Nigeria’s Smile Architects: Unveiling the Top 6 Oral Care Manufacturers Shaping the Nation’s Dental Landscape

In the heart of Nigeria’s healthcare industry, oral care stands as a key cornerstone of overall well-being. As the demand for high-quality dental products continues to rise, a handful of manufacturers have risen to the occasion, pioneering advancements in oral health solutions.

As Nigeria stands to witness a transformative surge in innovation and quality in the oral care industry, some selected group of manufacturers have emerged as the vanguard of this revolution, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of oral healthcare in Nigeria.

In this exclusive feature, MarketingWorld Magazine, in no particular order delves into a fascinating world of Nigeria’s dental care industry, spotlighting the Top 6 oral care manufacturers who play a pivotal role in ensuring that the nation’s smiles remain bright and healthy.

1. Unilever Nigeria

The first oral care manufacturer that has caught the attention of consumers in Nigeria is Unilever Nigeria. Majoring in the manufacturing and marketing of foods and food ingredients as well as home and personal care products, Unilever Nigeria has positioned itself as the longest-serving manufacturing company in the country, marking 100 years in Nigeria in 2023.

Focusing on its flagship brands, Close-up which is no exception when it comes to oral care products was introduced into the Nigerian market 38 years ago, and since then, the brand has offered consumers the protection they need to maintain strong, healthy teeth and the fresh breath that begets confidence and self esteem while constantly innovating in line with consumers changing needs. Due to its popularity amongst Nigerians, every consumer refers to all toothpaste brands as Closeup.

Another brand is the Closeup Natural Fresh Herbal toothpaste, one unique Active Zinc Mouthwash that not only cleans deep corners of your mouth from residual germs but also fights bacterial causing mouth odour to give you a long lasting 3X Fresh Breath.

Closeup Triple Fresh formula gel toothpaste from Unilever is also a product that provides three benefits for your oral health and hygiene: anti-bacterial mouthwash, purifying gel, and micro-shine crystals.

Final on the list for Unilever Nigeria is Pepsodent, an oral care brand that has tried to bridge these gaps in Nigeria since its launch in 2011, having been at the forefront of driving conversations on good oral hygiene and eradicating oral diseases through initiatives like the Schools Program, Mobile Dental Clinics, Oral Health Education Conferences, and various consumer education and engagement across digital and traditional media.

Pepsodent’s sincere and sustained commitment to tackling oral healthcare issues in Nigeria, especially among children is consistent with the agenda of its parent company, Unilever which is solving social problems. It is worth noting that Close Up and Pepsodent have left their names on all other brands not only in Nigeria but globally.

2. Procter and Gamble (P&G)

Procter & Gamble (P&G) was founded in 1837 by brothers-in-law William Procter, a candlemaker, and James Gamble, a soapmaker. Known as one of the largest consumer goods companies in the world, with specialization in a wide range of products including beauty; grooming; health care; fabric and home care; and baby, feminine, and family care, P&G has also been recognized as one of the leading oral care manufacturers in Nigeria.

The Oral B Toothpaste, a product from P&G is a leading and youngest toothpaste brand in Nigeria, as well as one of the most popular seeing that many families use this mouthwash brand.  Introduced into the market in 2011, it has brought massive change regarding consumers’ choice of toothpaste. Oral B Toothpaste is designed with unique formulas that fit your needs; from whitening to enamel care, Oral B wide range of toothpaste delivers everything you need to help your teeth be resilient, bright and healthy. These multi-benefit formulas are professionally designed for all day protection. Their unique foaming action formulas actively protect gums and teeth with enamel-fortifying properties, deep cleaning action, and long-lasting freshness.

Other oral products from P&G include scope mouthwash, fivodent denture adhesives and crest dental care.

3. Glaxosmithkline (GSK) Nigeria

Known as a science-led global healthcare company that researches and develops a broad range of innovative products in three main areas of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer healthcare, Glaxosmithkline Nigeria introduced the Macleans, a family toothpaste with over 40 years of heritage in the country. Macleans contain adequate fluoride and consistently deliver great value protection to Nigerian families. Macleans comes in various variants, whitening, fresh mint white and smile.

Other products from its stable apart from the above are Sensodyne and Aquafresh multi-action whitening toothpaste.

4. Daraj Industries Limited

Daraj Industries Limited established in 2008, Daraju Industries has built a strong and rich heritage of making an impact in the lives of its consumers with brands that make life a little better every day one such brand is the Mymy brand which is one of the most popular household consumer brand in Nigeria with increasing market share across the hinterlands.

Daraju Industries Limited’s Mymy toothpaste contains fluoride, sorbitol, abrasives like hydrated silica other ingredients like sodium benzoate and saccharin. It is a red gel enclosed in a red tube and well-sealed with a plastic cap, the tube is also enclosed in a red pack made of soft carton. Mymy paste comes in a wide range, Mymy tutty fruity flavour, Mymy cavipro, Mymy Herbal Gel which fights dental plaque, mymy blue gel icy cool which provides anti-cavity protection, and makes the teeth and gums healthier. The mymy Herbal Fluoride Toothpaste is also one which effectively fights cavities, dental plaque, gingivitis, and other dental infections with its eucalyptus oil ingredient.  Other oral care products include Xtreme Activated Charcoal Fluoride Toothpaste, Xtreme Anticav Fluoride Toothpaste and Xtreme Fresh & Shine Red Gel Fluoride Toothpaste.

5. Colgate Palmolive

Popularly known as the makers of “Colgate”, Colgate Palmolive entered into a strategic joint venture with Tolaram Group Inc, a conglomerate behind several household brands in Nigeria, bringing innovative oral, personal and home care products to consumers across Nigeria.

Through this partnership, Colgate Palmolive has been positioned as one of the best manufacturers of oral care brands on the market. 

Its brand, the Colgate Toothpaste is tested and proven to be active in strengthening the teeth, maximum cavity protection, overall cleanness, and long-lasting freshness because of its fluoride content.

This product, which is highly trusted and recommended by dentists has other brands including Colgate Sensitive, Colgate Total, Colgate Total 12, Colgate Herbal, and Colgate Maxfresh.

6. African Consumer Care Limited

Drawing the curtains on this feature is the African Consumer Care Limited, a subsidiary of Dabur International Limited established by an Indian company.

Known as one of the most trusted and reputed manufacturing companies, which has been successfully operating its business in Nigeria for the last 18 (Eighteen) years, African Consumer Care Limited (AFCC)  has introduced on the shores of the Nigerian Market its oral care toothpaste called the Dabur Herbal Toothpaste that is embraced by all and sundry.

Dabur herbal toothpaste is a product that was first imported into Nigeria in the late 1990s before its parent company established a plant in the country.

Although not as popular as other brands, Dabur herbal toothpaste has managed to maintain its place in the Nigerian dental market, offering excellent dental care to its users across the nation.

In summary, these top six manufacturers stand as pillars of innovation, promoting not just dental health but also weaving into the fabric of everyday life. As we navigate the diverse offerings and unique approaches of each oral care manufacturer and its brand, it has become evident that oral care is not merely a routine but a dynamic experience hence everyone must embrace it in our journey of life.

By: Diella Teku and Eunice Dziedzorm Dzah/MarketingWorld Magazine