It's difficult to think that a substance we use on a daily basis (ideally twice a day as prescribed) might be harmful to our general health. Surprisingly, certain toothpaste products contain potentially dangerous substances that we should avoid. To make things easier for you, we've compiled a list of 8 ingredients to avoid while shopping for toothpaste.
Before we get into the bad news, let’s talk about the good stuff.
What to look for in a good toothpaste?
A good toothpaste can kill several birds with one stone (all while being cruelty-free, of course.) The following are some of the most important benefits you should get from your toothpaste:
- Plaque build-up and cavity prevention
- Gentle abrasion
- Whitening
- Sensitivity protection
- Freshening breath
- Great taste
Which Ingredients Do You Want in Your Toothpaste?
Here is a summary of some of the benefits you should expect from your toothpaste, as well as a few essential ingredients to check for in your tube:
Nano-hydroxyapatite
Hydroxyapatite is a calcium-based natural mineral that accounts for 90% of your tooth enamel, 80% of your dentin, and 60-70% of your bones. It is found in saliva, where your body uses it to keep your teeth strong. Nano-hydroxyapatite is a lab-created mineral that the body can employ to repair lost enamel minerals and support new bone growth and development. (Note: Hydroxyapatite is the name of the mineral itself and nano-hydroxyapatite is simply hydroxyapatite with particle sizes between 20-80 nanometers, so we use the two terms interchangeably.)
Nano-hydroxyapatite is an excellent, non-toxic enamel strengthener that can preserve your teeth in place of fluoride. It has the ability to repair enamel by remineralizing the surface of your teeth and filling and repairing small holes. This also decreases teeth sensitivity and provides pain relief.
Pentasodium Triphosphate + Hydrated Silica
These fine silicates work together to polish away undesired surface stains from your teeth, restoring their natural whiteness on a daily basis. Meanwhile, plaque is carefully removed with pentasodium triphosphate. The end effect is a gleaming, clean smile.
Gentle abrasives like hydrated silica are an excellent alternative to strong bleaches and peroxides for tooth whitening. While these harsher procedures may produce faster results, they may jeopardize the integrity of your teeth. Whitening your teeth using a daily toothpaste that brightens your smile without sacrificing strength is the finest option.
Vitamins that fight free radicals
Vitamin C and Vitamin E are a combination of vitamins that work together to fight free radicals, strengthen your gums, increase collagen development, and maintain good bacteria levels in your mouth for a healthier mouth. These antioxidants are in good shape!
Potassium Nitrate
By preventing the nerves in your teeth from being exposed to discomfort, potassium nitrate helps to prevent uncomfortable sensitivity. Results normally take a week to see and feel, but you can be sure that your teeth are becoming healthier and stronger every time you brush.
Extracts from plants
In our toothpaste, extracts like Aloe Vera, Lavender, Spearmint, and Peppermint are always appreciated. Healing plant combinations like these can help ease inflammation, reduce discomfort, and moisten your gums, in addition to their natural breath refreshing characteristics.
Ingredients to Avoid in Toothpaste
It's time to talk about the yucky stuff. Let's take a look at some of the substances to stay away from.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
Sodium lauryl sulphate, generally known as SLS, is a foaming agent that can be found in many commercial toothpastes. While SLS is touted as an all-natural chemical, it gets polluted with toxins during the manufacturing process because it is sourced from coconut oil.
Aside from being tested on animals and all that toxin talk, some of the main issues with using SLS in toothpaste are probable irritation of the mouth and gums, the possibility of your mouth drying out from use, the emergence of canker sores, a loss in taste receptors, and dry skin. If you ask us, these potential negative effects aren't worth it for a little froth.
Parabens
Parabens are a rather prevalent element in cosmetics, and they may also be present in your toothpaste. Parabens are compounds that function like oestrogen in the body and may cause cancer. They are used as preservatives. Furthermore, developmental, and reproductive difficulties may arise in consumers of parabens.
You may discover shampoo and conditioner bottles touting their lack of parabens when browsing the health and beauty aisles at your favourite retailer. If you don't need parabens in your shampoo, it's a fair bet that you don't need them in your toothpaste, either.
Carrageenan
The component carrageenan is obtained from red seaweed. Doesn't that sound natural? While carrageenan is commonly used to thicken toothpaste, it can also promote gastrointestinal irritation, which can lead to ulcers or even colon cancer. These findings came from experimentation on laboratory animals, so if you're vegan or cruelty-free, you should be aware of this. Furthermore, after being exposed to carrageenan, mice developed insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.
Triclosan
The inclusion of triclosan in toothpaste and other personal care products is intended to limit the possibility of bacterial infection. Again, this appears to be a nice purpose, right ? When you consider that triclosan has been related to hormonal imbalances caused by thyroid production, it's not so great.
Alcohol
Toothpaste containing alcohol is drying. That might not seem like a big concern, but a dry mouth is a vulnerable mouth, susceptible to bacteria that likes to stick to your teeth and form plaque. It is recommended that you use alcohol-free toothpaste to ensure that your mouth produces the proper amount of saliva to naturally flush unwelcome invaders from your teeth and gums. Because alcohol increases deterioration, it's advisable to avoid it.
Sugar
Sugar with toothpaste is a bad idea in general. Sure. Sweet-tasting toothpaste may tempt children and adults to bruise more frequently, but is it really worth it? Sugar is one of your teeth's worst enemies, so you can understand how damaging it can be.
Gluten
Gluten isn't an issue for everyone, but if you're gluten intolerant, you'll want to make sure you're brushing with a healthy, gluten-free product. The issue is that not all toothpaste ingredient lists make gluten-containing compounds simple to notice. Your best bet is to consult your dentist or look for a toothpaste made by a company that is transparent about the ingredients.
One of the many reasons we adore Twice is because of this. On each product page, they clearly detail all of the delights you'll find in their toothpaste, as well as letting you know what you won't.
Takeaway
Some toothpaste manufacturers do not specify their ingredients on the tube, so you have no idea what you're brushing with once you've thrown away (or hopefully recycled) the box.
Thankfully, firms like Daylee are transparent about all of the useful chemicals that go into each meticulously crafted tube, as well as which substances have been left out for good. Visit our website to pick up a new tasty favourite, and you'll get a detailed breakdown of what's in your toothpaste. It's possible that your toothbrush has made a new pal!
Sources :
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/what-is-sodium-lauryl-sulfate
https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/alcohol-denat
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603032.html