Peppermint and spearmint are two popular varieties of mint. They are now ubiquitous in oral health. Peppermint oil was used as a traditional dental-flavouring agent during ancient times. Today, it finds broad application in toothpaste and mouthwash. Indeed, industry experts point out that menthol also finds its way into most oral preparation. Consumers are now associating mint with fresh and clean breath. But why? The blog will explore all the right reasons that make mint derivatives indispensable in oral hygiene products.
What are the major mint compounds in oral care?
Peppermint oil is a complex blend of volatile terpenes. The oil is quite popular in oral hygiene products. It contains approximately 35–65% menthol (depends on manufacturing process). It may also consist of menthone, isomenthone, menthofuran and neomenthol.
Analysis of peppermint oil reveals approximately 44% menthol, 15% menthone and 10% menthofuran by volume. Manufacturers often mimic this composition to create peppermint oil. All these mint relatives can contribute to flavour.
For example, L-menthol gives the characteristic minty coolness, and menthone (and its isomer isomenthone) provides sweetness.
Neomenthol is also a menthol isomer. It can be used as a flavour enhancer in oral products. It can reduce the pungency of menthol. Similarly, Isomenthone can add a fresh mint-herb smell to the toothpaste and mouthwash. In short, most oral hygiene products are incomplete without these balanced mint derivatives.
Psychology and the cooling sensation of mint
L-menthol and its derivatives create a cooling sensation in the mouth. Consumers often associate this coolness with freshness and hygiene. Moreover, menthol stimulates cold receptors TRPM8 in the oral mucosa. It can generate the same nerve impulse as touching ice water. This generates a tingling sensation that's like a splash of cold freshness after brushing. This cooling effect is a huge consumer advantage. In reality, even minimal menthol additions can enhance this "clean mint" feeling. The outcome? An effective sensory stimulus gives the entire mouth a refreshing feel.
Functional oral health benefits
Menthol has mild antiseptic and analgesic activity. Whether it's natural or synthetic, it can inhibit bacteria and reduce minor irritation. Some peppermint-based mouthwashes have been found to decrease oral microbes. For example, a recent study observed that a peppermint oil treatment substantially decreased the Streptococcus mutans and other halitosis-causing bacteria in saliva. Hence, mint flavour does more than concealing bad odours. It can actively suppress some causes of bad breath and decay. Clean taste and antimicrobial effect make mint derivatives twice as valuable.
Reliable supply via synthetic aroma chemicals
Maintaining a consistent flavour using mint requires a stable supply. Natural peppermint oil quality can vary widely. Why? Levels of menthol and related terpenes depend on plant genetics, soil, climate and harvest conditions. One can eliminate seasonal shortages or batch differences using synthetic alternatives. Most oral-care formulators employ nature-identical aroma chemicals made synthetically. Industry publications report that worldwide demand for menthol (25–30 thousand metric tons annually) now outstrips what mint plantations are able to provide. Improved synthetic routes (hydrogenating citral) can be used to manufacture L-menthol in ≥99.7% purity. It's an exact replica of the natural compound. Pure synthetic menthol guarantees that all toothpaste and rinses have the same intensity of mintiness throughout the year.
Conclusion
Market statistics support Mint's supremacy. Approximately 45% of all U.S. mint oil production goes into toothpaste, mouthwashes and breath-fresheners. Mint flavour remains the most prevalent taste in new oral-care product introductions. Simply because customers expect a clean minty flavour. According to one industry analysis, companies innovate elsewhere instead of eliminating the traditional mint flavour. Even in new products (vitamin-infused pastes, toothy tabs, foam sprays, etc.), peppermint or spearmint is the underlying base note. If you are looking for mint derivatives for your formulations, visit SBBLG today! We are a large-scale supplier of aroma chemicals. Our footprints are spread across Asia, North America and Europe.
