When it comes to oral hygiene, toothpaste is a crucial part of our daily routine. But have you ever stopped to think about what’s in your toothpaste? My guess is, probably not.
Most conventional toothpaste brands (aka Colgate, Crest, Sensodyne) contain a cocktail of chemicals and additives that raise concerns about long-term effects on our health.
This is scary since we are brushing our teeth and swallowing tiny amounts at least twice a day for 365 days a year. It’s frustrating that we, as consumers, can’t trust the major companies selling us these toothpastes but now we have the knowledge to choose differently.
Toxins are coming at us from so many different angles these days and most we can’t control. But in this case we can control which toothpaste we buy so here are the bad ingredients to watch out for and why:
The Common Culprits
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): SLS is a chemical foaming agent found in many toothpaste brands and a lot of beauty products and household cleaners. While it creates that satisfying lather, it can also irritate the skin and mucous membranes as well as build up in the body and start to cause health problems.
Fluoride: Also known as sodium fluoride, is highly absorbent and is synthetic (not naturally made by nature). While fluoride is included in toothpaste to prevent tooth decay it is associated with serious health effects such as neurological and endocrine dysfunction. There is a warning label on most conventional brands – A WARNING LABEL!!! That is insane that our toothpaste should have a warning label on it. I don’t know about you but that is enough for me to make the switch! Learn more about Fluoride here by Ask the Dentist – he is such a great resource for learning about all things holistic dental care and health.
Triclosan: Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent that has been linked to various health concerns, including antibiotic resistance and hormone imbalances. Even a study by the FDA linked Triclosan with decreased thyroid hormones. Enough said to avoid this ingredient! Beware, this can also show up in some body washes and some cosmetics. (Check out our Yuka App post for more info on cosmetics ingredients). I also like to verify my cosmetics and cleaners by the EWG rating.
Parabens: Used as preservatives to extend the life of a wide range of cosmetics and toothpaste. Parabens can disrupt the endocrine system and have been shown to mimic estrogen which increases breast cancer risk. Read more about parabens on EWG (Environmental Working Group – a non profit dedicated to helping consumers find healthy and safe products).
Diethanolamine (DEA): Added as a foaming agent. It’s a known carcinogen and is banned in Canada but not the U.S. DEA has also been found in antifreeze and brake fluid.
Non-Toxic Toothpaste Options
The good news is there are better alternatives!! Have you ever heard of Hydroxyapatite?
Hydroxyapatite is a form of calcium that gets absorbed by your teeth and helps re-mineralize your enamel naturally, Hallelujah!
My top non-toxic toothpastes:
- Boka Toothpaste (Adult & Kids)
- Risewell Toothpaste
- Davids Toothpaste
- DIY (opt to make your own toothpaste using simple ingredients to control what goes into your oral care products)
I hope you are as outraged as I was after learning about all the toxins in our toothpastes. Knowing is half the battle and I am just glad there are healthy alternatives out there.
One of the best ways to have healthy teeth is eating the right foods to keep them strong and healthy. If you are interested in learning more about how to improve your dental health with diet, this is an awesome resource.
Always remember to brush, floss and use a tongue scraper!
+ Read my post on Oil Pulling and how it can be a game changer for your oral health.
Gina
