Submitted by wolf_metallo t3_ya8w4g in explainlikeimfive
All through covid, we washed hands to clean them properly. Why can't we just use soapy toothpaste and remove dental germs? Why are they so hardy?
Comments
PermutationMatrix t1_it9von7 wrote
Tooth paste has grit to it that is harder than soap bubbles that massages and cleans teeth kind of like comet cleaning powder. Usually it's silica of some sort.
M8asonmiller t1_it9vzjq wrote
It does kill germs, but it's not abrasive enough to lift off plaque. A long time ago toothpaste used to be made out of ground-up bricks for tooth-scraping power.
stolid_agnostic t1_it9x2mg wrote
Soap does two things: it dissolves oils that water alone can’t and it changes the pH of your skin so that bacteria don’t like to live there for a while. That’s why the 20 second thing exists.
You can’t sterilize your mouth, it’ll always be a perfect place for bacteria to live. Instead, you can focus on mechanically removing the wastes deposited with the toothbrush. Your toothpaste is just a vehicle for a nice flavor/odor, a bit of abrasive to help with cleaning, and a touch of fluoride. The real work comes from your toothbrush.
ScienceIsSexy420 t1_it9xljr wrote
Soap, regular soap, will indeed kill most germs, but not all of them. It removes all germs, those it kills and those it cannot kill, but it absolutely positively can kill the majority of germs. Source: my degree in biochemistry
greatvaluemeeseeks t1_it9yr77 wrote
Soap by itself doesn't kill all germs. Cell membranes are made from a phospholipid bilayer. They are made from a molecule with one end attracted to water and one end attracted to oil. The molecules are arranged so the ends attracted to water are pointed towards each other. Soap with a little bit of agitation will rip these membranes apart, but some bacteria and viruses have a hard protein layer that protects them.
Pojidu t1_ita5uwg wrote
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Yes you can. That's why sometimes Hydrogen Peroxide is recommended, especially for those with gym disease. Bleach kills bacteria.
stolid_agnostic t1_ita6w6g wrote
Some bacteria will die and then repopulate pretty quickly. You need something stronger and prescription if you really need to control growth.
wolf_metallo OP t1_itc2og8 wrote
I get that, but wondering why Dental germs are so hardy? Like you wash hands and they are clean enough, but once you have a cavity on tooth, only way forward is to drill and remove the germs/plauqe etc.
sterlingphoenix t1_itc7d2e wrote
I mean, you can get 100% rid of them, but they'll just come back. Or rather new ones will. Once they've managed to get through the enamel, everything else is relatively soft so you want to plug that up ASAP.
wolf_metallo OP t1_itdko0o wrote
Fair enough, appreciate it!
sterlingphoenix t1_it9ul75 wrote
Have... have you ever tasted soap?
Also, soap -- regular soap -- doesn't kill germs. It just removes them. The same thing toothpaste does. We basically already have something that works.