Toothpaste

Good morning!
So here I have written up about some of the (toxic) ingredients in our most commonly used toothpastes. I used to be very skeptical about "toxic toothpaste" because I didn't think anyone was swallowing enough of the stuff to cause any harm. I have learned over the years that toxins can  easily absorb into our blood stream from things that come in contact with our skin and gums. So chemicals that are put into our mouth, from toothpaste lets say, even if they aren't swallowed, can be absorbed into our blood stream from our gums, and over time can cause toxins to build up in our bodies. The good news is that there are chemical free toothpastes, just beware, some of them claim to be "healthy" while still full of chemicals.
Before I get into the list, I want to briefly mention that saliva is really our natural toothpaste. It washes away bacteria and helps re-mineralize our teeth and protects our enamel by using calcium and phosphorous.(That is why its so vital for our teeth to eat a  balanced diet, so that we have appropriate amounts of minerals to help keep teeth strong and healthy.) Just some more food for thought. Its great to know that saliva actually does some really great things for us!

I took a regular tube of Colgate whitening toothpaste to look at what's inside, I'll explain a few of them.
Here we go...

Hydrated silica
glycerin
sorbitol
PVM/MA copolymer
SLS (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate
cellulose gum
flavor
sodium hydroxide
porpelyn glycol
carageenan
sodium saccharin
titanium dioxide

Hydrate silica is formed from a chemical compound found in sand. It is used as a whitener and an abrasive, to clean the plaque off teeth. This is very harmful for the tooth because it scratches it's surface and prevents daily re-mineralization, and can eventually wear away the enamel. It is particularly harmful for those with tooth decay or receding gums. It is also used in paint as an anti-caking agent. Yum.

Glycerin is a sweetener which is generally extracted from vegetable oil by using toxic chemicals. It's job in toothpaste is to keep it from drying out. It also coats the teeth with a seal which blocks the tooth from saliva, which in turn keeps the teeth from re-mineralizing. Its similar to a heavy, sugary syrups which is not good for the teeth either.


Sorbitol and Saccharin are both artificial sweeteners which are very harmful to the human body. (There is a long list of reasons why they are so harmful, I will post an article for more info.)

PVM/MA is a synthetic plastic which helps keeps ingredients bound together. It can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Fun, ha?

SLS is a good one. It has been making headlines lately, and you have probably seen labels that say "sls free" on more and more cosmetic products. There is good reason for that. SLS is a foaming agent, its what makes our soaps all bubbly. Its also used as a de-greaser in cleaning agents. It is said to be toxic and when absorbed it can damage cells in the body. It is corrosive to the skin, it has been linked to cancer and organ toxicity. It is also an endocrine (hormone) disruptor and it actually helps other toxins absorb more easily into the body. It's used as a pesticide too! I'd say if you want to take it one step at a time, begin with buying products that are sls free. There are many options out there.

Propelyn glycol helps the toothpaste retain it's moisture so it doesn't dry out. like the glycerin. It is also used as antifreeze in break fluid and paints. It can be quickly absorbed into the body and can lead to organ abnormalities.

Although there are more ingredients on this list that I didn't explain in detail, I think we all get the point. Most of them are highly processed with harsh chemicals, or they are artificial to begin with. So they might leave your teeth and mouth smelling fresh and looking great, and in the long run, these commonly used toothpaste ingredients can cause more harm than that clean feeling mouth might be worth. If our toothpastes worked so well, as they claim, to keep our mouth's healthy and white, why is it that over 90% of American adults have tooth decay?!

Remember, knowledge is power if used in the right way. The journey to a healthier life style is just that, a journey! So don't feel overwhelmed by this list, there are many options for better, cleaner toothpastes. I'll keep you posted =). For now, happy clean teeth to all!