Researchers claim that Triclosan, a harmful antibacterial agent used in some tooth pastes accumulates in toothbrush bristles. This means your exposure to the chemical can continue even if you switch to a triclosan-free toothpaste, the report warned.
Triclosan which is now banned in over-the-counter antiseptic soaps, gels and wipes in the United States, is however still allowed in toothpaste because it reportedly reduces gum inflammation, plaque and cavities says Baoshan Xing, a professor of environmental chemistry at the University of Massachusetts.
Prior studies have shown that triclosan can disrupt hormones in animals and humans. It also contributes to antibiotic resistance and harms marine life, the researchers said in background notes.
