The American Dental Association (ADA) addressed questions raised recently about the safety of triclosan, an ingredient in Seal-approved Colgate Total, with a statement to two inquiring media organizations, Bloomberg Business and Health.com.

The association emphasized that the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs monitors and evaluates the safety of Colgate Total Toothpaste on an ongoing basis.

“If the council’s evaluation determines sufficient scientific evidence exists that an ADA Seal-Accepted product poses a health risk, the council has the authority to withdraw the Seal from that product,” the ADA statement said. In a later addition to the statement, the organization noted that “at this time there is no clinically relevant scientific evidence indicating that the Seal should be removed from the Colgate Total product.”

Triclosan is the active ingredient in Colgate Total that fights plaque and gingivitis. Colgate Total, which has a concentration of 0.3% of the substance, is the only ADA-accepted toothpaste that contains triclosan.