Toothpaste is one of the first allies of oral hygiene… Provided you choose it well! Indeed, several references available on the market contain products that are toxic to health. The magazine 60 million consumers has screened several brands and reveals its prize list.
- Nearly one in two toothpastes contain titanium dioxide, a substance suspected of promoting colorectal cancer.
- It is advisable to avoid toothpastes promising a “whitening action”.
What do our toothpastes really contain? This is the question posed by the famous magazine 60 million consumers. He answers it in an investigation published this month in the special issue Special teeth, and reveals that many toxic compounds can be found there.
Toothpaste: titanium dioxide in half of the products
The magazine analyzed a dozen references among the best-selling in stores. All contain water, surfactants to create a foaming effect, often fluoride to protect tooth enamel or flavorings for taste. However, some of them also contain toxic chemicals for the body, including titanium dioxide.
“Half of the toothpastes in our selection also contain titanium dioxide (titanium dioxide or TiO2), which sometimes hides under the CI codes 77891 or E171”, details the magazine. However, this substance is controversial because it is suspected of promoting colorectal cancer.
The survey also points to the presence “abrasive agents that act in addition to brushing”, such as silica, calcium carbonate, alumina, sodium bicarbonate or even clay. These powders serve to remove dental plaque before it turns into tartar, but sometimes they would be “too efficient”. Indeed, if they offer a whitening effect in the short term, they can gradually lead to a reduction in the thickness of the enamel. To avoid them, it is not recommended to buy products mentioning a “whitening action”.
What are the least toxic toothpastes in the supermarket?
Among the twelve references studied by 60 million consumers, three products topped the ranking:
- organic Carrefour Soft toothpaste (€2.05 for a 75ml tube);
- Elgydium sensitive teeth toothpaste (€3.25 for a 75 ml tube);
- Fluocaril bi-fluorinated Gel Kids 3-6 years old, strawberry toothpaste (€2.5 for 50 ml).
