CONTENTS

S.NO. TOPIC
1. Aim
2. Introduction
3. Theory
4. Apparatus Required
5. Chemicals Required
6. Preparation of toothpaste
7. Types of Toothpastes
8. History of Toothpastes
9. Evolution of Toothpastes
10. Types of toothpaste
11. Examples of toothpaste
12. Ingredients
13. Conclusion
14. Bibliography
 AIM

To analyze the composition of different types of toothpaste and evaluate

their chemical properties and effectiveness and to check the acid ad
basic radicals (anions and cations) present in samples of toothpastes and
determine their quality. The study will also focus on the role of various
chemical constituents in dental hygiene and the impact of different
formulations on oral health.
 INTRODUCTION

Toothpaste is an essential oral hygiene product used worldwide to clean

teeth, maintain oral health, and prevent dental diseases. It consists of
various chemical ingredients that serve different purposes such as
cleaning, whitening, and protection against bacteria. The formulation of
toothpaste has evolved significantly over centuries, incorporating
various chemical advancements for better oral care.
Proper oral hygiene is crucial in preventing dental problems such as
cavities, plaque buildup, gum diseases, and bad breath. Toothpaste is a
key component of oral care, along with regular brushing and flossing.
The effectiveness of toothpaste depends on its chemical composition,
abrasiveness, and pH level.
 THEORY

Toothpaste typically contains abrasives, fluorides, detergents,

humectants, binding agents, and preservatives. The key chemical
reactions involved in toothpaste functionality include:

1. Neutralization reaction - Helps maintain oral pH and prevents

tooth decay.
2. Abrasive action - Removes plaque and stains through mechanical
scrubbing.
3. Fluoride activity - Strengthens enamel by forming fluorapatite,
which is resistant to acid attack.
4. Antibacterial action - Eliminates harmful bacteria, preventing
cavities and gum diseases.
Apparatus Required:

1. Test tubes
2. Beakers (100 mL, 250 mL)
3. Glass rod
4. pH meter or pH paper
5. Measuring cylinders
6. Bunsen burner
7. Pipettes
8. Dropper
9. Weighing balance
10. Filter paper
11. Mortar and pestle
12. Litmus paper (red and blue)

Chemicals Required:

1. Toothpaste samples (different brands)

2. Distilled water
3. Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
4. Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
5. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
6. Sodium fluoride (NaF)
7. Stannous fluoride (SnF₂)
8. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)
9. Baking soda (NaHCO₃)
10. Sodium lauryl sulfate (C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S)
11. Glycerol (C₃H₈O₃)
12. Menthol
 HISTORY OF TOOTHPASTE
Tooth-cleaning substances date back to ancient civilizations like Egypt,
Greece, and Rome.
The development of toothpaste began as long ago as 300/500 BC in
China and India. The ancient Egyptian recipe for toothpastes is the
world’s oldest known formula of toothpastes used more than 1500
years before Colgate began marketing the first commercial brand in
1873 which has been discovered on a dusty papyrus in the basement of
a Viennese museum.

• Ancient Civilizations: Used crushed bones, shells, bark, and herbs

for cleaning teeth.
• Middle Ages: Used charcoal, salt, and chalk as tooth-cleaning
agents.
• 19th Century: Soap-based toothpaste was introduced, later
replaced by synthetic detergents.
• 20th Century: Fluoride was added to toothpaste to enhance cavity
protection.
• Modern Times: Specialized toothpaste for different dental needs,
including herbal, medicated, and whitening variants.

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 and perfect teeth” when mixed with the saliva in
the mouth, it forms a “clean tooth paste”.
According to the document written in 4th century AD, the ingredients
needed for the perfect smile are: one drachma of rock salt, two
drachmas of mint, one drachma of dried iris flower and 20 grains of
pepper all of them crushed and mixed together.
Types of Toothpastes:

1. Fluoridated Toothpaste - Prevents cavities and strengthens

enamel.
2. Whitening Toothpaste - Contains abrasives and chemical agents
to remove stains.
3. Herbal Toothpaste - Uses natural ingredients with antibacterial
properties.
4. Sensitive Teeth Toothpaste - Contains potassium nitrate or
strontium chloride to reduce sensitivity.
5. Charcoal Toothpaste - Claims to detoxify and whiten teeth.
6. Medicated Toothpaste - Contains antiseptics to treat gum diseases
and infections.
7. Children’s Toothpaste - Specially formulated with milder
ingredients and lower fluoride levels.
8. Tartar Control Toothpaste - Contains pyrophosphates to prevent
tartar buildup.

Examples of Common Toothpastes:

• Colgate Total
• Sensodyne
• Pepsodent
• Close-Up
• Dabur Red
• Patanjali Dant Kanti
• Himalaya Herbal
• Oral-B Pro-Health
 INGREDIENTS

In addition to 20-40% water, toothpastes are derived from a

variety of components, including three main ones: abrasives,
fluorides and detergents.
I. ABRASIVES:

Abrasives constitute at least 50% of typical toothpaste.

These insoluble particles help remove plaque from teeth.
The removal of plaque prevents cavities and periodontal
diseases. Representative abrasives include particles of
calcium carbonate (CaCO3), various calcium hydrogen
phosphates, various silica and zeolites.
Abrasives like the dental polishing agents used in
dentist’s office also cause a small amount of enamel
erosion which is termed as “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 and above the effects of the
removal of plaque.

II. FLUORIDES:

Fluoride in various forms is the most popular active ingredient in

toothpastes to prevent cavities. Fluorides occur in small
amounts in plants, animals and some natural water resources.
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.

III. SURFACTANTS:

Many, although not all, toothpastes contain Sodium lauryl

sulphate (SLS) or related Surfactants (detergents). SLS is found
in many other personal care products as well, such as shampoo
and is mainly a foaming agent, which enables uniform distribution
of toothpaste, improving its cleansing power.
IV. ANTIBACTERIAL AGENTS:

Triclosan an antibacterial agent iscommon toothpaste ingredient

in the UK. Triclosan or Zinc chloride prevents gingivitis and
according to the American Dental Association, it helps reduce
tartar and bad breath.
V. FLAVOURANTS:

Toothpastes come in a variety of colourings and flavours

intended to encourage the use of the product. Three most
common flavourants are peppermint, spearmint and
wintergreen. Toothpaste flavoured with peppermint-anise oil is
popular in the Mediterranean region. These flavours are
provided by the respective oils (ex. Peppermint oil). More exotic
flavours include anise, apricot, bubblegum, cinnamon, fennel,
lavender, neem, ginger, vanilla, lemon, orange and pine.

.
 Figure 1: Biotic Toothpaste components

Figure 2. When the pH drops below 5.5, the biofilm fluid becomes undersaturated with phosphate ion and
enamel dissolves to restore balance. When fluoride (F−) is present, fluorapatite is incorporated into
demineralized enamel and subsequent demineralization is inhibited.
Figure 3. pH measurements for toothpaste and natural powder samples

Figure 4. Remineralisation process of tooth with the aid of bioglass containing toothpaste
 TOOTHPASTE 1
PEPSODENT
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Take a part of the Formation of white CO3 confirmed
solution and add ppt.
MgSO4 solution
Take a part of the Formation of white Ca confirmed
solution and add ppt.
H5N (1-2ml)
Take a part of the Formation of white PO4 confirmed
solution and add ppt.
magnesium mixtu re
(mix of NH4Cl an d
NH4OH)
Acidify a portion of Formation of yellow I confirmed
aq. solution with ppt. which is insolubl e
dil. HNO3, boil an din NH4OH
cool then add
AgNO3
Take a small quant No characteristic CH3COO
ity of solution and smell absent
add oxalic acid
Pb absent
To one part of the No reaction
solution add KI Mg confirmed
To one part of the Formation of white
solution add solid ppt.
NHCl 4 and NHOH 4

in slight excess,
then add (NH)PO4 3

Ions present -CO 3,Ca, PO4, I, Mg

Chemical reactions involved:

• CO3 + MgSO4→ MgCO3 + SO4 (white ppt.)

• CO3 + 2CH3COOH → (CH3COO)2Ca + H2O
(CH3COO)2Ca + (NH4)2C2O4
→ 2CHCOONH4 +
 CaC2O4
• NaHPO4 + MgCl2 + NH4OH → Mg(NH4)PO4 +
2NaCl + H2O
• I + AgNO3→ NO3 + AgI (yellow ppt.)
• (COOH)2 + 2CH3COONa → No Reaction
• Pb + 2KI → No Reaction
• MgCl2 + NH4OH + (NH3)2HPO4→ Mg(NH4) PO4
+ 2NH4 + H2O

TOOTHPASTE 2
COLGATE
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Take a part of the Formation of white CO 3confirmed
solution and add ppt.
MgSO4 solution
Take a part of the Formation of white PO4 confirmed
solution and add ppt.
NH4OH
Take a part of the Formation of white PO4 confirmed
solution and add ppt.
magnesium mixtu re
(mix of NH4Cl an d
NH4OH)
Acidify a portion of Formation of yellow I confirmed
aq. solution with ppt. which is insolubl e
dil. HNO3, boil an din NH4OH
cool then add
AgNO3
Take a small quant No characteristic CH3COO
ity of solution and smell absent
add oxalic acid
Pb absent
To one part of the No reaction
solution add KI
Mg confirmed
To one part of the Formation of white
solution add solid ppt.
NHCl 4 and NHOH 4

in slight excess,
then add (NH)PO
4 3

Ions present -CO,3 PO, 4I, Mg

Chemical reactions involved:

• CO3 + MgSO4→ MgCO3 + SO4 (white ppt.)

• CO3 + 2CH3COOH → (CH3COO)2Ca + H2O
(CH3COO)2Ca + (NH4)2C2O4
→ 2CHCOONH4 +
 CaC2O4
• NaHPO4 + MgCl2 + NH4OH → Mg(NH4)PO4 +
2NaCl + H2O
• I + AgNO3→ NO3 + AgI (yellow ppt.)
• (COOH)2 + 2CH3COONa → No Reaction
• Pb + 2KI → No Reaction
• MgCl2 + NH4OH + (NH3)2HPO4→ Mg(NH4) PO4
+ 2NH4 + H2O

TOOTHPASTE 3
CLOSE UP
EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Take a part of the Formation of white CO3 confirmed
solution and add ppt.
MgSO4 solution
Take a part of the Formation of white Ca confirmed
solution and add ppt.
(NH4)2C2O4 then
add NH4OH to it
Take a part of the Formation of white PO4 confirmed
solution and add ppt.
magnesium mixtu re
(mix of NH4Cl an d
NH4OH)
Acidify a portion of Formation of yellow I confirmed
aq. solution with ppt. which is insolubl e
dil. HNO3, boil an din NH4OH
cool then add
AgNO3
Take a small quant Smells like that of CH3COO
ity of solution and vinegar confirmed
add oxalic acid
Pb absent
To one part of the No reaction
solution add KI Mg confirmed
To one part of the Formation of white
solution add solid ppt.
NHCl 4 and NHO4H
in & add (NH)PO4 3

Ions present -CO,3 Ca, PO4, I, CH3COO, Mg

Chemical reactions involved:
• CO3 + MgSO4→ MgCO3 + SO4 (white ppt.)
• CO3 + 2CH3COOH → (CH3COO)2Ca + H2O
(CH3COO)2Ca + (NH4)2C2O4→ 2CHCOONH4 +
CaC2O4
• NaHPO4 + MgCl2 + NH4OH → Mg(NH4)PO4 +
2NaCl + H2O
• I + AgNO3→ NO3 + AgI (yellow ppt.)
• (COOH)2 + 2CH3COONa → No Reaction
• Pb + 2KI → No Reaction
• MgCl2 + NH4OH + (NH3)2HPO4→ Mg(NH4) PO4
+ 2NH4 + H2O
 CONCLUSION

Toothpastes generally have many different components. The most

common ions are phosphates and calcium. Different types of toothpastes
have different ingredients.Desensitizing toothpastes like sendodyne have
fluorides and nitrates. Herbal and medical toothpastes have may natural
ingredients for medicinal purposes.

Figure 5.Segments of the Oral Care Market

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

• American Dental Association (ADA): www.ada.org

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial

Research:
www.nidcr.nih.gov
Colgate Oral Care Center: www.colgate.com

Sensodyne Science & Research: www.sensodyne.com

Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA):

www.jada.ada.org

• The Science of Dental Hygiene, Oxford University Press, 2016.

• World Health Organization (WHO) Report on Oral Health, 2019.

• The British Dental Journal, Special Edition on Toothpaste

Formulations, 2020.

• Journal of Modern
Patel, R. "Toothpaste: History and Chemistry,"
Chemistry, 2017.