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Brand founded in India, 1884 · about the brand
Red Paste For Teeth And Gums
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 5.5 ShowHide
Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
The presence of Camphor, which can cause seizures if ingested in significant quantities, requires careful supervision, especially for young children who may swallow toothpaste. Sodium Benzoate is included as a preservative, and Sodium Saccharin as an artificial sweetener. While many of the botanical ingredients offer traditional benefits, the lack of transparency for the main base material and the presence of Camphor are the primary factors influencing its safety profile.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Maricha (Piper nigrum, Fr., powder)
- Pippali (Piper longum, Fr., powder)
- Shunthi (Zingiber officinale, Rz., powder)
- Tomar (Zanthoxylum armatum, Sd., powder)
- Lavanga (Syzygium aromaticum, Fl. bud, oil)
- +1 more →
Undisclosed base material; contains Camphor and artificial sweetener
This oral care product contains Camphor, which can be toxic if swallowed in large amounts, making supervision essential for young children. It also includes Sodium Benzoate as a preservative and Sodium Saccharin as an artificial sweetener.
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- Allergies. Peanut, milk, gluten, egg and more, checked against the ingredient list.
- Diet. Vegetarian, vegan, Jain, no egg, no dairy.
- Health and goals. Sugar, salt, protein, steady blood sugar, heart-friendly, weight.
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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.
Other audiences
LimitContains Camphor, which can be toxic if swallowed in quantity. Supervise children closely to ensure they spit out the product and do not ingest it.
Why the score is capped
Base declared only as "Excipient/Base q.s.", not named — most of the formulation can't be assessed
Rule PC-CAP-16
Contains camphor in a product that is partly swallowed. Camphor is toxic when ingested, so US FDA limits it in consumer products; a toothpaste is not rinsed off the mouth
Rule PC-CAP-23 · Source: US FDA (21 CFR 310.545 and consumer warnings on camphor ingestion)
What's good
Contains several traditional botanical ingredients known for oral health benefits
Transparently lists specific botanical extracts and essential oils
Watch out for
Undisclosed 'Excipient' for the main base material
Presence of Camphor, requiring caution for ingestion
Use of artificial sweetener (Sodium Saccharin)
Preservative Sodium Benzoate
Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora, Lf., satva) — can cause seizures if swallowed in quantity — supervise young children.
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 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 →Camphor
Camphor gives a cooling, medicinal sensation and is a traditional ingredient in Ayurvedic oral-care and balm products. Swallowed in quantity it is toxic: a US poison-centre practice guideline refers anyone who has swallowed more than 30 mg of camphor per kg of body weight to an emergency department, because convulsions can follow. That threshold is far above what normal brushing involves, and the label does not show how much camphor a dose of this product carries, so this is a caution about young children who swallow toothpaste, not a finding of harm from ordinary use. In the US, camphorated oil drug products need new-drug approval.
Peer-reviewed research Source: Manoguerra AS et al., Camphor Poisoning: An Evidence-Based Practice Guideline for Out-of-Hospital Management, Clinical Toxicology 44:357–370 (2006), American Association of Poison Control Centers; US FDA 21 CFR 310.502(a)(4)
Camphor: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains Camphor, which can cause seizures if swallowed in quantity. Young children should be supervised during brushing to prevent ingestion.
The majority of the product's base is listed as 'Excipient' without specific disclosure, limiting a comprehensive safety assessment.
Contains Sodium Benzoate, a preservative that has been associated with hyperactivity in children when combined with certain artificial colours (though no artificial colours are listed here).
Contains Sodium Saccharin, an artificial sweetener that some individuals prefer to avoid.
Combined Effects interactions
While not explicitly listed, if the 'Herbal Extract' or other botanicals contain Vitamin C, Sodium Benzoate could potentially form benzene. However, this is less of a concern in an oral care product than an ingested food/drink.
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.
The claim refers to a scientific approach or tradition, which cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
The claim of 'clinically proven benefits' requires external documentation or studies, which are not provided on the label.
The claim of cavity protection is a functional benefit that cannot be verified solely from the ingredient list.
The claim of toothache relief is a functional benefit that cannot be verified solely from the ingredient list.
The claim of soothing sensitivity is a functional benefit that cannot be verified solely from the ingredient list.
The claim of promoting gum health is a functional benefit that cannot be verified solely from the ingredient list.
The claim of active freshness is a functional benefit that cannot be verified solely from the ingredient list.
The claim of teeth whitening is a functional benefit that cannot be verified solely from the ingredient list.
The claim of strong teeth is a functional benefit that cannot be verified solely from the ingredient list.
The claim of being anti-plaque is a functional benefit that cannot be verified solely from the ingredient list.
The claim of fighting germs is a functional benefit that cannot be verified solely from the ingredient list.
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.
Herbal Extract 2.5% w/w
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2.
Maricha (Piper nigrum, Fr., powder)
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3.
Pippali (Piper longum, Fr., powder)
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4.
Shunthi (Zingiber officinale, Rz., powder)
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5.
Tomar (Zanthoxylum armatum, Sd., powder) 31.04g
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6.
Lavanga (Syzygium aromaticum, Fl. bud, oil) 0.5g
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7.
Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora, Lf., satva) 0.5g
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8.
Pudina (Mentha species, Pl., satva) 0.5g
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9.
Gairic powder 1.8g
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10.
Sodium BenzoatePreservative (Sodium benzoate)
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11.
Excipient
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12.
Sodium Saccharin 0.15% w/wartificial sweetener Sodium Saccharin
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 Red Paste For Teeth And Gums?
The label of Red Paste For Teeth And Gums lists 12 ingredients, in label order: Herbal Extract, Maricha (Piper nigrum, Fr., powder), Pippali (Piper longum, Fr., powder), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale, Rz., powder), Tomar (Zanthoxylum armatum, Sd., powder), Lavanga (Syzygium aromaticum, Fl. bud, oil), Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora, Lf., satva), Pudina (Mentha species, Pl., satva), Gairic powder, Sodium Benzoate, Excipient, Sodium Saccharin. Flagged by the analysis: Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora, Lf., satva), Sodium Saccharin.
Is Red Paste For Teeth And Gums safe to use?
Red Paste For Teeth And Gums scores 5.5/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This oral care product contains Camphor, which can be toxic if swallowed in large amounts, making supervision essential for young children. It also includes Sodium Benzoate as a preservative and Sodium Saccharin as an artificial sweetener.
Why does Red Paste For Teeth And Gums score 5.5/10?
Flagged in the score: Use of artificial sweetener (Sodium Saccharin). Also noted: Undisclosed 'Excipient' for the main base material. Presence of Camphor, requiring caution for ingestion.
Who should avoid Red Paste For Teeth And Gums?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Children prone to swallowing toothpaste; Individuals sensitive to camphor; Those avoiding artificial sweeteners; Individuals sensitive to sodium benzoate.
Are the claims on the Red Paste For Teeth And Gums pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 11 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "Ayurvedic Oral Care Science" — can't be verified from the label. "10 Clinically Proven Benefits" — can't be verified from the label. "Cavity Protection" — can't be verified from the label.
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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