answersLogoWhite

0

They use it to correct the toothpaste's pH. Here's the deal: When toothpaste engineers create a new toothpaste, they use all sorts of chemicals to make it, and when they're done they want a product with a slightly alkaline pH. When you brush your teeth with alkaline toothpaste, it neutralizes cavity-causing mouth acids. They're looking for a pH of somewhere around 8 or 9--alkaline enough to neutralize the cavity-causing acids; not alkaline enough to strip the skin off your tongue. Cool so far? You're a toothpaste engineer. You have created WikiAnswers toothpaste, and the first batch you made has a pH of 8.2. Now your challenge is to make every other batch have that same pH, because if you don't people won't like your toothpaste--you'll get letters saying the new tube doesn't taste like the old one, that it doesn't foam up like the old one, that it hurts your mouth, whatever. But what's the problem? The ingredients you use aren't going to be exactly the same every time. This month, the ingredients might give you a pH of 8.2, and six months from now you might get a pH of 8.1. So, to fix the pH you'll add just a little bit of sodium hydroxide. It doesn't take much--maybe 100 grams in a 1000-kilogram batch of toothpaste. And that's why they use sodium hydroxide for this--it's so strong the amount you'd need to do the job wouldn't change the consistency of the toothpaste, whereas if you used borax, a very mild alkali, you'd have to add so much of it you'd make the toothpaste stiffer.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Why is propyleneglycol an ingredient in toothpaste in why is it only present in tiny amounts?

Propyleneglycol is used as wetting agent and surfactant in toothpaste.


What metal is in toothpaste?

aluminumcalciumsodiumtinzincstrontiumpotassiumNone of these are in the pure metallic form, but instead are parts of various compounds serving a variety of different purposes.


Which base is present in toothpaste?

The active ingredient of toothpaste is fluorine ions, which is not a base. Although there may be basic compounds added to toothpaste in order to make it a unique product according to the brands.


What is the ingredient in ice cream that is present in greater amounts in inexpensive ice cream?

Air.


What are the acids and alkalis in toothpaste?

Acids commonly found in toothpaste include citric acid, phosphoric acid, and tartaric acid. Alkalis, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, are also present in some toothpaste formulations to help balance acidity and maintain pH levels for optimal oral health.


Which is the base present in milk of magnesia?

The active ingredient in milk of magnesia is magnesium hydroxide, which serves as the base in this antacid medication. Magnesium hydroxide works by neutralizing excess stomach acid to relieve symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach.


Why do you add sodium hydroxide into the conical flask containing the analgesic tablet?

Sodium hydroxide is added to the conical flask to create a basic environment, which helps to break down the tablet and facilitate the reaction necessary for the analysis of the active ingredient. This reaction is important for quantifying the amount of the active ingredient present in the tablet.


How does toothpaste prevent tooth decay?

which element present in our toothpaste protects out tooth from the tooth decay?


What metal is present in calcium hydroxide?

Calcium is the metal present in calcium hydroxide..


Does sugar have sodium acetate?

Sugar is an organic compound with the major ingredient sucrose. There might be some other carbohydrates in little amounts. There is no sodium acetate present in sugar.


Does ammonia contain hydroxide ions?

No. Ammonia has the chemical formula NH3. However, when dissolved in water ammonia will form small amounts of ammonium hydroxide. NH3 + H2O --> NH4OH


What ions is present in alkalis?

Hydroxide