Titanium dioxide makes toothpaste gleaming white - but since the EU-wide ban in food in 2022, many people have been asking themselves: is the substance also questionable in toothpaste? While the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suspects that titanium dioxide can damage the genome and therefore be carcinogenic, it remains permitted in cosmetics such as toothpaste. But the debate is in full swing.

What is titanium dioxide and why is it in toothpaste?

Titanium dioxide (also known as CI 77891 or Titanium Dioxide) is a white mineral pigment that gives toothpaste its characteristic white color. The additive has no health benefits for dental care - it has a purely cosmetic effect.

How to recognize titanium dioxide in toothpaste:

CI 77891 in the list of ingredients

Titanium Dioxide in the English declaration

E 171 (old name, no longer in use today)

Why was titanium dioxide banned in food?

In 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) came to a worrying conclusion after evaluating over 12,000 scientific studies: According to an assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), titanium dioxide (TiO2) can probably damage the genome and therefore be carcinogenic.

The consequence: since August 2022, manufacturers in the EU are no longer allowed to produce foods and food supplements containing titanium dioxide. The ban affects products such as: Chewing gum, sweets with white coatings, baked goods, soups and sauces, salad dressings.

Is titanium dioxide in toothpaste dangerous?

The question of the safety of titanium dioxide in toothpaste is complex and controversial:

The official position:

"According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, there is currently no evidence that titanium dioxide in cosmetic products such as toothpaste is harmful to health."

What are the specific risks of titanium dioxide?

Ingestion is possible: titanium dioxide is suspected of damaging the genome and being carcinogenic. For this to happen, the additive must enter the body.

Long-term effects unknown: Even if toothpaste is spat out, it is possible to ingest small amounts. The long-term consequences have not been conclusively researched.

Nanoparticles: Nano-sized particles are particularly critical, as they could penetrate the body and accumulate there.

Particularly problematic for children: Parents are particularly concerned because children often do not rinse their mouths properly, but instead simply swallow the toothpaste foam with their spit

New scientific evaluation: The EU Commission's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has now re-evaluated the substance. According to the experts, a mutagenic effect in orally ingested cosmetic products (e.g. toothpaste) cannot be ruled out

Current developments: Is a ban on toothpaste coming?

The EU is currently holding intensive discussions about the future of titanium dioxide in cosmetics:

What will happen in 2025?

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) wants to carry out a further assessment of titanium dioxide at the beginning of 2025. This re-evaluation could be groundbreaking for future regulation.

The industry is already reacting:

Many manufacturers have already responded to public pressure. In the case of titanium dioxide in toothpaste, this consumer pressure is there. The whitening agent was banned in food in 2022 due to its potentially mutagenic effects. Many manufacturers are increasingly voluntarily doing without the ingredient in order to meet the rising expectations of health-conscious consumers.

How many toothpastes still contain titanium dioxide?

The figures are sobering: 15 baby and children's toothpastes in the test contain titanium dioxide, reports ÖKO-TEST in a recent study of 48 toothpastes. This means that around a third of the products tested still contain the controversial whitening agent.

What can consumers do?

Look at the packaging of your toothpaste. Does it say CI 77891 or Titanium Dioxide? Then the product contains titanium dioxide. There are numerous toothpastes without titanium dioxide on the market.

The healthier alternative: hydroxyapatite tooth powder

As the debate about titanium dioxide continues, more and more people are looking for natural and safe alternatives for their dental care. This is where hydroxyapatite (HAp) comes in - an endogenous substance that makes up 97% of our tooth enamel.

Our tooth powder combines modern science with natural care: hydroxyapatite promotes the rebuilding of tooth enamel, reduces sensitivity and ensures visibly healthy teeth - all without titanium dioxide. The ideal choice for anyone who wants to take their dental care to a new, safe level.

Why tooth powder?

Tooth powder offers several advantages over conventional toothpaste:

- No preservatives required

- More economical to use

- Environmentally friendly due to less packaging

- Free from synthetic foaming agents

Conclusion: Better safe than sorry

Even though titanium dioxide is currently still permitted in toothpaste, the scientific findings and developments at EU level speak for themselves. We are therefore calling for titanium dioxide to be banned from these cosmetic products as soon as possible, according to the Hamburg consumer advice center.

Until then, consumers have a choice: they can switch to products without titanium dioxide and thus protect not only their own health but also that of their family.

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Our hydroxyapatite tooth powder offers you a safe and effective alternative - completely without titanium dioxide and other questionable additives. With natural hydroxyapatite, it supports the remineralization of your teeth and ensures a radiant smile in a natural way.

Your benefits at a glance:

✅ 100% free from titanium dioxide

✅ With remineralizing hydroxyapatite

✅ Natural tooth whitening

✅ Sustainably produced and packaged

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Sources

  1. Consumer advice center Hamburg: "Titanium dioxide: Soon to be banned in toothpaste too?" (2025)
  2. PTAheute: "Titanium dioxide in toothpaste: How dangerous is it?" (2022)
  3. Westphalia-Lippe Dental Association: "Titanium dioxide in toothpaste: What consumers should know" (2022)
  4. German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ): "Is titanium dioxide carcinogenic?" (2024)
  5. Demir Dental: "How dangerous is titanium dioxide in toothpaste?" (2025)
  6. Neue Zürcher Zeitung: "Is titanium dioxide dangerous?" (2024)
  7. Stiftung Warentest: "Toothpaste in the test" (2024)
  8. ÖKO-TEST: "Toothpaste test: Titanium dioxide still in 13 out of 48 toothpastes" (2024)
  9. PTA IN LOVE: "Titanium dioxide in toothpaste: genotoxicity cannot be ruled out" (2024)
  10. Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR): "Titanium dioxide - are there health risks?" (2025)
  11. European Commission: "Titanium dioxide banned in food from summer 2022" (2022)
  12. BUND: "Banned in food, allowed in toothpaste" (2023)

  13. EU scientific committee warns of titanium dioxide's potential genotoxicity in oral cosmetics (2024)

Note: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace dental advice. If you have any questions about dental care, please contact your dentist.