Triclosan and Its Consequences on the Reproductive, Cardiovascular and Thyroid Levels.

Hygiene is essential to avoid diseases, and this is thanks to daily cleaning and disinfection habits. Currently, there are numerous commercial products containing antimicrobial agents, and although they are efficient in disinfecting, it is still not known the effect of the constant use of these products on human health. In fact, a massive use of disinfectants has been observed due to COVID-19, but the possible adverse effects are not yet known. Triclosan is one of the antimicrobial agents used in cosmetic products, toothpaste, and disinfectants. This compound is an endocrine disruptor, which means it can interfere with hormonal function, with its estrogenic and androgenic activity having already been stated. Even if the use of triclosan is well-regulated, with the maximum allowed concentration in the European Union of 0.3% (m/m), its effects on human health are still uncertain. Studies in animals and humans suggest the possibility of harmful health outcomes, particularly for the reproductive system, and in a less extent for the cardiovascular and thyroid functions. Thus, the purpose of this review was to analyse the possible implications of the massive use of triclosan, mainly on the reproductive and cardiovascular systems and on the thyroid function, both in animals and humans.

Relationship between Toothpaste Dilution Ratio and Droplets Generated during Tooth-Brushing.

Guidelines for using toothpaste during tooth-brushing in public places during the coronavirus epidemic are lacking. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of using toothpaste in terms of droplet generation during brushing, the number of droplets generated, and their scatter range are unknown; therefore, we investigated the relationships between diluted toothpaste viscosity, the number of droplets generated, and the droplets' flight distance. We developed a system to quantitate droplet generation during tooth-brushing. Brushing with water generated 5965 ± 266 droplets; 10.0× diluted toothpaste generated 538 ± 56, 4.00× diluted toothpaste generated 349 ± 15, and 2.00× diluted toothpaste generated 69 ± 27 droplets. Undiluted toothpaste generated no droplets. Droplet number tended to increase with increased toothpaste dilution ratio and decreased viscosity (r = -0.993). The maximum flight distances were 429 ± 11, 445 ± 65, 316 ± 38, and 231 ± 21 mm for water, 10.0×, 4.00×, and 2.00× diluted toothpaste, respectively. The maximum flight distance and toothpaste viscosity correlated negatively (r = -0.999). Thus, the less diluted the toothpaste, the fewer the droplets generated during brushing, and the shorter their flight distance. The use of an appropriate amount of toothpaste is recommended to prevent droplet infection during tooth-brushing.

Efficacy of a Toothpaste Based on Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite on Children with Hypersensitivity Caused by MIH: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Hypersensitivity is a frequent complaint in children with molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH). This double-blind randomised controlled trial aimed to evaluate non-inferiority in hypersensitivity relief of a toothpaste containing microcrystalline hydroxyapatite compared to amine fluoride in children with MIH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children were randomised into 2 groups: either hydroxyapatite (intervention) or amine fluoride toothpaste (control). The primary endpoint was pain sensation in response to tactile stimulus (Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale) 56 days after randomisation and analysed by mixed effects linear regression analysis. Non-inferiority was inferred if the upper limit of the one-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference between intervention and control group was below the non-inferiority margin of 1 in the ITT (intention-to-treat) and PP (per protocol) population. RESULTS: Twenty-one children were randomised and 14 children finished the study per protocol. In the ITT population, hydroxyapatite was non-inferior to amine fluoride (mean difference: -0.75 95%CI [-∞;0.49]). In the PP population, non-inferiority could not be shown (-0.62 [-∞;1.08]). CONCLUSIONS: Overall non-inferiority in hypersensitivity relief of a toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite compared to amine fluoride could not be shown. However, the hydroxyapatite group tended to be less hypersensitive in both populations. Attrition of the PP population due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to loss of statistical power.

The inhibitory effects of toothpaste and mouthwash ingredients on the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2, and the protease activity of TMPRSS2 in vitro.

SARS-CoV-2 enters host cells when the viral spike protein is cleaved by transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) after binding to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Since ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in the tongue and gingival mucosa, the oral cavity is a potential entry point for SARS-CoV-2. This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of general ingredients of toothpastes and mouthwashes on the spike protein-ACE2 interaction and the TMPRSS2 protease activity using an in vitro assay. Both assays detected inhibitory effects of sodium tetradecene sulfonate, sodium N-lauroyl-N-methyltaurate, sodium N-lauroylsarcosinate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and copper gluconate. Molecular docking simulations suggested that these ingredients could bind to inhibitor-binding site of ACE2. Furthermore, tranexamic acid exerted inhibitory effects on TMPRSS2 protease activity. Our findings suggest that these toothpaste and mouthwash ingredients could help prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Droplet Sizes Emitted from Demonstration Electric Toothbrushes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to microbial transmission risk via aerosols in dental practice. Demonstration electric toothbrushes are used intra-orally for education. The aim of this investigation was to measure the size of droplets emitted by the brush head of two demonstration oscillating-rotating electric toothbrushes. Measurement of droplet production and size was recorded in vitro using three methods: (1) Malvern Spraytec (LASER particle size measurement device with detectable particle size of 0.1-2500 µm) and brushes mounted on a 3D-printed, two-shell form-fit fixture with a supply of tap water; (2) a DustTrak aerosol measurement device and toothpaste slurry, with brushing simulated in the oral cavity of a phantom head; (3) high-speed visualization in a simulated-use situation in the oral cavity of a phantom head, with individual evaluation of tap water, water with detergent, 70% ethanol, glycerin and toothpaste slurry. Both brushes showed the size of emitted droplets was consistently between 200 and 1200 µm, categorized as splatter (dental aerosols are <50 µm diameter). No significant incremental aerosol-sized matter was detected during toothbrush operation. The high-speed video visualization confirmed only splatter-sized droplets during operation. These findings indicate that oscillating-rotating toothbrushes do not produce aerosol-sized particles during simulated use.

Remote psychophysical evaluation of olfactory and gustatory functions in early-stage coronavirus disease 2019 patients: the Bologna experience of 300 cases.

BACKGROUND: An objective evaluation of coronavirus disease 2019 in the first days of infection is almost impossible, as affected individuals are generally in home quarantine, and there is limited accessibility for the operator who should perform the test. To overcome this limitation, a recently validated psychophysical self-administered test was used, which can be performed remotely in the assessment of early-stage coronavirus disease 2019 patients. METHODS: Olfactory and gustatory functions were objectively assessed in 300 patients in the first 7 days from coronavirus disease 2019 symptom onset. RESULTS: Seventy per cent of the patients presented olfactory and/or gustatory disorders. The dysfunctions detected were mainly complete anosmia (47 per cent) or ageusia (38 per cent). A significant correlation was found between taste dysfunction and female gender (odds ratio = 1.936, p = 0.014) and fever (odds ratio = 2.132, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The psychophysical evaluation protocol proposed is an effective tool for the fast and objective evaluation of patients in the early stages of coronavirus disease 2019. Chemosensitive disorders have been confirmed to be frequent and early symptoms of the coronavirus infection, and, in a significant number of cases, they are the first or only manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019.