Yet another market joining in the use of natural ingredients in consumer products is the oral-hygiene industry. As consumers clamor for natural products, many companies are meeting demand by finding suitable alternatives to common ingredients in toothpaste and other oral care products.
Alcohol, stannous fluoride, cetylpyridinium chloride and saccharin are being replaced with ingredients like fennel, mint, spearmint and horse chestnut. Products by Weleda, Inc. incorporate these ingredients, as well as others. Ratanhia root extract, a Bolivian and Peruvian plant that is high in tannins with astringent properties, is found in Weleda’s various toothpastes and mouthwash concentrate, while other products feature anti-inflammatory Calendula (marigold), disinfectant myrrh and enamel-strengthing calcium carbonate to combat common oral hygiene problems.
Though plant-based ingredients are leading the forefront of this trend, other methods include probiotic and ayurvedic treatments. Probiotic bacteria help to fight pathogenic oral bacteria that cause oral disease and bad breath, while ayurvedic treatments treat everything from cavities to healing gums using centuries-old herbs in conjunction with one another.
