I’ve posted previously about states who’ve banned personal care products, like exfoliants, soaps etc, that contain microbeads. But did you know that they can also be found in some toothpastes?
Dentists are finding small plastic microbeads embedded in their patient’s gums. These microbeads do not biodegrade and can get stuck in your gums and cause gingivitis, infection and eventually periodontal disease.
What are microbeads used for?
What’s interesting is that these microbeads are used to add color to the toothpaste and not for any extra scrubbing power as one might imagine.
The FDA still deems these polyethylene micro beads as safe food additives, but since they do not biodegrade they end up in the environment via our sewage treatment centers and eventually in our water.
What you can do
Some toothpaste companies have agreed to remove these microbeads from their products by 2016. Until then you can avoid toothpastes with micro beads by looking for products with these ingredients:
Learn more about microbeads:
Gross plastic beads in toothpaste can get stuck in your gums
Dentists speak out about plastic beads in toothpaste
Which toothpastes contain plastic microbeads
The things that get added to our products…. And the fact that they are only there for the color! This just makes my stomach turn.
Why are we so fascinated with color? Really why does it matter if our toothpaste is green or it’s white. I’m afraid to know how many things would be a very different color if they weren’t altered by some dye or other chemical.
Whyyyyyyyyyyy would they put these into toothpastes?! WHY?!
Wow that’s awful! Just for the “look” of it, unbelievable.