Aim is to find the Determination of Contents of Tooth Powder or to test the acid

and basic radicals in the toothpowder

Toothpowder is a powder used with hands or with a toothbrush to clean and maintain
the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpowder is used to promote oral hygiene: it can
aid in the removal of dental plaque and food from the teeth, aid in the elimination
and/or masking of halitosis and deliver active ingredients such as fluoride or xylitol to
prevent tooth and gum disease
Theory
While the exact formula of each brand of toothpaste is proprietary, most toothpowders
contain the same basic ingredients. These include:
luoride: !erhaps the most important toothpowders ingredient is fluoride. luoride
incorporates itself into tooth enamel making your teeth more resistant to acids
produced by plaque bacteria, as well as acids found in fruit "uices, soda #both regular
and diet$ and certain foods. %n toothpowders, fluoride is found in the form of sodium
monofluorophosphate, stannous fluoride, or sodium fluoride.
&brasives: &brasives give toothpowders its cleaning power. They remove stains and
plaque, as well as polish teeth. 'ommon abrasives include calcium phosphates,
alumina, calcium carbonate, and silica. Toothpowders should be abrasive enough to
remove plaque and stains, but not abrasive enough to damage tooth enamel. (amaged
tooth enamel also causes yellowing as the thinned enamel reveals the yellowish dentin
layer below. )ver the years, manufacturers have been quietly reducing the
abrasiveness of their toothpowders.
!reservatives: !reservatives prevent the growth of microorganisms in toothpowders
and eliminate the need to refrigerate toothpowders. 'ommon preservatives include
sodium ben*oate, methyl paraben, and ethyl paraben.
lavoring &gents: These are added to improve the taste of toothpowders. +ou may
have noticed that toothpowders have very strong flavoring. This is necessary to cover
up the horrid taste of most detergents, especially ,-,.
,weeteners: ,weeteners also improve the taste of toothpowders. .ost toothpowder
sweeteners are artificial and contribute very little to cavity formation. ,accharin is a
common toothpowder sweetener.
TEST FOR ACID RADICAL I:
/xperiment )bservations %nference
0&1 (ilute 2
3
,)
4
Test:
Treat the given sample of toothpowder
with dilute 2
3
,)
4
.

'olorless, odorless gas
evolved with brisk
effervescence which
turns lime water milky.
.ay be ')
5
63
071 'onfirmatory Test for ')
5
63
:
#i$ .g,)
4
Test:
To the aq.solution add .g,)
4
solution.
#ii$ (ilute 2'l Test:
To the aq.solution add dilute 2'l.


White ppt. formed.

'olorless, odorless gas
evolved.

')
5
63
confirmed.

')
5
63
confirmed.
TEST FOR ACID RADICAL II
/xperiment )bservations %nference
0&1 (ilute 2
3
,)
4
Test:
Treat the given salt with dilute
2
3
,)
4
8o gas evolved.
071'oncentrated 2
3
,)
4
Test:
2eat the given sample with conc.
2
3
,)
4
.


8o gas evolved.
0'1 Test for !)
4
56
To the aq. ,olution add a few drops
of ammonium molybedate.
(eep yellow ppt.
formed or coloration is
obtained.
!)
4
56
confirmed.
TEST FOR BASIC RADICAL
/xperiment )bservations %nference
0&1 Test for *ero group:
To the given sample add 8a)2.

8o ammonical
smell.

9ero group absent.
071 Test for % group:
To the aq. ,olution of sample, add dilute 2'l.

8o ppt. formed.

% group absent.

0'1 Test for %% group:
To the above solution, pass 2
3
, gas.
8o ppt. formed. %% group absent.
0(1 Test for %%% group:
To the aq. ,olution of toothpowder add 82
4
'l followed
by 82
4
)2.
8o ppt. formed. %%% group absent.
0/1 Test for %: group:
To the above formed solution pass 2
3
, gas.
01 Test for : group:
To the aq. ,olution of toothpowder add solid 82
4
'l,
82
4
)2 and #82
4
$
3
')
5

8o ppt. formed.

White ppt.
formed.
%: group absent.

: group present.
0;1 'onfirmatory Test:
(issolve the white ppt. in dilute acetic acid. 7oil off
')
3
. To this solution, add ammonium oxalate.

White ppt.
formed.

'a
3<
present and
confirmed.
Result:
The given toothpowder contains anions namely ')
5
36
and !)
4
56
and cations namely
'a
3<
.
Conclusion
,everal of the ingredients in toothpastes are found by some environmentally
damaging or ha*ardous to the personal health.
These ingredients include:
= &rtificial flavoring
= &rtificial colors
= Triclosan
= ,odium bicarbonate #baking soda$
= (etergents
= luoride
= !reservatives such as .ethylparaben and /thylparaben6parabens
= !yrophosphate
2omemade tooth powders are made by mixing 5 parts baking soda #cleanser$
thoroughly with > part salt #the abrasive$. &s a direct result of these concerns, some
people have started making their own tooth paste instead, which 6while still not
completely ecologic due to the use of baking soda6 still eliminates much
environmentally or health damaging ingredients. &lso, commercial toothpowders are
made which are less or even non6environmentally damaging. ,uch preparations are
made from herbal resins, propolis and myrrh.