PSA - Check your toothpaste!

[woodsprite]

Just got back from the dentist after having spent extra time in the chair while my hygienist picked blue plastic bits out of my gum line. She asked me if I used a specific Crest Pro-Health toothpaste. I told her "No, but my son did because it came with a promotional toothbrush when he got his braces. Why?" She said, "Oh, because there are blue plastic bits in there and they can get imbedded in the gum line, and you have them. Are you sure you didn't use his toothpaste?"

Soooo, she finished her work, and I went home to research and check our toothpastes in the house. Apparently Crest Optic 3D also has them. I ditched them all and went out and bought tubes of Tom's brand for all of our various bathrooms/people in the house.

I was sooooo pissed. Proctor and Gamble said it's in there for decorative purposes and they will stop using them when they find an acceptable replacement for polyethylene microbeads.

The ingredient is found in the following Crest products:
• Crest 3D White Radiant Mint
• Crest Pro-Health For Me
• Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh
• Crest 3D White Enamel Renewal
• Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White
• Crest Sensitivity Treatment and Protection
• Crest Complete Multi-Benefit Whitening Plus Deep Clean
• 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


Here are some links:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/drugs/crest.asp
(Snopes rates it as True)

http://www.dentalbuzz.com/2014/03/04/crest-imbeds-plastic-in-our-gums/
(has links to nih.gov for ingredient list of each of the products listed above)

http://stanwood-dentist.com/why-do-crest-toothpastes-contain-unsafe-polyethylene-plastic-particles/
(a dental practice that notes Proctor and Gambles reply)

Note: These are the same 'scrubby' beads that are used in some exfoliant body washes and lotions, but this is inside your body. Off to research if they are in other brands.

Mint chocolate toothpaste? Really?

[LiberalEsto]

1. This is disgusting

I wouldn't be surprised if the plastic bits contain BPA or other contaminants.

[woodsprite]

4. That was my second thought as well.

I'm starting to poke around to see if I can come up with info on that. I have found the following:

Regarding the beads in scrubs:
"These beads are too small for water treatment plants to filter out, so they end up in our waterways and eventually the ocean. In the ocean, tiny plastic pieces mix with the zooplankton to enter the food chain. What’s more, plastic in the ocean acts as a sponge, absorbing and concentrating toxic chemicals. It’s one thing when plastic ends up there inadvertently, but it’s inexcusable for companies to produce plastic products intentionally meant to be flushed down the drain. - See more at: http://myplasticfreelife.com/2013/06/take-action-no-more-plastic-micro-beads-in-facial-scrubs/#sthash.aGACa3Ne.dpuf"

And I found this from one company re: MSDS on poly spheres used in various products:
http://www.koboproductsinc.com/Microspheres.html#Polymer

Pending bills (from article at http://www.kelleydrye.com/publications/client_advisories/0892)

"The New York bill – the Microbead-Free Waters Act – was proposed by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney and coincided with the Attorney General’s announcement of L’Oréal’s decision to discontinue the use of microbeads in its cosmetic products. The proposed law, which would take effect December 31, 2015, would prohibit the production, manufacture, sale, or offer for sale of any personal care product containing intentionally-added microbeads, defined as “any plastic component of a personal cosmetic product measured to be five millimeters or less in size.” The bill defines “personal cosmetic product” as any product intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, excluding prescription drugs. Violators would be liable for a civil penalty up to $2,500 per day.

The California bill, introduced by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, would amend the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (commonly known as Proposition 65) to prohibit the selling or offering for promotional purposes of any cleaning product or personal care product containing 1 part per million (ppm) or greater of microplastic – defined as any plastic five millimeters or less in size. Cleaning products and personal care products are defined as mixtures and solutions used for bathing and cleaning, and include, but are not limited to, hand and body soap, exfoliates, shampoos, toothpastes, and scrubs. This bill would not become effective until January 1, 2016, but would also impose a civil penalty of $2,500 per day per violation. "

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Damn..we use that stuff

USED, I mean....no more crest in this house.

thanks for the heads up.

[pscot]

3. Why would anyone with a brain

think this is a good idea?