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Brand founded in India, 1884 · about the brand
Dabur Red Toothpaste
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 5.5 ShowHide
Rates 8.4/10 on the rest of its formulation — the cap is a targeted caution, not a problem with the whole product.
Reviewed 12 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This oral care product features a blend of traditional herbal powders and extracts, which are the primary ingredients by weight. While these botanicals offer potential benefits, the inclusion of Sodium Saccharin as an artificial sweetener and Sodium Benzoate as a preservative warrants consideration for those who prefer to avoid such additives. The presence of Karpura (camphor) and Pudina (menthol) provides a cooling sensation and fresh breath, but their concentrated forms can be strong for sensitive individuals. Overall, it's a product with a strong herbal profile, suitable for most adults, but those with sensitivities to artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or strong essential oil components should exercise caution.
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 →
Herbal Toothpaste with Artificial Sweetener and Preservative
This toothpaste is primarily composed of traditional herbal powders and extracts. However, it contains Sodium Saccharin, an artificial sweetener, and Sodium Benzoate, a common preservative. While generally considered safe in oral care products, individuals sensitive to these additives may prefer alternatives.
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
Base declared only as "Excipient/Base q.s.", not named — most of the formulation can't be assessed
Rule PC-CAP-16
What's good
Rich in traditional herbal powders (Maricha, Pippali, Shunthi, Tomar) known for oral health benefits.
Contains Lavanga (Clove bud oil) with antiseptic and analgesic properties.
Provides a refreshing sensation from Karpura (camphor) and Pudina (menthol).
Watch out for
Presence of Sodium Saccharin, an artificial sweetener.
Contains Sodium Benzoate, a synthetic preservative.
General 'Herbal Extract' and 'Excipient' lack specific ingredient details, reducing transparency.
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.
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 Sodium Saccharin, an artificial sweetener. While approved for use, some individuals prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners.
Contains Sodium Benzoate, a common preservative. Individuals with sensitivities to preservatives may wish to avoid.
Contains concentrated forms of camphor (Karpura) and menthol (Pudina), which can be strong and potentially irritating for very sensitive oral mucosa.
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.
This is a descriptive claim about the product's intended use, which cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
This is a general benefit claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
The claim of being 'clinically proven' requires external documentation or study results, which are not provided on the label.
This is a benefit claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list alone, as it refers to specific dental problems and their resolution.
This is a general category or benefit claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
The ingredient list contains multiple herbal extracts and traditional Indian ingredients, consistent with an Ayurvedic formulation.
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/wHerbal Extract 2.5% w/w
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Maricha (Piper nigrum, Fr., powder) 31.04g within Herbal Extract
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Pippali (Piper longum, Fr., powder) 31.04g within Herbal Extract
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Shunthi (Zingiber officinale, Rz., powder) 31.04g within Herbal Extract
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Tomar (Zanthoxylum armatum, Sd., powder) 31.04g within Herbal Extract
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2.
Lavanga (Syzygium aromaticum, Fl. bud, oil) 0.5g
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3.
Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora, Lf., satva) 0.5g
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4.
Pudina (Mentha species, Pl., satva) 0.5g
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5.
Gairic powder 1.8g
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6.
Sodium BenzoatePreservative (Sodium benzoate)
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7.
Excipient unnamedExcipient - q.s.
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8.
Sodium Saccharin 0.15% w/wartificial sweetener Sodium Saccharin (0.15% w/w)
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
The label declares each of these as a blend and then lists what is in it. The components appear in the groups above on their own merits, so the blend itself is shown here rather than counted a second time.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
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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Little joys Little Joys Multivitamin Cavity Protection Toothpaste for Kids 5+ Years 80G
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What are the ingredients in Dabur Red Toothpaste?
The label of Dabur Red Toothpaste 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: Sodium Saccharin, Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora, Lf., satva).
Is Dabur Red Toothpaste safe to use?
Dabur Red Toothpaste scores 5.5/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This toothpaste is primarily composed of traditional herbal powders and extracts. However, it contains Sodium Saccharin, an artificial sweetener, and Sodium Benzoate, a common preservative. While generally considered safe in oral care products, individuals sensitive to these additives may prefer alternatives.
Why does Dabur Red Toothpaste score 5.5/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of Sodium Saccharin, an artificial sweetener. Also noted: Contains Sodium Benzoate, a synthetic preservative. General 'Herbal Extract' and 'Excipient' lack specific ingredient details, reducing transparency.
Who should avoid Dabur Red Toothpaste?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive to artificial sweeteners (Sodium Saccharin); Sensitive to Sodium Benzoate preservative; Sensitive to strong essential oils (camphor, menthol).
Are the claims on the Dabur Red Toothpaste pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 6 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "PASTE FOR TEETH & GUMS" — can't be verified from the label. "Protection for the entire family" — can't be verified from the label. "CLINICALLY PROVEN" — 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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