You probably don’t think about the chemicals that are infused into your toothpaste, but you should. Traditionally, you’ve been led to believe that tooth decay develops as a result of eating too much candy and not brushing your teeth correctly.
Well, the truth is, there is some truth to the candy part, however, what you use to brush your teeth—your toothpaste—has been proven to be a bigger culprit.
Let’s look closer at what goes on in your mouth.
You know that slick, slimy coating that you feel on your teeth? It’s called “biofilm” and it’s actually a tough layer of living bacteria, better known as plaque—Yuck! Plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing with a commercial toothpaste helps, but it doesn’t keep plaque from coming back.
In addition, commercial toothpaste can contain chemicals that you don’t’ want anywhere near your moth.
Here are some chemicals to avoid:
- Triclosan
Triclosan is a chlorinated aromatic compound that helps slow or stop the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mildew. It was banned from being used in hand soaps and body washes in 2016, however it is still allowed in toothpaste. Go Figure! This compound is also added to items like clothing, toys, cosmetics, cookware, and furniture, it is absorbed through the skin and mouth in small amounts. There is mounting evidence that triclosan not only disrupts hormonesbut also impairs muscle contractions and can slow down blood circulation. A recent study found that people who have higher concentrations of Triclosan in their bodies are also more likely to suffer from allergies and hay fever and become resistant to antibiotics. - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
This is a chemically processed soap made from coconut oil, palm oil, or petroleum, sodium lauryl sulfate and can be found in cleaning products like shampoos, laundry detergents, dish soaps, and toothpaste. SLS can irritate the skin when used in high doses. Although the SLS content in toothpaste is usually limited to 0.5 to 2%, it can still irritate your skin, especially if you suffer with canker sores. - FD&C Blue 1
That beautiful, blue stripe you see in some toothpastes, also known as Brilliant Blue FCF, Blue 1, is a synthetic food coloring dye produced from petroleum, that’s added to toothpaste. Blue 1 is entirely cosmetic and holds no value for oral care. However, because it enters into your mouth and can be absorbed into your bloodstream through mucous membranes, it is not considered entirely safe and more study is needed to determine whether it’s use should be continued or not.
Here is a list of natural toothpaste alternatives that are organic and non-toxic
1. Dr. Bronner’s All-in-One Toothpaste
From the same folks who have brought us the wonderfully versatile and earth-friendly castile soap, Dr. Bronner’s is certainly a brand you can trust. Their all-in-one toothpaste cleans and whitens teeth while also reducing plaque and freshening breath. Made with 70 organic ingredients including coconut flour, aloe leaf juice, baking soda, peppermint oil, potassium cocoate, menthol crystals, and stevia leaf extract. Not only is Dr. Bronner’s toothpaste free of artificial colors, flavors, fluoride, and sweeteners, it is certified organic, vegan, non-GMO, and this product was never tested on animals. It is available to buy from Amazon.
2. Redmond Earthpaste
Available in lemon, wintergreen, cinnamon, and peppermint flavors, Earthpaste’s formulation is dead simple: all natural and real ingredients. It’s made using food-grade bentonite clay for polishing and cleansing, purified water, xylitol to sweeten and help prevent tooth decay, as well as a slew of essential oils (depending on the flavor) that will taste delicious while also providing anti-microbial effects for a fresh and clean mouth.
You might have heard that Earthpaste contains lead – it does, in miniscule doses. Lead is a naturally-occurring product of bentonite clay, and if you ate spinach today, you’ve already consumed five times the amount of lead in Earthpaste.
3. Desert Essence
Inspired by the age-old tradition of chewing twigs from the neem tree to clean teeth (which apparently does a better job than a toothbrush), Dessert Essence is made with neem extract and so it has natural antiseptic properties. Other ingredients include sea salt, tea tree oil and leaf extract, sodium coco-sulfate, wintergreen oil, and baking soda. Offering a deep clean that scrubs away plaque build-up, it is free of harsh abrasives and is gentle enough for people with sensitive gums.
4. Lucky Teeth
With the triple action of remineralizing, whitening, and strengthening teeth and gums, Lucky Teeth is packed with lots of beneficial organic ingredients: activated charcoal to clean and whiten; antibacterial oils like coconut, tea tree, clove, sunflower seed, sweet almond, cinnamon, peppermint, and spearmint; baking soda for a bit of grit and to help reduce acids in the mouth; and xylitol to sweeten and fight cavities naturally. Unlike most toothpastes, Lucky Teeth comes in a jar instead of a tube – just mix it well before each use and drop a pea-sized amount on your toothbrush. If this is the toothpaste for you, grab a jar from Amazon.
5. The Honest Company
In addition to their kid-friendly strawberry blast toothpaste, The Honest Company also has a minty fresh version for the adults. Vegan and gluten-free, this toothpaste is fortified with calcium for stronger bones and baking soda for polishing teeth. It also contains organic aloe, ginger and bisabolol (a derivative of German chamomile), green tea, and peppermint.
6. Davids Natural Toothpaste
Using the highest quality natural ingredients with a focus on sustainability, Davids Toothpaste is manufactured with 100% renewable wind power energy, and its packaging is completely recyclable. Aside from being vegan and cruelty-free, with no fluoride or artificial ingredients, Davids is formulated with baking soda, xylitol, peppermint and spearmint oil, stevia leaf extract, and anise seed extract. All of the ingredients used have been thoroughly vetted by the Environmental Working Group for safety and health.
7. Himalaya Botanique
Another toothpaste that incorporates the dental benefits of neem leaf extract, Himalaya Botanique is fresh and minty with a hint of pomegranate flavor. Made with thyme leaf oil, sea salt, xylitol, and peppermint leaves, its most unique ingredients include triphala – a trio of medicinal fruits – that have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gums and gum arabic which helps reduce bacteria in the mouth that causes gum disease and plaque.
8. JĀSÖN Healthy Mouth
A company committed to natural and wholesome products since 1959, JĀSÖN (which means “healer” in Greek) offers yet another option when it comes to cleaning your mouth with the power of plant extracts. The anti-plaque and tartar control formula includes tea tree oil, aloe vera gel, cinnamon oil, grapefruit and perilla seed extracts, clove flower oil, and parsley extract. Give JĀSÖN a go by picking up a tube from Amazon.
If you’re the adventurous type you can try your hand at making your own toothpaste. Here’s a great recipe from Dr. Axe
Homemade Probiotic Toothpaste
Total Time: 2 minutes
Serves: 20
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1–2 tablespoons bentonite clay
- 1 capsules of organic probiotics
- 1 capsule of FOS (fructooligosaccharides) or other inulin-type prebiotic
- up to 1/2 tablespoon xylitol powder (optional)
- up to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil or other essential oil
- small jar
Directions:
- Place coconut oil container in a bowl of hot water to liquefy some of it (depending on your room temperature, this may take up to 15 minutes).
- Measure all ingredients into a small bowl.
- Open capsules by grabbing the ends with the tips of your fingers while holding them over the bowl and gently pulling and twisting. Once open, dump the powder into the bowl.
- Stir until completely blended. It will be a bit runny, but it will set up as it cools.
- Scoop the paste into a small glass jar with a lid.
- Store at room temperature.
Ready to make healthy changes in your life? Schedule your Free Mind Body Smile Healthy Living Coaching Session with Dr. Susan Stukes. You’ll walk away with a strategy and a plan to move forward with healthy lifestyle changes for your body and your smile.
