Maya Ellison
In 2014, it was discovered that Crest toothpaste contained plastic microbeads made from polyethylene, the same plastic used to make bottles and grocery bags. These microbeads were added for decorative purposes and were not biodegradable, leading to concerns about their environmental impact and potential health risks. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved polyethylene as safe for use in personal care products, including toothpaste, Crest faced significant backlash from consumers and environmentalists. In response, Crest pledged to remove polyethylene microbeads from its toothpaste line, with most products becoming microbead-free by 2016. This incident sparked a broader discussion about the presence of plastic in personal care products and the need for stricter regulations to protect consumer health and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Plastic |
| Chemical Name | Polyethylene |
| Other Names | Microbeads, Microplastics |
| Appearance | Blue plastic bits |
| Size | Smaller than a millimeter |
| Biodegradability | Not biodegradable |
| FDA Approval | Approved as a food additive |
| Safety | Potentially harmful but unproven |
| Affected Toothpaste | Crest ProHealth, Crest 3D White |
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What You'll Learn
- Polyethylene microbeads in Crest toothpaste are FDA-approved
- Microbeads can be found in Crest ProHealth and 3D White
- Plastic microbeads can get stuck in gum channels, attracting bacteria
- Procter & Gamble pledged to remove microbeads from Crest by 2016
- Microbeads are non-biodegradable and contribute to plastic pollution
Polyethylene microbeads in Crest toothpaste are FDA-approved
Polyethylene microbeads in Crest toothpaste have been a cause for concern for many consumers. These tiny plastic particles, also found in grocery bags and bottles, are added to the toothpaste for decorative purposes. While Crest initially defended the use of polyethylene, citing FDA approval and safety, they eventually pledged to remove the ingredient by March 2016 due to consumer preference and pressure.
Polyethylene is one of the most common types of plastic, and its presence in Crest toothpaste came to light through a Chicago television station investigation in 2014. Dentists and dental assistants noticed tiny blue plastic beads stuck in people's gums, which were not biodegradable and small enough to pass through water filtration systems. This discovery sparked concerns about the potential impact on dental health and the environment.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved polyethylene as a food additive, deeming it safe for use in personal care products, including toothpaste. The American Dental Association (ADA) also supported this, stating that clinical studies showed the microbeads did not pose a health risk. However, some dental professionals disagreed, arguing that the microbeads could trap bacteria in the gums and contribute to gingivitis.
In response to the growing concerns, Crest acknowledged the issue and committed to removing polyethylene microbeads from their toothpaste. They stated that while the ingredient was safe, they respected the preference of their consumers to exclude it. By 2016, most of their products were microbead-free, and they received thousands of calls from concerned consumers.
The removal of polyethylene microbeads from Crest toothpaste highlights the power of consumer influence and the importance of ongoing dialogue between companies and their customers. While the initial inclusion of these microbeads caused concern, Crest's responsiveness to feedback and commitment to change were positive steps toward ensuring the safety and satisfaction of their customers.
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Microbeads can be found in Crest ProHealth and 3D White
Microbeads, tiny beads made from polyethylene, have been found in Crest ProHealth and 3D White toothpastes. Polyethylene is the most common plastic in the world, used primarily for containers and packaging, such as bottles and plastic bags.
The plastic microbeads in these toothpastes are not biodegradable and are so small that they can slip through water filtration systems, contributing to plastic pollution in oceans and waterways. Illinois was the first state to ban products containing microbeads, and other states, including New York and California, have followed suit.
Dental professionals have expressed concern that the microbeads can become trapped in the small channels around teeth, called sulci, and may attract bacteria, leading to gum inflammation and potentially periodontal disease. Procter & Gamble, the manufacturer of Crest, initially defended the safety of its products, stating that clinical studies showed that the microbeads did not pose a health risk. However, due to growing consumer preference and pressure, they pledged to remove polyethylene microbeads from their toothpaste line.
While the American Dental Association (ADA) stated that clinical studies showed that the microbeads did not warrant the removal of the ADA Seal of Approval, they also acknowledged the preference for removing this ingredient and committed to monitoring and evaluating new scientific information on the issue.
It is important to note that not all Crest toothpaste products contain microbeads, and consumers are advised to check the inactive ingredients list for polyethylene or polypropylene to make an informed choice.
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Plastic microbeads can get stuck in gum channels, attracting bacteria
Plastic microbeads in toothpaste have been a cause for concern for many consumers. In 2014, an investigation by a Chicago television station revealed that Crest toothpaste contained plastic microbeads made from polyethylene, a common type of plastic used in packaging and containers. These microbeads, while deemed safe by the FDA, are not biodegradable and can slip through water filtration systems, contributing to plastic pollution in oceans and waterways.
The presence of plastic microbeads in toothpaste raised concerns about their potential impact on dental health. Dentists and dental assistants began noticing these tiny plastic particles stuck in people's gums, particularly in the gum channels called sulci. The sulcus is a vulnerable area where gum diseases like gingivitis can begin. When hundreds of microbeads smaller than a millimetre are scrubbed into the gums daily, many of them get trapped in these channels.
The trapped plastic microbeads can attract bacteria and lead to gingivitis, as stated by some dental professionals. Gingivitis can cause gum inflammation, bleeding, and, if left untreated, can progress to periodontal disease and tooth loss. However, Procter & Gamble, the manufacturer of Crest toothpaste, defended their product, stating that years of clinical research showed no evidence of harm.
In response to consumer concerns and pressure, Crest announced that it would remove the plastic microbeads from its toothpaste. By 2016, most of their products were promised to be microbead-free. Illinois became the first state to ban products containing microbeads, with other states following suit. Consumers were advised to check the inactive ingredients for polyethylene or polypropylene to avoid purchasing products with plastic microbeads.
While the potential health risks of plastic microbeads in toothpaste remain a subject of debate, the environmental impact of these non-biodegradable particles has prompted legislative action and changes in the formulation of personal care products. Consumers played a crucial role in driving these changes, expressing their preference for toothpaste and other hygiene products free of plastic microbeads.
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Procter & Gamble pledged to remove microbeads from Crest by 2016
In 2014, Procter & Gamble (P&G), the maker of Crest toothpaste, pledged to remove microbeads from its dental products by March 2016. This decision came in response to growing public concern about the environmental and health impacts of microbeads.
Microbeads, tiny plastic beads found in many personal care products, have been the subject of increasing scrutiny due to their potential harm to marine life and human health. Made from polyethylene, the same substance used in plastic bags and containers, these beads are not biodegradable and can slip through water filtration systems, accumulating in oceans and lakes. This contributes to plastic pollution and can harm marine life as they consume the beads along with the chemicals absorbed by them.
In the case of Crest toothpaste, specifically the Pro Health and 3D White lines, dental professionals began noticing blue specks around the gum lines of patients. These were identified as microbeads, which can get lodged in the pockets of the gums, leading to potential issues such as redness, puffiness, and even bleeding. While the American Dental Association (ADA) stated that clinically relevant dental health studies did not indicate a need to remove the Seal of Approval from toothpastes containing microbeads, P&G recognised the growing consumer preference for their removal.
P&G's decision to remove microbeads from Crest toothpaste was well ahead of state legislation targets. The company's swift response to customer concerns was impressive, especially compared to other companies facing more serious complaints about their products. By March 2015, the majority of Crest's product volume was already microbead-free, and the complete removal was achieved by the pledged date of March 2016.
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Microbeads are non-biodegradable and contribute to plastic pollution
Microbeads, the plastic particles found in Crest toothpaste, are made of polyethylene, the same plastic used to make bottles and grocery bags. Polyethylene is the most common plastic in the world, used primarily for containers and packaging. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved polyethylene as a food additive, it is not approved for direct addition to food. This distinction has led to concerns about the presence of plastic in toothpaste, as it is being used for decorative purposes rather than as an active ingredient.
The non-biodegradable nature of polyethylene contributes to plastic pollution. These microbeads are small enough to slip through water filtration systems, allowing them to enter waterways and oceans, where they add to the growing problem of plastic pollution. Environmentalists have expressed concern over this issue, and states like Illinois, New York, and California have introduced legislation to ban products containing microbeads. The legislation in Illinois, the first of its kind in the world, gives companies until 2017 to phase out the use of microbeads, which is a concern for environmentalists who want immediate action.
The presence of microbeads in toothpaste has also raised concerns about dental health. While the American Dental Association (ADA) stated that clinical studies show microbeads do not pose a health risk, some dental professionals disagree. They argue that the microbeads can become trapped in the small channels around teeth, known as sulci, and may attract bacteria, potentially leading to gingivitis and other dental issues. This has led to calls for the removal of microbeads from toothpaste, with Crest pledging to eliminate them from their products by 2016 due to consumer demands.
The controversy surrounding the use of microbeads in toothpaste highlights the potential environmental and health impacts of non-biodegradable plastics. The small size of microbeads allows them to bypass filtration systems, contributing to plastic pollution in waterways and oceans. Additionally, the presence of plastic particles in dental hygiene products has sparked debates about their potential effects on oral health, with some arguing that they can contribute to gum inflammation and disease. As a result, there is a growing preference for toothpaste and other personal care products that do not contain microbeads or plastic additives.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic in Crest toothpaste is polyethylene, the same plastic used to make bottles and grocery bags.
Crest has stated that polyethylene is added to its toothpaste for decorative purposes. However, some sources claim that the plastic microbeads can trap bacteria in the gums and lead to gingivitis.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that polyethylene is safe for use in personal care products, including toothpaste. However, some dentists and dental hygienists have advised patients to find alternatives as it is a non-biodegradable product.
In 2014, Crest announced that it would remove polyethylene microbeads from its toothpaste due to pressure from consumers. By 2016, most of its products were microbead-free.
