http://www.care2.com/greenliving/toothpaste-turmoil.html
Toothpaste Turmoil
By Nora Simmons, Natural Solutions magazine
Find yourself standing perplexed in the middle of the toothpaste aisle, trying to find brands that don’t contain harmful chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)? Jot down the following guidelines before you return to the store.
Got sensitive teeth?
• Look for alkalizing agents such as baking soda, Co-Q10, and aloe vera, which reduce inflammation in the mouth and soothe irritated gums.
• Avoid SLS, which can dry out your mouth and may cause canker sores, says Harold Katz, DDS. Also steer clear of sugar (marked on the ingredients label as sucrose or glucose) and alcohol.
• We like SLS-free Natural Sensitive Care from Tom’s of Maine, which uses potassium nitrate and aloe to soothe sensitive teeth and gums. $5.99, 4 oz.
Want a brighter smile?
• Look for natural abrasives made from peelu or diatomaceous earth (soft sediment), which will gently remove stains without harming tooth enamel.
• Avoid hydrogen peroxide and glycerin, which are drying and can lead to tooth sensitivity. Also stay away from harsh abrasives, such as sand, chalk, or alumina.
• We like Peelu toothpaste which uses the natural fibers of the Indian peelu tree to safely brighten your smile. $5, 7 oz.
Need extra tartar control?
• Look for xylitol. This natural sugar fights and even heals developing cavities by stopping the growth of the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Also look for Co-Q10, which has been shown to heal and prevent gingivitis, as well as gum-soothing aloe.
• Avoid fluoride, a common ingredient in tartar control and cavity-fighting toothpastes. Once you’re 25, fluoride no longer strengthens enamel, says Katz.
• We like Kiss My Face Tartar Control. Combining xylitol, Co-Q10, aloe, and olive-leaf extract, this toothpaste helps prevent cavities while boosting your whole-mouth health. $5.99, 4.3 oz.
Natural Solutions: Vibrant Health, Balanced Living offers its readers the latest news on health conditions, herbs and supplements, natural beauty products, healing foods and conscious living. Click here for a free sample issue.
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22 comments
add your comment »I use Tom's, and i really like it!! My mouth feels much more natural and my gums don't itch or hurt.
I recently saw a Tom's deoderent. Does anybody know how that is?? I wanted to try it, but i wasn't sure. Has anybody tried it??
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Thanks Catherine, Tom's is yummy! Kingfisher is nice too and also states that they use no animal ingredients. Also reliable is Weleda. My gripe is the popular brands such as Colgate and Macleans and the supermarket own brands - what are they hiding???
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I received information regarding safe toothpastes from an agency that supports Clean Cosmetics and other such clean products. The one toothpaste that was listed as being 'safe' are those created by TOM's. I've been using TOM's toothpaste for sensitive teeth ever since and it's FABULOUS!
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Why are manufacturers so scared of printing 'Suitable for Vegetarians /Vegans' on toothpaste products? I don't eat meat and don't want 'marine extract' or 'from protein sources' in my system either.
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Re Katz's comment about fluoride not strengthening enamel past age 25: my understanding is that evidence based research has proven that prior assumption to be false. Fluoride does strengthen enamel age 25 and older. The new recommendation is to have fluoride applied to your teeth during your regular cleanings and checkups, just as you did when you were a child. This is in addition to using fluoride toothpaste. Given that enamel wears over time strengthening what you have becomes even more important.
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Personal preference: floride rinse saved my teeth, so I'm staying with it. As for most of these natural toothpaste recipes, they sound great but won't help my sensitivity.
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If you do decide to use a toothpaste that contains xylitol, please be sure to keep it where there is no chance of your dog getting anywhere near the tube or toothpaste. It is highly toxic to dogs (not sure about cats as I don't have any). I brush my dogs teeth regularly and had to search quite a bit for an organic toothpaste that did not contain xylitol (I don't like the smell of the doggie toothpastes).
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I took the leap and started using one of the "Old-fashioned Tooth Powder" recipes that are floating around online, though I'm tempted to try the one posted below by AllNaturalHerbs (sans glycerin). The one I'm using is pretty simple- citrus rinds, baking soda and a few drops of clove bud essential oil.
I don't miss commercial toothpaste one bit since the switch. It cost under $1 to make and I'll likely have to throw it out before I use it all- the recipe I followed made enough to last me years.
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I haven't used paste for years since I found Eco Dent Original Mint Tooth Powder. It makes brushing my teeth feel like a massage for my mouth. My teeth are white again, mouth and my gums are tingly and taste good! Another benefit is that you don't have to measure it or place in a ziplock to travel. Ask your store to stock Eco Dent Tooth Powder. http://www.eco-dent.com/dailycare-specialcare-toothpowders.htm
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Go organic, my friends!! I've been brushing my teeth for the past 15 years with a organic clay toothpaste FREE OF FLUOR, which as Terri G. so wisely said, HAS NEVER PREVENTED FROM GETTING CAVITIES since it's a toxic waste product of metal production such as aluminium which is known for causing brain-related injuries (See "truth about fluoride":http://video.google
.com /videoplay?docid=-1749578584754949539).
I never got a single cavity ever since I started using these pastes, for clay makes not only a perfectly safe, antiseptic plaster & soft polish of the teeth, but it's filled with minerals, which are essentials for the teeth & gums.
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