Natural Toothpaste for Better Health

Natural toothpaste is not what you commonly see in your local drugstore or supermarket.  Who would have ever thought that we need to be concerned about whether our toothpaste is "natural" or not!

Have you ever read the warning on a tube of toothpaste? It's pretty scary! A few years ago, I would never have thought of toothpaste as a toxic substance when I just happen to read about the warnings in a health article.

The ingredients on the back of a tube of toothpaste contains this statement: "Warnings Keep out of reach of children under 6 yrs of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away."

Why would adults want to use this on a continued basis?

Fluoride, used in most toothpaste, is a toxic substance. This is only part of the problem. It is probably one of the most toxic substances in the environment. Toxins can bioaccumulate in the body. This means that as we take in toxins they continue to add to the accumulated substance already in the body.

We get fluoride from municipal water supplies, toothpaste and other sources. Fluoride has been eliminated from the water supplies in many countries because of the detrimental effect on the body and there has been no clear benefit established to the prevention of tooth decay by using this toxin.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is another major culprit found in most all toothpaste. This substance is a synthetic detergent. It can bioaccumulate in the heart, eyes, and liver. Like other toxins, it is readily absorbed through the mucus membranes in the mouth. A recent study claimed SLS caused gum disease. Who would ever think that toothpaste could contribute to toxic build up in the body?

Here is a list of other toxins that can be found in toothpaste:

• artificial sweeteners
• coloring agents
• artificial flavors
• detergents to remove fatty films
• water softeners
• acrylic polymers to prevent bacteria
• tetrasodium pyrophosphate to remove calcium and magnesium from the saliva to eliminate tartar build up
• sodium carbonate peroxide to whiten teeth
• various gums to thicken the paste and on and on.

Most of us in the modern chemical based world are constantly exposed to all sorts of toxic substances in the air we breathe, in the water that we drink, in the food we eat, the clothes we wear and in the soaps we clean with.

If only toothpaste was the problem, we wouldn't have to worry about toxic build up. However, with all of the toxins that we are exposed to, we should eliminate any source of contamination that we can, and try to stay as toxin free as possible. It is easy to change your tube to natural toothpaste.

Why Use a Natural Toothpaste?

The mucous membranes in the mouth are highly permeable and chemicals can pass directly into the blood stream where they can accumulate into toxic levels.

With natural toothpaste, at least there is no warning to proceed to the Poison Control Center!

Looking for a non fluoride toothpaste?

• WELEDA is an excellent brand of natural toothpaste.

This is the one that I personally use. They have been in business for 90 years and have made all natural ingredients in their products a standard philosophy through the years. This company was started in Switzerland and now they are in 50 countries including the U.S.A.

You can usually find WELEDA in health food stores or online. They have four different types for adults, and a natural toothpaste for children. This natural toothpaste is a little more expensive than the chemical type, but I think it is worth it.
There are many toothpaste brands claiming all natural ingredients. Most that I have looked at contain substances that I would rather not have in my toothpaste.

• PerioBrite Toothpaste by "Nature's Answer"

PerioBrite looks like a real winner. The company has been in business since 1972 making liquid herbal extracts of the highest quality.

Most all of their herbal products are wildcrafted or organically grown with minor exceptions. They have used their expertise in formulating a natural, non fluoride toothpaste that is packed with herbal ingredients and is free of preservatives, alcohol, synthetic solvents, SODIUM-LAURYL-SULPHATE, artificial sweeteners, color dyes, and you do not have to proceed to the poison control center if your child over does it. Children 2 - 6 still should not be allowed to swallow it.

This product is natural whitening and has CO-Q10 and folic acid included in the many herbal ingredients. It comes in two flavors: Coolmint and Cinnamint. You use just a pea size amount since it is so concentrated. It also supports periodontal health. They also manufacture other oral health products.

• Natural Tea Tree Oil Toothpaste by Desert Essence

The Desert Essence company was founded in 1978 to promote Jojoba Oil & Aloe Vera. They went on to introduce Australian Tea Tree oil to the United States. They support sustainability and use natural organic ingredients from around the world. They make four flavors that include Fennel, Ginger, Mint and Neem. Their website is www.desertessence.com/dental-care.

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