While most regular brands of toothpaste are advertised and marketed as vital tools in maintaining oral health, the truth is that they may actually be causing more harm than good. One look at the warning inscribed on any tube of toothpaste will confirm that regular toothpaste is a mix of potentially dangerous and toxic ingredients that our bodies are better off without.
- Fluoride
Although it is claimed that fluoride is useful in the fight against tooth cavities, the truth is that it is actually more toxic than it is helpful. Shockingly, fluoride is actually a by product of industrial waste that also happens to be one of the most essential ingredients in rat poison.
In addition to that, research has proven that the use of fluoride in toothpastes is detrimental to oral health in several ways. Firstly, the teeth become discolored and brittle. This is because fluoride has the effect of coroding calcium from the teeth. The ability of the gums to self-repair is also inhibited by fluorides. There are a myriad of other health issues likely to arise from the use of fluoride based toothpastes including the risk of cancer, allergies, arthritis and even Crohn’s disease.
- Glycerin
Glycerine has an effect of forming a sticky coat over ones teeth. When this happens, it becomes literally impossible for the teeth to re-enamalize. This is because the glycerin coating prevents the teeth from absorbing important minerals like calcium.
- Artificial Coloring
There is no denying that colored toothpaste can be quite aesthetically pleasing. However, for these colors to be formed artificial coloring chemicals such as FD & Cblue No. 1 & 2 are used. Worryingly, various studies have established that these artifical dyes can have adverse effects on ones general health. Possible health conditions that could be triggered by these coloring chemicals include asthma, nervousness, excessive fatigue and even cancer. In children, these dyes can even trigger hyperactivity.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
When brushing your teeth using regular toothpaste, it is normal for the toothpaste to foam, right? Well, SLS is the agent responsible for this foaming action in regular toothpaste.
Unfortunately however, SLS has been found to have a negative impact on the mucus membranes found in the mouth. When this happens, even the skin structure of the body changes. The ultimate result of all this is an increased entry of even more harmful chemicals into the body hence damaging the body’s immune system.
What’s more, SLS has been found to be among the major triggers of dry mouth. This is a situation in which the mouth produces less saliva than it should. Dry mouth may even result in serious cases of foul breath. Gum disease could also be attributed to the SLS in regular toothpaste.
- Saccharin
Saccharin is an artificial sweetener that is found in many brands of regular toothpaste as well as mouthwash. While it is sweet to the tongue, saccharin does have a rather dark history. In the 1970’s, it was discovered that it caused adverse health effects (including kidney cancer) on laboratory rats. Saccharin was in fact banned, though the ban was later lifted due to public outcry. Aside from its suspected carcinogenic nature, saccharin also has the effect of increasing the acidity of teeth hence exposing them to even more harm.
There are lots of other harmful chemicals and toxins that could be found in regular toothpaste. Considering that the mucous linings in the mouth have an incredibly high absorbtion rate, there is always the risk that the toxins and harmful chemicals in regular toothpaste may be passed into the blood stream and on into vital body organs such as the brain. Using natural toothpastes which are free of artificial sweeteners, foaming agents, fluoride and artificial coloring agents will not only improve your oral health, but it will also improve the general health of your body as a whole. So, why not go for natural toothpaste?
References:
http://www.farrensnaturalcosmetics.com/blog/34-whats-bad-about-toothpaste.html
http://www.healingteethnaturally.com/dental-systemic-health-hazards-toothpaste.html
http://www.energygrid.com/health/2011/03kf-toothpaste.html
http://www.choose-healthy-eating-for-life.com/natural-toothpaste.html#.Vl9s43YrK1s
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