What’s in Your Toothpaste?
By Michelle Sala, Integrative Health Coach
When was the last time you thought about the toothpaste that you use? Do you buy what ever multi-pack toothpaste brand that Costco is currently selling? This may be hard to believe, but just because the FDA allows something to be sold in this country, doesn’t mean it’s safe. Fluoride is a controversial ingredient that is considered a heavy metal that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Higher levels of fluoride in the brain are associated with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Too much fluoride can also cause tooth discoloration and brittle bones! Personally, I stay away from it.
Another dubious ingredient in toothpaste is Triclosan. Triclosan is an antibacterial substance that not only affects your oral microbiome, but your gut microbiome as well! Triclosan is basically an antibiotic that kills all of the bad bacteria along with the good bacteria! Triclosan also contributes to antibiotic resistance. A microbiome depleted of a wide variety of good bacteria can leave you vulnerable to a variety of infections and leaky gut syndrome, which may trigger various autoimmune conditions.
Triclosan is also a hormone disruptor and can interfere with your thyroid and testosterone production. Triclosan was recently banned by the FDA in hand sanitizers, but not toothpaste – something you put in your mouth! Colgate Total is the main brand of toothpaste that contains Triclosan. (There are so many problems with Triclosan. Please read more about the dangers of Triclosan here.)
Other ingredients to avoid are Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS), which is a harsh detergent. Peppermint and clove essential oils, while naturally derived and beneficial in some respects, are so antimicrobial that they can kill off the good bacteria along with the bad as well. Carrageenan, a common food additive, used for thickening, is a gut irritant and potential carcinogen, which is often found is toothpaste and should be avoided.
Even so called natural brand’s, like Tom’s, have many of these ingredients that should be avoided. Always read the ingredients labels before buying.
Here is the toothpaste that I recommend and have been using for over a year. It contains prebiotics which help to feed a healthy oral and gut microbiome. After using it for a very short time, you will find that your morning breath is delightful, at least not as offensive as it was with your old tooth paste! LOL! I’m serious, you will notice a huge difference in how your mouth feels and breath smells when you wake up in the more after using revitin for a short time. It doesn’t get foamy like regular toothpaste, so there is a little adjustment in how it feels while brushing.
