This is the long awaited article in order to understand our daily toothpaste ingredients. I could write only on the famous international and Indian brands like Pepsodent, Colgate, CloseUp, Babool, Meswak, Neem, Sensodyne and Signal (click to see photo). They should cover majority of the global toothpaste market. If your toothpaste is not one of these, simply check ingredients on the tube and know the possible hazards.
Surprisingly, the brand names like Babool, Neem, Meswak also have lots of chemicals. Only thing is they additionally got extract of some herbs which is not going to reduce the harms from other added chemicals. Some toothpaste only describe the herbal content but not the other chemicals used in the paste.
My aim is not to de-motivate oral hygiene. Neither am I trying to promote/demote any particular brand nor am I claiming that the used chemicals are not beneficial at all. I’m attempting to bring forward the possible risks hidden behind the strong marketing campaigns of modern toothpastes. The list below is not all inclusive and for indication purpose only. The RISKS mentioned vary between persons, doses, method of injection, concentration and various other factors.
Why should dentifrice have harmful chemicals obtained from poor animals? Companies would never declare the unhuman source of the ingredients. Therefore, tooth powder with natural constituents is always better and healthier alternative because use of finger additionally offers massage to the gums which can never be achieved by toothbrush.
Chemical | Claimed Purpose | Toothpaste Brands | Possible Health Hazards | Also used in/as | Usually obtained from/by |
Benzyl Alcohol | Fragrant | Pepsodent | Irritating to the upper respiratory tract, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Dizziness, Drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure | Inks, Paints, Lacquers, Perfume, Cologne, Soap, Shampoo, Nail enamel remover, Air freshener, Laundry bleach, Detergent, Vaseline lotion, Deodorants, Fabric softener | Fruits, Teas, Oils, Hydrolysis of benzyl chloride using sodium hydroxide |
Calcium Carbonate | Abrasive | Pepsodent, Signal, Babool, Meswak, Neem | Kidney stones, Stomach or bone pain, Constipation, Headaches, Nausea or Comas | Cement, Chalk, Emulsion paints, Adhesives, Sealants, Decorating fillers, Ceramics | Chalk, Mining or quarrying |
Calcium Gluconate | Anti Poisonous | Signal | Nausea, Constipation, Stomach upset, Renal plasma flow, Diuresis, Natriuresis, Vasodilation, Cardiac arrhythmias, Decreased blood Pressure, Bradycardia | Mineral supplement, Hypocalcemia, Treatment of HF burns, Hyperkalemia | Calcium salt of gluconic acid |
Carrageenan | Stabilizer | Colgate, Babool, Meswak, Neem | Suppressing immune function, Probable Carcinogen | Shoe Polish, Beer, Processed meat, Shampoo | Seaweeds |
Cellulose Gum | Binder | Pepsodent, Signal, Babool, CloseUp, Meswak | Hypoallergenic | Paints, Detergents, Textile sizing | Cellulose and chloroacetic acid |
Cocamidopropyl Betaine | Surfactant | Colgate, Sensodyne | Allergic reactions | Shampoos, Hair conditioners, Hand soap, Bubble bath, Shower gels, Industrial cleaning Formulations | Coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine |
Formaldehyde | Anti-Bacterial | Signal, Babool, Meswak | Carcinogen, Highly toxic to humans, Ingestion of as little as 30 mL of a solution containing 37% formaldehyde has been reported to cause death | Resins, Disinfectant and biocide, Tissue fixative and embalming agent, Photography | Catalytic oxidation of methanol |
Glycerin | Humectant | Colgate, Sensodyne, Neem | Low toxic, Anal irritation, Burning sensation, Diarrhea, Gas, Nausea, Stomach cramps | Liqueurs, Snus, Pharma, Soaps, Shaving cream | Byproduct of soap-making |
Hydrated Silica | Abrasive, Thickener | Pepsodent, Colgate, Signal, Sensodyne, Babool, CloseUp, Meswak, Neem | Persistent, Bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans, Can damage tooth enamel | Paints, Varnish, Beer | Natural ore |
Limonene (Orange Flavor) | Flavorants | Signal | Skin and respiratory irritant, treated as hazardous waste for disposal | Cosmetics, BioFuel | Hydrocarbon |
Methylparaben | Preservative | Signal, Neem | When applied on the skin may react with UVB leading to increased skin aging and DNA damage | Cosmetics, Personal care products, Food preservative (E218), Fungicide | Blueberries |
PEG-32 | Binder, Humectant | Pepsodent, Signal, CloseUp | Contains toxins that affect reproduction, Probable Carcinogen | Toiletries | Synthetic |
PEG-600 | Thickener | Colgate | Carcinogen and contains toxins that affect reproduction. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant, permeator), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. | Lubricant in tyre manufacturing, Plasticiser for sponges and synthetic leather, Paper softner, Anti curl agent, Flux for soldering, Intermediate in resin manufacturing | Synthetic |
Potassium Nitrate | Dentine hypersensitivit | Sensodyne | Coughing and shortness of breath, Skin or eye contact may result in irritation such as redness, itching and pain. If ingested, can cause Blue lips and Fingernails, Abdominal pain, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea | Fertilizers, Rocket propellants, Fireworks, Gunpowder, Fire extinguisher | Combination of ammonium nitrate and potassium hydroxide |
Propylene Glycol | Absorbant, Stabilizer | Colgate | Low chronic oral toxicity, Can produce slight transient conjunctivitis, Exposure to mists may cause eye irritation, as well as upper respiratory tract irritation | Toiletries, Pharmaceuticals, polyester compounds, Deicing solution, Artificial smoke, Paintballs, Coolant, Solvent | Propylene oxide |
Propylparaben | Preservative | Signal, Neem | Hormone mimicking properties, Carcinogen (may cause breast cancer), Itching, Burning, Scaling, Hives and Blistering of skin in sensitive individuals | Cosmetics, Personal care products, Food preservative (E216), Fungicide | Plants, Insects |
Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose | Thickener | Colgate, Neem | Hypoallergenic | Ice cream, Explosives, Paints, Plywood, K-Y Jelly, Laxatives, Detergents, Textile sizing, Welding electrodes | Alkali-catalyzed reaction of cellulose with chloroacetic acid |
Sodium Fluoride | Anticaries agent | Pepsodent, Colgate, Signal, Sensodyne, CloseUp | Carcinogen, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Thyroid disease, Fluoride is more toxic than lead (5-10 gm dose for a 70 Kg person is lethal) | Pesticides, including fungicides and insecticides, Laundry scour, Desilylation, Glass frosting, Stainless steel pickling | Neutralizing the byproduct of superphosphate fertilizer |
Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | pH Regulator | Colgate, Sensodyne | Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation of the respiratory tract, Pulmonary edema, Severe skin burns with deep ulceration and permanent scarring | Detergents, Drain cleaning, Aluminium production, Caustic washing of crude oil, Paper making | Electrolytic chloralkali process |
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SDS, NaDS) | Detergent, Surfactant | Pepsodent, Colgate, Signal, Sensodyne, Babool, CloseUp, Meswak, Neem | Eczema, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) | Garages as engine degreaser and to mop the oil strained floors, Shampoo, Shaving foams | Lauryl alcohol with sulfur trioxide gas and then neutralized through sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate |
Sodium Monofluorophosphate | Anticaries agent | Pepsodent, Signal, Neem | Developmental/reproductive toxicity | Osteoporosis, Fluorination for drinking water, Bactericide medicine and Flushing agent for metal surface | Hydrolysis of difluorophosphate ions with dilute sodium hydroxide |
Sodium Saccharine | Sweetner | Pepsodent, Colgate, Signal, Sensodyne, Babool, CloseUp, Meswak, Neem | No food energy, leads to an increase in cell proliferation of the urothelium. Studies in laboratory rats during the early 1970s linked saccharin with the development of bladder cancer. Later studies could not find such evidence with humans. Who knows what comes next? | Canned fruit, Flavored gelatin, Dessert toppings, Diet sodas, Baked goods, Jams, Chewing gum, Candies | Anthranilic acid reacting with nitrous acid, sulfur dioxide, chlorine, and then ammonia |
Sodium Silicate | Anticorrosive | Babool, Meswak, Neem | Irritation of mucous membranes, Burning sensation, Coughing or shortness of breath, Nausea, Vomiting, Can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation that presents with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea | Adhesive, Cements, Passive fire protection, Refractories, Textile and lumber processing, Automobiles, Drilling fluids, Detergent auxiliaries | Sodium carbonate and silicon dioxide react |
Sorbitol | Humectant | Pepsodent, Colgate, Signal, Sensodyne, Babool, CloseUp, Meswak, Neem | Irritable bowel syndrome, Severe abdominal pain, Gas, Severe diarrhea | Sugar substitue, Laxative, Cosmetics, Chewing gums | sorbitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase |
Specially Denatured Alcohol 38 B | Solvent, Thinner | Pepsodent | Unpalatable but otherwise seems to be non-poisonous | Cosmetic Astringent, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent | Mixing ethanol with a denaturing agent |
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate | Tartar controlling agent | Colgate | Toxicity is approximately twice that of table salt when ingested orally | Food additive as palatability enhancer, Detergents, Instant puddings | Sodium tripolyphosphate and a sodium salt |
Titanium Dioxide | Dye, Opaque | Pepsodent, Sensodyne | IARC has determined that titanium dioxide is possibly carcinogenic to humans based on inadequate evidence in humans and sufficient evidence in experimental animals. | Sunscreen and UV absorber, Photocatalyst, Electronic data storage medium | Naturally occurring oxide of titanium |
Triclosan | Antibacterial/Antifungal | Colgate | Endocrine disruption, Allergic, Reacts with the chlorine in the tab water to form chloroform gas and chlorinated dioxins, both known carcinogens | Pesticide, Deodorants, Shower gels | 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-methoxydiphenyl ether with aluminium chloride in benzene under reflux |
Trisodium Phosphate | Detergent | Pepsodent | Chronic Toxicity is known but is not believed to be significant for low concentration | Automatic dishwashing soaps, Toilet bowl cleaners, Stain remover and degreaser, Flux for hard soldering | Sodium hydroxide with the filtrate of phosphoric acid and soda ash |
Wintergreen | Flavorants | Pepsodent | 30 ml of oil of wintergreen is equivalent to 55.7 g of aspirin, or about 171 adult aspirin tablets. This illustrates the potency and potential toxicity of oil of wintergreen even in small quantities. 7.07 gm can be a lethal dose for a 70-kg adult. | Rubefacient, Chewing Gum, Candies, Root beer, Glacial acetic acid, Antiseptic | Plants |
Xanthan Gum | Binder | Sensodyne | Respiratory symptoms, Necrotizing enterocolitis, Allergen | Cosmetics, Drilling operation, Salat dressing, Suace, Frozen food, Ice creams | Corn, Wheat, Dairy, Soya |
Zinc citrate trihydrate | Whitener | Pepsodent | Side effects include nausea, vomiting and upset stomach. Taking high doses may result in headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, hallucinations, sweating, lack of coordination, anemia, intolerance to alcohol, weakened immune system functioning and increased cholesterol | Dietary supplement, Oral care products | Zinc compounds |
