What’s In Your Toothpaste?

Toothpaste Should Not Have a Poison Control Warning Label

The average person will brush his or her teeth around one thousand times a year or more. Some of the most popular toothpaste brands may be tearing your teeth – and health – apart with toxic ingredients. Many of the chemicals discussed in previous blog posts are also found in oral health product, which means that they go straight into your mouth and into your body. What you may end up swallowing will go directly into your digestive track, absorbing into other parts of your body. Discover why switching your toothpaste for a natural, organic tooth cleanser could not only benefit your pearly whites, but also your health as a whole. This information will get you thinking twice about your typical toothpaste and the toll it takes.

Toothpaste Sweeteners That Are Not So Sweet

You know the sweet, pleasant flavor you get from most of your toothpastes? That comes from either one of two ingredients – saccharine and aspartame. These are both known artificial sweeteners that we have already written informative information about why you should avoid them in your food. But just a little bit from toothpaste can’t do much harm, can it? Think again. Since we brush our teeth multiple times a day, at least a little bit will get swallowed during the process. Here are the ways that these artificial sweeteners can affect your health.

In some studies, saccharin has been shown to increase the likelihood of bladder cancer in rodents. While no human studies have shown such issues, regular and constant usage can make cause for concern in humans either way. Since it is already difficult to escape saccharin in many of our food products, using toothpaste with this ingredient can only add to the problem. Regardless of this study, some side effects of saccharine have become clear in people. These effects include headaches, lose stool or diarrhea, and increased skin sensitivity. Many products containing saccharine have to carry warning labels. And the FDA has already made a previous move to ban it. The movement failed, but lots of controversy still surrounds the product. Is this something that you want lurking in your toothpastes?

The second ingredient often used to sweeten the flavor of toothpaste is aspartame. It has a long list of negative side effects, including headache, dizziness, abdominal problems like pain, nausea, and vomiting, blurred vision, moodiness, difficulty with memory, and tiredness. Some evidence suggests that the majority of research pointing to the ingredient’s safety has only been funded by companies wishing to use it for profit. Another problem with aspartame is that it is a synthetic compound with an amino acid that some people may have an adverse reaction to. Most products containing aspartame must include a label for advisement for such people.

Toothpaste Cleansing Ingredients Should Be Good For You

One of the main reasons we brush our teeth is to eliminate the bacteria that grows within our mouths. Eating food, generating saliva, and drinking our favorite beverages make our mouths a playground for bacteria and other antibodies to enjoy and thrive. The dark, warm, moist climate provided by the insides of our mouths make for a perfect environment for bacteria to reproduce. Not only does this cause bad breath, but it can further the decay of our teeth’s enamels, break down our gums, and cause problems with our tongues.

So, what does the mainstream market use to solve this problem? Triclosan. If you have not already read our extensive article on triclosan, then here is a revisit at what we discovered in our research. This antibacterial ingredient is strong – so strong that it can cause the immunity of bacterial bodies to other forms of treatment. This can increase the power of a bacterial infection, creating even more difficulty than before. It is also reactive to dioxin, which creates a carcinogen. Additionally, triclosan has been banned in the state of Minnesota and the European Union has greatly limited the concentrations of this biocide used in products that circulate there. Should we not take a tip from these regions?

Harmful Dyes

Most mainstream marketers look to make their products appear ‘pretty,’ so that the customer will find it more appealing. This is why you see so many toothpastes in vibrant shades of blues, reds, yellows, or other hues, depending on the flavor. But there is a price tacked to the attractive appearance, and it is not coming from your wallet. It comes from your health. Every time you swallow a small amount of toothpaste, you ingest the following ingredients.

Many toothpastes use FD&C dyes to obtain the brilliant colors within their products. These dyes are linked to some serious health problems. For one, they are often easily absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Even if you avoid swallowing them, they may penetrate the tissues of your mouth, which are very sensitive and easy to break through for certain chemicals. The other risks associated depend on the specific color used. Here is a small list of commonly used colors to watch out for.

The children’s toothpastes with the vibrant blue color and sparkles often uses FD&C Blue 1. One study showed evidence that it can cause kidney tumors in mice. It also has an increased likelihood of absorption into the bloodstream, having the ability to enter the blood-brain barrier more easily than other dyes. It may increase the likelihood of hypotension, and can actually turn your insides blue!

Toothpastes containing yellow dyes and colors also have health problems linked to their usage. Yellow #5 may be cause problems such as respiratory issues – including asthma. It can also cause increased allergies, skin sensitivities, headaches, and hyperactivity. Yellow #6 may cause stomach issues, moodiness, increased allergies, and has been banned in Norway. There are a number of other dyes used in different toothpastes, so keep an eye out and do your research.

Amazing Alternatives

If you find yourself getting nervous about the next time you brush your teeth, then do not worry! Face Naturals has a solution for you that uses botanical ingredients that are safe to ingest, good for your teeth, and harmless for your body. We use a special recipe with each ingredient listed on the product label for your convenience. None of the chemical or synthetic ingredients above are found within our line of Natural Tooth Cleansers. Here is a look at what we use to keep our tooth cleansers safe for you and the whole family!

We avoid the potential hazards caused by any artificial sweetener by using organic stevia leaf. This ingredient naturally sweetens the product to make the taste pleasurable for when you polish those pearly whites. Unlike most ingredients that have a sweet flavor, organic stevia leaf may help to promote overall dental health. It does not break down the enamel, nor does it coat the teeth with acid like many sugars do. This is why we use organic stevia leaf in each of our tooth cleansers.

Instead of using antibacterial ingredients like triclosan, we utilize organic coconut oil in our tooth cleansers. This ingredient offers a mild alternative that works effectively to eliminate bacteria and other antibodies, without causing them to strengthen and become resistant. It helps reduce the buildup of plaque, decreases the likelihood of tooth decay, and helps to literally pull other toxins from the surrounding tissues. This results in a healthier and whiter smile with benefits that will not bite back.

Face Naturals does not use any dyes or colors in our tooth cleansers to make them more attractive. As mentioned before, we list each and every ingredient used in our tooth cleansers. Each ingredient is natural and plant-based, made fresh to order in our facility. But we are not finished informing you about mainstream toothpaste! Keep an eye out for part two of this blog to find out more about why you should switch your oral care routine today!

References

• Top Four Most Dangerous Artificial Sweeteners
• The Health Risks of Saccharine Revisited
• Sweet Stevia Leaf Extract Promotes Dental Health
• Minnesota Issues Ban on Antibacterial Ingredient
• Triclosan and Antibiotics Resistance
• Six Reasons to Start Using Coconut Oil as Toothpaste
• Are You or Your Family Using Toxic Food Dyes?
• Artificial Dyes in the Foods We Consume and Feed to Our Children: Health Effects By Color
• Toxic Toothpaste Ingredients You Need to Avoid
• Toxic Toothpaste Ingredients that Make Us Sick