Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of whitening toothpastes in buccal mucosal cells: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: To assess genotoxic and cytotoxic effect of commercially available toothpastes with the different whitening ingredients. Materials and Methods: In vivo assessment of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of whitening toothpastes with different ingredients using a buccal micronucleus cytome assay (BMCyt assay) comprised 199 participants randomly divided into ten groups based on used whitening or control/conventional toothpaste. The exfoliated buccal mucosal cells were collected, stained and microscopically evaluated at baseline, 30 days and 60 days after the beginning of treatment, and 30 days after completing treatment: follow-up. Results: The genotoxic parameters showed no biologically significant changes in any of the observed period for the tested toothpastes, while cytotoxic parameters (number of cells with karyorrhexis and condensed chromatin) showed statistically significant difference (p>0.05) amongst evaluation periods for the three peroxide containing toothpaste. Conclusions: Peroxide containing whitening toothpastes present significant increase of cytotoxicity (numbers of karyorrhexis and condensed chromatin) during the application period only. Clinical Significance: Whitening toothpaste show no genotoxic effect, while peroxide containing whitening toothpastes may present significant increase of cytotoxicity (numbers of karyorrhexis and condensed chromatin) during application period. In clinical conditions, the obtained changes can’t be considered as significant. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04460755