You might have assumed that those little blue dots in toothpaste unleashed powerful scrubbing agents, special whiteners or bursts of fresh flavors. Nope, turns out the joke is on consumers.
It’s now been discovered – thanks to some observant dental hygienists – that the blue dots are simply a marketing tool that have no benefits for your teeth and could even be harmful.
Procter & Gamble has admitted that the bright blue dots used in its Crest brand toothpaste are nothing more than plastic microbeads, but the company claims the sparkles contribute to an “enjoyable brushing experience for millions of consumers.”
Dentist Justin Phillip explained why the microbeads are not a good idea. “They’ll trap bacteria in the gums which leads to gingivitis, and over time that infection moves from the gum into the bone that holds your teeth, and that becomes periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is scary.”
That opinion was disputed by Edmond R. Hewlett, a professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, who said he sees “no evidence at all” that the beads pose a health concern. “There’s no evidence whatsoever that these beads are able to get stuck under the gum to the extent that normal brushing or flossing couldn’t remove them,” he said.
Procter & Gamble also said it doesn’t believe the microbeads are dangerous, but has agreed anyway to stop using them in its product line.
“While the ingredient in question is completely safe, approved for use in foods by the FDA, and part of an enjoyable brushing experience for millions of consumers with no issues, we understand there is a growing preference for us to remove this ingredient. So we will,” a company statement said.
“We currently have products without microbeads for those who would prefer them. We have begun removing microbeads from the rest of our toothpastes, and the majority of our product volume will be microbead-free within six months.”
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