Why dentists are speaking out about the plastic beads in your toothpaste

The tiny plastic beads found in many popular toothpaste brands are approved by regulators, but dentists are becoming increasingly alarmed that the beads could cause more dental hygiene problems than they solve.

Polyethylene plastic beads became all the rage in personal care products -- including toothpastes, face washes and body scrubs -- a few years ago. And the Food and Drug Administration says they're safe.

But the beads do not disintegrate and are not biodegradable, and dentists are concerned that they're getting stuck in the tiny crevices between the teeth and gums.

"They’ll trap bacteria in the gums which leads to gingivitis, and over time that infection moves from the gum into the bone that holds your teeth, and that becomes periodontal disease," dentist Justin Phillip said, according to Phoenix ABC affiliate KNXV. "Periodontal disease is scary.”

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