Herbal Solutions for Oral Care The potential of Tooth Powder
Khairnar Divya Deepak, Vaishnavi Bhise, Mamta Hiray
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry KBHSS Trust Institute of Pharmacy Malegoan,
Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail:
ABSTRACT:
Dentifrices, encompassing toothpaste and tooth powder, play a crucial role in maintaining oral health by serving various functions. Given the prominence of tooth decay as a major oral health concern, finding effective solutions is paramount. Tooth powder emerges as a valuable contender in addressing diverse oral care challenges. Concerns over the potential harm posed by toxic materials in conventional toothpaste, particularly for children prone to accidental ingestion, underscore the need for safer alternatives. The mouth, being a highly absorbent region of the body, heightens the importance of choosing oral care products wisely. Ayurvedic tooth powder, with its herbal composition including Arjuna, amla, trikatu, clove powder, bamboo, neem, menthol, haridra, yastimadhu, pudina, lodra, tulsi, ginger, and more, is recognized for its preventive and therapeutic attributes against tooth decay and various gum issues such as swelling and bleeding. This natural approach to oral care aligns with the growing preference for holistic health solutions. In essence, Ayurvedic tooth powder emerges as a promising and safer alternative, providing a blend of traditional wisdom and botanical ingredients to promote comprehensive dental well-being.
KEYWORDS: Dentifrices, Tooth Powder, Oral Care, Ayurvedic, Dental Health.
INTRODUCTION:
Dental care practices have evolved significantly throughout history, with ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Romans pioneering early methods. Around 3,000-5,000 BC, the ancient Egyptians developed the first dental cream using ingredients such as powdered oxen hooves, myrrh, eggshells, and pumice, primarily aimed at removing debris from teeth. Later, the Romans expanded dental care practices, utilizing tooth powder for a range of purposes, including cleaning, whitening, securing loose teeth, and soothing toothaches. Their tooth powders consisted of various ingredients like animal bones, hooves, horns, shells, and eggshells.
Fast forward to modern times in India, where toothpaste usage is prevalent among 66% of families, while 24% still opt for toothpowder. Interestingly, 18% of families use neither, reflecting a diverse range of preferences. Despite toothpaste's dominance, toothpowder maintains a dedicated following, especially among older individuals who associate it with improved gum health. Globally, toothpowder demand is smaller compared to toothpaste, yet international companies have introduced toothpowders in their home markets to cater to niche consumer preferences.1,2
Tooth physiology:
In the study of teeth physiology, there are two main sets: the primary dentition, which includes baby teeth, and the permanent dentition, meant for adults. Under normal conditions, a person typically has 20 deciduous (baby) teeth and 32 permanent teeth. The mouth, comprising the oral cavity and buccal cavity, is an oval-shaped space inside the skull. The oral cavity is surrounded by muscles and bones, and its interior is lined with a mucous membrane that contains glands secreting mucus. Teeth are firmly anchored in the sockets of the alveolar ridges found in the mandible and maxilla.
Formulation and methodology:
The main components of toothpowders are solid particles of very fine size and the end product is also a very dry powder. Since the main components like abrasives, surface active agent are solid powders, it is required that they all are in very fine particle size, comminuted, if desired, passed through a sieve and mixed in a mortar in the lab scale and in blenders on an industrial scale. The flavoring oils are added in the end either by spaying on the powder mixture or first blending with one of the components and then mixing this blend to the rest of the mixture by the method of dilution or geometric progression.3,4,5
Method:
The tooth powder was prepared by method given in ayurvedic formulary of India. All the ingredients were taken in different quantity as shown in Table no.
Simple mixing and grinding method:
In these methods:
Formation of Tooth Powder:
Formulation Table:
Table 1:
Sr. No. |
Ingredients |
Quantity(grm) |
1 |
Arjuna |
3grm |
2 |
Babul sal powder |
5grm |
3 |
Bamboo |
5grm |
4 |
Triphala |
10grm |
5 |
Harada |
5grm |
6 |
Yastimadhu |
10grm |
7 |
Lodra |
2grm |
8 |
Pudina |
2grm |
9 |
Neem |
12grm |
10 |
Amla |
19grm |
11 |
Tulsi |
5grm |
12 |
Ginger |
9grm |
13 |
Ritha |
1.5grm |
14 |
Menthol |
q.s |
Herbal Preparation:
Table 2:
Arjuna |
Terminalia arjuna |
Cleaning of teeth and astringent |
Babul sal powder |
Vachellia nilotica |
Cleaning of teeth |
Bamboo |
Bambusa vulgaris |
Prevent bleeding |
Triphala |
Emblica officinalis |
Astringent |
Harada |
Terminalia chebula |
Remove toxin |
Yastimadhu |
Glycyrrhiza glabra |
Ulcer healing |
Lodra |
Symplocos racemosa |
Anti-inflammatory |
Pudina |
Mentha spicata |
Bactericidal |
Neem |
Azadirachta indica |
Antiseptic |
Amla |
Phyllanthus emblica |
Antibacterial and astringent |
Tulsi |
Ocimum sanctum |
bactericidal |
Ginger |
Zingiber officinale |
Flavouring agent |
Menthol |
Mentha piperita |
Cooling agent |
Ritha |
Sapindus mukorossi |
Foaming |
Standardization and evaluation parameters play a crucial role in assessing the quality of a product. In the context of this discussion, several key parameters are highlighted:
1. Organoleptic Properties: Color, odor, and taste are assessed to determine the visual appearance, characteristic scent, and flavor of the powder, respectively.
2. Spreadability: The objective is to achieve consistent spreading, forming a thin layer several times the particle size, without leaving empty patches, agglomerates, or rough surfaces.
3. Stability: Stability testing is conducted to assess the product's ability to maintain its integrity and quality under different environmental conditions, ensuring its reliability and effectiveness over time.
4. Determination of Moisture and Volatile Matter: Approximately 2grams of the material are weighed and placed in a dried petri dish. It is then dried at 105 ±2°C for 4 hours or until a constant mass is achieved. After cooling, the dish is re-weighed to determine moisture and volatile matter content.6,7,8,9
Determination of PH:
Procedure: To prepare a 50% aqueous suspension of the tooth powder and determine its pH, follow these steps:
To prepare a 50% aqueous suspension of tooth powder and measure its pH:
1. Dispense 10grams of tooth powder into a container.
2. Add 10ml of freshly boiled and cooled water to a 50 ml beaker.
3. Mix tooth powder with water until a homogeneous suspension forms.
4. Measure suspension pH using a stable pH meter reading within 5minutes10,11
Determination of Flow Property:
A funnel fixed with clamp to the stand. A graph paper kept below the funnel and the height between graph paper and bottom of the funnel stem measured. Then, 50 gm of powder weighed and poured into funnel by blocking the orifice of the funnel by thumb, the thumb was removed. The powder started flowing down onto the graph paper and formed a cone shaped pile until the peak of pile become touched to the bottom of the funnel stem. Then, the angle of repose was calculated by following formula Tan 0 = H/R12,13,14,15
Ingredient use in the formulation:
Trikatu:
Trikatu is the Sanskrit name in which tri means three and katu mean pungent or a herb that accommodates three spices, which are-long pepper(pippali), black papper (kali mirch), dried ginger(sondh). These herbs work in collaboration to stimulate digestive burning. They are categories as demolishing fat, cleansing abdominal glands and dullness of the appetite and indigestion. In Ayurveda trikatu extract used for improving the digestive system. It has antiemetic, carminative, anti-viral, chemo-protective, anti-inflammatory properties.16,17
Long pepper (Pippali):
Kins, also referred to as "big" pippali, originate from the dried fruiting spikes of the climbing vine known as Piper longum. Belonging to the Piperaceae family, this plant yields fruits utilized for various purposes. The chemical constituents found within these fruits include piperine and volatile oil. These compounds contribute to the characteristic properties and potential medicinal uses of catkins, making them valuable in traditional and contemporary applications.18,19,20
Black pepper (kali mirch):
Pepper, also known as piper nigrum or maricha, is derived from the dried unripe fruit of the perennial climbing vine Piper nigrum Linn., belonging to the Piperaceae family. The fruits of this plant are utilized for various purposes, with their chemical composition including piperine, starch, piperidine, l-phellandrene, and caryophyllene. These constituents contribute to the distinctive properties and potential medicinal benefits associated with pepper, making it a versatile and valuable ingredient in culinary and therapeutic practices.21,22,23
Ginger:
Ginger, also known as zingiber or sunthi, comprises whole or cut, dried, scraped, or unscraped rhizomes of Zingiber officinale. Belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, ginger rhizomes are utilized for various purposes. They contain a range of chemical constituents, including volatile oil, zingiberene, curcumene, resin, gingerol, shogaols, and gingediols. These compounds contribute to the distinct aroma, flavor, and potential medicinal properties of ginger, making it a versatile and widely used ingredient in culinary and therapeutic applications.24
Babul:
Synonyms:
Babul, baboul, vachellia nilotica.
Biological Source:
Vachellia nilotica, more commonly known as Acacia nilotica, andby the vernacular names of gum Arabic tree, babul, thorn mimosa.
Family: Fabaceae
Plant part used: Bark
Chemical constituents:
Methionine, lysine, lupenone, lupeol, Niloticane.
Tulsi:
Tulsi, also known as holy basil or padina pavonica, is derived from the dried powder of the leaves of the plant Ocimum sanctum Linn., belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The leaves of this plant are utilized for various purposes, containing a range of chemical constituents such as eugenol, tannin, vitamin C, tartaric acid, volatile oil, carvacrol, fixed oil, and alkaloids. These components contribute to the distinctive properties and potential medicinal benefits associated with tulsi, making it a valuable herb in traditional and modern healthcare practices.
Camphor:
Camphor, also known as turpentine or rose oil, is derived from the volatile oil of Cinnamomum camphora, a tree in the Lauraceae family. Obtained from the wood of the plant, camphor contains primarily D-camphor along with 1,8-cineole, linalool, and terpineol. It finds application in various rub-on products to alleviate pain from cold sores, insect bites, minor burns, and hemorrhoids.
RESULT AND CONCLUSION:
Table 3: Physicochemical
S. No. |
Parameter |
Observation |
1. |
PH(1%w/w) |
6.5 |
2. |
Total ash value |
0.67 |
3. |
Water soluble extractive value(%W/W) |
19.6w/v |
Table 4: Physical
S. No. |
Parameter |
Observation (f1) |
1) |
Bulk Density |
3grm/ml |
2) |
Tapped Density |
11grm/ml |
3) |
Angle of Repose |
45.67 |
4) |
Foaming Index |
Less than 98 |
CONCLUSION:
The research highlights the significance of tooth powder in promoting a safer and healthier smile. Specifically, herbal tooth powder emerges as a beneficial option due to its ability to control bacterial pathogens, serving as a natural product. The study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of the herbal powder, revealing excellent results. The noteworthy aspect is that our herbal tooth powder can be safely used twice a day without causing any harmful effects.25
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Received on 03.03.2024 Accepted on 18.03.2024
Accepted on 30.03.2024 ©A&V Publications all right reserved
Research J. Topical and Cosmetic Sci. 2024; 15(1):38-42.
DOI: 10.52711/2321-5844.2024.00007