Efficiency of Chitosan in toothpaste
Aim of the study was to find a substitute of the approved agent chlorhexidine in the field of oral hygiene. The efficiency of chlorhexidine is undisputed, but properties like its alcohol content are not desired. Side effects like tooth staining, taste disturbance or hypersensitivity of the tongue also may occur.
The positively charged biopolymer chitosan has numerous properties that imply an application in toothpaste or oral hygiene.
- Antibacterial/bacteriostatic: inhibits the growth of caries producing bacteria
- Efficiency against plaque and tartar
- Haemostatic effect
- promotion of wound healing
- anti-inflammatory
- promotion of salivation
In addition to chitosan herbal extracts of Pterocarpus marsupium (Indian kino tree), Stevia rebaudiana (sweet leaf) and Glycyrrhiza (liquorice) as well as Eugenol (clove oil) were used in the tooth paste as well. They have the following properties:
- Antimicrobial
- Promotion of salivation
- Antibacterial, rejuvenating, woundhealing, antiinflammatory, analgesic
- Antihaliatosis
For four weeks clinical trials were conducted. Probands with dental problems were divided into three groups.
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 |
| Placebo - For the entire duration of the study they brushed their teeth with a placebo tooth paste without neither chitosan nor herbal extracts. | Positive control – used a mouth wash with chlorhexidine gluconat (0,2%w/v) | Test - They brushed their teeth with the newly developed chitosan herbal extract toothpaste. |
After two and four weeks a dentist analysed the plaque index of the participants. In a second step the total bacteria in the mouth were counted. These are the results:
| Measuring point | Average Plaque Index of the groups |
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | |
| 0 Week | 1,96 ± 0,07 | 1,94 ± 0,02 | 1,93 ± 0,14 |
| 2 Weeks | 1,76 ± 0,13 | 1,55 ± 0,55 | 1,16 ± 0,07 |
| 4 Weeks | 1,6 ± 0,06 | 0,91 ± 0,04 | 0,57 ± 0,06 |
| Measuring point | Decrease in total bacteria in % |
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | |
| 2 Weeks | 13,79 ± 4,75 | 23,68 ± 5,74 | 58,98 ± 11,73 |
| 4 Weeks | 22,27 ± 4,72 | 52,76 ± 6,51 | 85,29 ± 2,16 |
The results demonstrate a superior efficacy of the newly developed toothpaste compared to the positive control. The study substantiates the fact, that chitosan used in oral hygiene products has a positive impact on oral health.
Further information about materials and methods are available here.
The large selection of the HMC+ product line Chitocare offers the appropriate chitosan for the application in your toothpaste or mouthwash. Please call us or send an e-mail. We will be happy to assist you with the choice of the right chitosan for your final product.
On our website you can download the specifications of our Chitocare products.
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Source:
Mohire, Nitin C.; Adhikrao, Yadav V.: Chitosan-based polyherbal toothpaste: As novel oral hygiene product. Indian J Dent Res 2010; 21: 380-384.