There's an alarming ingredient in some Crest toothpastes that have dentists worried about your gum health.
The ingredient, polyethylene, is listed under inactive ingredients and is a common type of plastic.
For years Crest toothpaste has been using it and labeling polyethylene as "microbeads" in toothpaste, promising the blue scrubbing beads are an FDA-approved food additive with “no evidence of particles persisting underneath the gum line or causing harm.”
Houston Dentist Spiker Davis said,“There's been no testing that I know of that say go ahead and swallow it and it will be fine. I think what they're saying is as long as you don't swallow it you will be fine... but all of us are guilty of not getting all of the toothpaste out of your mouth when you brush.”
Davis says the beads are plastic and can get wedged under people's gums, in fact he says he gets at least a few patients every week with them lodged in their mouths, but that's not even his main concern.
“The big concern for me is a little kid. You know they're going to be swallowing some of that stuff even though it says not to on the tube,” he said.
"We included these beads in some of Crest’s toothpastes based on the positive feedback from people who use our products," Crest said in a statement. "Dental professionals will attest that enjoyable toothpastes generally promote longer brushing time and thus healthier outcomes."
“Microbead removal from our toothpastes is well underway, and the majority of our product volume is already microbead-free. We will complete our removal process by February of 2016, one month earlier than initial date, and ahead of current legislation targets [deadlines]. We currently have products without microbeads for those who would prefer them immediately,” Crest said.
Here's a list of toothpaste currently sold without polyethylene, according to the Crest website:
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Smooth Mint
Crest 3D White Radiant Mint
Crest Sensi Repair & Prevent
Crest Pro-Health [HD]
Crest Whitening + Scope
Crest Baking Soda Peroxide
Crest Extra Whitening
Crest Cavity
Crest Tartar + Whitening
According to the National Institutes of Health, these are the toothpastes that list polyethylene as an ingredient:
Crest 3D White Radiant Mint
Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh
Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White
Crest Complete Multi-Benefit Whitening Plus Deep Clean
Crest Sensitivity Treatment and Protection
Crest 3D White Luxe Lustrous Shine
Crest Extra White Plus Scope Outlast
Crest SensiRelief Maximum Strength Whitening Plus Scope
Crest Pro-Health Sensitive + Enamel Shield
Crest Pro-Health Clinical Gum Protection
Crest Pro-Health For Life for ages 50+
Crest Complete Multi-Benefit Extra White+ Crystal Clean Anti-Bac
Crest Be Adventurous Mint Chocolate Trek
Crest Be Dynamic Lime Spearmint Zest
Crest Be Inspired Vanilla Mint Spark
Crest Pro-Health Healthy Fresh
Crest Pro-Health Smooth Mint