Recently one of my family members fell while walking and injured her face, including crazing her front teeth. She created a mental image for me of crazing when she said it is “similar to crazing in an old china dish.” She previously used, and felt it was very beneficial, Arm & Hammer’s Age Defying toothpaste with calcium and fluoride, ingredients listed on the packaging. Then Arm & Hammer discontinued this product. She looked around for a similar product and found articles about ACP, or amorphous calcium phosphate, being in some toothpastes, including in the no-longer-available age defying product.
What is ACP? ACP technology was developed in 1991 at the American Dental Association’s Paffenbarger Research Center. Two natural building blocks of teeth are calcium and phosphate. If an inadequate amount of these ions happens, the teeth become sensitive after whitening. ACP helps to restore the teeth’s mineral balance (enhances remineralization and bonds well to the teeth). Inorganic reactive amorphous calcium phosphate is a combination of the soluble salts of calcium and phosphorus. Arm & Hammer uses ACP technology under the trademark of Liquid Calcium®, in its former age defying toothpaste and now in its Complete Care Enamel Strengthening toothpaste. The liquid calcium compound rebuilds enamel weakened by acid foods and drinks. ACP improves the smoothness and luster of teeth. By adjusting the mineralization of acid erosion and abrasion, it also strengthens the tooth enamel. When tooth pH is below 5.5, enamel demineralization occurs and calcium and phosphate ions are dissolved from the teeth leading to eventual decay. Calcium, phosphate, and fluoride can remineralize enamel. Saliva also contains calcium and phosphate plus bicarbonate, with good saliva having a pH of 6.8 to 7.4. To remineralize, the pH needs to be 7.5 to 8.5. Too little minerals can lead to cavities; enough minerals and we have no cavities. Fluoride remineralizes teeth, though toothpastes only contain low dosages.
Does the FDA approve toothpaste formulae?
Yes, in that it insists, but does not verify compliance, that toothpaste makers of fluoride type toothpastes meet certain requirements for active ingredients, product claims, etc. The ADA, American Dental Association, does test toothpastes to verify that they do meet criteria for safe effectiveness. An ADA Seal of Acceptance is voluntary.
What were the calcium & fluoride ingredients in Arm & Hammer’s Age Defying toothpaste™ ? The compound of ACP technology was used in age defying toothpaste. According to Directions for Me, that toothpaste contained 0.24% sodium fluoride (active ingredient) and calcium sulfate and baking soda (inactive ingredients). The age defying toothpaste was advertised as a product to protect and rebuild enamel strength, help remove plaque and stains, and gently whiten teeth. I could not find out why the age defying toothpaste name is not available, but I did find that Rembrandt toothpaste had an age defying product which is also not available now. Trademark infringement issues? Don’t know. Both seem to have moved on to new product names.
What is the replacement for age defying toothpaste? Arm & Hammer™ Complete Care Plus Enamel Strengthening Toothpaste™ with Liquid Calcium™ and Fluoride. The Complete Care Toothpaste™ is promoted to be Arm & Hammer’s unsurpassed enamel strengthening product; it is designed to protect and rebuild enamel strength. Complete Care also helps remove plaque and stains and gently whiten teeth, as in the former age defying product.
What are the calcium and fluoride ingredients in Arm & Hammer’s Complete Care Toothpaste? 0.24% sodium fluoride (active ingredient) and calcium sulfate and baking soda (inactive ingredients). The same as the age defying product.
Similarities of age defying and complete care toothpastes?
Both A&H;’s age defying ingredients and Arm & Hammer™ Complete Care Plus Enamel Strengthening Toothpaste™ with Liquid Calcium™ and fluoride ingredients are very similar.
Both contain a foaming agent surfactant detergent called sodium lauryl sulfate which aids the remineralization process, helps clean the teeth by penetrating and dissolving plaque, acts as an antibacterial, and carries debris away in foam. Both contain tasty flavoring agents including saccharin sodium (can’t use sugar in toothpaste). Both contain the same amount of sodium fluoride (0.24%). Both, of course, use baking soda or sodium bicarbonate which enhances teeth and mouth feel, and add to foamy brushing with mild abrasion. Both use silica/hydrated silica which fosters the use of sodium fluoride and is a mild abrasive to remove debris and surface stains. Both contain polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) to prevent bacteria from breaking down pyrophosphates. Both of these use PEG 8 and PEG/PPG 116/66 Copolymer (numbers reflect weight). Complete Care Plus also uses PEG/PPG 38/8 copolymer. Both use a sodium carbonate peroxide to whiten. ACP is included in the forms of calcium sulfate and dipotassium phosphate to dissolve saliva and foster tooth remineralization. ACP is the Liquid Calcium™ which fills in the surface of each tooth and enhances or revitalizes and restores luster or gloss to the teeth. Age defying used glycerin to prevent water loss in the toothpaste, titanium dioxide to make the toothpaste opaque and white, and cellulose gum as a thickening agent (also keeps the toothpaste from drying out when the top is not replaced.); these may also be in the Complete Care Plus, but are not listed on the packaging or anywhere that I could find on the web. Today’s toothpastes have a lots of multiple duties to perform.
Result: My family member is heading out to find the latest in Arm & Hammer toothpaste with Liquid Calcium. No more crazing for her teeth!
What about my toothpaste? I am so sensitive to some mysterious add-in to toothpaste, even Sensodyne, that I use Aquafresh or Pepsodent which are very basic, time-tested, toothpastes that are hard to find also. My mouth does not swell with either of these; so I use them faithfully.
To each our own. Please brush regularly; floss regularly. See your dentist every six months.
