Peer-reviewed article
Labeled ingredient composition and literature-reported hazard signals in children's toothpastes available through selected UAE retail sources.
Manla S, Al Halabi M, Senok A, Nassar R, Salami A et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined the ingredients in 65 children's toothpastes sold in the UAE, including both conventional and natural/organic/herbal products. Researchers cataloged all labeled ingredients and searched scientific literature for any reported biological effects associated with these ingredients. Both conventional and natural toothpaste brands contained similar chemicals like surfactants, preservatives, and flavoring agents, with varying levels of reported hazard signals from studies using different exposure methods. The authors emphasize that labels claiming products are 'natural' or 'herbal' do not necessarily mean they are safer than conventional options.
Key points
- 65 children's toothpaste products were surveyed from UAE retail sources
- Conventional and natural/organic/herbal toothpastes shared multiple ingredients including surfactants, preservatives, humectants, and flavoring agents
- Fluoride labeling was more common in conventional products in this sample
- Literature-reported biological effects varied widely depending on the ingredient and study conditions (animal models, in-vitro experiments, human studies)
- Product-level safety cannot be determined without knowing ingredient concentrations and actual exposure levels during use
Limitations
This study only identifies hazards associated with toothpaste ingredients reported in literature; it does not conduct risk assessment or determine whether products are actually safe, as it lacks information on ingredient concentrations and realistic exposure doses for young children. The findings are limited to toothpastes available in selected UAE retail sources and may not represent products in other markets.
Abstract
Background Young children frequently swallow toothpaste during brushing, making the composition of ingredients and the context of exposure relevant to pediatric oral care. Objective To conduct a descriptive survey of children's toothpastes available through selected UAE retail sources and to develop a structured evidence map of literature-reported biological effects associated with labeled ingredients, without performing product-level safety or risk assessment. Methods We surveyed children's toothpastes marketed in the UAE and cataloged labeled ingredients. An evidence-mapping review was conducted to identify published scientific and regulatory reports of biological effects associated with these ingredients. Evidence was classified by source, exposure route, dose relevance, population relevance, evidence consistency, and relevance to routine pediatric toothpaste use. Results Sixty-five products were identified, including conventionally marketed toothpastes and those labeled as natural, organic, or herbal (NOHT). Both categories contained diverse ingredients, with substantial overlap in excipients such as surfactants, preservatives, humectants, and flavoring agents. Fluoride labeling was more common among conventional products in this sample (a formulation feature and labeling practice, not a safety comparison). Literature-reported biological effects varied widely by ingredient and were derived from regulatory assessments, human studies, animal models, in-vitro experiments, and other exposure contexts, many of which were not directly representative of routine pediatric toothpaste use. Conclusions In this UAE market sample, conventional and NOHT children's toothpastes shared multiple ingredients for which biological effects have been reported under varying exposure conditions. These findings represent structured hazard identification and evidence mapping rather than quantitative risk assessment. Product-level safety cannot be determined without ingredient concentration and exposure data, and marketing descriptors such as "natural" or "herbal" should not be interpreted as indicators of safety.