Contact allergens in toothpastes and a review of their hypersensitivity.
The present study summarizes information on toothpaste composition as supplied by the manufacturers. The survey covered 48 items, virtually all toothpastes offered for sale in Finland. It was concluded that the toothpastes are not entirely safe to use, because almost 50% of the products studied contained a total of some 30 compounds widely recognized as allergens. According to the literature, the most common allergens in toothpastes are flavours (e.g., cinnamic aldehyde, cinnamon oil and peppermint) and preservatives. Symptoms include stomatitis, cheilitis, glossitis, gingivitis, perioral dermatitis and immediate hypersensitivity.
Product Safety Unit, National Consumer Administration, Helsinki, Finland.
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Sainio
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Kanerva
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005387:Finland; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000485:Allergens; D005421:Flavoring Agents; D014100:Toothpastes