Do you know that conventional toothpaste contains a serious poison that can cause you harm? I’ll tell you what everyone needs to know about toothpaste.
Conventional toothpaste. Something that most of us use two times a day, 365 days a year. But, did you know that it contains a serious toxin that can cause you harm?
It’s true. In this post and video, I’ll tell you what everyone needs to know about toothpaste.
Some Scary Fine Print
Take a look at the back of a conventional tube of toothpaste. There in the fine print you’ll see a warning: If accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control center right away
toothpaste-label-warning
Yikes
You don’t se that warning on stuff that you’re supposed to put in your mouth very often.
What could be so toxic there that they’d have you call Poison Control?
Fluoride.
Benefits of Fluoride
According to the American Dental Association, fluoride can strengthen teeth and reduce the risk of cavities. In fact, many municipalities across the U.S. have added fluoride to their water source as a result. I remember when I was a kid I used to get fluoride treatments from my dentist and even used Act Mouthwash which was a super dose of fluoride.
Most Americans are exposed to significant amounts of fluoride each day.
The Flip Side of Fluoride
What we often don’t hear is that fluoride can discolor teeth, suppress the immune system, contribute to certain cancers, cause gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea, and lead to birth defects.
Fluoride is a poison, and while the amount in toothpaste is relatively small, we’re putting into our mouth twice a day, 365 days a year and are drinking 8 cups of fluoride containing water each day.
BTW, fluoride is very difficult to remove from water and a Brita doesn’t do the job. If you really want to avoid it, use spring water or shop around for a very special water filter.
Why We Don’t Need Fluoride in our Toothpaste
Tooth decay is on the decline, both in countries that fluorinate their water and countries that don’t. This is due to better hygiene and food sources.
That’s why I don’t use conventional toothpaste unless I’m in a pinch and have no other option. Instead, I use a variety of natural products that I want to share with you.
Natural Alternatives to Toothpaste
First off, you can literally just brush with sea salt, which is a natural antibacterial agent. You can also use 1 drop of Bronner’s liquid soap. Has a little soapy taste but does the job. Many people like to use baking soda, but be careful as it can be a little harsh on enamel. I like to use once a week because it really gives your mouth that clean feel.
As far as over the counter options, you can buy Toms and other brands that are fluoride free, but the thing is they contain glycerin, which coats the teeth and blocks them from remineralizing.
Earthpaste has been the go-to toothpaste for many natural mamas, while others have concerns about the trace amounts of lead found in Earthpaste (Earthpaste uses clay as an ingredient, and clay contains lead).
Truly there are no easy answers, and I haven’t been able to find a perfect toothpaste just yet. But one thing is certain: The natural varieties, while not perfect, are a lot better than conventional toothpaste with fluoride!
UPDATE: I may have finally found the One in terms of clean and natural toothpaste.
What About You?
What sort of toothpaste do you use? Do you try to avoid fluoride for your kids, for yourself? Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for watching.
