I have patients ask me on a daily basis, what the best toothpaste to use is and what my take on herbal toothpastes like Patanjali Dant Kanti is! So I did a little research to give a well informed answer.

Let me start by saying I rarely recommend a certain brand or product to my patients. Most toothpastes are similar in content and quality and brushing right is more about technique than using the product used. That being said let me brief you on what you can find in most toothpastes.

  • 75% humectant and water – Humectants are agents that keep things moist and give toothpaste its texture. Glycerin and sorbitol are common humectants.
  • 20% abrasives – Silica is a common toothpaste abrasive. Abrasives help scrub the bacteria and buildup off your teeth.
  • 1-2% coloring, foaming, flavoring and fluoride – The colorings, flavorings and foaming agents are what often distinguish one brand of toothpaste from another, while the fluoride helps remineralize your teeth and prevent cavities from forming in the process.

That’s what all toothpastes have in common. That only leaves 3-4% for extras. It’s typically those extras that make the difference! Let’s learn some more about them.

Whitening Toothpastes

Whitening toothpastes have added abrasives to help scrub away stains and buildup on your teeth. Most dentists suggest only using whitening toothpaste sparingly. This is because the harsh abrasives can actually damage your teeth while they make them pearly white. There are safer, more effective ways to brighten teeth than by scrubbing them with these abrasives.

Toothpastes for Sensitive Teeth

Tooth sensitivity is typically caused by gum recession. Ideally tooth sensitivity should be checked with your dentist. Most “sensitive” toothpastes add strontium chloride, sodium citrate, or potassium nitrate to their formulas. These ingredients tend to form a barrier over the teeth, protecting the exposed nerve endings and lessening the effects of brushing, heat, cold, etc. It treats the symptoms but not the cause!

Tartar Control Toothpastes

There is no toothpaste that can reduce existing tartar, and none that can touch tartar buildup below the gum line. However, tartar control toothpastes can keep new tartar from accumulating on your teeth by forming a barrier that it won’t stick to. Regular brushing with any toothpaste can also prevent tartar buildup by simply removing it before it has a chance to form. The tartar below your gum line is what causes gum disease, so regular dental visits are still necessary, even when brushing with tartar control toothpaste.

Natural/Herbal Toothpastes

Natural toothpastes replace the chemicals found in other toothpastes with natural ingredients. These are often in the form of natural salts, flavorings, and natural sources of fluoride. Baking soda is often an ingredient found in natural and conventional toothpastes alike. It has several advantages to use in dental care. It has mild abrasive qualities to clean teeth, has a pleasant taste to encourage longer brushing, and is considered a natural ingredient.

In India, Herbal toothpastes have a huge fan following because they are thought to be safer. But in general, they are more abrasive too.

Patanjali Dant Kanti in particular has created quite a storm in the market. So after a large number of patients asked me about it- I took matters into my own hands and did a little research..

A composition list on the tube suggests a large number of Ayurvedic ingredients, which would be beneficial but whose properties I don’t claim to know- since it is out of my area of expertise.  

That being said it also has a number of “Base ingredients” namely- Calcium Carbonate- 38-42% , Sorbitol-18-22%, Glycerine-4-8%, Sodium Benzoate-1.0-1.6%, PPt. Silica- 3.0-4.5%, perfume-1.0-1.3%, SLS Powder- 2.0-2.7%, Triclosan- 0.03-0.5, SCMC-0.550-0.625%, water which are the requirements covered in that start of the article and are identical to what you would find in any commercially available non-herbal paste!

So while you may have benefits of ayurvedic ingredients- it definitely doesn’t count as a natural or purely herbal paste when it contains triclosan (antibacterial), sodium lauryl sulfate (detergent), sorbitol (artificial sweetener) and fluoride.

I went a step ahead and tried Patanjali paste for myself- the brown colour was personally a turn off, and I found the paste to be more abrasive than regular pastes. It did have a strong clove mint flavour which people find refreshing.

So do I recommend it? 

No. I see no added benefit. But I won’t stop you from using it either- unless I find it is wearing out your teeth with its abrasiveness.

Whatever type of toothpaste you decide on, remember that it won’t do you any good unless you use it regularly. Still, regular brushing alone won’t keep your teeth as healthy as they need to be. Regular dental checkups are still in order. Flossing is important, too. In combination, regular brushing, regular check-ups and the correct toothpaste– ask your dentist which is best for you.