INTRODUCTION:

India grows a lot of healing herbs. For this reason, it is called the ‘Botanical Garden’ of the World. The ancient remedies are derived from herbs, massages, minerals, etc. Herbal medicinal products made of organic substances are obtained from natural source plants only. In India, plants have been utilized as a source of drugs and a chief part of the health care system. In an Ayurvedic tradition, most patients of course are expected to prepare and share their recipes, hence there is little doubt that it will involve a fair amount of writing and research. In the West, it has been observed that there has been an enthralling increase in the use of herbal dietary supplements among medicine users which has increased about 40% of medical diseases one year ago.^1-4

It is because of the interests of the members of the society of education, government, and health researchers that engage in sardar mission expansion, that there is trending of the use of traditional medicines so as to avoid the side effects related to adverse drug reactions and cost factor modern medical systems.^1-4

The fundamental purpose of toothpaste, a dentifrice, is to clean and preserve oral health. It aids in reducing bad breath, acts as an abrasive to remove food particles and plaque, and releases active substances like fluoride to prevent gum disease and dental illnesses like gingivitis.^5-8

The creation and assessment of a herbal toothpaste is the main goal of the study. Toothpaste is used extensively to treat a variety of dental problems and to clean the mouth and teeth. It is frequently suggested by dentists to treat ailments including chronic gingivitis and sensitivity.^9-12

Tooth physiology:

The tooth structure consists of two dental arcs: the deciduous or baby teeth and the more complete adult teeth. On average, a child will have 20 baby teeth and an adult 32. The oral cavity or oral buccal cavity refers to the oval cavity that is found in the cranium is a composed by muscles and bones. It has a layer of mucous coat which contains the mucus-secreting glands. The teeth have their own sockets which are present in the bone ridges of the lower jaw and the upper jaw.¹³

Ideal Properties of Paste:^{1,5,9,14,15,16}

· High Abrasive Effectiveness.

· Nontoxic and Non-irritating substances.

· Leave no coloration in the tooth.

· Leave the mouth fresher than before.

· Lasting action.

· Not too costly and available.

· Prevention of gums as well as gingivitis.

Marketed Oral Formulations Containing Synthetic Agents and Their Limitations¹⁷

· Fluoride Based Trousers and Mouth Washes, this chemical is harmful to one’s health if ingested or overused.

· Toothpastes with Synthetic Bleaching Agents for Long-term use of synthetic toothpastes containing bleaching agents may cause staining of teeth.

· Chlorhexidine Mouthwash Prolonged use has been shown to affect sense of taste, and cause increased staining of teeth.

Benefits of Herbal Tooth Paste:^1,14

· Contains active molecules like fluoride or xylitol which help treat and prevent tooth or gum diseases.

· New types of toothpastes including gel, cream, and plaque lotion have recently made a high delivery of oral hygiene efficacy.

· Special toothpaste for children with fluoride who are also low in abrasivity.

· Toothpaste for the relief of hypersensitivity.

· There are toothpastes for whitening, all ‘let’ and come with abrasive additives.

· Plainly packaged that they are in tubes – collapsible or otherwise.

· Such that different oral healthcare needs can be addressed simultaneously using combinations of varied contents.

Different kinds of Toothpaste:

Which include anti-plaque toothpaste, whitening toothpaste, children's toothpaste, fresh breath toothpaste and herbal toothpaste.

Herbal Toothpaste:

Many consumers choose herbal toothpastes because they are manufactured from natural ingredients, some of which are organic, as opposed to the artificial flavourings and synthetic ingredients found in conventional toothpastes. They are a fantastic choice for those who are allergic to mint or sodium lauryl sulphate, a popular tenacious foaming agent found in many commercial formulations, because they don't include any synthetic ingredients.^18,19,20

Whitening Toothpaste:

Whitening toothpastes include bleaching chemicals like hydrogen peroxide that provide oxygen radicals to the enamel. According to the American Dental Association, hydrogen peroxide removes extrinsic stains from enamel, changing its colour. Because whitening toothpastes are more abrasive than ordinary toothpaste, they can aid in the removal of surface and food stains. Children's toothpaste: Children's toothpastes are made with flavours and colours that appeal to kids, but they are sugar-free and contain very little fluoride to prevent fluorosis from excessive fluoride consumption.^18,19,20

Fresh breath Toothpaste:

Better flavouring agents and antimicrobial ingredients are frequently found in commercial toothpastes to stop halitosis, which helps to keep bad breath at day.^18,19,20

Children's Toothpaste:

Children's toothpastes are made with flavours and colours that appeal to kids, but they are sugar-free and contain very little fluoride to prevent fluorosis from excessive fluoride consumption.^18,19,20

Anti-plaque Toothpaste:

Anti-plaque compounds prevent plaque forming, which can improve oral hygiene by reducing gingivitis episodes and perhaps lowering the incidence of dental cavities.^18,19,20

Chewable toothpaste Tablets:

Chewable toothpaste tablets are small, mint-like discs made from natural ingredients to clean teeth and remove plaque. To use, place a tablet in your mouth, crush it with your molars, then brush with a moistened toothbrush to create a cleansing lather.²¹

Oral Disease:

Dental Caries:

According to the latest WHO statistics, the most prevalent oral disease is dental caries - also known as tooth decay, and caused by bacteria, which leads to the destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth structure and the formation of cavitated lesions. It is particularly widespread among the younger population, as it primarily forms during the first stages of development in early childhood. Throughout the mouth, bacteria form biofilms called dental plaque which erodes the teeth due to acid production. The manifestations of dental caries are expressed as halitosis, staining of the teeth, and discomfort that increases with exposure to stimuli such as temperature and sweet items. If it is not treated properly, it can become very painful.^22,23,24,25

Figure 1. Tooth Decay

Sensitive Teeth:

Sensitivity refers to an individual’s discomfort or pain to certain stimuli, also called dentin hypersensitivity. It arises from certain dental conditions such as caries, fractured teeth, periodontal diseases or apical periodontitis. It leads to the patient’s discomfort while eating or drinking hot or cold as the enamel layer is damaged and underlying sensitive dentin layer is exposed.^22,26

Figure 2. Difference Between Normal Teeth and Sensitive Teeth

Bad breath:

Halitosis is a prevalent challenge faced in the oral health sphere. It can occur as a result of many issues including dental decays, lack of oral care, certain drugs, mouth infections and xerostomia among other factors. In the same way, eating spices and foods such as a garlic and onion cause bad breath too.^22,26

Figure 3. Effect of Bacteria on Bed Breath

Periodontitis:

Periodontal disease is the stage beyond gingivitis, causing an individual to suffer from bleeding gums, painful teeth, and malodor. The condition arises when the bacterium infects the gums to the extent that they become inflamed and recede from the tooth forming gaps known as gum pockets. These pockets further aggravate the condition resulting in bleeding and may also influence the position of the teeth. There is an association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased occurrence of periodontitis- a disease which leads to inflammation of the tooth supporting tissues that result in the loss of bones and teeth. Vitamin D is important in maintaining teeth in their sockets as studies demonstrate that deficiency of it makes a person more vulnerable to periodontal disease. It appears that vitamin D and calcium dietary supplements act positively on the periodontium, enhance jaw bones, and decrease alveolar bone loss.^{22,25,27,28,29}

Figure 4. Periodontitis

Chronic gingivitis:

Chronic gingivitis is recurring inflammation of the gingival tissue that is caused by the accumulation of plaque which is a film of bacteria on teeth. The chief symptoms are the redness, swelling, painful sores and bleeding gums when vigorously brushing up the gums. Though the gums may show bleeding, however, gingivitis is not normally painful.^22,30,31

Figure 5. Chronic Gingivitis

List of ingredients role and their quantity^{1,5,8,14,18,22,32,33}

Table 1. Natural Ingredients

Sr. No	Ingredient	Quantity	Role
1	Camphor	2-5%	Antiseptic
2	Neem	2-5%	Anti-bacterial
3	Babul leaves	2-5%	Astringent
4	Guava leaves	5%	Anti-bacterial
5	Kalmi bark	5%	Flavoring agent
6	Honey	5%	Anti-bacterial
7	Clove oil	2-3%	Anti-inflammatory and anti bacterial
8	Peppermint oil	5%	Flavouring agent
9	Turmeric	5%	Colouring agent
10	Black seed oil	4%	Antimicrobial agent
11	Tulsi leaves oil	5%	Prevent bed breath
12	Menthol	1%	Cooling agent
13	Distilled water	Q.S	Cooling agent

Table 2. Excipient Ingredients

Sr. No	Ingredient	Quantity	Role
1	Calcium carbonate	35-50%	Abrasive
2	Salt	2-5%	abrasive
3	Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)	5-15%	Foaming agent
4	Glycerine	20-30%	Humectant
5	Para hydroxyl benzoic acid	3%	Preservative
6	Methyl paraben	2-5%	Preservative
7	Sodium benzoate	5%	Preservative
8	Sodium saccharin	1%	Sweetener
9	Guar gum	5%	Laxative
10	Xylitol	2%	Anti-tooth decay
11	Titanium dioxide	5%	Whitening agent
12	Amaranth solution	1%	Colouring agent

Advantages of Herbal Toothpaste Over the Normal Pastes:^14,18

1. Herbal toothpastes contains peppermint and spearmint oil which aid in killing bacteria.

2. Remove stains without damaging enamel.

3. Freshen your breath.

4. No one wants to their body of fall of chemicals.

5. Natural oral care products are effective in removing bacteria and keep the mouth healthy.

6. They are safe for children

7. Herbal toothpastes are affordable as compared to other.

Formulation and Evaluation Study on Herbal Toothpaste:

The article by Nikita M. Rathi provides an overview of herbal toothpaste, its components, preparation and testing methods. Herbal toothpastes use extracts from various plants, such as ginger, neem, guava leaves, babul leaves, and others, known for antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. These ingredients aim to address oral issues like sensitivity, gingivitis, and plaque buildup. Herbal toothpaste formulations are prepared by blending herbal extracts with a base of traditional toothpaste ingredients, such as calcium carbonate and sodium lauryl sulfate. Testing methods for these products include pH measurement, spreadability, stability, foaming ability, and antimicrobial effectiveness. The primary goal of herbal toothpaste is to reduce oral bacteria, protect against gum disease, and maintain oral hygiene naturally. This review compiles valuable insights into formulations and testing parameters, providing a foundation for future research into herbal oral care products.³²

A research by Deep Sujit Sahan makes an in-depth study of the development and formulation processes of herbal toothpaste products aimed at treatment of specific diseases like gum bleeding among other oral problems. Such toothpaste can be manufactured using herbal ingredients, including neem leaves, black pepper, babul leaves, clove oil, turmeric, and mint due to their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The dry and wet gum methods are defined as two principal formulation processes. In this method, ingredients including Calcium Carbonate, sodium lauryl sulfate and herbal powders are triturate to form a thick pasty material. Preparation involves collecting, drying and grinding the herbs into powdered form and mixing with a base of toothpaste. Evaluation of herbal toothpaste formulations includes pH determination, determination of homogeneity, measurement of moisture and volatile matters, spreadability test, stability test, and abrasiveness test. The investigations point out, herbal toothpaste is non toxic, has low side effects, and is safe as it’s a natural product for oral hygiene and prevention of tooth decay. As a conclusion, the study demonstrates that use of herbal toothpaste could provide an effectual and safer alternative for the use of regular toothpaste for better oral health and hygiene while also providing real minimal side effects.⁹

A research by S. B. Nagansurkar gives attention to the formulation and preparation of a herbal toothpaste that is useful for oral health but avoids the possible adverse effects from synthetic chemical compounds. Plant-derived antimicrobial herbal products have been developed in order to reduce the oral biofilm, treat certain conditions of the teeth and support overall gum health. Essential ingredients include certain leaves twigs or essential oils such as neem, clove, peppermint, turmeric, guava leaves and babul leaves that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties useful in oral hygiene. The study comprised procedures where herbal toothpaste formulations were made in the laboratory using herbal ingredients that are culturally accepted. These formulations were compared with commercial brands (Himalaya, Meswak and Patanjali) having standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The herbal toothpaste formulations were tested for efficacy using parameters such as the pH, spreadability, foamability, viscosity, homogeneity and the antibacterial activity among others. Laboratory experiments proved that peppermint, turpentine based herbal toothpastes were effective in the treatment of pathogenic bacteria such E. coli and had acceptable physical characteristics that may allow for usage as an alternative to synthetic toothpastes. It was possible to draw reasonable conclusions from the investigation that Herbal toothpaste has a good opportunity in short fixed term antibacterial performance and good for human health because it is made of nontoxic material.¹⁴

The reviwe by Neha P. Danavale conclude that many people strive to maintain great oral hygiene using moderate amounts of toothpaste, mint or other herbal toothpaste alternatives. People in the world today have search for safe alternatives for thier dental routines. One alternative is the use of herbal toothpaste, a type of toothpaste that utilizes herbal medicines instead of fluoride as a means of cleaning teeth. Traditional or herbal toothpastes avoid fluoride and all of its adverse effects. They use a mixture of herbs that include Turmeric, Aloe Vera, neem and ginger along with clove that support oral hygiene. Herbal toothpaste not just reduces plaque but is also able to eliminate bad breath. There has been friction for centuries among countries for thier respective toothpastes. Ancient Greeks preferred minerals, while both Romans and Indians used various fruits, herbs and spices. Modern herbal toothpaste contains variety of active ingredients as well as additional substances to enhance effectiveness. Eugenol from clove and curcumin present in turmeric, are both known antibacterial agents that are used in products that protect and help prevent oral diseases. Toothpaste that avoids fluoride completely can assist in people who tend to have allergies or suffer from oral diseases.²²

A research by D. Sunitha conclude that there has been increasing interest in preparing effective herbal toothpaste that utilizes neem, clove, tulsi, fennel, cinnamon, and amla, which are several other easily available plants with antimicrobial, antiseptic, and cooling properties. These plants and herbs prove useful for prevention of disease and ensuring oral hygiene. Despite India being hailed as a ‘Botanical Garden of the World’, its people have relied on the use of medicinal plants in traditional and home-based remedies and oral hygiene practices utilising herbal toothpastes seems to be on the rise due to its lesser adverse effects in comparison to manufactured products. Some important characteristics of toothpaste desirable to consumers include; fair abrasiveness, nontoxicity, stain prevention, durability of enduring freshness and low market price. All these attributes are present in herbal toothpaste and furthermore those who want to achieve specific results, such as whitening and desensitization, and gum diseases, find these herbal toothpastes suitable. Herbal ingredients were prepared by drying and grinding them and those were mixed with calcium, glycerin, acacia and water to make desired paste consistency. Testing underwent revealed green color, sweet taste, 6.6 by pH, among other properties good foaming ability, spreadability and inclusion of stable patterns. A phytochemical screening also showed the presence of an offensive saponins, tannins and alkaloids compounds that were used in the formulation of the toothpaste as active ingredients. By and large, the herbal toothpaste designed here is not only an effective way of maintaining oral cavity but is also safe for daily use.¹

Evaluation of the Toothpaste:^{1,5,9,14,22,32,33}

1. Physical examination:

a) Colour: The assessment of the colour was based on visual observation.

b) Smell: The smell was assessed by the process of smelling the product.

c) Flavour: Formation was assessed for taste by hands-on sampling of the product.

2. Relative density: An RD (Relative Density) bottle was used to find the relative density of the formulation. The procedure consisted of weighing out 10 ml of the toothpaste formulation as well as 10 ml of the distilled water in grams. The relative density was then established using the comparison of the weights.

3. Abrasiveness: At least ten collapsible tubes were used to squirt out longer strips of the toothpaste that were approximately 15-20 cm long on butter paper. All of the material that was excluded was further pressed at the tip of the pointer to check for excessive sharp- or hard-edged abrasive material. Such particles should be present in the composition of the toothpaste.

4. Foaming: The foamability of formulated toothpaste was assessed by measuring volume before and after adding some amount of the formulation with water to measuring cylinder and subsequently shaking it ten times. The volume of foam after shaking was measured in ml and recorded.

Power of foaming = V1-V2

Where,

V1: water and foam volume in mm

V2: volume of solution

5. pH determination: To evaluate the pH of the various toothpastes, a pH paper was used. Water was used to dilute the herbal. Only 1 drop of the dropped paste was concentrated on pH paper, the color of which was altered & compared with the standard strip. When determining the pH of a sample, there is a pH meter available as well. Dilute the paste in water and determine the pH by employing a pH meter.

6. Moisture content: In a porcelain dish, the operator placed the toothpaste and, then, inserted it into the dried weight of the sample oven dry at 105 degrees Celsius. Now, when you place the weight in the drying oven like this, when it has cooled, it should be placed in the desiccator.

% Moisture = Original sample weight –Dry sample / Original sample weight.

7. Stability: The stability study followed after the ICH guidance. A prepared paste was kept in a collapsible tube that was placed in three locations with different temperatures and humidity where one was at 25°C, and the other two were at 2°C with 60, 65, and 5% relative humidity for three months. Throughout the study, the spreadability, pH, and paste's appearance of the paste were all periodically observed.

CONCLUSION:

This review outlines the use, benefits, and effectiveness of herbal toothpaste as a natural oral care product. The composition of these pastes is based on the traditions of Ayurveda and includes the use of plant particles of the following species: neem, clove, fennel, cinnamon, amla and tulsi, which possess antimicrobial effect, and are enriched with tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Unlike the standard toothpastes, use of herbal toothpastes is recommendable to children and people with sensitive teeth since they are less abrasive and the chances of enamel erosion are reduced. It has also been concluded that, herbal toothpaste is effective in the treatment and prevention of dental caries, gingivitis, halitosis and periodontal diseases. This can be explained primarily by the ability of the plant extracts to act as antimicrobial agents and anti-inflammatory substances, which prevent bacterial growth, plaque formation, and support healthy gums. Herbal paste users also report lesser adverse side effects compared to users of synthetic toothpaste, which contains harsh chemicals and artificial substances. Laboratory testing methods whereby pH, foaming ability and stability tests are used show that herbal Australian toothpaste passes quality test criteria required for an oral hygiene product. Based on the observations, it is safe to state that the use of herbal toothpaste is better for sensitive teeth and safe for use.

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Received on 14.11.2024 Revised on 16.01.2025

Accepted on 24.02.2025 Published on 09.05.2025

Available online from May 12, 2025

Res. J. Pharma. Dosage Forms and Tech.2025; 17(2):123-129.

DOI: 10.52711/0975-4377.2025.00018

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