Experts recommend going to the dentist to have your teeth whitened rather than exposing yourself to dangerous substances found in particular in toothpaste.
- Out of 12 systems and products intended to whiten teeth, two thirds are to be avoided and no scientific study has validated the effectiveness of the other 4 according to 60 million consumers.
- Whitening products should be used sparingly and in a medical setting.
Carcinogenic substances in whitening toothpastes and doses of dangerous substances well above legal standards in products intended to whiten teeth sold on the market… This is what the French are exposed to according to the special issue ” Special teeth: prevention and treatment from the association 60 million consumers.
Titanium dioxide
It is therefore advisable to keep your eyes open, especially when buying toothpaste, since three out of four contain titanium dioxide, which worries the experts. “Currently, titanium dioxide is banned in food because there are suspicions of carcinogenic effects“, revealed, with BFM TV, Sophie Coisne, deputy editor-in-chief at 60 Millions de consommateurs. Indeed, according to the Risk Assessment Committee (CER or RAC for risk assessment committee) of the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) this substance should be “classified as suspected human carcinogen category 2 by inhalation.”
Still according to the consumer association, it is better to favor toothpastes with a high concentration of fluoride, since the other abrasive components contained in products promising brilliant whiteness can also damage tooth enamel.
Hydrogen peroxide
60 million consumers also warns of the danger of dental products with whitening actions whose hydrogen peroxide concentration is greater than 6%. They are indeed banned in the European Union. “Only dental surgeons can apply products containing 0.1 to 6% hydrogen peroxide or 0.3 to 16% carbamide peroxide (which becomes hydrogen peroxide in the air, losing concentration )” remember the association. Once again, you have to track down the composition of these products sold commercially or online and check that the 0.1% limit bar (and 0.3% for carbamide) is respected.
