A healthy dental regimen is vital to keep those pearly whites happy and glowing. Regular brushing and flossing are the two unavoidable steps for maintaining oral hygiene. Toothpaste is one product that has become part and parcel of our lives. It is so ingrained in our daily routine that we hardly bother to have a second glance at a toothpaste tube. Often, we simply grab a pack from the supermarket without reading the ingredient list, the percentage of ingredients, along the disclaimer present on the back of the tube.

But, it is noteworthy to remember that children below the age of six should be given only a pea-size amount of toothpaste, and they should, in no circumstances, swallow toothpaste. As adults, we are aware of the fact that swallowing toothpaste is detrimental to our overall health. So, let us try and find out why.

The harmful effects of swallowing toothpaste

1. Many popular toothpaste brands use an artificial sweetener called Saccharin in their product. It is a controversial ingredient and has been deemed carcinogenic by some studies, but there remain contestations. Health Canada prohibited the use of Saccharin in food thirty years ago as links between consumption of the product, and bladder cancer were found in animals. But, more recent studies by Health Canada assert that the cancer-inducing effect of Saccharin in rats is not relevant for humans. But, some members of the scientific community beg to differ. Nevertheless, the presence of Saccharin is one reason why we should avoid swallowing large amounts of toothpaste.
2. Fluoride is the Holy Grail component of all toothpaste which is essential for keeping teeth strong. But, fluoride is not necessary for human growth and development. It has also been identified as one of the 12 industrial chemicals known to cause developmental neurotoxicity in humans. Some studies have raised concerns about potential associations between fluoride and health risks like cancer, bone fracture, reproductive effects, and so forth. It does not imply that fluoride is bad, but too much of it is harmful, and some experts believe that we are consuming too much of it. When we combine toothpaste, fluoridated water, and the consumption of processed foods that are made with fluoridated mineral water, we end up ingesting too much fluoride as a whole, some scientists argue.  
3. When children between three to eight years of age swallow too much toothpaste, it can lead to dental fluorosis, resulting in small white lines and spots on the tooth enamel.
4. We can observe that many toothpaste brands contain Triclosan as an antibacterial agent. It is an ingredient that some studies associate with hormone disruption. Hence, Triclosan may interfere with the thyroid hormone. Furthermore, there are concerns that it contributes to antibiotic resistance or the development of ‘superbugs.’ Thus, swallowing toothpaste is harmful.

Although there are no potent detriments of ingesting tiny amounts of toothpaste, ingesting between 5 to 10 grams of toothpaste can be fatal. But, this is eight times the proportion present in toothpaste.

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