Tooth paste and tooth brush

General information

Regular toothpaste for adults and children.

Every manufacturer has its own formulation for toothpaste. It is therefore impossible to give a standard formulation. The information given here should serve as a guideline for purchasers.

 Information on the toothpaste components:

• Humectant: The concentration of humectant will depend on the type of formulation (paste or gel). To obtain a gel type formulation a higher level of humectant including a minimum level of glycerin is normally required. The total quantity of humectant is usually selected to give the final formulation a" water activity" level that makes it bacteriostatic. For availability, cost, or formulation reasons, glycerin may be preferred to sorbitol and vice versa.

• Abrasive agent: Chalk is rather more abrasive than other materials. It may be considered too abrasive. Abrasive silica or specifically DCPD (dicalcium phosphate dihydrate) could be preferable. For availability or cost reasons chalk may be preferred.

• Thickening agent: Not used with chalk.

• Gelling agent: SCMC (Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose) is often preferred for cost reasons. Xanthan gum is usually more costly and bacteriologically more risky. Some products may be formulated with carrageenan gum. The rheological properties of products are dependent on the type of gelling agent used in the formulation.

• Detergent: For cost and availability reasons and also because of regulations SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate) is often selected. It gives a soapy taste that is normally covered by the use of a flavour associated with a sweetener. Gives foaming and should be adjusted according to local taste and formulation type.

• Flavour: Key, rather expensive component that is often the number one product preference parameter. Depending on flavour type and strength. Mint is often the flavor of choice (peppermint or spearmint) but other types of flavors are also used (fruity, liquorice, medicinal taste etc.). Peppermint will give a strong flavour whereas spearmint will give a mild flavour generally more acceptable and usually preferred by children.

• Sweetener: Key to improve taste during use. Usually sodium saccharin. Can be sodium cyclamate or acesulfame K.

• Colorants: Watch local regulations for positive and negative lists regarding foodstuff.

• Anti-caries agent: Regulations may require lower concentrations for children (usually 1000 ppm maximum). According to local regulations. Normally 1450 ppm of fluoride ion or less.

• Option of non-fluoride toothpaste is acceptable.

• Preservatives: Watch local regulations for positive and negative lists regarding foodstuff.

• Buffering agents: Watch local regulations for positive and negative lists regarding foodstuff. Buffering agents are particularly important to avoid corrosion problems if aluminium tubes are used. With laminate tubes, widely used nowadays this is less crucial but high acidity or alcaliny may anyhow impact flavour taste.

• Additives and other ingredients: Watch local regulations for positive and negative lists regarding foodstuff.

• Other active ingredients (therapeutic): Watch local regulations for positive and negative lists.

• Water: The microbiological quality of the formulation water must be "food grade" as for all other ingredients in the toothpaste. The % of formulation water can vary significantly in quantity depending on the type of formulation as the residual water coming from the other raw materials can be quite different from formulation to formulation and will therefore have an important impact.

The complete list of ingredients should be specified by the supplier with characteristics, as well as the raw materials specification, the materials and production process traceability, and the quality assurance process.

Potential suppliers should be requested to provide their own products formulations and specifications including packaging. This should help evaluate their capability, the quality level of their products, and the professionalism of their operations.

Some specifications may vary to meet national standards and local market conditions. For locally sourced items, it is a prerequisite to check the relevant national regulations or specifications. Any important variation from the EIC standard needs to be approved by a specialist.

Specifications

Regular tooth paste for adults and children.

The product must be safe under normal conditions of use.

All ingredients in the toothpaste must be food grade.