Do you brush your teeth every day? Do you know what’s in your toothpaste? Are you a Colgate toothpaste user? If you answered yes, then it’s time to make a switch, and here’s why.
In your entire lifetime, you use an average of about 20 gallons of toothpaste, and each time you spit out the paste, there are a few bits that get absorbed into your bloodstream. In fact, your mouth is one of the most absorbent places in your whole body. So as you swish and brush in your mouth, the ingredients from the toothpaste get sucked into your mouth and gums.
That’s why it’s important that you buy toothpaste without questionable ingredients, because many commercial toothpastes contain chemicals that can endanger your health and even cause cancer. So before you switch to a safer toothpaste, make sure that what you buy next doesn’t contain any of these seven harmful ingredients.
Triclosan
This is by far the biggest culprit of them all. Triclosan has been praised to prevent gingivitis, and although it does prevent it, it’s been linked to concerns over antibiotic resistance and endocrine disruption. Chemicals that disrupt your endocrine system can cause other health problems such as cancer of the breast, ovaries and prostate, in addition to low birth weights, early puberty in girls, and testicular issues in boys.
Even an FDA report raised concerns that the chemical could cause cancer. The Canadian Medical Association has even ordered for a ban on products that contain triclosan.
Of those who used Colgate Total, research found that those people had more than five times as much triclosan in their urine as those who didn’t.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
There are tons of toothpastes that contain surfactants (used in detergents) such as laurel sulfate, sodium sulfate (SLS), or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLES). SLS is dangerous because when it’s manufactured, the process often ends up contaminating SLS with a carcinogenic byproduct called 1,4 dioxane.
These chemicals have also been linked to skin irritations and canker sores, and are registered as insecticides that have toxic effects to marine life.
Artificial Sweeteners
Many toothpaste manufacturers continue to add artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame to their products. Unfortunately, phenylalanine (a compound that Aspartame is made from), is very weak when it’s been modified to carry a methyl group, which makes the toothpaste taste sweet. As a result, that breakable bond forms methanol, which your body then absorbs. (And if you should know anything about methanol, at least know that it’s a flammable, toxic liquid.)
Why is this an issue? Because us humans are not biologically designed to safely pass methanol through our bodies. If ingested, it can poison us, causing symptoms such as headaches, ear buzzing, dizziness, nausea, stomach issues, weakness, vertigo, chills, memory lapses, numbness, shooting pains, and behavioral issues.
Fluoride
Although fluoride proclaims to be the hero when it comes to saving your teeth from decay, it’s dangerous for kids because they tend to swallow large amounts of paste that’s in their mouth. (They can’t control it as much as adults can.) Fluoride is dangerous because it’s a toxic chemical that builds up in your body after a long period of time, which can cause brain damage.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol, a type of mineral oil, is used in paint, antifreeze, and enamels. In toothpaste it’s used as a surfactant. Propylene glycol is known to cause irritations in the skin, eyes, and lungs. It can even harm your organs, according to the Environmental Working Group.
Diethanolamine (DEA)
Foaming products like toothpaste contains the ingredient DEA, a known hormone disrupter that can react with other chemicals to form a possible carcinogen called N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA). NDEA is easily absorbed through the skin, and has been linked to stomach, esophagus, liver, and bladder cancers. This chemical is also listed as a carcinogen in humans by The California Environmental Protection Agency.
Microbeads
I’m sure you’re familiar with plastic microbeads, which are in many body and face washes as well as toothpaste. When you rinse, these microbeads go down your drain and into the environment. As a result, these plastic beads are consumed by marine life, which harms their digestion and endocrine systems.
In 2014, a Dallas dental hygienist found microbeads trapped in patient’s gums, allowing food and bacteria a way to pass into their gum line, which can cause gum disease. Microbeads are dangerous to humans and to our environment, so make sure to stay clear of toothpaste (or any product in that matter) made with plastic microbeads.
Make the Switch
My family and myself are now using JASON toothpaste. We tossed out that Colgate! That was not easy for our family since my hubby is a proud Colgate alum, and had always insisted on brushing with Colgate. No joke! 🙂
JASON toothpaste doesn’t contain any of the following ingredients:
• Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates
• Preservatives
• Artificial Colors
• Artificial Sweeteners
• Saccharin
• Propylene Glycol
• Gluten
It cleans our teeth just like any other toothpaste, but without any harmful or questionable ingredients. They have a variety of flavors to choose from too! We love the strawberry and the orange flavors.
My kids have no objections 😉 —it makes brushing teeth a breeze, and I don’t have to worry about them swallowing any chemicals that can hurt their little bodies.
Here’s to a happy and healthy smile! xoxo
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