VICCO urges the use of Natural Toothpaste
The majority of toothpastes in the
market today are manufactured under cosmetic manufacturing licenses and they
use chemicals disregarding the health of the people. This was revealed by the
European Union’s Scientific Committee when it disclosed its findings on
Triclosan, a chemical used in toothpastes.
The committee has pointed out that
Triclosan is harmful to health because it could pose risks to a consumer who
takes antibiotics for various disorders. It reduces the effectiveness of
antibiotics as it promotes widespread bacterial resistance.
“Studies have shown that it can
trigger gene mutations in bacteria, enabling them to protect themselves,” says
Sanjeev Pendharkar, Director of VICCO Laboratories. “When this happens, the
bacteria release proteins, which transport this newfound protection to other
bacteria. This cross resistance has the potential to undermine the
effectiveness of antibiotics and other life-saving medicines.” Even the US Food
and Drugs Administration (USFDA) has found evidence that Triclosan is a hormone
disruptor.
Despite such bad reports, Triclosan is
commonly used. The various toothpaste manufacturing companies telecast
glamorous advertisements to grab global market share, which is a sort of
goldmine for them. Is it not important to take into consideration consumer
safety first, rather than misleading valuable customers by way of luring
advertisements? This is the priority of the USFDA and the Health Ministry of
the UAE. Therefore, people nowadays prefer herbal products and make sure that
natural ingredients are used to produce toothpaste.
When small children used toothpaste,
the chemicals that are used come in contact with the mucous membrane beneath
the tongue. If any toothpaste contains fluoride, when used by children it
diffuses into the blood by way of systemic absorption, resulting in the
development of skeleton fluorosis. The various bones of the body become
brittle, if such fluoride-containing toothpaste is swallowed.
Thus, publishing warnings on
toothpaste covers should be made compulsory to avoid disastrous side effects.
-- Sanjeev
Pendharkar
Director, Vicco
Laboratories
