Toothpaste:

A dentifrice in the form of paste for cleaning the teeth, applied with a toothbrush is usually
known as toothpaste. The primary purpose of brushing the teeth with a dentifrice or
toothpaste is to clean the accessible tooth surfaces of dental plaque, stains and food debris.
Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene.
Purpose of using toothpaste:
Brushing with toothpaste is important for several reasons:
A toothpaste and a correct brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful
film of bacteria that grows on teeth that causes cavities, gum disease and eventual
tooth loss if not controlled.
Toothpaste contains fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to
decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the
damage can even be seen.
Special ingredients in toothpaste help to clean and polish the teeth and remove stains
over time.
Toothpastes help freshen breath and leave mouth with a clean feeling.

Different types of toothpaste:

Based on function:
Catagories

Major

Function

Example

Anti-Caries / Cavity

Ingredients
Sodium fluoride Contain fluoride to Colgate

pprotection toothpastes

and

sodium stop tooth enamel cavity

monofluorophos

decalcification and protection

phate

protect teeth from

tooth

decay

and

cavities.

Plaque & Gingivitis

Sodium

pprevention toothpastes

Sulphate,

Lauryl Antibacterial
prevent

and Crest-prothe health

Triclosane, Zinc formation of dental clinical gum

and

Stannous plaque.

protection

ions.

Tooth whitening toothpaste

Papain,

have high abrassion Colgate optic

dimethicone

value than normal white

and

toothpastes

pro

to colgate

mechanically
remove

clinical
food, white.

smoking and other

strains from teeth.

Sensitivity toothpaste

Potassium

contain

Colgate

nitrate,

desensitizing agent sensitive,

strontrium

to relief those with Sensodyne

chloride,

Tooth

potassium citrate

by

Sensitivity
closing

the

dentinal tubules

Tartar control toothpaste

Pyrophosphates

reduce new tartar Colgate tartar

build up (but they protection
cant remove the with

Fresh breath toothpaste

existing tartar)

whitening

peppermint,

enhance

Colgate max

spearmint,

flaovouring agents fresh

menthol

along
antibacterials

with
to

fight halitosis

Based on color:
Color
Blue
Green
Red
Black

Justification
Natural + Medicine
All Natural
Natural + Chemicals
All Chemicals

Ingredients Used in Toothpaste Formulation:

Ingredients
Abrasive Materials

Justification
Used to remove food

debris and residual stains

from teeth.

Polish the surface of teeth

Example
Calcium carbonate
Precipitated CaCo3
Anhydrous Dibasic
Calcium Phosphate
Tri Calcium Phosphate
Hydrated Alumina
Silica gel

Soap/Surfactants

To clean the teeth by Sodium Laurel Sulphate

Sodium
Lauryl
forming emulsion with
Sulphoacetate
fatty
materials
and
Magnesium
Lauryl
solution of non-fatty
Sulphate
materials.
To foam during use.
Act also as dispersing
agents

for

abrasive

materials and polishing

agents.
Binder/Gelling Agent

To improve and maintain Tragacanth

Alginate
its consistency.

 Stabilizes the mass of

toothpaste against the

separation of the paste

Na CMC
CMC
Sorbitol
Bentonite

from the liquid phase.

Polishing Agent

To polish the surface as

well as to increase the

brightness of paste.

Prepared chalk powder

Talc.
MgCO3
ZnO

Flavor

To impart a suitable taste

on
the
toothpaste

formulation.

Peppermint
Spearmint
Cinnamon mint
Clove
Lemon

Sweetening Agent

To mask unpleasant taste

of abrasive and polishing

agents and other materials

Sodium Saccharine
Glycerin
Sorbitol
Mannitol.

used

in

toothpaste

formulation.
To
stimulate

saliva

secretion, this is helpful

for foaming and cleansing
operation of toothpaste.
Preservatives

To protect products from

the
effect
of

microorganism.

Colorants

To improve the aesthetic FD

value.

Methyl Paraben
Propyl Paraben
Ethyl Paraben
Butyl Paraben
and

approved

colors: green, red, blue

may be used or blender of

Vehicle

color is used.
Used as continuous phase Glycerol
A mixture of Glycerol
for spreading the abrasive
Water
materials to make the
product semisolid.

Humectants

To retain the moisture Glycerin

Propylene glycol
when the paste is exposed
Sorbitol
to air, thus preventing
paste from hardening.
To give some degree of
plasticity to the paste.

Stain Remover

To remove stains.

Antiseptic

For medication purpose.

Chlorhexidine 0.2% for
To destroy the growth of
healthy adults.
microorganisms.

Saliva Secreting/Stimulating To stimulate the secretion

Agent
of saliva.

Pumice stone
Pancreatic enzyme
Mannitol
Sorbitol

Medicaments Used in Toothpaste:

Medicaments
Fluoride Compounds

Purpose
To prevent dental caries

Antibiotic

Fluorophosphates
To reduce bacterial Penicillin
Erythromycin
count from oral cavity

Antihistamine

It

is

evident

antihistamine

Example
Stannous fluoride
Sodium Fluoride
Sodium
Mono

that Chlorpheniramin
in

toothpaste also used to

Maleate
Promethazine HCL

reduce anxiety. Although

further research is in
Anti-hemorrhagic

Local Anesthetic

progress.
To stop bleeding from Vitamin K
Epinephrine
exposed capillary and
Thrombin
gums.
To relief from severe Procaine
Benzocaine

pain sensation
Vitamins

Lidocaine

Vitamin A, B complex, Vitamin D and Vitamin E

Vitamin B: used in glossitis
Vitamin C: Used in gum infection
Vitamin K: Used in bleeding

Formulation and Preparation of Toothpaste- (100 gm)

Formulation
Ingredients

Quantity

Justification

Calcium Carbonate

40 gm

Abrasive material

Glycerine

10 gm

Humectants

Propylene Glycol

5 gm

Humectants and surfactants

Gum tragacanth

1.2 gm

Binder

Na- saccharin

1.2 gm

Sweetening agent

Na- lauryl sulfate

1.2 gm

Anionic surfactant

Mineral oil

1 gm

Emollient and solvent

Peppermint oil

q. s

Flavoring agent

Water

q.s

Vehicle

Equipment:

Mortar & Pestle ( 1 Pair)

Beaker
Container
Glass rod

Procedure
Calcium carbonate, Na- lauryl sulphate and Na- saccharin are taken in a dry mortar
and grinded for the reduction of particle size. Then add some water to prepare a paste
like wet mixture.
The gum tragacanth is taken into a beaker to prepare a liquid dispersion where the
binder is slightly swollen.
After that add gum dispersion in the abrasive mixture until a fine mixture is formed.
Then add rest of ingredients step by step to the mixture through proper mixing until
the final preparation is obtained.
Finally add peppermint oil to the mixture and pour it into the container.