DR. ADOLF-PETER BARTH DISCUSSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW DENTAL CARE PRODUCTS

Dr. Adolf-Peter Barth is Director of Development in the Dental Care department at Henkel. Central to his work is the coordination with marketing and the overseeing of special projects. Barth has worked in the cosmetics field for thirteen years, and for the past year and a half he has concentrated solely upon the development of new dental care products.

Dr. Barth, how exactly are new dental care products developed?

First we must check to see what the customer is looking for in terms of new products. In the past few years, new product features have edged to the forefront: a clear market trend is toward dental products which, next to cleaning, also meet customer needs for “white teeth” and “fresh breath.” When a product idea is developed, first of all its technical feasibility is reviewed. Product development ideally goes hand in hand with market research and the first product test. An important step in the final product development is to then create a pleasant aroma; only when the product “tastes good” to the customer will he or she use it intensively. Only then will the customer properly care of his or her teeth and consequently have a proper bite; this is our goal in the end. Afterwards, before actual production, clinical tests are carried out which confirm the safety and effectiveness of the product.

How are dental products tested? One cannot, after all, treat a test person with the new product—as with a new hair color in a test salon—and watch what happens…?

No. Naturally the first tests in developing dental care are not carried out on humans. We know the ingredients of a new product and their fundamental safety. Nevertheless, the first test is always done “in vitro,” that is, on teeth “in a glass.” For this we use animal teeth, such cow teeth, which are very similar in their structure to those of humans. We are able, for example, to synthetically apply discoloration with red wine or black tea and then to test the effects of our products.

Speaking of discoloration, how are teeth whitened by a dental product?

There are basically two possibilities to whiten teeth: on the one hand there is the “natural white” approach, which involves returning teeth to their original color. One should know that in the course of one’s lifetime teeth inevitably become discoloured by factors such as tobacco, wine or tea consumption, by poor care and simply the process of aging itself. “Natural white” products work against this. On the other hand, there is also the possibility to bleach the teeth, which can result in a rather unnatural white coloring. (This process is called “bleaching.”) For this, however, one should definitely consult a dentist.

And how does a toothpaste fight bad breath?

The cause of bad breath can be traced back to sulphurous substances that are produced when plaque and leftover food particles within it are broken down. A toothpaste made to fight bad breath must also, above all, remove plaque gently. Antibacterial substances and special aromas aid this effect.

What is then the most important thing that a toothpaste should accomplish? Whiter teeth? Fresh breath?

The most important thing is, of course, to clean the teeth. This is because only a thorough cleaning can free the teeth from harmful coatings that can lead to cavities.Toothpaste consists of cleaning substances, which through so-called “abrasion,” are responsible for instigating the mechanical cleaning effect of the toothpaste. Determining the correct degree of abrasion is always a tightrope walk: it must be strong enough to remove film, but not too strong, such that it attacks potentially exposed tooth necks, which are more sensitive than the dental enamel. For our toothpaste we use cleaning agents that have a rather flaky structure, so that the teeth are not damaged. It achieves its best results when combined with other ingredients that hinder new deposits.

What can a toothpaste achieve in addition to this?

Another important point in dental care is the function of toothpaste to replenish minerals to the teeth. In principle, teeth are mineral structures, which can be heavily attacked by acids. On the one hand, this occurs through bacteria which can raise the pH value, or degree of acidity in the mouth. But juices like orange or apple juice or salads with vinegar dressing can also noticeably raise the pH value. Saliva naturally neutralizes these acids and places itself around “holes” that develop in the mineral structure of the teeth, in order to close them. Cavities develop when this is not enough, due to eating and dental care habits. Toothpaste can help to stimulate and support the replenishing of minerals that are already present in saliva. The repaired enamel is then even more resistant than it was naturally.

Dr. Barth, thank you very much for this interview.