We are washing billions of microplastic particles down the drain every day, which is an unanticipated cost of our quest for healthy, clean teeth, according to an increasing amount of study.
Consider toothpaste. Studies reveal that many contemporary toothpastes still include microplastic particles, despite the fact that decades of using toothpastes containing plastic microbeads led to bans in many countries.
Furthermore, dental floss is another covert offender in addition to toothpaste. The majority of flosses are composed of non-biodegradable fibers, such as Teflon or nylon, which decompose and remain in ecosystems.
During regular usage, even a basic toothbrush sheds thousands of pieces of nylon bristles. Plankton, shellfish, fish, and eventually humans consume these fragments once they enter sewage and make their way through treatment systems and into marine food chains.
The materials that dentists use within our mouths are important, in addition to everyday hygiene products. Since white plastic fillings are thought to be safer for both patients and the environment, dentists have been replacing silver amalgam fillings that contain mercury for years.
The UN Minamata Convention treaty, which called on nations to phase out dental amalgam in order to reduce mercury contamination, gave that change a boost in 2013.
The preferred substitute is now resin-based composite fillings, such as the white plastic kind. These plastic fillings may, however, have further unintended environmental consequences, according to recent studies.
This concern was validated by a 2022 review published in the British Dental Journal, which demonstrated how resin-based composites may increase pollution. It was discovered that once these fillings begin to degrade, all of their constituents may behave as pollutants.
To put it another way, a filling's plastic substance does not simply remain in your tooth innocuously for all time. Chemical components and small pieces may wear off and leak out over time.
Saliva, wastewater, and ultimately the environment can become contaminated with these resin fragments and monomers, which are the fundamental chemical components of plastic.
These hazards are not limited to the period when fillings are in the mouth. The tiny plastic dust created during normal dental procedures is a major worry. Fine debris produced by polishing a new composite or drilling out an old one is suctioned up and washed down the sink.
In essence, these particles are microplastics, frequently only a few millimeters broad. They disperse well in water, and as they decompose, they can absorb even more of the chemicals in the filling due to their enormous surface area.
Fillings are not the only issue. Millions of senior citizens use acrylic dentures, which are another consistent source of exposure to microplastics. Tiny particles may rub off their surfaces and be eaten with each bite and cleaning.
In a similar vein, nightguards, acrylic mouthguards, clear aligners, and detachable retainers are all held in the mouth for hours on end and eventually exhibit noticeable wear. This wear indicates that little pieces are being dislodged and either washed into the sink or consumed.
impact on well-being
The larger topic of what plastic waste does to humans is unavoidably brought up by all of this. Microplastics' detrimental effects on human health are concerning. Some dental resins (plastics) contain bisphenol A, a chemical that can mimic hormones and interfere with the endocrine system.
According to a 2024 medical study, patients who had microplastics lodged in their arterial plaque had a significantly higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. According to other research, ingested microplastics may disrupt gut flora and cause inflammation.
Given these growing dangers, both industry and consumers must take action to stop the plastic invasion. Manufacturers are investigating biodegradable polymers for upcoming dental products and creating toothpastes with natural abrasives like silica or clay in place of plastic beads.
Plastic microbeads in toothpaste and cosmetics have already been outlawed in more than 15 nations, eliminating one clear source of pollution. Filters, like activated carbon filters, are being tested by certain dental offices to capture resin dust before it gets into wastewater.
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