Are There Microplastics in Toothbrushes

⚕️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen, diet, or supplement use, especially if you have existing medical conditions or take medications. The information presented here should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Many people are surprised to learn that microplastics are a hidden ingredient in many personal care products. Toothpaste is a common, everyday item that contains microplastics. In fact, they’re usually added intentionally to act as abrasives. While toothpaste has intentionally-added microplastics, toothbrushes, specifically the bristles, have not been conclusively shown to shed microplastics. So, right now, it’s not clear if there are microplastics in toothbrushes. However, one can easily speculate that the plastic fibers may break from abrasion against our teeth.

Toothpaste as a Source of Microplastics

Microplastics are deliberately incorporated into toothpaste formulations. These particles, called primary microplastics, are manufactured at small sizes for industrial purposes [1][2]. They serve as abrasives to scrub teeth, but also play roles as binders, bulking agents, emulsifiers, exfoliants, film formers, viscosity regulators, opacifying agents, glitters, skin conditioners, polishing agents, moisturizers, and stabilizers [1]. 

What the Studies Reveal About Microplastics And Toothpaste

Scientific studies in Malaysia, Turkey, and India confirm that toothpaste is a reservoir of microplastics [1]. Polymers identified in these products include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, and even cellophane [1]. The particles come in multiple shapes and sizes, including granules, irregular fragments, fibers, and ranging from 3.5 μm to 145 μm [1]. Every time we use these toothpastes, they release microplastics into our bodies, our water systems, and the environment. 

Scale of the Toothpaste-Microplastic Problem

The environmental load from toothpaste microplastics is shocking. Studies suggest that annual emissions have been estimated at 0.199 trillion microbeads in Malaysia, 871 million grams in Turkey, and 1.4 billion grams in India [1]. These particles evade wastewater treatment, pass into rivers and oceans, and are consumed by aquatic life before finding their way into human systems [1]. Unlike macro-debris, these smaller fractions have the potential to bypass filters, making toothpaste an invisible but potent delivery mechanism for environmental contamination.

So, Microplastics in Toothbrushes – Are They Present?

While toothbrushes are often made from plastics, at the time of writing this, there are no studies showing that the bristles or handles shed microplastics [1]. However, it’s fair to say that we don’t need a scientist to confirm that the plastic bristles likely do release small microplastic fragments. The absence of data does not mean the risk is nonexistent. Mechanical wear during brushing could theoretically produce microplastic fragments, but currently, there have only been publications on toothpaste as a source of microplastics. 

The Hidden Cost of Daily Hygiene

What seems like a harmless act of personal hygiene can actually cause our bodies harm. Microplastics have been shown to cause oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially leading to out-of-balance hormones, energy, and more. While the long-term effects haven’t been well-studied in humans, animal and cell studies show the potential harms caused by microplastics. 

Choosing What We Put in Our Mouths

Microplastics don’t just come from the oceans or discarded plastic bottles. Unfortunately, they can come from something on your own bathroom sink, your toothbrush. For individuals concerned about their health, developing a strategy to reduce microplastics intake is critical to promote properly functioning hormones. While it’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, to avoid microplastics, there are many small, simple actions that you can take each day to lower the amount of microplastics you consume. This is why we developed the Deplasto platform. 

Our platform, consisting of a science-backed supplement, a microplastic intake app, and lifestyle recommendations is intended to help you avoid microplastics. Our supplement is formulated to support your body’s natural detoxification defenses, including oxidative stress management, cellular repair, and antioxidant support. Our microplastic intake calculator is designed to show you an estimate of your daily exposure, with every datapoint backed by scientific studies, to help you understand how you can best avoid microplastics. Lastly, given that it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid microplastic exposure, we have a plethora of lifestyle recommendations designed to help you make small changes for big impacts. 

Overall, we believe that the best way to eliminate microplastics begins with you and the changes you make to your daily life. Over time, collectively, we can make a significant difference. 

Sources:

1. Microplastic content of over-the-counter toothpastes – a systematic review
2. Microplastic contamination of bryophytes- A review on mechanisms and impacts