Per my blog yesterday on the dangers of fluoride and why you only want fluoride-free toothpaste, I thought I’d take it a step further and share with you several other commonly found toothpaste ingredients that just don’t need to be in your toothpaste. Then I am going to share with you a natural toothpaste I discovered that quickly became a winner in my book.
Glycerin as a Toothpaste Ingredient
Glycerin is the base for many liquid soaps and on the body isn’t a problem. However, in the mouth, glycerin creates a coat or film that won’t rinse away. Many natural dentists say this glycerin film on teeth can prevent the teeth from being able to remineralize thereby weakening the teeth.
The primary reasons glycerin used in most toothpaste formulas is to improve their overall texture and give it that smooth creamy texture that you are familiar with as well as keeping toothpaste from drying out.
SLS as a Toothpaste Ingredient
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant, detergent, and emulsifier used in thousands of products, like shampoos, toothpastes, body washes, make-up foundations, liquid hand soaps, and laundry detergents just to name a few.
Foaming agents such as SLS are said to have a drying effect on the mouth which can increase mouth acidity. These chemicals are also known to cause membrane disruption and trauma in the mouth leading to canker sores. A study conducted by the Department of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, Dental Faculty, University of Oslo, Norway found that a significantly higher frequency of aphthous ulcers (canker sores) was demonstrated when the patients brushed with an SLS-containing toothpaste.1
According to Dr. Mercola’s article, “the real problem with SLES/SLS is that the manufacturing process (ethoxylation) results in SLES/SLS being contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, a carcinogenic by-product…Although SLS originates from coconuts, the chemical is anything but natural.” 2
Titanium Dioxide as a Toothpaste Ingredient
Titanium Dioxide is used in toothpaste to make it white. It is also found in paint, plastics, papers, inks, foods… If inhaled, titanium dioxide was classified as being possibly carcinogenic to humans by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety.3 Does your toothpaste really need to be white? As long as it works, why add an ingredient that may be hazardous to your health and doesn’t need to be there?
Natural and Simple Toothpaste without the Glycerin, SLS, or Titanium Dioxide
I’ve been researching natural toothpastes and ingredients and found a superstar with Earthpaste. Here’s why.
It’s Natural
I love these ingredients. I can pronounce them all and feel very comfortable having them in my toothpaste.
- Purified Water: Used to hydrate the clay.
- Food Grade Redmond Clay: A natural polisher and cleanser that is also mineral rich and alkaline.
- Xylitol: Sweetener and also recommended by many for tooth health.
- Tea Tree Oil: Anti-bacterial properties, promotes gum health, and bad breath fighter.
- Other Essential Oils: Added for flavor and other health benefits. The current flavors of Earthpaste are Wintergreen, Peppermint, Cinnamon, and Lemon Twist.
- Menthol: Only contained in the wintergreen and peppermint flavors. Leaves your mouth feeling fresh and clean.
- Redmond Real Salt: Enhances flavor and offers anti-bacterial properties associated with sea salt.
It’s Safe
Earthpaste delivers all the benefits you expect from a toothpaste without any chemicals or unnatural additives. It’s toothpaste unlike any other you’ve experienced – you’ll see the difference on your brush and feel the difference in your mouth. It’s even safe enough to eat and does not need a warning label like so many of the toothpastes on the market.
Don’t you just love it? Earthpaste comes in Peppermint, Wintergreen, Cinnamon, and Lemon Twist. My friend Ani loves the Cinnamon while I am a true fan of the Lemon Twist. I have to admit that I was skeptical to even try it but since I love the taste of lemon, I did and found a real winner with that particular flavor. Check out all the wonderful fluoride-free toothpastes and other oral care products for more information.
Whatever toothpaste you try, do your homework and read the ingredients. Many so-called “natural” toothpastes contain many of the same chemicals that traditional brands do. Happy and healthy brushing.
References
[1] PubMed The effect of two toothpaste detergents on the frequency of recurrent aphthous ulcers[2] Dr. Mercola Deadly and Dangerous Shampoos, Toothpastes, and Detergents: Could 16,000 Studies Be Wrong About SLS?
We are just starting our plastic free journey. Toothpaste is one of the products that we are struggling with. Thank you for the advice.
I love the thought of lemon toothpaste. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that flavor anywhere – it would be a nice change from the mint toothpastes that are everywhere (not that I don’t like mint…)
Hi Alana, I know what you mean. I was a mint toothpaste gal until I discovered the lemon twist. I absolutely love that flavor. Please let me know if you’d like a sample. I’d happily send you one. Thanks for stopping by!
What a wonderful journey Gillie. I embarked on the plastic-free journey a few years ago. Plastic is everywhere so it’s a tough one. Here is a blog I wrote about plastic that I hope you find beneficial. Not all plastic is created equal but it sure is something to be avoided. https://blog.xlvita.com/2012/09/10/are-your-plastic-containers-safe/. In terms of toothpaste, have you ever thought about making you own?
Context is everything. So, I need to kick that soapbox away. Because TiO2 (titanium dioxide) is a potential carcinogen if it is INHALED. Data on ingestion leads to no such statement (not even potentially).
I did not read your prior post about fluoride, but I’m guessing (since it is a viable, necessary component for most folks’ teeth) it followed the same pattern.
(I am not saying we need TiO2 in toothpaste- we don’t. But, I certainly don’t want an allegation of safety that has no bearing to the context to go unrelented.)
Hi Roy, you are absolutely right that titanium dioxide is a potential carcinogen if inhaled. I did not see research about it being a problem in toothpastes. I made the adjustment to the blog to make that distinction clear and I thank you for your feedback.