May 27, 2005

By: Sophie Griffin
Website: http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com

Mouthwash Safety Concerns – Safety Regarding Children

While nothing can protect a child like the diligent and watchful eye of a parent, a handful of cases involving mouthwash and children has raised some mouthwash safety concerns among both parents and national organizations. In fact, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has expressed a keen interest in the safety and health of children in regards to all mouthwash containers that use more than five percent of ethanol, which is alcohol, as an ingredient. The mouthwash safety concern is justified due to the numbers of reported poisonings and deaths related to the accessibility and consumption of mouthwash containing a dangerous level of ethanol each year.

The cause and movement of the United States Consumer Safety Product Commission is supported by a number of high-ranking political figures and associations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The desired outcome of all action taken by these individuals and groups is to reduce the risk that can arise due to mouthwash by requiring child-resistant packaging on all bottles containing more than five percent ethanol.

In light of the concern and actions seeking the requirement of childproof safety packaging on mouthwash, some of the manufacturers of mouthwash products are voluntarily labeling and placing safety caps on their merchandise. Since the childproof caps have become common on many of the mouthwash products containing more than five- percent ethanol, the number of incidents involving mouthwash has declined.

Concerns over the accessibility of poisons, medications and items like mouthwash in the home remain as help is still being sought for a number of cases each year.

Author Notes:

Sophie Griffin contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  She has recently graduated from college, and is now studying as a dental hygenists. Sophie plans to continue her career in dental sales, specializing