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The titanium dioxide in the toothpaste is responsible for its snow-white color. The history of industrial use of the substance begins with a titanium white plant in Norway. The whitening supplement is recognized as safe for health and is recommended for use, including in food, in a number of countries.
In 2016, EFSA reaffirmed the safety of titanium dioxide for the production of cosmetics and food products:
- toothpaste and creams;
- antiperspirants and chewing gum;
- sugar, biscuits and condensed milk.
What is titanium dioxide in toothpaste
The international index E171 has been introduced to denote the food additive titanium dioxide in toothpaste.
Is titanium dioxide harmful in toothpaste
Titanium dioxide, present as a bleaching agent, can cause serious harm to the body. French scientists, as a result of experiments on rats and mice, have found that the additive is far from as inert and safe as previously thought.
They found that the substance, getting into the oral cavity, and from there into the digestive tract, negatively affects the body as a whole:
- Titanium dioxide eats away at the enamel of the teeth like an acid;
- the intestines and stomach suffer, the number of beneficial bacteria decreases in them;
- depressed functions of the liver, kidneys, cardiovascular system;
- the general immunity of the body decreases, the risk of cancer increases.
If the substance is in the composition of sprays, then regular inhalation can cause lung cancer over time.
Does the tooth powder contain titanium dioxide
Rare toothpaste does not contain titanium dioxide. But the ideal tooth powder should contain only natural, natural ingredients that are not harmful to health:
- chalk, white clay, soda, sea salt;
- essential oils of mint, sage, eucalyptus, rosemary, citrus;
- fennel, cinnamon, myrrh, fir and cedar oil.
Usually, tooth powder does not contain foreign additives. However, you should carefully read the composition of the product on the label to make sure of this.
Which toothpastes contain titanium dioxide
Most Russian and foreign manufacturers use titanium dioxide in the manufacture of toothpaste - including well-known expensive brands from Europe, the USA, and Japan. Russian enterprises also use a dubious additive.
Aquafresh Toothpaste
These include items such as "Whitening", "Mint", "Glowing White", "Junior" for teens.
Russian-European joint venture PresiDENT
The additive contains pastes "CLASSIC", "RENOME", "Extra Active". The company focuses on controlled whitening. Some of their products contain antibiotics.
Russian brand New Pearl
Bleach is present in brands such as "Moskovsky", "Bleaching", "Junior" for children from 7 years old. There are also varieties without titanium dioxide but with fluoride.
LACALUT from Germany
A dangerous additive is found in the Sensitive, Basic, White, Fitoformula pastes with medicinal herbs.
Swiss concern Rocs
Complexes "Children's" from 7 to 14 years old, "Citrus rainbow" and "Double mint" from 4 to 7 years old, "Whitening", "Safe whitening". To the credit of the manufacturer, not every product contains an additive. For example, "Chocolate Mousse" or "Child Safe".
Russian PTK in Novgorod SPLAT
Titanium dioxide pastes include Biocalcium, Ultracomplex, Whitening Plus, Safe Whitening. In addition, some of these items contain fluorine.
Products of the same company can be produced without titanium dioxide - it all depends on the purpose. Therefore, you must carefully read the composition indicated on the package.
Which pastes do not contain titanium dioxide
Toothpastes without titanium dioxide (E171) are also available in Russian stores. Titanium dioxide is not used in the production of enterprises that produce environmentally friendly products with natural ingredients. They can usually be found in pharmacies and small health food stores. Sometimes products without bleaching additives end up on supermarket shelves. One brand's offerings can vary significantly in composition. Therefore, you should be guided by the data indicated on the packaging.
Toothpastes Granny Agafia's recipes for adults
Organic products include the following products - "Kedrovaya", "Brusnichnaya", "Salt", "Vitamin", "Siberian", "Propolisnaya". They taste close to the natural ingredients in the composition, with a slight bitterness.
Italian firm Biorepair
The laboratory of the University of Bologna has created unique microRepair particles that effectively restore damaged tooth enamel. You can choose from such products as "Biorepair Plus", "White", "Regenerating enamel", "For strengthening the gums", "For sensitive teeth".
German brand from Procter & Gamble
Blend-a-med, represented by the following lines - "Pro-Expert", "Oak bark", "Lux dental care", "Complex". The composition is traditional, it is distinguished by secondary additives.
Colgate-Palmolive Company Brand
The international company, founded in 1806 in Manhattan, initially specialized in the production of starch and soap, then began producing tooth powders. The range of the company is very diverse and popular in Russia. Titanium dioxide is absent in such pastes as Safe Whitening, Healthy Breathing, and Propolis.
Indian brand Aashadent
The company specializes in the production of environmentally friendly products without chemicals: "With Ginger and Cardamom", "Chamomile and Mint", "Nim and Babul", "Cinnamon and Cardamom", "Laurel and Mint".
Russian company Natura Siberica
The brand is gaining more and more popularity. According to research, no discrepancies with the compositions and GOST standards declared on the labels have been identified. The following names are produced: "7 northern grasses", "Frosty berries", "Pearl of Siberia", "Kamchatskaya naturalnaya", "Arctic protection".
Titanium Dioxide Free Baby Toothpastes
Young children and adolescents are especially sensitive to various chemical components in toothpaste. To protect the health of children, it is worth avoiding foods saturated with potentially hazardous substances such as titanium dioxide.
Biorepair children's toothpastes
The company produces the following assortment for young customers: "Kids" with strawberry extract from birth, "Junior" from 7 to 14 years old, with strawberry flavor.
Popular American brand Colgate
The international company does not forget about babies. The best products include such - "Doctor Hare", "Junior - the best paste for children's teeth", "Family with calcium and fluoride."
Swiss brand Weleda
"Kinder-Zahngel" children's gel-paste from birth consists of natural ingredients, with calendula extract and essential oils.
Thailand Twin Lotus Company
Yoghurt children's toothpastes have a rich natural taste, do not contain chemical dyes and preservatives. These are "Orange and Pomegranate", "Strawberry and Chamomile".
Products of the Russian manufacturer Little Siberica
The popular Russian brand uses the gifts of Siberian forests and gardens. "Children's", "With organic extracts" is suitable for children from 3 years old.
Dentist advice
Each toothpaste has a specific purpose. The general action is to clean the teeth and mouth from food debris and bacteria. And additional additives act in different ways: they strengthen the enamel, serve as the prevention of diseases of the oral cavity, and soothe inflammation.To choose the right product, you should heed the advice of your dentist.
A few guidelines are common to all:
- you should not abuse whitening products, the natural color of tooth enamel is yellowish or grayish, only 5% of people around the world have pure white enamel;
- if there is a problem with bleeding gums, formulations containing soothing extracts are needed;
- products containing fluoride are permissible only in those regions where its content in soil and water is minimal, otherwise teeth will begin to decay faster;
- a preparation with calcium content strengthens tooth enamel;
- you need to brush your teeth twice a day, for 3-5 minutes, with a brush with a soft or medium hardness;
- brushes need to be changed every 3 months and do not use someone else's;
- if the oral cavity is severely inflamed, stomatitis is observed, then you can brush your teeth with a paste for 1-2 weeks, which contains chlorhexidine, triclosan, geksititdin;
- you should choose toothpastes with a minimum content of chemical additives, including sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, surfactants.
There is no fundamental difference between domestic and foreign manufacturers of toothpastes - the technologies are approximately the same. But the safety of products depends on the conscientiousness and policy of a particular company.
Conclusion
Titanium dioxide in toothpaste has been used by manufacturers around the world for several decades. The whitening additive is recognized as safe for the body and is approved for the production of cosmetics and even finished products. But due to the latest research carried out in a French laboratory, titanium dioxide is recognized as a dangerous substance that causes cancer. Therefore, when choosing a product, you should carefully read the label, give preference to products with natural ingredients.