Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

From automated Raman to cost-effective nanoparticle-on-film (NPoF) SERS spectroscopy: A combined approach for assessing micro- and nanoplastics released into the oral cavity from chewing gum

Researchers developed a cost-effective method using household metallic foils to detect nanoplastics released from chewing gum into saliva during one hour of chewing. They found over 250,000 microplastic particles and additional nanoplastics released from the gum base into the oral cavity. This study highlights an overlooked route of direct microplastic exposure through a common everyday product that millions of people use.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Release of microplastics during dental procedures and denture wear: Impact on dental personnel and patients

Researchers found that common dental procedures like grinding and cleaning dentures release significant amounts of microplastics into the air and surroundings. Both dental workers and patients are exposed to these particles through inhalation and ingestion during routine dental care. This study identifies dental clinics as a previously unrecognized source of microplastic exposure for both healthcare workers and the general public.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Dental Calculus Microplastics: Exposure Assessment And Cytotoxicity On Gingival Fibroblasts

Researchers detected microplastics in dental calculus — the hardened plaque that builds up on teeth — at an average of over 3,600 particles per gram, with polyamide and polyethylene among the most common types. Exposing gum cells to these particles reduced their viability and triggered cell death, suggesting microplastics accumulate in the mouth and may harm oral tissues.

2025 International Dental Journal
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and risk assessment of microplastics from various toothpastes

Researchers found microplastic particles in multiple commercial toothpaste products and conducted risk assessments, determining that microbeads and other plastic additives in toothpastes represent a source of microplastic release to aquatic environments and potential human oral exposure.

2019 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 83 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 General dentistry
Article Tier 2

Quantification and Characterization of Microplastics in Five Popular Indian Toothpaste Brands - A Comprehensive Analysis

Researchers analyzed five popular Indian toothpaste brands for microplastic contamination and found significant variations in concentration and polymer types across brands. One brand contained the highest microplastic concentration at 0.248 grams per gram of toothpaste, with particles up to 30 micrometers including PET, polypropylene, and PTFE. The study highlights that personal care products remain a direct source of microplastic exposure and suggests that regulatory oversight of microplastic ingredients in toothpaste is needed.

2025 International Journal of Current Science Research and Review 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Patterns and risks of microplastic release during primary oral care in Chinese residents

Researchers studied microplastic release from toothpaste and toothbrushes commonly used in China and found that both products shed significant numbers of plastic particles during normal use. While the levels from any single brushing session were considered low-risk, the cumulative annual release was substantial, reaching hundreds of thousands of particles per person per year from toothbrushes alone. The study highlights oral care products as an overlooked daily source of microplastic entering both people and the environment.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in oral healthcare products (OHPs) and their environmental health risks and mitigation measures

Scientists tested common oral healthcare products sold across India, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss, and found microplastic contamination in all of them. Toothbrushes released the most particles (30 to 120 per brush), with polyethylene and polyamide being the most common plastic types. This means people are regularly putting microplastics directly into their mouths through everyday dental hygiene products, creating a direct route of exposure.

2023 Environmental Pollution 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative and qualitative assessment of microplastics contamination in plastic-wrapped candies and estimation of dietary exposure in early childhood

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in plastic-wrapped candies from 20 countries across Asia and Africa and estimated the dietary exposure for children aged one to five. They found an average of nearly 7 particles per gram of candy, with fiber-shaped microplastics in the 200-500 micrometer range being the most common. The findings raise concerns about early childhood exposure to microplastics through widely consumed packaged foods.

2026 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

Exposure to microplastic associated chemicals upon oral consumption of microplastics

This thesis quantified the release of plastic-associated chemical contaminants from microplastics during simulated human digestion, measuring how much of these chemicals actually leach out under stomach and intestinal conditions. The research helps estimate the chemical exposure humans receive when they ingest microplastics through food and water.

2020 Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling
Article Tier 2

Micro and nanoplastics in dentistry: emerging sources, health implications, and mitigation pathways: a narrative review.

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.

2026 The Saudi dental journal
Article Tier 2

Extraction, identification, and environmental risk assessment of microplastics in commercial toothpaste

Microplastics were extracted from ten commercial toothpaste brands sold in India and characterized by size and polymer type, with polyethylene being the most common material found. The study identifies toothpaste as a source of microplastic exposure through oral ingestion and wastewater discharge, adding to evidence on personal care products as plastic pollution sources.

2022 Chemosphere 75 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the Pathogenesis of Periodontal Diseases: A Narrative Review

This narrative review examines emerging evidence on how microplastics may contribute to the development and progression of periodontal diseases. Researchers found that microplastics have been detected in oral tissues and may promote inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of the oral microbiome. The study suggests that microplastic exposure could represent a previously unrecognized risk factor for gum disease.

2025 Annals of Global Health 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
Article Tier 2

From Oral Cavity to Whole Body: A Review of the Local and Systemic Toxicity Mechanisms and Health Risks of MNPs.

This research review reveals that tiny plastic particles (called microplastics) first accumulate in our mouths before spreading throughout the body, making the mouth a critical "entry point" for plastic pollution. The study shows these particles can build up in dental plaque and may cause local damage in the mouth while also serving as a gateway for more serious health problems throughout the body. Understanding how microplastics first interact with our mouths could help scientists better protect people from the growing health risks of plastic pollution.

2026 Oral diseases
Article Tier 2

Polyethylene: an identified component of human dental calculus triggers cytotoxicity and inflammatory responses in gingival fibroblasts

Researchers identified 26 types of microplastics in human dental calculus, with polyamide, polyethylene, and polyurethane as the most prevalent. Laboratory experiments showed that polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics reduced gingival cell viability, increased cell death, impaired cell migration, and activated inflammatory signaling pathways in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that microplastics accumulate in the oral cavity over time and may drive chronic inflammation in gum tissue.

2025 Environment International 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Experimental assessment of damage and microplastic release during cyclic loading of clear aligners

Researchers tested three popular brands of clear orthodontic aligners under simulated chewing conditions and found that all released microplastic particles during use. Since patients wear aligners for extended periods each day, this represents a direct and ongoing source of microplastic ingestion, raising questions about the cumulative exposure from dental devices that are growing in popularity.

2025 PLoS ONE 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Desorption of bisphenol A from microplastics under simulated gastrointestinal conditions

Researchers investigated bisphenol A desorption from three types of microplastics under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, finding that ingested microplastics can release adsorbed BPA during digestion, posing potential health risks.

2023 Frontiers in Marine Science 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Human exposure to microplastics via the consumption of nonalcoholic beverages in various packaging materials: The case of Hong Kong

Researchers tested 50 packaged nonalcoholic beverages in Hong Kong and found microplastics in every single one, with an estimated annual intake of about 6,200 microplastic particles per person from beverages alone. The contamination came from both the packaging materials and airborne particles during manufacturing, showing that everyday drinks are a meaningful source of human microplastic exposure.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 42 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastic content of over-the-counter toothpastes - a systematic review

This systematic review confirms that microplastic particles are present in many common toothpaste brands, including polyethylene and polypropylene beads used as abrasives. Since toothpaste is used daily and can be swallowed, this represents a direct and repeated route of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2023 F1000Research 17 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 PubMed
Article Tier 2

Profusion of microplastics in dental healthcare units; morphological, polymer, and seasonal trends with hazardous consequences for humans

This study measured microplastic contamination in dental clinics during routine procedures and found thousands of particles in the air, with dental professionals inhaling significant amounts daily. Female dental workers faced slightly higher inhalation risks than male workers. The findings highlight that people working in healthcare settings with extensive plastic use face elevated microplastic exposure that could affect their respiratory health over time.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating the release of microplastics from tea bags into tea drinks and human exposure assessment

Researchers tested tea bags from five brands in Iran and found that every brand released microplastics into the tea, with an average of over 500,000 particles per bag. The most common plastics were cellulose acetate and nylon fibers, mostly in the 10-50 micrometer size range. Based on typical tea consumption, children and adults could be ingesting thousands of microplastic particles per kilogram of body weight daily just from drinking tea.

2024 Environmental Health Engineering and Management 10 citations