Most of us presume toothpaste to be a fairly innocuous product — we don’t have to worry about what we’re using, since we spit it out anyway…
It’s just some mint flavoured paste, right?
The reality is that many “conventional” store brands contain potentially harmful ingredients, additives, and preservatives which are incrementally absorbed by the gums (and eventually enter into the bloodstream).
It would be perfectly reasonable to want to use a natural alternative.
While most dentists support the use of fluoride to protect against cavity formation, the question is if it is truly necessary.
Dental Health & Conventional Toothpaste Additives
First, let’s take a look at the ingredients commonly used in conventional toothpastes (including fluoride) and why you may want to avoid them.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (also known as SLS): Has a long history of use as an approved food additive by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration). It’s typically used as an emulsifier or surfactant in toothpaste.
Why Switch: It can cause skin irritation, and is a leading cause of mouth ulcers. If you get frequent cankers or ulcers on the inside of your lips or gums, you might try switching to a natural toothpaste.
- Fluoride: A frequent source of controversy, fluoride is frequently added to most conventional store-bought toothpaste brands because it “prevents tooth decay” and cavity formation.
Why Switch: While it is true that fluoride can reduce the risk of tooth decay and “protect” enamel, there are also associated risks. Too much fluoride (whether from tea, toothpaste, or other sources) can cause “fluorosis” (discoloration on teeth). More concerning, though, is the fact that high intake is strongly associated with endocrine dysfunction — particularly impacting the thyroid.
- Polyethylene glycol (also listed as PEG-12): Is typically used to make toothpaste more “spreadable” as it adds a bit of texture and lubrication to the paste. This is a synthetic polymer.
Why Switch: Unfortunately, PEG is a well-known endocrine disruptor and is found in antifreeze. 1,4-dioxane is also commonly found in PEG products, and is a known carcinogen. While it may not have potent effects at lower doses, it’s better to be mindful about what’s in your toothpaste that is being absorbed through your gums and into your bloodstream.
Is There An Alternative?
Yes! Thankfully, there are now many natural toothpaste brands on the market that offer an alternative for those who wish to use something without the above mentioned additives.
One of our personal favourites is the NOW Xyliwhite Toothpaste Gel, which uses a combination of baking soda, xylitol, papain, and essential oils to naturally prevent tartar, cavities, and reduce the risk of gingivitis.
NOW’s xylitol toothpaste comes in a variety of flavours, including spearmint, peppermint, coconut, and cinnamon.
How Natural Ingredients Can Fight Cavities
Natural toothpaste should by no means be thought of as a compromise for living a more natural, “chemical-free” lifestyle — there are plenty of scientifically backed natural ingredients that can *just* as effectively fight cavities and protect your oral health.
Let’s take a look at the main ones within NOW’s Xylitwhite formula:
- Xylitol: Widely considered nature’s most powerful agent against dental cavities and oral bacteria, xylitol is a natural sweetener (sugar-alcohol) derived from birch trees. It has potent activity against acid-producing bacteria that degree your tooth enamel. Because of this, it can help protect your oral microbiome and is a suitable natural alternative to fluoride.
- Papain: Is an enzyme that breaks down proteins. It’s commonly found in whole foods like papaya. It can act as a powerful anti-inflammatory, and biofilm buster — working to naturally whiten teeth and prevent harmful oral bacteria from building biofilms within your mouth.
- Essential Oils: A number of studies have shown that common essential oils (like the tea tree oil used in NOW’s products) are a suitable non-toxic treatment option for gingivitis. The antibacterial activity was comparable to traditional chlorhexidine mouthwash. Tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and cinnamon were found to decrease S. mutans bacteria and plaque.
- Sodium Bicarbonate: Don’t take our word for the benefits of baking soda on oral health! The American Dental Association gives it the green light as well. It’s actually a common misunderstanding that baking soda is "abrasive" to tooth enamel — research shows that just isn’t the case, and it is in fact suitable for daily use. It’s less abrasive than commonly used ingredients like calcium carbonate. Even more substantial, research shows that baking soda has pretty significant “bactericidal” (bacteria-fighting action) against oral bacteria that cause cavities!
