English in a pill – Angielski w pigułce, Lesson 19

THE HISTORY OF TOOTHPASTE

According to the definition, toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it can aid in the removal of dental plaque and food from the teeth, aid in the elimination of halitosis and deliver active ingredients, such as fluoride, to prevent tooth and gum disease (gingivitis).

Early toothpastes

The earliest known reference to toothpaste is in a manuscript from Egypt in the 4th century A.D., which prescribes a mixture of iris flowers. Many early toothpaste formulations were based on urine. However, toothpastes or powders did not come into general use until the 19th century. The Greeks, and then the Romans, improved the recipes for toothpaste by adding abrasives such as crushed bones and oyster shells.

Tooth powder

Tooth powders for use with toothbrushes came into general use in the 19th century in Britain. Most were homemade, with chalk, pulverized brick, or salt as ingredients. An 1866 Home Encyclopedia recommended pulverized charcoal, and cautioned that many patented tooth powders that were commercially marketed did more harm than good.

Modern toothpaste

By 1900, a paste made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda was recommended for use with toothbrushes. Pre-mixed toothpastes were first marketed in the 19th century, but did not surpass the popularity of tooth-powder until World War I.

Ingredients and flavors

Fluoride in various forms is the most popular active ingredient in toothpaste to prevent cavities. Although it occurs in small amounts in plants and animals, it has effects on the formation of dental enamel and bones. Other ingredients are less commonly used, including calcium phosphate for remineralization, and strontium chloride or potassium nitrate to reduce sensitivity.

In addition to fluoride, the other fundamental ingredient in most toothpastes is an abrasive. Studies have shown that abrasives in toothpaste reduce the time needed to remove plaque from the teeth by approximately 50%. Ingredients such as baking soda, enzymes, vitamins, herbs and calcium are often combined into base mixes. Some manufacturers add antibacterial agents, for example zinc chloride, to prevent gingivitis.

Toothpaste comes in a variety of colorings and flavors. The more usual flavorings are some variation on mint (spearmint, peppermint etc). Other more exotic flavors include: anise, apricot, bubblegum, cinnamon, fennel, orange. More unusual are flavors include peanut butter, iced tea, and even whisky. Unflavored toothpaste does exist, however, most are flavored and sweetened. Because sugar promotes growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay, artificial sweeteners are generally used instead.

WORDS

• First-aid kit - Apteczka
• dentifrice - środek do czyszczenia zębów
• plaque - płytka nazębna
• halitosis - nieświeży oddech
• gingivitis - zapalenie dziąseł
• abrasive - materiał ścierny
• an olster - ostryga
• a Shell - muszla
• pulverized - sproszkowany
• a brick - cegła
• charcoal - węgiel drzewny
• harm - szkoda
• hydrogen peroxide - woda utleniona
• to sur pass - przerastać
• cavity - ubytek
• enamel - szkliwo
• phosphate - fosforan
• strontium chloride - azotan strontu
• potassium nitra te - azotan potasu
• zinc chloride - chlorek cynku
• spearmint - mięta ogrodowa
• Hennel - koper włoski
• decay - psucie się

A JOKE

At the dentist's

A patient sits in the dental chair with severely fractured front teeth. After discussing how they will be restored and what the fee would be the patient says: "Before we begin, Doc, I gotta know: Will I be able to play the trumpet when you are finished?". The dentist replies: "Sure you will!".

„Farmacja i ja”, maj 2009