Toothpaste typically contains a variety of chemical compounds that serve different purposes. The most common ingredients include fluoride, abrasives, humectants, binders, detergents, and flavoring agents. Fluoride is added to prevent dental caries, while abrasives help remove plaque and stains. Humectants, like glycerin, prevent the toothpaste from drying out, and detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, create foam to aid in cleaning.
