We all know the drill when it comes to looking after our mouth: brush your teeth twice a day, floss between your gums, limit your sugar intake… But how do product manufacturers play their part in making sure the toothpastes and mouthwash we repetitively use are not only safe but meet the claims on the packaging? In today’s blog we’re talking all things oral care products…
A recent review of clinical studies for claim validations of European oral hygiene cosmetics focuses on efficacy tests used in oral care as they are ever evolving with the arrival of new technological resources. To correctly support the claims of effectiveness, it is essential to understand which tests are currently available and which are the most reliable. Oral hygiene products are cosmetics and therefore fall under the EU Cosmetic Regulation 1223/2009 (2) and the EU Claim Regulation 655/2013 (3).
Open wide…
Open wide…So many different products and devices come into contact with the mouth area which means a wide variety of acute and chronic exposure scenarios exist. Toothpaste, mouthwash and chewing gum, you name it, they’re used by millions of people daily, heightening the probability of exposure by sensitive individuals, who may experience irritation from use. Some products like specialist dental formulations and surgical instruments, may only contact the mouth and gums on an occasional basis. Not forgetting, there are longer term, continuous exposures to items such as braces to consider.
How can we make sure oral care products are safe?
How can we make sure oral care products are safe?Irritation potential forms an important part of the safety assessment process for oral care, personal care, healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical device companies. For many ingredients, human skin irritation data may be available, but due to the physiological differences described above, this data can’t be assumed to translate to the lining of the mouth or gums. In vitro testing as well as tissue engineering technology can provide sophisticated yet accessible solutions in a non-regulatory context. Human oral and gingival epithelia can be reconstructed in vitro to provide a close simulation of these tissues in real life, in terms of both structure and function. The models are well suited to testing ingredients, formulations or devices using protocol modifications designed to suit the test material and to mimic real-life exposure.
Get in touch with us today so we can start creating a testing plan unique to your needs.
