Show federal official dispels theories about toothpaste know your drugs series no 4 T tooth c 1 0 th pastes ana otner daentl 1 fria arices e s have only one important function they clean the teeth while some are advertised as cures or preventatives for pyorrhea riggs disease tender gums or other mouth disorders the buyer will find very few it if any denti frices entering into interstate trade actually labeled with remedial claims for these maladies according to expert rental opinion there is no drug nor combination of drugs capable of curing pyorrhea and certain other diseases of the mouth according to dr P J cullen of federal food and drug administration nor may the buyer expect to find any tooth paste which has any permanent effect in correcting tooth decay and what is popularly known as halitosis he adds dentifrices Denti frices are useful for cleaning the teeth says doctor cullen but some so called teeth whiteners contain harmful acids such as hydrochloric acid which have a destructive effect upon the enamel of the teeth A person who uses a preparation containing such chemicals does so at some peril the law does docs not require that a label declare the presence of this acid if it is present the buyer may however discover through investigation or through consulting his druggist whether or not a dentifrice contains hydrochloric acid have no magical composition says cullen their ingredients include precipitated chalk soap water baking soda borax magnesia glycerin alcohol a sweetening agent and medicinal oils intended to give the article an attractive color or taste some pome tooth pastes have a medicinal taste but in spite of popular opinion to the contrary this does nat mean that they have any remedial merit in the treatment of diseases of the mouth |