Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDental Research Journal1735-33279120120218Is flavor component in dental product therapeutic?909909ENNavaneethaCugatiLecturer, Academy of Primary and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, AIMST University, Semeling, Bedong, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia. zeraatkar.neda@yahoo.com20120218Madam,Dental and oral care products are available in differentflavors. Though flavoring is a marketing strategy forluring consumers, its components does have benefit onoral/dental tissues. Thus, it is necessary for the dentalhealth team to advice the right flavor of products,which are palatable and equally therapeutic. Thisarticle discusses the principal types, modes of activity,benefits, and the possible allergic reactions of flavors.The flavor compositions find application in a widerange of consumer products, particularly oral careconsumer products such as toothpastes, mouthwashes,chewing gum, confectionery, dental floss, dissolvablemouth films, breath sprays, and breath-fresheningtablets as well as therapeutic dental product likerestorative materials, impression materials, isolators,wedges, etc. Flavors are very important in consumeracceptance, as its component principally impressesthe taste and smell senses. The U.S. Code ofFederal Regulations describes a ‘natural flavorant’ as“theconstituents derived from a spice, fruit, vegetable,edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or any otheredible portions of a plant, meat, seafood, poultry,eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof,whose primary function is flavoring rather thannutritional”