Toxic Toothpaste and Its Health Effects
Did you ever look at the ingredients in your tube of toothpaste and wonder why so many unpronounceable ingredients are in something you use daily? Conventional toothpaste is toxic toothpaste. With ingredients such as triclosan which has been linked to antibiotic resistance and endocrine disruptors, and sodium laurel sulfate (or sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl ether sulfate) – the foaming agent – which disrupts the functioning of your taste buds, and fluoride which is toxic to your body even in trace amounts, we can and must do better!
Fluoride is linked to a host of health disorders including neurological and endocrine dysfunction. Fluoride stores in your tissues and builds up over time causing serious adverse health disorders. Young children are extremely susceptible to these disorders since they swallow most of their toothpaste when brushing. Therefore, it is advised that young children and even adults do not use fluoridated toothpaste.
What’s the alternative? I’m glad you asked. You can easily make your own toothpaste and not only reap the health benefits but also the savings.
In 2015, the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland found that coconut oil was more effective in cleaning the bacteria inside your mouth than commercial toothpaste and mouthwash. Surprised?! There are multiple benefits to using coconut oil to brush your teeth including that coconut oil is an antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. It only takes a little bit of coconut oil to brush your teeth but be certain to spit it out instead of swallowing since it will contain the bacteria from your mouth.
Mix together about a half-cup coconut oil, 2-3 tablespoons baking soda, pinch of salt, 15-30 drops of essential oils such as peppermint or orange (for flavoring and additional antimicrobial and antibacterial properties). You may also add a natural sweetener, if you prefer, such as stevia, xylitol, or erythritol. Just mix to the preferred consistency.
This toothpaste can also be used on your pets but if you use xylitol, be sure not to give this to your dog as xylitol is toxic for dogs.
So don’t continue to use your toxic toothpaste – you have other options! Let’s get healthier together.