Can toothpaste cause Cancer?

Bad breath! Didn't you brush your teeth today? You might have heard this or have said this to someone. Nowadays, people take a huge interest in self-care and personal hygiene. And keeping your mouth clean and fresh is a part of it. Who does not like fresh breath and a clean mouth after all, right?

Toothpaste is an everyday necessity of humans that can be found in every household. Whether you believe it or not, toothpaste has become an essential need of your daily life. And why won't it be? Just like you, anyone would like to take care of their teeth by any means.

Toothpaste was first invented in 1824 by a dentist named Peabody. Colgate toothpaste came into existence around 1873, when Colgate started to make toothpaste jars. Before the existence of toothpaste, people used to use charcoal and water or a rough cloth and water (to scrub their teeth) to keep their mouths clean

Now let's talk about how toothpaste can cause cancer. You might have never heard of it or have never even thought about it that ordinary toothpaste sitting in your bathroom can prove to be carcinogenic. If someone says that the toothpaste that you are using is taking you a step closer to cancer, will you believe that person? No! Right? You will not believe it because you have been using it all your life, and it actually keeps your mouth hygienic. Even I would not have believed it if someone had told me the same. But what if I say that certain studies and research have claimed that the toothpaste you are using is carcinogenic?

Many renowned kinds of toothpaste contain nicotine in amounts which is equal to the quantity in nine and five cigarettes, according to research. However, manufacturers vigorously dispute the allegations.

According to research by the Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (DIPSAR), many toothpaste manufacturers adulterate their products with significant amounts of nicotine.

However, the producers of some of the dental creams and toothpowders mentioned by DIPSAR strongly disputed the results. The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act of 2003 prohibits the inclusion of tobacco in non-tobacco goods such as toothpaste and tooth powder.

According to Section 7(5) of the Act, each tobacco package must list the amount of nicotine and tar inside as well as the maximum allowed limits. These toothpaste makers are not complying with this requirement.

Additionally, since nicotine and tar are carcinogens, the manufacturers should list them as ingredients and their acceptable boundaries on the packaging to assist consumers in making educated decisions.

The widespread nicotine adulteration in tooth powders and toothpaste, according to Prof. Agarwal, has been addressed in letters to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Drug Controller-General of India, and the Delhi Drug Controller. Although it is prohibited by central excise, tobacco is still introduced; do they send this information to India's drug controller-general? According to Prof. Agarwal, nicotine action is thought to be the cause of the drug's inducible sense of enjoyment and addiction.

The adverse effects of nicotine in mouthwash can be compared to those of tobacco products like cigarettes and paan products. The tongue and saliva in the pharynx absorb the nicotine. Dr Rakesh Malhotra, senior dental specialist Centre for Advanced Dentistry, cautioned that it could also cause teeth to become stained and harm the entire enamel. He continued, "Nicotine-containing toothpaste can be just as addictive as other nicotine products". Nicotine can be taken through the lips, tongue, roof of the mouth, cheeks, and gums, which can result in issues like oral cancer and inflammation.

It can also be taken by the lips, tongue, roof of the mouth, cheeks, and gums, which can result in issues like oral cancer and inflammation. He continued, "mouth consumption of nicotine can result in mouth cancer, and agents that cause cancer can also enter the lining of the stomach, oesophagus, and bladder.

The same negative effects previously ascribed to tobacco products like cigarettes and paan masala may also apply to nicotine-containing toothpaste. The tongue and saliva in the lips absorb the nicotine in the toothpaste. Additionally, it can cause teeth to become stained and harm the entire enamel, according to senior oral surgeon Dr Rakesh Malhotra.