Brusha, Brusha, Brusha Trivia Quiz

Answer: all of these

Toothpaste is a pasty or gel substance which is used in conjunction with a toothbrush to clean and maintain the appearance and the health of teeth. Some dentists encourage patients to brush twice a day or more to maintain good dental health. Most recommend brushing after every meal.

Answer: True

The earliest known toothpastes can be found in manuscripts from Egypt which date back to the 4th century A.D. These manuscripts describe concoctions made from iris flowers. Disgusting as it may sound, there were some early references to toothpastes made from urine and some recipes called for the use of crushed bones and oyster shells which appear to have been used by the Greek and Roman Empires during ancient times.

Answer: All of these

All of these items were used at one time or another to clean teeth in the 19th Century in Great Britain. In fact there was an article published in a periodical called the Home Encyclopedia in 1866 which endorsed the use of pulverized charcoal as a tooth cleaner. There were many other items used during this time some of which included a toothpaste with burnt bread as an ingredient, as well as one with a combination of dragon's blood, cinnamon and burnt alum.

Answer: 1873

In 1873, the firm introduced its first toothpaste, aromatic toothpaste sold in jars. By 1908 they initiated mass selling of toothpaste in tubes.

Answer: Procter and Gamble

Although fluoride was first added to toothpaste back in the early 1910s, it wasn't until the 1950s that the ingredient received the approval of the American Dental Association. Proctor and Gamble was the first company to market toothpaste with this cavity fighting ingredient when they brought Crest brand toothpaste to the market. Crest was clinically proven, according to the ADA, as an "effective anti-cavity dentifrice when used in a conscientiously applied program of oral hygiene and regular professional care".

In other words, brush regularly and go to the dentist.

Answer: All of these

The ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a foaming agent that can be found in many shampoos, shave creams and bubble baths among other things in your toiletries collection. It is also found in higher amounts in such things as engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps, and (you'll love this), in medicine, it is used rectally as a laxative in enemas.

Although the chemical has not been deemed hazardous, published reports have indicated that the chemical may worsen skin irritations, and may also contribute to the development of canker sores.

Answer: The removal of plaque and calculus

The main purpose of adding abrasives to toothpaste is to help in the removal of plaque and calculus, the pasty substances which form on teeth due to consumption of food, bacteria in the mouth and saliva production. Abrasive additives help reduce the amount of plaque formed on and between the teeth and can help reduce the chances of periodontal disease.

While the use of toothpaste may help your teeth look shiny, that is just a small by-product of good brushing habits. Brushing may also assist with controlling halitosis, but the abrasive material is not there for that purpose. Good brushing habits and the use of a mouthwash will work well for this purpose.

Answer: True

Toothpaste comes in many colors and flavors including peanut butter, iced tea, and even whiskey flavors. More common flavors included cinnamon, spearmint and peppermint as well as bubblegum. Unflavored toothpaste is also available. Most toothpaste is artificially flavored because sugar potentially would defeat the purpose leaving a sweet residue in the mouth thereby promoting tooth decay.

Answer: No

While there are certain toothpastes that are formulated to be non toxic if swallowed such as toothpaste for pets and astronauts, generally it is never a good idea to swallow toothpaste. Swallowing toothpaste may cause nausea or diarrhea. Fluoride toothpaste is potentially even more dangerous and can be toxic if swallowed in large amounts.

But don't panic. This is exceedingly rare and should not be cause for immediate concern unless you or someone you know eats many tubes of toothpaste. If you swallow a mouthful after brushing it should not result in a catastrophe.

Answer: It had a chemical that was potentially toxic

In June of 2007 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with corresponding agencies in Panama, Puerto Rico, Australia, and a number of other countries advised against the use of some brands of toothpaste made in China, due to the presence of a chemical called diethylene glycol or DEG.

The chemical was used as a sweetening agent. The chemical was widely used in antifreeze and could have potentially been fatal if ingested.