We all love the minty flavor of mouthwashes or spicy notes of herbal toothpaste, right? However, their formulations have one thing in common - flavoring agents.
Suppose you follow the exact definition of flavoring agents as per the USP. In that case, it can be defined as an individual compound or a combination of compounds (manmade or natural origin) that can produce a taste or aroma in the product.
Importance of flavoring agents in oral care products
A flavoring agent constitutes a single of the additives in various pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical compositions.
Flavoring agents in oral care products can enhance the user experience and promote consistent use. They can improve palatability by masking the unpleasant taste of medicinal ingredients like fluoride. They are quite important for children’s oral care products.
Moreover, better-tasting products lead to better compliance. In simple words, it can encourage regular use and maintain oral hygiene. Flavored products also make brushing and rinsing more enjoyable. It can motivate people to spend time on these daily tasks.
Lastly, different flavors cater to various age groups. Flavoring agents like menthol and cinnamon can reduce bad breath. On the other hand, clove oil can treat inflammatory issues.
You may find the flavors in different types of oral care products. However, most are used in toothpaste, mouthwashes, dental chewing gums, whitening gels, oral care sprays, and fluoride rinses. This blog will cover five popular flavoring agents used in oral hygiene and their benefits.
- L-carvone
L-carvone is a colorless liquid at room temperature. It may slightly turn yellow clear liquid below its ideal temperature. You can find this component in spearmint essential oil. However, it is commonly present in caraway and dill. Since carvone is a monocyclic monoterpene ketone, it has a strong minty flavor. Hence, it is useful in the food and flavor industry. Plus, you can find it in toothpaste, air fresheners, and mouthwashes. Lastly, it has antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and antifungal properties which can be used in agriculture as well.
- Carvacrol
Carvacrol is more valuable in the dental industry than carvone. It can contribute to the treatment of periodontal disease. How? It may reduce inflammation and protect gingival tissue. Since it is a natural monoterpene (a derivative of cymene), it has a spicy, woody flavor.
Moreover, it can act as a flavoring agent, an antimicrobial agent, an agrochemical, and a TRPA1 channel agonist. It is used as a breath freshening agent in rinses and mouthwashes.
- Spearmint oil
Spearmint is a well-known flavoring agent in the oral care industry. You may find it in toothpaste, breath mints, and dental chewing gums. However, it does more than freshen your breath by killing bad bacteria in your mouth. It may also kill the bad breath bacteria in your mouth. However, one must consider its L-Carvone composition between 55% - 90% before buying a spearmint oil.
- Eugenol
Eugenol is a phenolic compound. You can find it in cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaves. It has a pungent and spicy taste. It is widely used as a flavoring agent in mouthwashes. Moreover, it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can treat minor toothaches.
Some dentists mix it with zinc oxide to create a temporary dental filling. Recently, it has also shown promising results in treating gastrointestinal and respiratory issues.
- D-limonene
D-limonene is a popular flavoring agent in toothpaste and teeth-whitening products. You can find it in natural oils such as orange, lemon, grapefruit, berry, leaf, caraway, dill, bergamot, peppermint, and spearmint.
Some brands use it in mouthwash and chewing gums for a citrusy flavor. However, you may find citrus-scented air fresheners, perfumes, candles, cleaners, and paints more often as a part of its application.
Besides these flavors, Anethole, Ethyl Butyrate, and Cinnamaldehyde are also used in oral care products.
Final thoughts
Oral hygiene products containing flavors can serve two purposes at a time - palatability and medicinal advantage. Whether you own a personal care brand or a dental toothpaste, flavors are an irreplaceable part of your product. If you are looking for any pharmaceutical synthetic flavoring agent, contact SBBLG today! They are one of the leading suppliers of oral hygiene additives in India.
