavor
Mentha Viridis (Spearmint)	Flavor
Menthol	Flavor
Methylcellulose	Thickener Stabilizer
Methylisothiazolinone	Preservative
Mica	Whitening Abrasive Shimmering Colorant
Microcrystalline Cellulose	Thickener Stabilizer
Mineral Oil	Mix ingredients
Monosodium Citrate	pH adjuster Preservative

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N

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O

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P

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Papain	Non-abrasive Whitening Agent
Paraffinum Liquidum	Mix ingredients
PEG-8	Squeezability
PEG-12	Lubrication Spreadability
PEG-40 Castor Oil	Water/Oil Solubility (prevents separation)
PEG/PPG-116/66 Copolymer	Enhances whitening Prevents stains
Pentasodium Triphosphate	Prevents enamel adhesion (plaque, bacteria, stains)
Persea Gratissima (Avocado)	Flavor
Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid (PAP)	Whitening agent
Pimpinella Anisum (Anise)	Flavor
Phenoxyethanol	Preservative
Phosphoric Acid	pH adjuster
Poloxamer 105	Surface Emulsions
Poloxamer 338	Prevents liquid separation
Poloxamer 407	Prevents product separation
Polyacrylic Acid	Thickener Bioadhesive Drug delivery
Polyethylene	Thickener
Polyethylene Glycol	Humectant Surfactant Dispersing agent
Polyethylene-Polypropylene Glycol	Humectant
Polysorbate 20	Mix ingredients
Polysorbate 80	Surfactant Emulsifier
Potassium Citrate	Anti-sensitivity
Potassium Cocoate	Detergent Surfactant
Potassium Chloride	Anti-sensitivity
Potassium Hydroxide	pH adjuster
Potassium Nitrate	Anti-sensitivity
Potassium Sorbate	Preservative
Propanediol	Sweetener solvent
Propylene Glycol	Prevents liquid separation
PVM/MA Copolymer	Enhances Fluoride Acid Resistance Retain active ingredients on teeth/gums Occludes dentinal tubules with silica
PVP	Thickener

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Q

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R

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Red 33	Adds color
Red 40	Adds color

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S

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Silica	Whitening abrasive
Simethicone	Foaming agent
Sodium Acrylates / Methacryloylethyl Phosphate Copolymer	Forms barrier on teeth to prevent stains
Sodium Benzoate	Preservative
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking soda)	Whitening Abrasive Thickener pH Buffering
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate	Vegetable surfactant
Sodium Citrate	pH adjuster
Sodium Fluoride	Anti-cavity
Sodium Hydroxide	pH adjuster Deacidification
Sodium Gluconate	Lathering
Sodium Lactate	Enhance Fluoride Uptake in Enamel
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate	Surfactant Detergent Foaming
Sodium Lauryl Methylcellulose	Thickener Stabilizer
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinat	Detergent (More mild than SLS)
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate	Detergent Surfactant Wetting Foaming
Sodium Monofluorophosphate	Anti-cavity
Sodium Phosphate	pH adjuster
Sodium Saccharin	Sweetness
Sodium Silicate	Whitening Abrasive
Sorbitol	Sweetness Moisture retention
Stannous Fluoride	Anti-cavity Anti-sensitivity
Stevia	Natural Sweetener
Sucralose	Sweetness

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T

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate	Anti-tartar
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate	Anti-tartar
Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme)	Flavor
Titanium Dioxide	Adds white color Opacifier Desensitizer + acid resistance when added with calcium carbonate
Tricalcium Phosphate	Remineralization (supplies Ca/P) Desensitization Oral buffering
Triclosan	Antibacterial Antifungal
Trimagnesium Phosphate	Stabilizes TCP Essential mineral in teeth/bone Improves periodontal health
Trimethylsiloxysilicate/Dimethiconol Crosspolymer	Helps toothpaste stick to teeth
Trisodium Phosphate	pH adjuster

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U

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V

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W

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Water	Base component (body, solubility)

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X

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Xanthan Gum	Uniform toothpaste texture Stabilizer Thickener Holds toothpaste together
Xylitol	Sweetener Mildly anti-cavity

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Y

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Yellow 5	Adds color
Yellow 6	Adds color
Yellow 10	Adds color

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Z

Toothpaste Ingredient	Function
Zinc Oxide	Neutralizes bad breath Anti-bacterial
Zinc Phosphate	Anti-bacterial Anti-tartar
Zinc Phosphate Tetrahydrate	pH adjuster