How to Choose an All Natural Toothpaste

Each and every morning, as soon as you wake, you march to the bathroom to freshen your breath and each and every night, before you head to bed once more, you brush away the day’s leftovers.  While that ritual is one that should never end for the sake of your oral health, you could actually be, unknowingly, contaminating yourself.  Many of the most common commercial toothpaste brands contain a chemical known as SLS.  More formally, it is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and it has been proven that this ingredient found in the products meant to keep your mouth healthy, can cause canker sores and worse.  Leading to dry mouth, this toothpaste component can actually increase daily bacteria backup.

For those who are looking for a truly clean mouth, there are good products out there.  Looking for labels that read ‘certified organic’, ‘non-toxic’, or ‘chemical free’ can help one choose reliable toothpaste.  Similarly, these labels can lead one to choose a mouthwash that isn’t going to lead to fluoride overdose or other forms of accidental poisoning.

It may seem odd to consider fluoride, a substance known for promoting dental health, a potential toxin, but the truth is that this substance, in excess, can cause serious problems.  Along with dangers including cancer and renal failure, too much fluoride can lead to mottling.  Dental mottling is a condition whereby the teeth become spotted and blotchy with stains in bright white, yellow, or brown.  If that isn’t enough to scare a person away from traditional toothpastes and mouthwashes, consider this.  Many of the same chemicals that are found in common bathroom cleaners and disinfectants are also used in commercial mouthwashes.  This list includes ammonia, formaldehyde, and hydrogen peroxide.

Excess exposure to ammonia can lead to a number of serious health problems beginning with irritation of eyes, throat, and nose.  This can increase coughing and choking.  Prolonged exposure can result in permanent scarring of the cornea, skin and lungs.  Similarly, formaldehyde can cause eyes, nose and throat problems, as well as wheezing and nausea.  These are only short-term effects.  Currently the dangers of long-term exposure to this chemical are unknown.  However, in rat studies, continued contact led to nasal cancer.  Therefore, this is listed as a probable human carcinogen.  Meanwhile hydrogen peroxide, if swallowed, can cause serious vomiting, burns in the mouth and throat, bleeding in the stomach, ulcers, or worse.  This is even in its most diluted form.

While you are not likely to overdo it on your own, or even to accidently swallow the toothpaste and mouthwash, your children may.  Is it worth the risk when organic alternatives are becoming increasingly accessible to the general public?  Even when posed in this manner, some still have questions regarding the degree to which natural toothpaste works.  Without the chemicals, can it really do the job as effectively?

Scrubbing: For the purpose of scrubbing away the stains and plaque, many natural toothpastes make use of a natural substance called calcium carbonate.  This light abrasive has none of the dangerous side effects, but can visible reduce staining and provide the feeling of clean.

Saying Goodbye to Bad Breathe: Many commercial toothpastes share the same component as natural toothpastes for ridding the mouth of the bacteria that makes for bad breath: baking soda.  Simply brushing the teeth and tongue with this natural substance can kick bad breath for a long time to come.  Furthermore, natural peppermint or spearmint can battle bacteria and win.

Doing Without the Fluoride: Despite the concerns of overdosing, some people fear going without the added fluoride.  The truth is that fluoride in toothpaste can be a good thing for those who have well water and have it tested to find that it is low in natural fluoride.  For those on municipal water, there is little or no need for added fluoride as the water brings enough to the table.

For those that are looking for a more hands-on, affordable approach to the natural elements, there are recipes for make-your-own toothpaste.  The best part is, that it isn’t hard to do because the products that make for a good toothpaste are easy to find and easy to combine.  Beware that some online recipes call for the use of hydrogen peroxide, which can help clean the mouth, but as mentioned above, can also be harmful if swallowed.  A better alternative is a combination of peppermint oil, table salt (for natural scrubbing), baking soda, and water.  Add water until it forms a nice paste consistency.  For added sweetness, one can consider a natural sugar alternative.  The peppermint oil will add flavor, and also bacteria battling power.  Recall that natural products do not contain the preservatives of commercial brands, so they may not last as long.  Stored in the refrigerator, this toothpaste will last longer, or consider making in smaller amounts.