Gum health product formulations: what is in them and why?

Two dominant factors dictate which ingredients are used in formulating toothpaste and mouthwashes. The major one is the type of active ingredient chosen, especially cationic active ingredients such as chlorhexidine; the other factor is the needs of the consumer. Apart from gum health benefits, the consumer expects to obtain from gum health toothpaste and mouthwashes other benefits of clean teeth (abrasive and detergent), fresh breath (antimicrobial agents and flavor) and protection from caries and possibly tartar. Exhaustive testing involving experimental design and validated laboratory and clinical tests is essential to ensure that all these benefits are delivered. Unless products are developed systematically, then products with relatively poor activity can find their way on to the market.