Sugar, as we know, is one of the main causes of dental cavities, and it certainly cannot be part of the formulation of a toothpastemuch less if intended for children. Well, a new test has discovered – surprisingly – that this is not always the case.
We refer to a recent survey by Que Choisir who tested various toothpastes for adults and children and found in some of these the glucosea type of sugar which, albeit in small quantities, could contribute to the formation of tooth decay. This turns out to be a paradox, considering that the main objective of toothpastes should be protection against tooth decay.
The situation was reported by a French consumer who noticed something strange in the children’s toothpaste she was using for her daughter:
My daughter has been brushing her teeth three times a day since she was two years old. We limit his sugar intake and don’t buy candy except for birthdays. Today he is six years old and has eight cavities. Why? – Claire said after discovering that the organic toothpaste she used contained glucose.
His reaction to the label was obviously one of disbelief: is it possible for a toothpaste to contain sugar?
Well, the experts at Que Choisir they checked and, although they could not confirm a direct link between the glucose in the toothpaste and the little girl’s cavities, the report prompted a more in-depth investigation. It has emerged that many toothpastes, especially organic ones, contain glucose, used as a gelling agent or to improve consistency.
How to find glucose on the label
We don’t know if the situation is the same in Italy and which brands and products possibly contain glucose, but it is always a good idea to check the ingredients on the label.
Here are some tips:
The position of the producers
Body Nature, which produces Centifolia toothpaste (the brand that the French girl used) claims that the amount of glucose in the toothpaste (only 0.05%) is minimal and does not represent a problem, as the product is then spat out and rinsed.
However, experts warn that, even in small quantities, glucose could contribute to tooth decay, especially in children who are unable to rinse their mouth properly.
However, when in doubt and given that not all toothpastes contain it, it is better to opt for products that do not.
Adult toothpastes: no better than children’s toothpastes
Also some adult toothpastes, including various products from Curaprox brand, were found to contain glucose.
This is, for example, the formulation of a toothpaste that contains glucose that we found online:
“AQUA, GLYCERIN, HYDRATED SILICA, SORBITOL, XYLITOL, PANTHENOL, AROMA, SODIUM MONOFLUOROPHOSPHATE, MALTODEXTRIN, MANNITOL, MICA, SUCRALOSE, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, ZEA MAYS STARCH, ECHINACEA PURPUREA ROOT EXTRACT, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, GLUCOSESODIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM METABISULFITE, CALCIUM CARBONATE, L-MENTHOL, CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM AMARA FRUIT EXTRACT, POTASSIUM THIOCYANATE, POLYLYSINE, CETYL ALCOHOL, SILICA, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, TIN OXIDE, HARPAGOPHYTUM PROCUMBENS ROOT EXTRACT, CI 77492, CI 77289″
If you want to avoid sugars in toothpastes, always carefully check the label of the one you intend to purchase.
