Abrasive Action of Herbal vs Non-Herbal Toothpaste: A Profilometric Analysis

Abstract

Introduction Toothpaste is a dentrifice used with a toothbrush as an accessory to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. It serves as an abrasive that aids in removing the dental plaque and food from the teeth, assists in suppressing halitosis and delivers active ingredients to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, thereby promoting oral health. Current trend is shifting towards alternate medicinal systems especially herbal medicines. Herbal toothpastes have received attention from the public and professionals following a number of studies which have reported beneficial effects on teeth. However, no study has been conducted on the detrimental effect of herbal toothpaste on the surface enamel owing to its abrasiveness. So, in this study, we evaluated and compared the effect of herbal-based products with conventionally formulated tooth paste on the roughness of tooth enamel.

Materials and Methods Enamel specimens were obtained from 20 freshly extracted human molars after cleaning. The enamel specimens were divided into four groups. Group A: Colgate toothpaste (which will be served as control group); Group B: Patanjali Dant Kanti toothpaste; Group C: Himalaya Hiora toothpaste; and Group D: Dabur Red toothpaste. The samples were brushed for 2 min twice daily with soft toothbrush for 15 days and were kept in distilled water. They were rinsed under running water to remove the toothpaste and stored in distilled water until readout was taken on the surface profilometric analysis for
surface roughness.

Conclusion Himalaya Hiora and Patanjali Dant Kanti tooth paste were less abrasive on tooth surface compared to Colgate and Dabur red. However, Himalaya Hiora had even lesser abrasive compared to Patanjali Dant Kanti.