CHEMISTRY

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

ANALYSIS
OF
TOOTHPASTES
~DEV SONAR

CLASS: XII-A

ROLL No.
 Certificate
This is to certify that Ma. Dev Sonar of class 12th-A
has successfully completed this chemistry project on
the topic “Analysis of toothpaste” suggested by Mr.
Hitesh Velari Sir , during academic session 2022-23
as per the guidelines issued by Central Board of
Secondary Education.

Internal Examiner Principal External Examiner

 Acknowledgement
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude
to my teacher “Mr. Hitesh Velari” for his/her valuable
guidance and support in completing my project on the
“Analysis of Toothpaste”.
I would also like to extent my gratitude to our
Principal Mam “Mrs. Nirmal Tandon” for providing me
with all the facilities that were required.
Lastly, I would like to thank my parents and my sister on
suggesting this idea on this topic, which helped me a lot
in finalizing this project within the limited time frame.

Date: Name of student

 INDEX
S.NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.

1. Aim 5
2. Apparatus Required 5

3. Chemicals Required 5

4. Introduction 6
5. Ingredients 6

6. Types of Toothpastes 7

7. History of Toothpastes 8

8. Evolution of Toothpastes 9

9. Colgate Max White test 10

10. Colgate Total test 12

11. Colgate Herbal test 15

12. Result 18

13. Conclusion 19

14. Precautions 19

15. Bibliography 20

AIM
To find out the acid and basic radicals (anion and cations) present in four
different samples of toothpastes.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

 Beakers
 Test tubes
 Glass rod
 Sprit lamp

CHEMICALS REQUIRED

 Dilute hydrochloric acid Potassium chromate

 Concentrated hydrochloric acid Ammonium sulphate
 Barium chloride solution Ammonium oxalate
 Concentrated nitric acid Ammonium phosphate
 Ammonium molybdate solution
 Magnesium sulphate solution
 Magnesia mixture
 Sodium hydroxide
 Sodium sulphide
 Ammonium chloride
 Ammonium hydroxide
 Ammonium carbonate
 Disodium hydrogen phosphate
 Potassium chromate

Introduction
Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth.
Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene; it serves as an abrasive that aids in removing the
dental plaque and food from the teeth and delivers active ingredients such as fluoride to help
prevent tooth and gum disease. Example: Gingivitis.

Ingredients
In addition to 20-24% water, toothpastes are derived from a variety of components, including
three main ones: abrasives, fluoride and detergents.

Abrasives

Abrasives constitute at least 50% of typical toothpaste. These insoluble particles help remove
plaque from the teeth. The removal of plaque prevents cavities and periodontal disease.
Representative abrasives include particles of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3), various hydrogen
phosphates, various silica and zeolites.

Abrasives, like the dental polishing agents used in dentists’ offices, also cause a small amount of
enamel erosion which is termed “polishing” action. Some brands contain powdered white mica
which acts as a mild abrasive, and also adds a cosmetically-pleasing glittery shimmer to the
paste. The polishing of teeth removes stains from tooth surfaces, but has not been shown to
improve dental health over above the effects of the removal of plaque.

Fluorides

Fluoride in various forms is the most popular active ingredient in toothpaste to prevent cavities.
Fluoride occurs in small amounts in plants, animals and some natural water sources. The
additional fluoride in toothpaste has beneficial effects on the formation of dental enamel and
bones. Sodium fluoride (NaF) is the most common source of fluoride but stannous fluoride
(SnF2), and sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F) are also used.

Other components
Antibacterial agents

Triclosan, an antibacterial agent, is a common toothpaste ingredient in the UK. Triclosan or zinc
chloride prevent gingivitis and according to the American Dental Association, helps reduce tartar
and bad breath.

Flavorants

Toothpaste comes in a variety of colorings and flavors intended to encourage use of the product.
Three most common flavorants are peppermint, spearmint and wintergreen. Toothpaste flavored
with peppermint-anise oil is popular in the Mediterranean region. These flavors are provided by
the respective oils, e.g., peppermint oil. More exotic flavors include anise, apricot, bubblegum,
cinnamon, fennel, lavender, neem, ginger, vanilla, lemon, orange and pine.

Types of Toothpastes

Fluoride Toothpaste

They contain Sodium Fluoride (NaF), Stannous Fluoride (SnF 2), or Monofluorophosphate
(MFP2). The fluoride content is about 1000 parts per million (ppm). They are all effective in
preventing dental carries. Children’s toothpaste contains 500ppm fluoride and is usually fruit
flavored, which is suitable for children.

Desensitizing Toothpaste

The active ingredients help seal off the microtubules inside the exposed dentine (such as exposed
root surface due to toothbrush abrasion) to reduce tooth insensitivity. Active ingredients such as
Potassium Nitrate are used by different product manufacturers. There are many different types of
desensitizing toothpastes marketed by different brand names. Their various functions depend on
different active ingredients they contain.

Anti-calculus toothpaste
The manufacturer claims that the calcification of dental plaque could be retarded by this kind of
toothpaste, thus it reduces the rate of calculus formation. The active ingredient is Zinc Citrate.

Anti-plaque toothpaste

This kind of toothpaste inhibits plaque accumulation, reduces the toxic effects of the bacterial
toxin on the periodontal tissues, thereby reduces the chances of getting periodontal disease. In
the market, different anti-plaque toothpastes contain different active ingredients. Example:
Triclosan or Zinc Citrate (C12H10O14Zn3).

Whitening toothpaste

This kind of toothpaste contains relatively coarse abrasives which function by abrading the stains
on the tooth surface, giving a whitening effect. However, long term use will result in roughened
tooth surfaces, which makes stains deposit more readily.

History of Toothpastes
The development of toothpaste began as longs as 300/500BC in China and India.

The ancient Egyptian recipe for toothpaste: The world’s oldest known formula for
toothpaste, used more than 1500 years before Colgate began marketing the first commercial
brand in 1873, has been discovered on a piece of dusty papyrus in the basement of a Viennese
museum.

In faded black ink made of soot and gum Arabic mixed with water, an ancient Egyptian scribe
has carefully described what he calls a “powder for white & perfect teeth”.

When mixed with saliva in the mouth, it forms a “clean toothpaste”. According to the document,
written in the 4th century AD, the ingredients needed for the perfect smile are one drachma of
rock salt- a measure equal to one hundredth of an ounce- two drachmas of mint, one drachma of
dried iris flower and 20 grains of pepper, all of them crushed and mixed together.

Evolution of Toothpaste
First attempts at tooth cleaning included using abrasives such as crushed bone, crushed egg and
oyster shells, which were used to clean debris from teeth. Tooth powders were the first noticeable
advance and were made up of elements like powdered charcoal, powdered bark and flavoring
agents. This would be applied to teeth using a simple stick.

Toothpowder or dentifrice was first available in Britain in the late 18 th century. It came in a
ceramic pot and was available either as a powder or paste. The rich applied it with brushes &
poor with their fingers.

Modern toothpastes were developed in the 1800s. A dentist called Peabody was the first to add
soap to toothpaste in 1824. Chalk was first added to toothpaste by John Harris in the 1850s. In
1873, toothpaste was first mass produced into nice smelling toothpaste in a jar. In 1892, Dr.
Washington Sheffield of Connecticut was the first to put toothpaste into a collapsible tube.
Sheffield’s toothpaste was called Dr. Sheffield’s Crème Dentifrice. Advancements in synthetic
detergents (after World War II) replaced the soap used in toothpaste with emulsifying agents such
as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Sodium Ricinoleate.

The 1960s saw the introduction of fluoride into toothpaste. This development was followed in
the 1980s with the addition of soluble calcium fluoride to fluoride toothpastes. It is therefore
within the last thirty years that toothpastes contains the two ingredients- calcium and fluoride.

TOOTHPASTE 1: Colgate Max White (gel)

Colour: Light blue

Solubility: Readily soluble in water.

Test for Acid Radicles (Anion)

Preliminary tests

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1.Test for Carbonate: To a little
of the salt in a dry test tube, add No characteristic Carbonate (CO32-) was absent
dil. HCl reaction
2.Test for Sulphate: To a few
ml. of salt solution add dil. HCl White precipitate was Sulphate (SO42-) was present.
and a few drops of BaCl2 formed.

3.Test for Phosphate: To a little

salt solution add conc. HNO3 and Deep yellow precipitate Phosphate (PO43-) was
ammonium molybdate and warm was formed. present

4.Test for Nitrate: To a small

quantity salt solution in a test Dark brown fumes were Nitrate (NO3 ) was present.
-

tube add conc. H2SO4 & heat. evolved

Confirmatory Tests:
 EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1.Sulphate: Add acetic acid and A white precipitate was Presence of Sulphate (SO42-)
lead acetate solution to the formed. Confirmed.
original solution
2.Phosphate: Add magnesia A white precipitate was Presence of Phosphate (PO4)
mixture to original solution. obtained. confirmed.
3.Brown Ring Test: Add freshly A dark brown formed at Presence of Nitrate (NO3-)
prepared Ferrous sulphate to the the junction of layers. confirmed.
original solution and pour a few
drops of conc. Sulphuric acid.

Test for Basic Radicals (Cations)

GROUP Detection Table:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

To salt add dil. HCl. No characteristic reaction. Group I absent.

To solution, add dil. HCl and

sodium sulphide. No characteristic reaction. Group II absent.
To solution, add ammonium
chloride and ammonium No characteristic reaction. Group III absent.
hydroxide.
Divide solution into 3 parts:-
To one part, add sodium
sulphide. No characteristic reaction. Group IV absent.
To second part add ammonium
hydroxide and ammonium White precipitate was Group V present.
carbonate. observed.
To last part, add potassium No characteristic reaction. Group VI absent.
dihydrogen phosphate.
Confirmatory Tests:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

Flame Test: Make a paste of the
salt with conc. HCl. Take a part Brick red flame was Presence of Calcium ion
of it at the tip of a glass rod and observed. (Ca2+) confirmed.
show it to a non luminous flame.

TOOTHPASTE 2: Colgate Total

Colour: Blue and White (Striped)

Solubility: Readily soluble in water.

Test for Acid Radicles (Anion)

Preliminary tests

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1.Test for Halides: To a pinch of Either Chlorine (Cl-) or
the salt, add conc. H2SO4 and Colourless gas is evolved. fluorine (F-).
warm.
2.Test for Sulphate: To original White precipitate was Sulphate (SO42-) was absent.
solution add dil. HCl and a little formed.
BaCl2
3.Test for Phosphate: To Deep yellow precipitate Phosphate (PO43-) was absent.
original solution add conc. was formed.
HNO3 and ammonium molybdate
and warm.

Confirmatory Tests:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

Silver Nitrate Test: To a portion Chlorine (Cl-) was absent,
of the salt solution and add dil. No characteristic reaction therefore, presence of
Nitric acid, boil, cool and then observed. Fluorine (F-) confirmed.
silver nitrate solution

Test for Basic Radicals (Cations)

GROUP Detection Table:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

To salt add dil. HCl. No characteristic reaction. Group I absent.

To solution, add dil. HCl and

sodium sulphide. No characteristic reaction. Group II absent.
To solution, add ammonium
chloride and ammonium No characteristic reaction. Group III absent.
hydroxide.
Divide solution into 3 parts:-
To one part, add sodium
sulphide. No characteristic reaction. Group IV absent.
To second part add ammonium
hydroxide and ammonium White precipitate was Group V present.
carbonate. observed.
To last part, add potassium No characteristic reaction. Group VI absent.
dihydrogen phosphate.

Confirmatory Tests:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

Flame Test: Make a paste of the
salt with conc. HCl. Take a part Brick red flame was Presence of Calcium ion
of it at the tip of a glass rod and observed. (Ca2+) confirmed.
show it to a non luminous flame.

TOOTHPASTE 3: Colgate Herbal

Colour: Green and White

Solubility: Readily soluble in water.

Test for Acid Radicles (Anion)

Preliminary tests

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1.Test for Carbonate: To a little Brisk effervescence was
of the salt in a dry test tube, add observed with evolution of Carbonate (CO32-) was
dil. HCl. a gas which turns lime present
water milky.
2.Test for Sulphate: To a few
ml. of salt solution add dil. HCl No characteristic reaction. Sulphate (SO42-) was present.
and a few drops of BaCl2

3.Test for Phosphate: To a little

salt solution add conc. HNO3 and No characteristic reaction. Phosphate (PO43-) was absent.
ammonium molybdate and
warm.
4.Test for Nitrate: To a small
quantity salt solution in a test Dark brown fumes were Nitrate (NO3 ) was present.
-

tube add conc. H2SO4 & heat. evolved

Confirmatory Tests:
 EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
1.Carbonate: To a few ml. of A white precipitate was Presence of Carbonate
the salt solution add magnesium formed. (CO32-) confirmed.
sulphate solution.
2.Brown Ring Test: Add freshly A dark brown ring was Presence of Nitrate (NO3-)
prepared Ferrous sulphate to the formed at the junction of confirmed.
original solution and pour a few layers.
drops of conc. Sulphuric acid.

Test for Basic Radicals (Cations)

GROUP Detection Table:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

To salt add dil. HCl. No characteristic reaction. Group I absent.

To solution, add dil. HCl and

sodium sulphide. No characteristic reaction. Group II absent.
To solution, add ammonium
chloride and ammonium No characteristic reaction. Group III absent.
hydroxide.
Divide solution into 3 parts:-
To one part, add sodium
sulphide. No characteristic reaction. Group IV absent.
To second part add ammonium
hydroxide and ammonium White precipitate was Group V absent.
carbonate. observed.
To last part, add potassium No characteristic reaction. Group VI present.
dihydrogen phosphate.

Confirmatory Tests:

EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

Ash Test: To the salt add few Presence of Magnesium ion
drops of conc. HNO and a few Pink ash was observed (Mg2+) confirmed.
drops of dil. Cobalt nitrate and
boil thoroughly. Dip a filter
paper into the solution and burn
the filter paper to ashes

RESULT
All toothpastes have different radicles. Of the anions, Nitrate is common. While of the cations,
Calcium ion (Ca2+) is common. The following acid and basic radicles were found in the
respective toothpastes:

Colgate Max White:

Anions present- Sulphate (SO42-), Phosphate (PO43-),

Nitrate (NO3-).

Cations present- Calcium (Ca2+)

Colgate Total:

Anions present- Fluoride (F-)

Cations present- Calcium (Ca2+)

Colgate Herbal:

Anions present- Carbonate (CO32-), Nitrate

(NO3-)

Cations present- Magnesium (Mg2+)

CONCLUSION
Toothpastes generally have many different components. The most common ions are Phosphates
and Calcium. Different types of toothpastes have different ingredients. Herbal and medicinal
toothpastes have many natural ingredients for medicinal purposes.

Also we find that Colgate has all necessary for stronger and whiter teeth.

PRECAUTIONS

 Wear eye protection, ammonia solution causes burns and gives off ammonia
vapours which irritates the eyes, lungs and respiratory system.
 Sodium hydroxide can cause burns and is dangerous to the eyes.
 Hydrochloric acid can cause burns.
 Barium chloride is harmful by inhalation.
 Nitric acid causes burns.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toothpaste- Wikipedia
2. Rachna Sagar Chemistry lab manual
3. Google search engine
4. Britannica Encyclopedia