Oral hygiene products provide a response to a number of public health issues, such as the appearance of cavities, mouth ulcers, etc. All the products on the market contribute to oral hygiene and differ in terms of their positioning and the targets they are aimed at.
We can identify 4 product families:
Several types of products are then distinguished:
Let's take a look together at the issues at stake for each of us.
Toothpaste, the most widely used oral care product, is used to clean teeth and gums. This product accompanies the mechanical movement of tooth brushing to remove impurities from the tooth surface, polish the teeth and care for the gums.
Toothpastes are made from different raw materials.
The formulation of toothpastes must meet a number of constraints:
In the cosmetics regulation (EC) N°1223/2009, the concentration of fluoride must not exceed 1500 ppm (F) in a "cosmetic" type toothpaste. The regulation specifies the following sentence:
" Unless it is indicated on the labelling that the products are contraindicated for children (for example, by a statement such as "for adults only"), toothpastes containing compounds with a fluoride concentration of between 0.1 and 0.15 % calculated in F must bear the following statements: "Children aged 6 and under: use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste under adult supervision to minimise ingestion. In the event of fluoride intake from other sources, consult a dentist or doctor..
Fluoride regulations for adults and children are not the same, as described in the UFSBD (Union Française pour la Santé Bucco-Dentaire) table.
Mouthwash, a less popular product than toothpaste, is used to refresh and perfume the mouth. It also has strong antimicrobial properties. It complements brushing.
It is a hydroalcoholic solution with flavourings, and the raw materials are described in the summary table. With regard to the regulation of fluoride in mouthwashes, the same applies as for toothpastes.
Mouth spray, an even rarer product, ensures good oral hygiene and freshens breath during the day.
This product is not a substitute for tooth brushing. Mouth sprays are composed of raw materials as described in the table below.
| in % | Toothpaste | Mouthwash | Oral spray |
| Water | 10-40 | 10-40 | 10-40 |
| Solvent | – | 30-85 | – |
| Humectant | 20-60 | 5-55 | 5-15 |
| Abrasive agent | 30-50 | < 5 | – |
| Cleaning agent | 1-3 | < 0,5 | – |
| Flavouring agent | 0-5 | 0,2-6 | 0-5 |
| Texturising agent | 0,5-2 | < 5 | – |
| Dye | 0-1,5 | 0-1,5 | – |
| Active agents | 0-1 | 0,5-3 | – |
| Sweetener | 0-1 | 0-1 | – |
| Curator | 0-0,25 | 0-0,25 | – |
| Fluorine | < 1500 ppm | 50-2500 ppm | – |
| Alcohol | – | < 25 | < 25 |
Table Examples of toothpaste composition,
mouth rinses and sprays
For each of these products, the quest for naturalness in formulations is a real challenge for companies in the market.
Meeting consumer demands while complying with specifications is not always easy.
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