Don't buy these 3 kinds of toothpaste, or they may cause cancer

Expert of this article: Huang Lu, Director of Helen Dental Center, member of the Chinese Stomatological Association, member of the Standing Committee of the Health Communication Working Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association

With the improvement of living standards, the accelerated pace of life and the increase of work pressure, the oral health problems of Chinese people are becoming more and more prominent. People's awareness of oral health care is also increasing. Various functional toothpastes that meet the needs of consumers have emerged, and there is a dazzling array!

Most functional toothpastes are mainly used to prevent oral diseases and maintain daily hygiene after oral treatment.

Functional toothpastes are classified into anti-caries toothpaste, desensitizing toothpaste, anti-inflammatory toothpaste, anti-calculus toothpaste, smoke stain removal toothpaste, whitening toothpaste and bad breath removal toothpaste according to their functions...

However, these popular "special effect toothpastes" may have various hidden dangers! Because some "special effect" additives can affect the health of the whole body and even induce cancer!

In recent years, the authoritative international academic journal Nature Communications published a study: triclosan (TCS), an antibacterial agent contained in some toothpastes, may cause damage to the human intestines and induce enteritis.

Experiments have shown that triclosan can destroy the structure and ecological dynamics of the intestinal microbiota of experimental animals, thereby destroying the intestinal "microecological balance", inducing or aggravating related enteritis, and increasing the incidence of related intestinal tumors!

TCS also interferes with endocrine system, especially the effect on female sex hormones is relatively significant. Therefore, women who are preparing for pregnancy, pregnant, breastfeeding women and children are not recommended to use toothpaste containing triclosan for a long time!

In addition to TCS, there are many other additives that can affect human health!

Which toothpastes may have negative effects on the whole body? Let’s discuss them today.

Which functional ingredients in toothpaste are harmful?

Triclosan (TCS)

Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent with relatively low toxicity. Due to its antibacterial and antifungal effects, triclosan can be found in many commercial products such as mouthwashes, toothpastes and disinfectants.

When substantially combined with the copolymer, it can be added to toothpaste to reduce plaque and gum inflammation. Toothpastes containing fluoride and triclosan/copolymer can reduce plaque, gum inflammation and gum bleeding and reduce caries compared to toothpaste containing fluoride alone, but there is insufficient evidence to show that they can prevent periodontitis.

Triclosan interferes with normal endocrine function. Long-term exposure to low doses of triclosan can disrupt thyroid homeostasis and may cause neurodevelopmental disorders, metabolic disorders, cardiotoxicity, and cancer.

Triclosan increases the proliferation, migration and invasion of human prostate cancer cells, human lung cancer cells and various types of human breast cancer cells.

Titanium Dioxide

According to the Russian satellite news agency sputniknews, experts from the French National Institute for Agricultural Research have found that titanium dioxide and titanium dioxide nanomaterials (TiO2 NMs) may affect health!

40% of animals exposed to titanium dioxide for a long time developed precancerous lesions in the intestinal mucosa.

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC), benzethonium chloride (BET) and PCMX, especially BAC

These antibacterial compounds can disrupt the balance of intestinal flora and are not conducive to intestinal health. Long-term exposure to low doses in experimental animals can increase or aggravate the occurrence of colitis and related colon tumors.

What ingredients should different groups of people pay attention to?

1. Patients with oral ulcers are not recommended to use toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS/SLES).

Sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and sodium dodecyl sulfate are called S-series toothpaste. These ingredients play the role of foaming agent, emulsifier and cleaning agent in toothpaste.

Medical research has confirmed that these SLS/SLES ingredients are irritating and can damage the oral cavity’s protective layer, “mucin,” causing the oral mucosa to dry out, tiny cracks, and increase oral ulcers.

2. Triclosan ingredients can inhibit dental plaque for 12 consecutive hours, and triclosan can reduce the severe shedding of oral mucosa caused by SLS.

TCS has certain hormonal activity, especially on female sex hormones. Therefore, when women who are preparing for pregnancy or pregnant choose toothpaste, they should not use those containing triclosan for a long time!

3. Do not buy toothpaste containing dye ingredients, because it will make the toothpaste have a neutral color, which is harmful to human health. If you accidentally swallow it, it will easily irritate the respiratory tract, so it is best to buy white toothpaste.

4. If the toothpaste contains aspartame, try not to buy it. It is best to choose toothpaste with natural xylitol, stevia and other flavors.

5. Don't buy toothpaste with too coarse abrasives. Toothpaste with coarse particles can more effectively remove the pigments on the surface of teeth. Although the teeth may appear whiter in a short time, long-term use may damage the enamel. If you really want to whiten your teeth, ultra-thin all-ceramic veneers are recommended.

6. Do not buy toothpaste containing alcohol. Although alcohol can disinfect and temporarily cover up bad breath, long-term use will disrupt the balance of oral microecology and cause oral diseases.

How to choose toothpaste?

First of all, toothpaste is not ointment! Toothpaste stays in the mouth for a short time, and the so-called "special effect ingredients" are difficult to play a role in a short period of time.

The basic function of toothpaste is to assist the toothbrush in oral cleaning. The most important thing in brushing teeth is to master the correct Bass brushing method!

People with relatively healthy oral health can just choose ordinary toothpaste. It is best to use different types of toothpaste alternately to avoid drug resistance.

No matter what kind of functional toothpaste you use, it is only a temporary solution and cannot replace oral treatment. If you find oral problems, it is best to go to a professional dental hospital or dental department for treatment as soon as possible.

Also, is the more expensive the toothpaste, the better?

Most people believe in the consumer philosophy of "you get what you pay for". However, what determines the cost of toothpaste raw materials and the effect of toothpaste is the abrasive in the toothpaste. Generally speaking, high-end toothpaste uses better abrasives, while ordinary toothpaste uses ordinary abrasives. Of course, it is not ruled out that high-end toothpaste also uses low-end abrasives.

The more expensive the toothpaste, the better it is. Just choose the toothpaste that suits your oral condition.

Citizens who generally do not have oral problems can choose ordinary cleaning toothpaste.

The study found no statistically significant differences in mean plaque scores after the intervention between the low-cost and high-cost dentifrices. This was true even when separate comparisons were made between the low-cost and high-cost toothpaste groups among study participants who brushed their teeth once and twice daily.

Choosing toothpaste

Don't be superstitious about "higher price means better"

Or you should look for products from professional oral care brands.

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