CHEMISTRY
INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
ANALYSIS OF
TOOTHPASTES
CONTENTS
[Link]. TOPIC PAGE NO.
1. Aim
2. Theory
3. Apparatus Required
4. Chemicals Required
5. Introduction
6. Ingredients
7. Types of Toothpastes
8. History of Toothpastes
9. Evolution of Toothpastes
10. Toothpaste 1
11. Toothpaste 2
12. Toothpaste 3
13. Result
14. Conclusion
15. Bibliography
AIM
To check the acid and basic radicals (anions
and cations) present in samples of toothpastes
and determine their quality.
THEORY
Every toothpaste contains the following
ingredients: binders, abrasives, subsets,
humectants, flavours, sweeteners, fluorides,
tooth whiteners, a preservative and water.
Binders thicken toothpaste; they prevent
separation of the solid and liquid component,
especially storage. They also affect the speed
and volume of foam production, rate of flavour
release and product dispersal, the appearance
of toothpaste ribbon on the toothbrush. Some
binders are gum solid alginate, methyl
cellulose, carrageen andmagnesium aluminium
silicate.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
Beakers
Test tubes
Glass rod
Spirit lamp
CHEMICALS REQUIRED
Dil. & Conc. Hydrochloric acid
Barium chloride solution
Conc. Nitric acid
Ammonium molybdate
Magnesium sulphate solution
Magnesia mixture
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium sulphide
Ammonium chloride
Ammonium hydroxide
Ammonium carbonate
Disodium hydrogen phosphate
Potassium chromate
Ammonium sulphate
Ammonium oxalate
Ammonium phosphate solution
INTRODUCTION
Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice to clean
and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth.
Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene, it
serves as an abrasive that aids in removing the
dental plaque and food from the teeth and
delivers active ingredients such as fluoride to
help prevent tooth and gum disease (gingivitis).
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 is a common
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.
TYPES OF TOOTHPASTES
I. FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE:
They contain Sodium fluoride (NaF), Stannous
fluoride (SnF2) or Sodium
monofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F). The fluoride
part is about 1000 ppm. They are all effective
in preventing dental caries. Children’s
toothpaste contains 500 ppm fluoride and is
usually fruit flavoured, suitable for children.
II. DESENSITIZING TOOTHPASTE:
The active ingredients help seal off the
microtubules inside the exposed dentine
(such as exposed root surface due to
toothbrush abrasion) to reduce tooth
sensitivity. Active ingredients such as
Potassium nitrate are used by different
product manufacturers.
There are many different types of
desensitizing toothpastes marketed by
different brand names. Their various functions
depend on different active ingredients they
contain. The manufacturer claims that the
calcification of dental plaque could be
retarded by this kind of toothpaste and also
reduces
calculus formation. The active ingredient is
Pyrophosphate or Zinc citrate.
III. ANTI-PLAQUE TOOTHPASTE:
This kind of toothpaste inhibits plaque
accumulation, reduces the toxic effects of the
bacterial toxin on the periodontal tissues,
thereby reducing the chances of getting
periodontal disease. In the market different
anti-plaque toothpastes contain different
active ingredients (ex. Triclosan or Zinc
citrate).
IV. WHITENING TOOTHPASTE:
This kind of toothpaste contains relatively
coarse abrasives which function by abrading
the stains on the tooth surface, giving a
whitening effect. However, long-term use will
result in roughened tooth surfaces, which
makes stains deposit more readily.
HISTORY OF TOOTHPASTES
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.
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.
EVOLUTION OF TOOTHPASTE
First attempts at tooth cleaning included using
abrasives such as crushed bone, crushed egg
and oyster shells, which were used to clean
debris from teeth.
Tooth powders were the first noticeable
advance and were made up of elements like
powdered charcoal, powdered bark and some
flavouring agents. This would be applied to
teeth using a simple stick.
Tooth powder or dentifrice was first available in
Britain in the late 18th century. It came in a
ceramic pot and was available either as a
powder or paste. The rich applied it with
brushes and the poor with their fingers.
Modern toothpastes were developed in the 1800s.
A dentist called Peabody was the first to add soap
to toothpaste in 1824. Chalk was first added to
toothpaste by John Harris in the 1850s. In 1873
toothpaste was first mass produced into nice
smelling toothpaste in a jar. In 1892, Dr.
Washington Sheffield of Connecticut was the first
to put toothpaste into a collapsible tube.
Sheffield’s toothpaste was called Dr. Sheffield’s
Crème Dentifrice. Advancement in synthetic
detergents (after WW2) replaced the soap used in
toothpaste with emulsifying agents such as
Sodium lauryl sulphate and Sodium ricinoleate.
The 1960s saw the introduction of fluoride into
toothpaste. This development was followed in
the 1980s with addition of soluble Calcium
fluoride to fluoride toothpastes. It is therefore
within the last 30 years that toothpastes contain
calcium and fluoride.
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
and NH4OH)
Acidify a portion Fformation of yellow I confirmed
aq. solution with ppt. which is insoluble
dil. HNO3, boil in NH4OH
and cool then add
AgNO3
Take a small No characteristic CH3COO
quant ity of smell absent
solution and add
oxalic acid
To one part of the No reaction Pb absent
solution add KI
To one part of the Formation of white Mg confirmed
solution add solid ppt.
NH4Cl and NH4O
H
in slight excess, then
add (NH4)3PO4
Ions present - CO3, 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 CO3 confirmed
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
and NH4OH)
Acidify a portion Fformation of yellow I confirmed
aq. solution with ppt. which is
dil. HNO3, boil an insoluble din NH4OH
cool then add
AgNO3
Take a small quant No characteristic CH3COO
ity of solution and smell absent
add oxalic acid
To one part of the No reaction Pb absent
solution add KI
To one part of the Formation of white Mg confirmed
solution add solid ppt.
NH4Cl and NH4O H
in slight excess, then
add (NH4)3PO4
Ions present - CO3, 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 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
and NH4OH)
Acidify a portion Fformation of yellow I confirmed
aq. solution with ppt. which is insoluble
dil. HNO3, boil in NH4OH
and cool then add
AgNO3
Take a small Smells like that of CH3COO
quant ity of vinegar confirmed
solution and add
oxalic acid
To one part of the No reaction Pb absent
solution add KI
To one part of the Formation of white Mg confirmed
solution add solid ppt.
NH4Cl and NH4OH
in & add (NH4)3PO4
Ions present - CO3, 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
RESULT
All toothpastes have different radicals. Of the
anions CO3 and PO4 are the most common while
of the cations Ca and Mg are equally common.
The following acidic and basic radicals were
found in the respective toothpastes:
Toothpaste Anions present Cations
present
Pepsodent CO3, , PO4, I Ca, Mg
Colgate CO3, PO4, I, F Mg
Close up CO3, , PO4, I, Ca, Mg
CH3COO
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 Sensodyne have
fluorides and nitrates. Herbal and medicinal
toothpastes have many natural ingredients for
medicinal purposes.
Hence, after testing different samples of
toothpastes, we find that Colgate has all that is
necessary for stronger and whiter teeth.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Following books and websites have been the
source for the completion of this project:
NCERT Chemistry
Google Chrome
YouTube
Practical Chemistry
Wikipedia