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Brand founded in India, 1884 · about the brand
Clove Cavity Protection Toothpaste
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 5.0 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This toothpaste contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a surfactant known for its potential to irritate oral mucous membranes, which is the primary factor limiting its overall score. While it includes several traditional botanical extracts, these are listed in lower concentrations and are unlikely to be the primary drivers of its efficacy. The product also contains Sodium Benzoate, a preservative that can form benzene in the presence of vitamin C, though this interaction is less relevant in an oral care product. Individuals with sensitive gums or a history of oral irritation may wish to consider alternatives.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Calcium Carbonate
- Glycerin
- Silica
Contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a known oral irritant
This toothpaste contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a common surfactant that can cause irritation to the mouth lining, especially for those with sensitive gums or canker sores. While it includes several botanical extracts, these are present in lower amounts. It also uses Sodium Benzoate as a preservative, which is generally safe in oral care products but is noted for its potential to form benzene in the presence of vitamin C.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Avoiding certain additives or colours — Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is declared.
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- Allergies. Peanut, milk, gluten, egg and more, checked against the ingredient list.
- Diet. Vegetarian, vegan, Jain, no egg, no dairy.
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Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for oral care. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Why the score is capped
Primary surfactant with recognised irritation potential (EU SCCS)
Rule PC-CAP-05
What's good
Contains mild abrasive agents (Calcium Carbonate, Silica) for effective cleaning.
Includes several traditional botanical extracts.
Watch out for
Presence of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a known oral irritant, which may not be suitable for individuals with sensitive gums or a history of oral irritation.
Contains Sodium Saccharin, an artificial sweetener.
Flavor containing Mint and Clove Oil — a flavoring blend. Flavor substances are FSSAI/JECFA-evaluated, and labelling rules permit them to be declared by category ("natural", "nature identical", "artificial") rather than by individual compound — so the specific substances used are usually not disclosed. That means someone avoiding artificial flavorings, or with a known sensitivity, cannot verify what is in it. Noted as a moderate, transparency-level concern rather than a hazard.
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
SLS is an aggressive surfactant that strips skin of its natural oils, disrupts the skin barrier, and can cause contact dermatitis, canker sores, and eye irritation. People with eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin should avoid SLS-containing products. It is particularly harsh in oral care products where it contacts mucous membranes.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: SCCS; American Academy of Dermatology; Herlofson & Barkvoll 1996
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: regulation, sources and other products →Sodium Benzoate (E211)
Benzoates are permitted preservatives with an established acceptable daily intake. Two documented concerns: in acidic drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) they can slowly form small amounts of benzene, especially with heat and light (US FDA beverage survey, 2006); and sodium benzoate was one of the additives in the Southampton study mixtures associated with hyperactivity in children. It can also trigger reactions in some people with asthma or urticaria.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA re-evaluation of benzoic acid and benzoates (2016); US FDA benzene-in-beverages survey (2006); McCann et al., Lancet 2007
Sodium Benzoate: regulation, sources and other products →Saccharin (E954)
Saccharin is an approved intense sweetener and is used in small amounts to flavour toothpaste. An earlier rodent-bladder finding was judged not relevant to humans and IARC moved it to Group 3 (not classifiable) in 1999. The WHO (2023) nevertheless advises against relying on non-sugar sweeteners for weight control. In toothpaste the amount swallowed is very small.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: IARC Monographs Vol. 73 (1999); WHO guideline on non-sugar sweeteners (2023); EFSA/JECFA acceptable daily intake
Saccharin: regulation, sources and other products →Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl alcohol is both a preservative (permitted up to 1% in the EU) and one of the fragrance substances the EU requires to be named on a label because it can cause contact allergy in sensitised people. It is information for someone who knows they react to it, not a general hazard.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 1223/2009 Annex III and Annex V
Benzyl Alcohol: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a strong surfactant and foaming agent, classified by the EU SCCS as a skin and mucous membrane irritant. It can cause oral irritation, dryness, and may exacerbate canker sores in sensitive individuals.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative that can form benzene in the presence of vitamin C. While this is a concern in some food and beverage products, it is less relevant in an oral care product that is largely spat out and not ingested.
Benzyl Alcohol is a declared fragrance allergen under EU regulations. While present in trace amounts, individuals with known fragrance allergies should be aware.
Combined Effects interactions
While Sodium Benzoate can form benzene in the presence of vitamin C, the 'Flavor containing Mint and Clove Oil' is not a source of vitamin C, so this interaction is not a concern in this product.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
Fluoride and parabens are not listed in the ingredients.
All listed ingredients are vegetarian.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
Calcium Carbonate
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2.
Water
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3.
Glycerin
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4.
Extracts of Babul
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5.
Bakul
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6.
Lodhra
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7.
Jamun
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8.
Akarkara
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9.
Silica
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10.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
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11.
Flavor containing Mint and Clove Oil trace amount
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12.
Carrageenan
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13.
Sodium Silicate
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14.
Sodium Saccharin
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15.
Sodium Benzoate
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16.
Benzyl Alcohol
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
Declared on this label as
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
Compare with other toothpaste products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
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What are the ingredients in Clove Cavity Protection Toothpaste?
The label of Clove Cavity Protection Toothpaste lists 16 ingredients, in label order: Calcium Carbonate, Water, Glycerin, Extracts of Babul, Bakul, Lodhra, Jamun, Akarkara, Silica, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Flavor containing Mint and Clove Oil, Carrageenan, Sodium Silicate, Sodium Saccharin, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol. Flagged by the analysis: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Saccharin, Flavor containing Mint and Clove Oil, Benzyl Alcohol.
Is Clove Cavity Protection Toothpaste safe to use?
Clove Cavity Protection Toothpaste scores 5.0/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This toothpaste contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a common surfactant that can cause irritation to the mouth lining, especially for those with sensitive gums or canker sores. While it includes several botanical extracts, these are present in lower amounts. It also uses Sodium Benzoate as a preservative, which is generally safe in oral care products but is noted for its potential to form benzene in the presence of vitamin C.
Why does Clove Cavity Protection Toothpaste score 5.0/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a known oral irritant, which may not be suitable for individuals with sensitive gums or a history of oral irritation. Contains Sodium Saccharin, an artificial sweetener. Flavor containing Mint and Clove Oil — a flavoring blend. Flavor substances are FSSAI/JECFA-evaluated, and labelling rules permit them to be declared by category ("natural", "nature identical", "artificial") rather than by individual compound — so the specific substances used are usually not disclosed. That means someone avoiding artificial flavorings, or with a known sensitivity, cannot verify what is in it. Noted as a moderate, transparency-level concern rather than a hazard.
Who should avoid Clove Cavity Protection Toothpaste?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS); Prone to oral irritation or canker sores; Sensitive to fragrance allergens (Benzyl Alcohol).
Are the claims on the Clove Cavity Protection Toothpaste pack accurate?
Yes — all 2 claims on the pack checked out against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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