Another “not so obvious” toxic product that we use daily are mouth products, ie toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash! However, mainstream products are highly toxic and the mouth is HIGHLY absorbent, allowing chemicals to go straight to your bloodstream. Here are some of the main toxic toothpaste ingredients:
Triclosan – This is an antibacterial chemical, and although it does prevent gingivitis, it has been linked to antiobiotic resistance and endocrine disruption. It has been proven to interfere with muscle function, and can alter hormone regulation. It was first registered in 1969 as a PESTICIDE. It is still registered as this, as well as for personal care products, and even for industrial uses, such as conveyer belts, fire hoses, and even added to adhesives, textiles, plastics, sealants, rubber, carpeting, etc. The crazy thing is that it is already found in 75% of humans, which doesn’t seem comforting after knowing that it was initially registered as a pesticide.
Microbeads – These are found in not only toothpaste, but also body & facial washes & scrubs. These microbeads go down your drain and into the environment. Plastic microbeads absorb tocins from water and are eaten by marine life and humans as well!
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – This is probably the most common chemical that I have found in MOST personal products. The culprit under this category are sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES). These chemicals, aka surfactants, are what create the foaming of toothpaste, though they also interfere with your taste buds. It enhances the bitter taste that you have and is the reason that everything tastes so bad after you brush your teeth. SLS is registered an insecticide and has toxic effects to marine life. It has also been linked to skin irritation and canker sores. Although, the main issue is that when the chemical is manufactured, it is being contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, which is a carcinogenic byproduct. The manufacturing process also releases the carcinogenic compound into the environment. Last fact.. manufacturers have tried to market SLS as a pesticide for organic farmers, however, they were denied due to its potential for environmental damage.. and we’re putting this in our mouth and on our skin!
Diethanolamine (DEA) – This one is a known hormone disrupter, and reacts with other ingredients to form carcinogens. Carcinogens are linked to cancers of the stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) ranks this chemical as a 10 in its database, which is the most toxic score it can receive. This is due to the high concerns of organ toxicity, irritation, and since it is a moderate cancer risk.
Artificial Sweeteners – Aspartame as well as other artificial sweeteners are often added to mainstream toothpastes. This is made up of aspartic acid and phenylalanine (which has been synthetically modified to become a methyl bond). This bond, is weak and makes the phenylalanine break off and form methanol, which in this case, when created by Aspartame, there is no way to eliminate it from the body.
Propylene Glycol – This next chemical is a type of mineral oil. When used in industrial grade, it is used in antifreeze, paints, enamels and airplane de-icers. When in pharmaceutical-grade, it is used in many personal care products, in this case toothpaste, as a surfactant. It is known as a skin, eye and lung irritant, and potentially causes organ system toxicity.
Fluoride – I definitely recall this the most growing up being recommended from my dentist. Aside from being such a TINY layer formed on the teeth that can easily be chewed away (literally you would need 10,000 of these layers to form a single strand of hair), swallowing fluoride (super common in children), is a toxic chemical that builds up in your tissues over time, which can cause serious health effects over time including neurological and endocrine dysfunction.
Obviously, none of these things sound good to be putting in your mouth or your body!
Now, to make a change for the better.. I tried a couple of toothpastes, and the one that I liked that tasted the best, was the Kiss My Face Triple Action Gel Toothpaste, Fluoride Free Toothpaste. I also liked this floss: Tom’s of Maine Natural Waxed Antiplaque Flat Floss
Two other products that I have dabbled in are activated charcoal tooth polish for whitening and coconut oil pulling! I have used the ones at CarbonCoco.com (not affiliate) and they seem to work! They are currently 20% off of the whole site using code FLASH20.
If you’ve already made the switch to healthier teeth/mouth products, what have you tried that you like?
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