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Benzyl alcohol can be found in products that are used daily. One of them is in toothpaste. Finding out the ingredients contained in a product listed on the packaging label is a must.
A survey conducted by the Oral Health Foundation found that only a quarter of consumers of oral health products understood the ingredients in a product. The same survey also showed that nearly 3 out of 4 people do not always believe the claims made by oral health products.
However, it is fair, because when we look at the list of ingredients contained in toothpaste or mouthwash, there are various scientific names that are confusing. In fact, sometimes the water content in the product will be written as "aqua" so that some people often wonder.
For that, here is a further explanation regarding benzyl alcohol all you need to know.
What is that benzyl alcohol?
Benzyl alcohol is a colorless or clear liquid like alcohol in general, but has a different function and application. This type of alcohol is an organic compound, has a different aroma from ordinary alcohol and is used in various cosmetic formulations as a fragrance component. In toothpaste, this liquid acts as a solvent and preservative.
The use of this compound is mostly used in the medical field. Apart from toothpaste, benzyl alcohol found in antifungal and anti-inflammatory drugs. This substance is preservative so it is also used as a general preservative in various types of drugs that are injected (injectable drugs).
If you think that benzyl alcohol it is the same with alcohol as it is in drinks, you are mistaken. Types and uses benzyl alcohol with ordinary alcohol is much different.
Alcohol in drinks that you know is ethanol type. This type of alcohol is obtained from the fermentation of yeast, sugar, and starch, meanwhile benzyl alcohol naturally found in several types of plants and fruit without the need to go through the fermentation process at all.
Is it safe to use in the mouth?
Benzyl alcohol is a natural element and is found in several plants. For example, in some types of fruit that can be consumed, this compound can be found up to 5 mg / kg. Then in green tea as much as 1-30 mg / kg and black tea as much as 1-15 mg / kg.
In addition, this compound is also used as a flavor enhancer in several foods and beverages at amounts up to 400 mg / kg. For example, it is used in chewing gum which touches numbers up to 1254 mg / kg.
Benzyl alcohol metabolized to benzoic acid and excreted or excreted as hippuric acid in urine by the human body. The daily intake set by the WHO (World Health Organization) for benzyl alcohol is 5 mg / kg. If toothpaste or other dental hygiene products contain this ingredient, but it is below the recommended number, it is still safe to use.
When compared with ethanol (a type of alcohol in drinks), as already explained, benzyl alcohol has different functions and processes when digested by the body. This proves that benzyl alcohol is a type of alcohol that is different from ordinary alcohol.
Conclusion
Change benzyl alcohol into benzoic acid which occurs due to human metabolism is well known to experts.
It can be said that benzyl alcohol does not give harmful or health-threatening side effects if only used in toothpaste. The reason is, you can even consume foods and drinks that contain this substance, as long as they do not exceed the recommended limits that have been set. Also, toothpaste and mouthwash require you to throw them away and not swallow them.
