Choosing Your Toothpaste Wisely: Avoiding Harmful Ingredients for Optimal Oral Health
Most people are more concerned about what's in their food than in their toothpaste. Still, the truth is that many kinds of toothpaste on the market today include very harmful substances that can harm the body over time.
Given that more than 80% of American adults suffer from gum disease, it is clear that how people clean their teeth is ineffective and may be the source of their gum disease.
Your mouth is one of your body's most absorbent parts. Through the buccal mucosa, which has a lot of blood vessels, things can get into the bloodstream more directly, allowing the harmful chemicals and toxins in conventional toothpaste to enter the bloodstream via the mouth and gums and go throughout the body.
Consequently, a natural alternative is the best, healthiest, and safest action. However, we're not discussing just any natural alternative. Even certain varieties of toothpaste marketed at health food stores contain numerous hidden toxins. If you brush your teeth a minimum of twice a day, you are exposing your body to all the chemicals that your toothpaste has, affecting your mouth and overall health.
Next time you buy toothpaste, make sure to read the label and AVOID the following potentially harmful ingredients:
Fluoride: There have been multiple studies about fluoride; in 2006, the U.S. National Research Council of the National Academies found that fluoride affects normal endocrine function, causing an imbalance in hormones. In 2012 researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found a connection between fluoride and its negative effect on cognitive development in children.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS): is also used as an insecticide and detergent. It makes the toothpaste foam, but it can cause irritation and aggravate aphthous ulcers. In a study by the Department of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, patients using toothpaste containing SLS over three months showed significantly more ulcers after the trial. Alternatively, the number of ulcers reduced drastically when the patients switched to an SLS-free paste. For people suffering from mouth ulcers, this could worsen the symptoms further.
Triclosan: this is an ingredient that can be found in toothpaste, body wash, antibacterial soaps, and cosmetics. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a study found that it causes a decrease in some thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones help control your metabolism and keep it regulated. Reducing such hormones could result in a slow metabolism, so avoiding this ingredient in your toothpaste might be best. It was banned in 2017 from hand soaps and body washes and, for the most part, discontinued in toothpaste. It has been mentioned that it can cause antibiotic-resistant bacteria and increased cancer risk.
Propylene glycol improves a product's shelf life, appearance, and texture. In large quantities, propylene glycol has been linked to damage to the central nervous system, liver, and heart. Propylene glycol can be found in everyday items like cosmetics, flavorings, and prescription drugs.
Artificial Sweeteners: Saccharin is used to improve the taste of toothpaste, but in the past has been linked to bladder cancer, brain tumors, and lymphoma. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support these claims. Aspartame, on the other hand, has been found to affect gut bacteria and increase blood glucose, which has been linked to insulin resistance and can be carcinogenic. Sorbitol keeps the toothpaste from getting dry and crusty, but it is also a laxative; if kids ingest it can cause diarrhea.
Diethanolamine (DEA) is a product that has a foaming effect, and it can be found in antifreeze and brake fluid. In a 1998 study, the topical application of DEA was linked to animal cancer. The same study found that DEA induced hepatic choline deficiency (deficiency of the liver). It is also a hormone disrupter, an irritant, human respiratory toxin.
Parabens: used to preserve the shelf life of a range of cosmetics, including toothpaste. They can disrupt hormone function by mimicking the hormone estrogen. In some cases, parabens may lead to breast cancer. There are claims that parabens are linked to developmental and reproductive issues; however, this has yet to be confirmed.
Artificial coloring: titanium dioxide is an artificial colorant used to make toothpaste more visually pleasing. Artificial coloring has been linked to hyperactivity and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ADHD) in children. A study in 2012 showed that artificial coloring is directly linked to overactivity, inattention, and impulsiveness in children.
Carrageenan: Found in processed coffee, milk, and other foods. It is a thickening agent, but it can cause inflammatory skin conditions, intestinal issues, colon ulcerations, and cancer. It can also be carcinogenic.
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2): Use to give the toothpaste its white color. It can be carcinogenic and affect the body's non-reproductive organs.
Glycerin: As a humectant, glycerin retains water and prevents toothpaste from drying. Glycerin is harmful because it coats your teeth and gums, making it difficult for the body to absorb the necessary vitamins and nutrients to repair naturally.
