Do you have plastic beads in your toothpaste? Dentist warns of the dangers

By Staff Reporter - 18 Sep '14 13:04PM

Dentists are warning patients to steer clear of toothpaste with tiny beads in them as they tend to get stuck in between teeth, according to reports.

Procter & Gamble is making major changes to several of its products after a dental hygienist said she noticed something strange in her patients' mouths.

"I thought it was maybe a cleaning product, or something people were chewing," Walraven told WCYB 5 News in Virginia. "Some weeks I'll see [it in] five or six patients."

This is polyethylene plastic beads and they are found in toothpastes, face washes and body scrubs.

However, Polyethylene microbeads are FDA-approved as a food additive.

"It is used primarily for containers and packaging... and has been a concern for the environment because polyethylene lasts practically forever and isn't biodegradable," said Walraven. "It only breaks down into smaller and smaller particles until you can't see it anymore."

Surprised by her discovery, Walraven wrote a blog post which criticized Crest of "embedding plastic in our gums," accompanied with some disturbing graphics:

According to Walraven, the following toothpastes include polyethylene as an ingredient:

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