Wahhab Khan, December 2, 2025

Foam, shine, care – what's really inside?

Toothpaste and tooth gel are part of our daily routine – but what exactly do they contain? This article will tell you which ingredients are beneficial – and which ones are worth a closer look.

Schaum, Glanz, Pflege – was steckt wirklich drin?

Why is it relevant?

The right ingredients determine whether your gums stay healthy and your tooth enamel becomes strong.

  • Cleaning agents , e.g. Hydrated Silica or chalk gently remove deposits.

  • Foaming agents , How Laurylglucoside They distribute the paste in the mouth, create the typical foam, and absorb impurities. 

  • Humectant , For example, glycerin keeps the paste supple, prevents it from drying out, and can significantly contribute to the shelf life of the products. 

  • Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and protects against cavities. 

  • Extras such as flavorings , e.g. Peppermint oil provides freshness, and nourishing additives like panthenol can soothe the gums. 


Infobox
A mountain of foam in the sink is not a sign of "super clean" . Foaming agents primarily serve to make the paste evenly with all its ingredients to distribute and to bring it to the scene of the event - with the actual  actual They have cleaning performance less to do , they They penetrate plaques and help to dissolve them . The actual cleaning is carried out by the toothbrush and cleaning bodies (Vranic et al., 2022).

Scientific background

Some toothpastes rely on aggressive foaming agents – they provide a short-term feeling of cleanliness –  can irritate the mucous membrane (Pérez-López et al., 2019) . Others – like the products from PerioTrap – pursue a deliberately gentle approach. for the oral mucosa and are microbiome friendly ( Abdollahi et al., 2025). Studies show that fluoride – e.g. sodium fluoride at 1450 ppm – significantly reduces the risk of caries (Walsh et al., 2019). Panthenol and bisabolol have a calming effect . the gums , which is particularly important after professional dental cleaning (Gorski et al., 2020 & Mösges et al., 2018). Some modern formulations also contain the patented PerioTrap technology: It specifically blocks harmful bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and helps to keep the oral microbiome in balance ( Taudte et al. 2025).

Practical tips for everyday life

  • ✓ Pay close attention to the ingredients – fluoride can be useful, but it's best to avoid aggressive foaming agents .   
  • ✓ Choose microbiome-friendly products – for example, toothpastes that gently cleanse and care for your teeth.  
  • ✓ Don't be fooled by the foam: Less foam often means gentler, more tolerable formulations .  
  • ✓ On Use microbiome -friendly products that specifically block disease-causing mechanisms instead of killing all bacteria.  
  • ✓ Simply spit out after cleaning – do not rinse immediately with water. This allows active ingredients to remain effective for longer (Brookes et al., 2025).

At a glance

ⓘ Not all foam means clean teeth .

ⓘ Fluoride strengthens the teeth against caries  – aggressive  Foaming agent can the gums  irritate.

Sources

    • Abdollahi H, Ghanbarlou S, Babapoor A, et al. Surfactant-Containing Detergents: Impacts on Dermal Health. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces . 2025.

    • Amora-Silva BF, et al. Clinical efficacy of new α-bisabolol mouthwashes in postoperative complications of maxillofacial surgeries: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind clinical trial. Clinical Oral Investigations . 2018. doi:10.1007/s00784-018-2464-4.

    • Kasi SR, Özcan M, Feilzer AJ. Side Effects of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Applied in Toothpastes: A Scoping Review. American Journal of Dentistry . 2022.

    • Pérez-López D, Varela-Centelles P, García-Pola MJ, et al. Oral Mucosal Peeling Related to Dentifrices and Mouthwashes: A Systematic Review. Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal . 2019.

    • Taudte N, et al. Effect of a bacterial glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor on multi-species biofilms. Frontiers in Oral Health . 2025;6:1716625. doi:10.3389/froh.2025.1716625.

    • Vranić E, et al. Formulation ingredients for toothpastes and mouthwashes. Biomolecules & Biomedicine . 2004. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2004.3362

    • Walsh T, Worthington HV, Glenny AM, Marinho VC, Jeroncic A. Fluoride Toothpastes of Different Concentrations for Preventing Dental Caries. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews . 2019.

    • Wong MC, Clarkson J, Glenny AM, et al. Cochrane Reviews on the Benefits/Risks of Fluoride Toothpastes. Journal of Dental Research . 2011.

    • Brookes Z, Bescos R, Witton R, et al. An Update on Mouthwashes: Advice for Dental Practitioners. British Dental Journal . 2025;239(5):312-315. doi:10.1038/s41415-025-9115-3. 

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