We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Micro and nanoplastics in dentistry: emerging sources, health implications, and mitigation pathways: a narrative review.
Summary
This review of existing research found that common dental materials and oral care products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental fillings can release tiny plastic particles called microplastics into your mouth. Lab studies suggest these particles might cause inflammation and cell damage when they build up in mouth tissues, though scientists haven't yet proven they cause actual health problems in people. The good news is that dentists and patients can reduce exposure by using better suction systems during procedures and choosing oral care products that shed fewer plastic particles.
Micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) released from dental materials and oral-care products are an emerging concern at the intersection of dentistry and environmental health. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on dentistry-related sources of MNPs, exposure pathways, biological interactions, detection approaches, and environmental dissemination, with emphasis on practical mitigation. Resin-based composites and acrylic prosthetics, as well as routine consumer products such as toothbrushes, toothpastes, floss, and clear aligners, are identified as potential sources of microscopic polymer debris. Exposure may occur during everyday use, predominantly via ingestion with saliva and, in some contexts, inhalation of fine procedure-generated aerosols. Experimental in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that MNPs can be internalized by oral cells and may trigger oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, although direct human clinical evidence linking dental-origin exposure to disease remains limited. Proposed associations with periodontal inflammation, oral carcinogenesis, or systemic outcomes are biologically plausible but unconfirmed. Environmental studies have reported polymer-containing particulate in oral-care rinse water and dental wastewater, suggesting dentistry may represent a small but potentially addressable point source of microplastic release. We summarize mitigation options including effective chairside evacuation, upstream filtration and trap maintenance, dust control for laboratory processes, and patient guidance toward lower-shedding products, and we note the relevance of evolving regulation, including the EU REACH 2023/2055 restriction on intentionally added microplastics.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
The unseen perils of oral-care products generated micro/nanoplastics on human health
This review reveals that everyday oral care products like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental materials release micro and nanoplastics into the mouth through normal use. These tiny particles are generated by mechanical friction, pH changes, and temperature shifts during brushing and dental procedures. Since the mouth is a direct entry point to the digestive system, this overlooked source of microplastic exposure could have significant implications for human health.
What every dentist needs to know about microplastics and dental materials.
This review examines the sources and potential health risks of microplastics originating from dental products, including toothpastes, dental composites, aligners, and other clinical materials. Researchers found that dental products can release microplastic particles during use and degradation, contributing to both patient exposure and environmental contamination. The study calls for greater awareness among dental professionals about microplastic risks and the development of safer alternative materials.
What every dentist needs to know about microplastics and dental materials.
This review outlined how common dental products — including toothpastes, composites, orthodontic appliances, and floss — contain or generate microplastics through degradation and use, and summarized the health risks from exposure via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact.
Micro- and Nanoplastics and the Oral Cavity: Implications for Oral and Systemic Health, Dental Practice, and the Environment—A Narrative Review
This review explores how micro- and nanoplastics are both generated by and introduced through dental practices, including from composite fillings, aligners, and other dental materials. Researchers discuss the potential implications for oral and systemic health, noting that the oral cavity serves as a direct entry point for these particles into the body. The study encourages the dental field to adopt safer, microplastic-free materials and raise awareness among practitioners.
The oral–systemic interface of micro- and nanoplastics
Researchers reviewed the oral cavity as an underexplored entry point for micro- and nanoplastics from dental products, toothbrushes, restorations, and implants, finding evidence linking local particle exposure to oral diseases including periodontitis and oral cancer, and noting that particles crossing oral barriers can disseminate systemically to worsen inflammatory and metabolic conditions.