Designs for Health launches probiotic toothpaste
The company’s PerioBiotic toothpaste has been launched throughout the United States and features its patent-pending Dental-Lac ingredient, a functional lactobacillus dental hygienic probiotic that is being included in an oral care product for the first time.
The launch taps into the emerging trend for the inclusion of probiotic ingredients in oral care products, heralded as a natural alternative to help fight a range of oral diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis.
Dental-Lac itself combines a specific strain of live bacteria known as lactobacillus paracasei, which the company says has been clinically proven to kill off harmful strains of oral bacteria such as streptococcus mutans.
Likewise, the formulation also includes Xylitol, a naturally occurring compound contained in fruit and vegetables that helps to neutralize plaque acids by targeting the level of streptococcus mutans in both plaque and saliva.
The product itself is being launched in two different flavors – Fennel and Spearmint, while a Watermelon flavor is said to be in the pipeline.
Fluoride free
The company also underlines the fact that the product poses no danger if swallowed because it contains no fluoride, making it a family toothpaste that can be safely used by younger children.
Although the trend towards probiotic oral care is very much in its infancy, a steady stream of launches on the US market underlines the fact that it is gaining recognition amongst consumers.
Until recently such products have only been available at smaller retail outlets in the US and through online retailers.
However, back in February of this year, Oragenics EvoraPluse was heralded as the first probiotic oral care to make the leap into the mass market after a distribution agreement was signed nationwide with Walgreens.
The brand is now being stocked in over 7,000 stores throughout the US as well as the retailer’s online channel.
At the time of the launch Oral care expert Professor Dr. Wim Teughels from the Catholic University Leuven, in Belgium, told CosmeticsDesign.com USA that, while he believes further research into probiotic oral health care has to be carried out, he thought the approach taken in the development of EvoraPlus could have potential.
