Are You Brushing With Toxic Toothpaste?

If you are using about 20 gallons of toothpaste in your lifetime, do you really want that toothpaste to be toxic?

We try not to swallow toothpaste, but we do end up swallowing a certain amount of it. Even if you don't swallow your toothpaste, the mucus membranes in your mouth and tongue are highly permeable and toxic molecules can enter straight into the bloodstream.

In the U.S., there are only 11 synthetic ingredients that are prohibited for use in cosmetics. In comparison, the European Union (EU) has banned more than 1,300 ingredients and restricts another 250 compounds from being used in cosmetics.

The Dirty Dozen Toxic Substances To Avoid In Your Toothpaste:

1. Fluoride carries a poison warning and is a major risk factor for disfiguring dental fluorosis. Fluoride has long been considered the answer for preventing tooth decay, but groundbreaking research has cast serious doubt on its usefulness. Fluoride can lower IQ in children and has been associated with contributing to cancer.

2. Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical added to toothpaste to help fight plaque and gingivitis. Triclosan has been linked to concerns over antibiotic resistance, endocrine disruption and thyroid dysfunction. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as triclosan, can promote a wide variety of health problems, including; breast, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancer, preterm and low birth weight babies, precocious puberty in girls and un-descended testicles in boys.

3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), are surfactants responsible for the foaming action of the toothpaste. These chemicals also interfere with the functioning of your taste buds, by breaking up the phospholipids on your tongue. This enhances bitter tastes and is thought to be the reason why everything tastes bad right after you've brushed your teeth. SLS has also been linked to skin irritation and painful canker sores. SLS was actually registered as an insecticide. Studies have shown it may have toxic effects to marine life, including fish, insects and crustaceans.

4. Artificial Colors - Toothpastes specifically targeted to children often contain artificial colors (food dyes), which have been linked to hyperactivity and related behavioral problems in children. Some such ingredients also pose a risk of cancer and allergic reactions. Contaminants in dyes include synthetic chemicals and heavy metals, including; lead, mercury and arsenic. Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.

5. Artificial Sweeteners, such as aspartame are also often added to commercial toothpastes. Aspartame is metabolized inside your body into both wood alcohol, a poison and formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen used as embalming fluid and is not eliminated from your body through the normal waste filtering done by your liver and kidneys. It's been linked to birth defects, cancers, brain tumors and weight gain.

6. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives - Certain preservatives may also release dangerous formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. Formaldehyde kills microbes that might otherwise grow in the product. These preservatives can be absorbed into your bloodstream through the mucosal lining in your mouth. Besides cancer, they've also been linked to allergic skin reactions. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives to avoid include; DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, methenamine, quaternium-15, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bromopol), 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3 dioxane (Bronidox) and glyoxal.

7. Parabens are another type of preservatives linked to harmful health effects. Parabens are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mimic the hormone estrogen and exposure has been linked to cancer and developmental and reproductive toxicity. These chemicals can be listed on the label under a number of different names, including but not limited to; methylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and isopropylparaben.

8. Carrageenan is a thickening agent suspected of having carcinogenic activity. Food-grade carrageenan is associated with intestinal inflammation that can lead to cancer, even in small doses. Two decades' worth of independent research has also linked it to; increased free radical formation, inflammation, disrupted insulin metabolism, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.

9. Propylene Glycol - is a type of antifreeze that is used in toothpaste and other cosmetics. It is also found in paints and enamels. It acts as a cleaning agent or surfactant. Studies have linked propylene glycol to skin, eye and lung irritation, as well as organ system toxicity.

10. Diethanolamine (DEA) is a foaming agent and a hormone disrupter that can react with other ingredients to form a potential carcinogen called N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked with cancers of the stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) ranks DEA as a number "10" in its cosmetics database (the most toxic score) due to high concerns of organ system toxicity. The California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also lists DEA as a possible human carcinogen.

11. Microbeads are tiny plastic pellets found in body washes, facial scrubs, toothpaste and more. The microbeads go down your drain and right through the filters at most wastewater treatment plants and out into the environment. Plastic microbeads absorb toxins from the water and are eaten by a wide variety of marine life and ultimately by humans as well. If you have toothpaste containing microbeads, you can't avoid swallowing some of them.

In 2014, dentists and dental hygienists reported finding microbeads trapped between patients' teeth and under their gums. This space gives food and bacteria an entrance to your gum line, which could actually cause gum disease.

12. Ingredients Made From Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) - Many toothpastes contain an assortment of GMO-based ingredients. The only way to avoid these is to buy products carrying the USDA 100% Organic label. GMO-derived ingredients include; glycerin, citric acid and citrates, xanthan gum, xylitol, sorbitol and lecithin.

There are all natural and non-toxic organic toothpaste out there. You just have to look for them.

You can make your own toothpaste with just a few basic ingredients, such as coconut oil, baking soda and a few drops of peppermint essential oil. You can store it in a glass jar.

Coconut oil may help to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium that is a major cause of tooth decay.

Peppermint oil extract has been shown to be superior to the mouthwash chemical chlorhexidine in inhibiting the formation of biofilm formations linked to dental cavities.

Tooth-Pyks.com is a local website that has a number of safe and effective toothpastes available for purchase:

Read More