How to choose your toothpaste? The 4 mistakes to avoid

(Partial reproduction of the article published on 04/15/2020 in the Journal des Femmes)

Whiteners, highly fluorinated, anti-tartar, with vegetable charcoal, for sensitive teeth… Toothpastes flood the shelves of supermarkets and pharmacies. If they are essential for good oral hygiene, they must be chosen with rigor. Some may contain worrying substances. List of ingredients to avoid, effectiveness… The experts have their say.

Error no. 1: Use an overly abrasive whitening toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes do not stain teeth, but help remove plaque and stains, thanks to silica and abrasive agents. “According to the ISO 11609 standard (since 1998), toothpastes with an RDA* value of less than 250 can be used without risk on a daily basis,” specifies Virginie Saint-Marc, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health. Provided you make gentle movements and use a toothbrush with soft bristles.

-> Our tip: avoid toothpastes that are too polishing – such as those with vegetable charcoal – which can damage the enamel.

*index which measures the abrasion of the dentin

Error no. 2: Choose a toothpaste with titanium dioxide (E171)

Present in many toothpastes, titanium dioxide (E171) is a white dye that could have carcinogenic effects. For Dr. Christophe Lequart, dental surgeon and spokesperson for the UFSBD, nothing to worry about: “it is within the limits recommended by ANSM and ANSES. That is to say at a maximum concentration of 25% of particles. These particles, due to their "large size", cannot pass the cellular barrier and therefore have no impact on health". And to add "there is only one study on the potential risks of E171, which only concerns nanoparticles". If "they are not authorized in the composition of these products" indicates the dentist, the manufacturers are not obliged to include them in this state on the packaging. It is therefore difficult to be certain of the safety of the product.

-> Our tip: avoid toothpastes that contain E171

Error no. 3: Use toothpaste with triclosan

Triclosan is an anti-bacterial found in many toothpastes. “This molecule has been controversial for several years because it is suspected of being an endocrine disruptor and carcinogen. We are therefore closer to a precautionary principle than to the notion of toxic doses,” says Dr. Jean-Marc Sapori, toxicologist at the Lyon Poison Control Center. “For the moment it does not appear to be a dangerous substance in the eyes of ANSM and ANSES. We must therefore consider that there is no danger in relation to its consumption in everyday life, ”says Dr Christophe Lequart.

->Our tip: as a precaution, avoid it.

Error no. 4: Use toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant that causes toothpaste to foam on contact with water. Its concentration must be less than 0.5% because it may, beyond that, be irritating to the skin. In addition, it may contain measurable amounts of 1.4 dioxane, a potentially carcinogenic solvent. For Dr. Christophe Lequart, "this agent cannot appear as a dangerous substance as long as ANSM and ANSES believe that there is no danger to health".

-> Our tip: avoid toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulphate