Among the trivial matters of daily life, choosing a toothpaste seems to be a trivial matter. Walking into the supermarket, the dazzling array of toothpaste in front of you makes people overwhelmed, colorful packaging, all kinds of exaggerated efficacy labels, as if each toothpaste can bring us a full range of dental health protection. However, there are hidden risks behind this.
Just like those food additives that sound lofty, but in fact may pose a potential threat to our health, the ingredients in some toothpastes may put a big question mark on our health when used for a long time.
Today, let's talk about what are the two types of toothpastes we best avoid when choosing toothpaste, and the potential cancer risk that they may bring.
1. Misunderstandings about toothpaste purchase: two common potential risks
Toothpaste, such a small daily product, you may never have thought that it can become a hidden health hazard. There are countless types of toothpastes on the market now, but there are two kinds of toothpaste, and we really need to have a few more eyes.
The first is toothpastes that contain triclosan. Triclosan, as soon as you hear the name, you know that it is not simple, it is an antibacterial agent, it sounds quite good, but in fact, it may be a big gamble with our health.
The second type is toothpaste containing diethylene glycol. It used to be a common thing in toothpaste, but now, if you see it on the ingredient list, you have to put it back in.
2. Triclosan toothpaste: the hidden danger of broad-spectrum antibacterial agents
Speaking of triclosan, this product is well-known in the toothpaste industry. Its antibacterial effect is really good, it can defeat a lot of bacteria, so it was once widely used in toothpaste.
However, as research deepened, it was found that this antimicrobial agent is not so safe. Studies have shown that triclosan reacts with chlorine in tap water to produce a variety of harmful substances.
Although the amount of these substances is very small, don't forget that toothpaste is something we use every day, and over time, the accumulation of these harmful substances can have an impact on the body that should not be underestimated.
More seriously, some studies have even suggested that long-term exposure to triclosan may increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, the next time you buy toothpaste, you have to read the ingredient list carefully, and the word triclosan can be avoided.
3. Diethylene glycol toothpaste: a humectant that is prohibited from being used
Diethylene glycol, a term often found in cosmetic ingredient lists, is mainly used as a moisturizer, and toothpaste is no exception.
It keeps the toothpaste in a suitable moist state, prevents drying and hardening, and ensures the smoothness and stability of the toothpaste. However, the safety of diethylene glycol is a highly controversial topic.
Past studies have shown that diethylene glycol may be converted into other harmful substances, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which are highly volatile at room temperature and easily absorbed by the human body, and long-term exposure may cause potential health hazards.
Especially in sensitive areas such as the oral cavity, the presence of diethylene glycol has attracted widespread attention. The oral mucosa is highly absorbent, and once harmful substances are present, they can easily enter the bloodstream through the mucosa.
Therefore, some countries and regions have taken measures to ban or restrict the use of toothpastes containing diethylene glycol. Although different countries have different regulations and standards for diethylene glycol, as consumers, we should try to avoid choosing products containing diethylene glycol when purchasing toothpaste to prevent potential health risks.
4. Fluoride toothpaste: the importance of correct use
Fluorine, which is a big star in the toothpaste industry, is not covered with a moth-proof effect. Fluoride toothpaste can help strengthen the enamel on the surface of the tooth and make it less susceptible to dissolution by acids, thus preventing tooth decay. That's why most dentists recommend fluoride toothpaste. However, while the benefits of fluoride are numerous, improper use can also cause problems.
Especially in high-fluoride areas, the fluoride content of the water people drink is inherently high, and long-term use of fluoride toothpaste can lead to excessive fluoride intake.
Excess fluoride can cause not only dental fluorosis, but also skeletal fluorosis, both of which are manifestations of fluorosis. Dental fluorosis can cause blotchy and unsightly appearance on teeth, while skeletal fluorosis can cause bone pain and hardening, which can have a serious impact on quality of life.
Therefore, when choosing a fluoride toothpaste, we need to make a judgment based on the fluoride content in our area. Moderate use of fluoride toothpaste is beneficial for people in most areas, but if you're in a place where fluoride levels are high, you should consider using a non-fluoride toothpaste, or use it under the guidance of your dentist.
In addition, children should be careful when using fluoride toothpaste because of their weak self-control, so as not to swallow too much toothpaste and cause excessive fluoride intake.
The choice of toothpaste may seem simple, but it is actually related to our daily oral health, so we need to be careful when choosing not only the cleaning effect, but also the safety and applicability of the product.
By understanding the ingredients in toothpaste and its potential risks, we can protect our teeth more scientifically and make our smiles brighter.
5. The truth about functional toothpaste
In the world of toothpaste, there is a class of products that are called "functional toothpastes", which claim to have special benefits other than cleaning, such as controlling periodontal disease, acid-proof toothpastes for tooth sensitivity, etc.
These toothpastes often attract consumers with their special effects, but in fact, in the field of toothpaste, the main thing that has really been recognized and recommended by the medical community is fluoride toothpaste. Because fluoride toothpaste is undeniably effective in preventing tooth decay, it can significantly reduce the incidence of dental caries.
However, for other so-called "functional toothpastes", there is not enough medical research to support their effectiveness.
Some toothpastes claim to be effective in controlling periodontal disease or protecting sensitive teeth, but often lack rigorous clinical trial results.
When purchasing such products, consumers should have a certain degree of discernment, and should not blindly pursue various efficacy claims on the label, but should pay more attention to the basic cleaning function and ingredient safety of the product.
6. The choice of natural ingredient toothpaste
With the increase in people's health awareness, more and more toothpastes are appearing on the market that advertise "natural ingredients", which often claim to be free of harmful chemicals and added with natural botanical ingredients, which seem safer and healthier. However, consumers also need to be cautious about this type of toothpaste.
First of all, natural is not the same as harmless. Many natural plant ingredients can cause allergic reactions in certain populations. Second, there is often a lack of scientific evidence as to whether the "natural ingredients" in these toothpastes actually provide additional oral health benefits.
When choosing a toothpaste that contains natural ingredients, consumers should pay attention to the ingredient list to understand what each ingredient does and whether it has the potential to cause allergies. In addition, it is also important to note whether these toothpastes contain enough fluoride to protect your teeth, because the ultimate goal is to maintain the health of your teeth and mouth, whether they are natural or chemical.
epilogue
In this era of choice, toothpaste is no longer just a cleaning product, they carry more expectations and functions. But behind these fancy functions, we should return to the most essential needs of toothpaste - cleaning and protecting teeth.
When choosing toothpaste, we should not only be attracted by superficial advertisements, but should have an in-depth understanding of the ingredients of the product, and make an informed choice based on our actual needs and the environmental characteristics of the region.