THE EFFECT OF TITANIUM DIOXIDE ON THE CELLS OF THE ORAL CAVITY

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) stands as one of the most widely employed pigments today. Globally, approximately 4 million tons of this pigment are manufactured each year, constituting 70% of total pigment production [1]. TiO2 ranks among the top five nanoparticles (NPs) utilized across a broad spectrum of consumer goods, spanning cosmetics, toothpaste, sunscreens, and various skin treatments addressing conditions like acne vulgaris, hyper-pigmented skin lesions, and other non-dermatologic ailments. Particularly, TiO2 stands out as the most extensively employed nanomaterial in consumer products for skin application [2]. However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently deemed the use of TiO2 as a food additive unsafe, leading the European Commission to declare its prohibition starting from August 2022.