Determining Contents of Tooth Powder

Taanusha Kurup
XII M
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Taanusha Kurup of standard XII has

completed the chemistry project in partial fulfillment of
the curriculum of ALL INDIA SENIOR SECONDARY
CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION (AISSCE)
(CBSE).
This project was carried out at R.N.PODAR SCHOOL
laboratory
during the academic year 2023-24.

_______________ ________________
External Examiner Internal Examiner

_______________ _________________
School Stamp Principal’s Signature

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 Acknowledgement

I would like to express my deepest regards to the principal, Mrs.Avnita

Bir, for providing us with the infrastructure and facilities for the project.

I would further like to extend my thanks to my chemistry teacher Prachi

Ma’am under whose guidance this project was performed.
Her constant support and invaluable guidance helped me to achieve
completion of this project.

I also want to express my gratitude to the Chemistry Department of the

school and chemistry laboratory In-charge, Digambar Sir.

Last but not the least, I want to thank my family for their moral
support.

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 Index

1. Aim
2. Introduction
3. Theory
4. Uses of toothpaste
5. Effects of toothpaste
6. Requirements & Apparatus used
7. Procedure
8. Observations
9. Result
10. Precautions
11. Bibliography

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 AIM

To determine the contents of Tooth powder

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 INTRODUCTION

Tooth paste is a paste or gel dentifrice with complex composition used

with a toothbrush to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of
teeth.Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene. Since their
introduction several thousand years ago, toothpaste formulations have
evolved considerably - from suspensions of crushed egg shells or ashes to
complex formulations with often more than 20 ingredients. It can aid in
the removal of dental plaque and food from teeth,aid in the elimination
and/or masking of halitosis(bad smelling breath). They help to combat
dental caries, gum disease,erosion and dentin hypersensitivity.
Furthermore, toothpastes contain abrasives to clean and whiten teeth,
flavors for the purpose of breath freshening and dyes for better visual
appeal.

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 THEORY

Most toothpastes share common ingredients, both active and inactive. Active
ingredients are what help fight cavities and reduce your risk of gum disease. The inactive
ingredients give the toothpaste its taste and texture.

Fluoride

When it comes to fighting cavities, fluoride plays a starring role. The Indian Academy of
Oral Biology notes that fluoridated toothpaste helps prevent dental caries, which is why
fluoride is added to many brands of toothpaste. It's a mineral that helps strengthen the
enamel on your teeth, making them less susceptible to cavities and less likely to wear
down from acidic foods and drinks. Although you can find toothpastes that don't
contain fluoride, only products that contain this active ingredient can qualify for the
American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance.

Abrasives

Although this ingredient plays an active role in toothpaste, abrasives are technically
considered an inactive ingredient because they don't reduce your risk for cavities or gum
disease. However, your toothpaste wouldn't have much of an effect without them.
Abrasives are the ingredients that actually remove food debris and stains from teeth.

Abrasives were originally very rough and included things such as crushed egg shells,
which were used by the ancient Egyptians, or crushed oyster shells, which were favored
by the Romans. Today's abrasives are a bit gentler and typically include calcium
carbonate, dehydrated silica gels and hydrated aluminum oxides. The goal of the abrasive
ingredients in modern toothpaste is to scrub the surface of the teeth without scratching
or damaging your tooth's enamel. These days, it's the one-two punch of toothpaste and
your toothbrush that helps you polish your teeth to a shine.

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Flavours

Toothpaste flavors are even fruit-flavored for children's use. Although these ingredients
give the toothpaste a sweet taste, it's important to note that these toothpastes don't
contain sugar and thus won't cause tooth decay.

Humectants

Some of those flavoring agents, like sorbitol, actually play two roles. Sorbitol is an
example of a humectant, an ingredient that prevents loss of water in the toothpaste. A
humectant traps water in the toothpaste so that when you squeeze the tube, you get a
nice, smooth substance. Along with sorbitol, other examples of humectants include
glycol and glycerol.

Detergents

It is important to have detergents in toothpaste because they help foaming to occur

when you brush your teeth. One of the most common detergents placed in toothpastes
is sodium lauryl sulfate

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 USES OF TOOTHPASTE

Brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about 2
minutes to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy and clean. The
fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel. The Desensitizing ingredients
help reduce tooth sensitivity and the Anti-cavity ingredients prevent
cavities.It will assist in removing plaque,resisting decay,help strengthen
the enamel that has been attacked by acids,clean and polish teeth and
remove teeth stains along with providing a fresh breath.

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 Effects of Toothpaste

-Toothpaste removes stains (discoloration of the teeth) caused by

pigments contained in food and drinks or tar contained in cigarettes,
and helps teeth to maintain their original color
-. By cleaning your mouth using toothpaste, you can effectively eliminate
and prevent bad breath.

Pros
● Removes stains and plaque
from teeth
● Contains fluoride for
protection against cavities
● Whitens teeth and eliminates
gingivitis
● Fights cavities
● Freshens breath
Cons
● Since it contains fluoride it
can cause fluorosis
● Triclosan present in some
toothpastes can cause
disruption of thyroid
hormone
● Maybe too harsh on people
with sensitive gums and
teeth
● May cause burning sensation
● Short shelf life

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 Requirements

1) Tooth powder and Toothpaste

2) Dilute H₂SO₄
3) Lime Water
4) MgSO₄
5) Dilute HCl
6) Concentrated H₂SO₄
7) Ammonium molybdate
8) NaOH
9) H₂S gas
10) NH₄Cl
11) NH₄OH
12) (NH₄)₂CO₃
13) Dilute Acetic Acid CH₃COOH
14) Ammonium Oxalate(COONH₄)₂
15) Aqueous BaCl
16) CaCl₂
17) Benedict Reagent

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 Procedure
- First of all 50 g of Toothpaste and Tooth Powder were taken as a
sample
Test for CO₃²⁻
- Dilute H₂SO₄ was added to the solution and odorless and
colorless gas evolved with brisk effervescence which turned lime
water milky
- MgSO₄ was added to the aqueous solution and white precipitate
was formed
- Dilute HCl was added to the solution and colorless, odorless gas
was evolved
Test for PO₄³⁻
- Treating the salt with dilute H₂SO₄ and then heating the sample
with conc H₂SO₄
- Adding few drops of Ammonium molybdate to the solution ,
yellow coloration is observed
Test for Ca²⁺
- To the sample NaOH is added ,no smell
- Dilute HCl is added to the solution , no precipitate formed
- H₂S gas passed through the solution , no precipitate formed
- NH₄Cl and NH₄OH is added to solution , no precipitate formed
- Add solid NH₄Cl , NH₄OH and (NH₄)₂CO₃ to the solution and
white precipitate is formed
- Dissolve the white precipitate in acetic acid and boil off CO₂. To
this solution add ammonium Oxalate and White precipitate is
formed

Test for Na⁺

- The nichrome wire is dipped in concentrated HCl
- Then dipped in salt

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 - Then held over flame
- Yellow flames observed
Test for SO₄²⁻
- To the sample Aqueous BaCl and HCl are added
- White precipitate is observed
Test for F⁻

-To the sample add CaCl₂

-White slimy precipitate is observed

Test For Sugar

- To the sample , Benedict Reagent is added and then boiled
-No green, yellow or red precipitate

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 Observations
Test for CO₃²⁻

Experiment Observation Inference

[A] Dilute H₂SO₄ Test: Colourless, odourless gas May be CO₃²⁻

Treat the given sample of evolved with brisk effervescence
toothpowder with dilute H₂SO₄ which turns lime water milky

[B] Confirmatory Test For CO₃²⁻ White ppt formed CO₃²⁻ confirmed
(i) MgSO₄ test:
To the aqueous solution add MgSO₄
(ii) Dilute HCl test: Colourless ,odourless gas CO₃²⁻ confirmed
To the aqueous solution add dilute evolved
HCl

Test for PO₄³⁻

Experiment Observation Inference

[A] Dilute H₂SO₄ Test: No gas evolved Absence of carbonate ,

Treat the given salt with dilute H₂SO₄ sulphite , sulphide,
nitrite

[B] Concentrated H₂SO₄ Test No gas evolved Absence of chloride,

Heat the given sample with concentrated bromide, nitrate acetate
H₂SO₄

[C] Test for PO₄³⁻ Deep yellow precipitate PO₄³⁻ confirmed

formed or coloration is
obtained

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 -Test For Ca²⁺
Experiment Observations Inference

[A] Test for zero group No ammonical Zero group

To the given sample add NaOH smell absent

[B] Test for Ist group No precipitate I group absent

To the aq solution of sample add NaOH formed

[C] Test for II group No precipitate II group absent

To the above solution , pass H₂S gas formed

[D] Test for III group No precipitate III group absent

To the aqueous solution of toothpowder add NH₄Cl formed
followed by NH₄OH

[E] Test for IV group No precipitate IV group absent

To the above formed solution pass H₂S gas fomed

[F]Test for V group White V group present

To the aqueous solution of toothpowder add solid Precipitate
NH₄Cl , NH₄OH and (NH₄)₂CO₃ formed

[G] Confirmatory Test White Ca²⁺ present and

Dissolve the white precipitate in dilute acetic acid. precipitate confirmed
Boil off CO₂. To this solution , add ammonium formed
oxalate

Test for Na⁺

Experiment Observation Inference

[A] Boil salt solution(sodium Yellow flames Na+ confirmed

flame test)

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 Test for SO₄²⁻

Experiment Observation Inference

[A] Salt solution + Aqueous White precipitate SO₄²⁻ confirmed

BaCl + HCl

Test for F⁻

Experiment Observation Inference

[A] Salt solution + CaCl₂ White slimy precipitate F⁻ confirmed

Test for Sugar

Experiment Observation Inference

[A] sample + Benedict No yellow ,green or red Sugar Absent

Reagent is to be boiled precipitate

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 Result

The given toothpowder contains

anions namely
1.CO₃²⁻
2. PO₄³⁻
3.SO₄²⁻
4.F⁻
and cations namely
1.Ca²⁺
2.Na⁺
It also shows absence of sugar

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 Conclusion

Several of the ingredients in toothpastes are found to be environmentally

damaging or hazardous to personal health.
These ingredients are
● Artificial flavoring
● Artificial coloring
● Triclosan
● Detergents
● Floriade
● Pyrophosphate
Preservatives such as methylparaben and ethylparaben-parabens
Homemade tooth powders are made by mixing 3 parts baking soda(cleanser)
thoroughly with 1 part salt (the abrasive).As a direct result of these concerns,
some people have started making their own toothpaste instead,which while
still not completely ecological due to the use of baking soda-still eliminates
much environmentally or health damaging ingredients. Also,commercially
tooth powders are made which are less or even non environmentally friendly
damaging.Such preparations are made from herbal resins,propolis and
myrrh.

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 Precautions
1)Do not touch or taste any unknown substance
2)While heating keep the mouth of the test tube away from your face and
eyes
3)All apparatus should be cleaned and washed properly

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 Bibliography

- https://www.colgatepalmolive.co.in/statement-from-colgate/misleadin
g-information
- https://www.healthline.com/health/tooth-powder
- https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=11867
9
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/toothpaste

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