Ingredients You Should Avoid While Choosing a Toothpaste
You do it every single day — at least twice if you're one of the 69 percent who brushes their precious pearly whites every morning and evening. But do you have any idea what toxins could be crammed on your bristles while you are busy brushing?
Many kinds of toothpaste on the market have a host of detrimental ingredients. You would not imagine what harm a daily dollop of toothpaste could cause, and it adds up over time.
Here’s a list of ingredients you should avoid while searching for your perfect toothpaste.
1. Fluoride
The fluoride present in toothpaste is sodium fluoride and is known as an over-the-counter drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. The FDA requires warning labels on all fluoride toothpaste and dental
care products shipped since 1997. The warning reads as follows:
"Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately."
Nowadays, 95 percent of all toothpaste sold in the U.S. has fluoride, according to the Fluoride Action Network. Still, too much fluoride can cause a condition called fluorosis that discolors or spots tooth enamel and impacts
41 percent of American youth, as per the CDC. When you contemplate that fluoride is included in more than 70 percent of the nation’s water supply, quickly we are dealing with an overdose. Go for fluoride-free
toothpaste.
2. Artificial sweeteners
Sorbitol, a liquid formula that keeps toothpaste from drying out, is a laxative that can result in diarrhea in children. Saccharin, another artificial sweetener, has been associated with bladder cancer, brain tumors, and
lymphoma in rodents. As an alternative, try using xylitol or stevia as natural sweetener options. The latter has been known to also prevent tooth decay by increasing saliva, hence reducing bacteria in the mouth.
3. Artificial colors
Synthetic colors are a derivative of coal tar. Only seven colors are on the FDA’s approved list; all the others have been banned. If your toothpaste contains these colors, keep on shopping.
4. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Generally used to clean floors, sodium lauryl sulfate is a detergent popular for causing microscopic tears in the mouth, which can result in canker sores. It’s an ingredient that makes toothpaste foam. Check out glycyrrhizin
as a healthier option.
5. Carrageenan
Sourced from red seaweed, carrageenan is used to thicken the toothpaste, but it’s been associated with gastrointestinal inflammation, ulcers, and colon cancer in laboratory animals. While food-grade carrageenan seems safe, it’s also been associated with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in mice.
6. Propylene glycol
This is the primary active ingredient in antifreeze and is used to soften cosmetic products. It has been associated with damage to the central nervous system, heart, and liver.
7. Triclosan
Triclosan is included in personal care products to decrease or avoid bacterial contamination. The FDA has banned using it in body wash and soaps. However, triclosan is still used in a range of toothpaste. Studies have shown that triclosan decreases in thyroid hormones and an increase in antibiotic resistance, along
with tumors in mice.
If you are looking for natural toothpaste, opt for Herbostra’s Irimedadi Toothpaste. It is a herbal toothpaste with neem extracts that removes bacteria and takes care of the oral cavity. It cleanses teeth, prevents tooth decay, and strengthens gums.
