Oeko-Test branded children's toothpastes failed

Pediatric Teeth Creams: Three branded products are covered by Öko-Test

03/02/2014

The magazine Öko-Test has dealt with children's tooth creams in its March issue and tested 24 products. Due to critical ingredients, three branded products failed. The consumer advocates point out that dentists and pediatricians are not in agreement on the subject of fluoride and thus parents of black Peter is slid.

Three branded taillights in the rating
In its current issue, the magazine Öko-Test has dealt with toothpastes for children and tested 24 products for it. Although the consumer advocates of the ingredients had "often not suspend" had, but the declarations "usually left much to be desired". However, the three branded products Colgate, Odol-Med and Signal failed due to several problematic ingredients and came out on top in the rating. Consumer advocates gave point deductions for questionable preservatives, surfactants and dyes. The three brands mentioned contained not only "PEG or PEG derivatives, which make the skin more permeable to foreign substances, but also the surfactant and foaming agent sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate sensitive mucous membranes".

Azo dyes are not suitable for children's toothpastes
Also included dyes in various products were criticized. For example, azo dyes are not a good choice in pediatric dentifrices, as toddlers ingest a large portion of the toothpaste. Some of these dyes must now be labeled with a warning in food: „May have an adverse effect on the activity and concentration of children.“ Azo dyes are suspected to promote attention deficit ADHD. The tested goods concerned the dyes Cochenillerot, Azorubin and Chinolingelb, which are to be recognized in the list of ingredients under the names CI 16255, CI 14720 and CI 47005.

Natural cosmetics partly fluoride-free
All 24 toothpastes tested were for use on milk teeth and infants under the age of six, most of whom contain fluoride for caries prophylaxis. Five products, four of which are natural cosmetics certified pastes, are fluoride-free. Of the fluoride-containing pastes in the test, none was below 500 ppm fluoride. However, Colgate's product contains twice as much as children's toothpaste in almost every other country in the world. According to consumer advocates, Germany stands almost alone with the small amount of fluoride in children's toothpaste.

Fluoride prevents caries formation
As numerous scientists point out, fluoride prevents tooth decay. But among dentists and pediatricians is disputed in what form the trace element is to be administered to infants. For example, pediatricians advocate fluoride in the form of tablets for babies and toddlers. They advise that children from the age of about four years should brush teeth with toothpaste, because from then they are able to spit out the mass again. Until then, the cleaning of the deciduous teeth with cotton swabs or a child's toothbrush should be done by the parents. The recommended by dentists fluoride content in children's tooth creams is also too low for effective protection against caries.

Dental and pediatricians with different views
On the other hand, dentists would favor moderately fluoridated children's toothpastes. As a guideline for infants, the amount is 500 ppm, equivalent to 500 milligrams of fluoride per kilogram of toothpaste. Only at school age then toothpastes with 1000 to 1500 ppm fluoride should be used. Fluoride overdose may result in fluorosis, with white or yellowish spots on the teeth, as the trace element then inserts directly into the enamel. Dentists usually recommend toothpaste for babies from the first tooth with a thin film. And from the second year of life may then be a pea-sized nonskid on the toothbrush.

Consumer advocates criticize dispute of the experts
The consumer advocates criticize in their magazine that the dispute of the experts overwhelms parents and leaves alone with the decision for the best Kariesprophylaxe. In order not to push the guardian this buck, a clear policy is needed. This is only to prevent parents from using both fluoride-containing children's toothpaste and fluoride tablets, thereby risking overdose. For those who opt for a fluoride-free child's toothpaste, it is important that they ensure that the child is supplied with the trace element by other means. Öko-Test also states that exact dosage recommendations should be applied to the packaging so that infants do not absorb too much fluoride. (Ad)

Image: Christian Seidel