Toothpaste: Friend or Foe?
“While you’re dutifully brushing and swishing, the ingredients in your toothpaste enter your mouth and gums, which are the gateway to every system in your body.”
The use of toothpaste is often seen as the gateway to a healthy mouth. From the time we are small children our parents and dentists alike unite to ensure that we use toothpaste 3 times a day to fight the good fight against cavities. As we age most of us continue to dutifully use toothpaste day in and day out without a single thought about what it is actually comprised of. However, lurking behind minty flavors and micro-beads there lies a plethora of harmful chemicals that can wreak havoc on everything from your endocrine system to your gut health.
The truth is that nobody really looks into what is in their toothpaste. Most of us trust that these products in stores are safe and fit for use. However, the majority of the products that we see at the store are nothing more than dressed up chemicals in eye catching packaging, being sold by billion dollar corporations for a profit. In fact many of the toothpastes that are on the shelves haven’t even been regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, also known as the FDA. That’s because toothpaste is, technically, considered a cosmetic product. That’s right. The same product that you rely on for dental health is often grouped into a category comprised of products such as make-up, shampoo, and deodorant (Center, 2018). As a result, its registration with the FDA is essentially voluntary. Toothpaste is only required to register with the FDA if it uses chemicals that claims to treat a disease, such as cavities or gingivitis. However, despite the registration the only aspect of the toothpaste that would be registered would be the actual substance used to treat the disease, not the toothpaste as a whole (FDA, n.d.). This information undoubtedly sheds more light on the validity of claims made by toothpaste manufacturers.
Along with the questionable marketing tactics use by toothpaste companies there is also a question of what harmful chemicals are in toothpaste and their effects on our health. While, each toothpaste varies in terms of ingredients a few of the most commonly used chemicals are Fluoride, Triclosan, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Artificial Sweeteners, and Propylene Glycol. Unfortunately, for unsuspecting consumers all of these substances have been linked to various health problems in their own right. Yet, they continue to show up in popular brands of toothpaste all over the country (Toxic, n.d). Exposure to these toxins doesn’t take very much effort. While, using them to brush your teeth certainly does come with risks, breathing in fumes during usage or even accidental contact with your eyes may also pose some health concerns.
Common Toothpaste Chemicals
Fluoride
Fluoride is probably the most well-known substance found in toothpaste. The sole purpose of its use is to aid in the prevention of tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel, the solid outer layer of your teeth (Tooth, n.d.). Due to fluoride’s claims to prevent cavities, it is one of the few chemicals in toothpaste that is registered with the FDA. The use of fluoride in small doses is generally seen as safe. However, there has been little data published about the concerns surrounding moderate to high amounts of ingestion that could occur during use. This gap in data could pose a threat to fluoride’s safety for children who tend to swallow toothpaste while brushing their teeth (Kanduti, Sternbenk, & Artnik, 2016). Despite, its approval from the FDA its safety has come under fire after research has suggested that it may be linked to health risks associated with dental and skeletal fluorosis. Dental fluorosis is actually a fairly common condition that results from the hypo mineralization of tooth enamel. This condition is responsible for the patches of discoloration that we sometimes see on our teeth. While, there aren’t any serious health problems associated with dental fluorosis, the discoloration is permanent and unsightly (Krishnamachari, 1986). Skeletal fluorosis on the other hand is a serious problem. It is a bone disease that is linked to high amounts of fluoride in the bones (DenBesten, & Li, 2011). The complications associated with this condition can range from pain in the joints to deformation of the bones and spine (Teotia, Teotia, S. P. S., & Kunwar, 1971).
Triclosan
Triclosan, also known as TCS, is another chemical that we should be concerned about having in our toothpaste. The use of this product dates back to the 1960’s when it was first introduced as a pesticide (US EPA, 2017). The majority of the problems linked to the use of this substance have an effect on developmental health, reproduction, and thyroid function (Weatherly, L. M., & Gosse, 2017). The ingestion of TCS can be quite dangerous because it is able to enter the bloodstream and attach itself onto fatty tissue, making it transmittable. This can pose a threat for mothers who choose to breast feed their babies as TCS can be transferred into breast milk (Reese et al, 2011). The disruption of thyroid hormones is also a risk associated with this substance. Studies in mice have shown that TCS is capable of imitating hormones, and can cause a drop in the level of thyroid hormones produced. This has the ability to affect the reproduction system (Cao et al., 2018). One of the more surprising finds concerning TCS is its effect on bacteria in the gut. Due to its antimicrobial properties, scientists have discovered that it may be killing off the good bacteria that helps digest food and aid our immune system. With lower amounts of this bacteria our immune systems can become weak and open ourselves up to a host of chronic illnesses (Reese et al, 2011). If you’re wondering how TCS is still allowed in personal care products after all of these potential health concerns, you’re not alone. In 2016 it was banned from being used in hand soaps because of this reported data (Weatherly, L. M., & Gosse, 2017). However, because TCS has proven to be such an effective tool in hindering the growth of bacteria that leads to the development of gum disease it remains in most major brands of toothpaste (Van Loveren et al, 2000).
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, also known as SLS, is a popular chemical used as an emulsifying agent that is responsible for the foaming effect that occurs with most household products (Bondi et al, 2015). The problem with SLS is that it can be easily absorbed through skin tissue (PubChem, n.d.). Once it comes into contact with the skin it can lead to a host of health concerns that range from minor skin irritation to upper respiratory distress in severe cases (Bondi et al, 2015; Toxnet, n.d.). There has even been some discussion over SLS being cited as a carcinogen after reports of it being linked to factors regarding hair loss, reproductive issues, and organ toxicity. However, to date there has not been enough scientific research to justify these claims (Bondi et al 2015).
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial Sweeteners are another type of chemical commonly found in most brands of toothpaste. Often labeled under the names aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose this substance is what gives toothpaste its sweet flavor. Despite, the health concerns surrounding artificial sweeteners they are used in toothpaste because of their inability to be broken down by bacteria found in the mouth that would otherwise lead to tooth decay (Riley et al, 2015). Concerns about the use of artificial sweeteners can be traced back to 1970 when the FDA banned the use of a sweetener by the name of sodium cyclamate after it was revealed that the substance was linked to the development of bladder cancer in laboratory rats. The report was later refuted due to the lack of evidence supporting a risk to human health, however, sodium cyclamate is still currently banned from use in the United States (Weihrauch & Diehl, 2004). Some of the most prominent health risks associated with the use of artificial sweeteners are low blood sugar and weight gain. Chemical properties of sweeteners have the ability to trick the body into thinking that it has consumed enough of the blood sugars it needs to store and convert to energy. When the body realizes that it does not have an adequate supply of energy it then compensates by instructing the body to consume more calories, which may lead to weight gain (Tandel, 2011). Research has also found that the use of artificial sweeteners leads to changes in gut bacteria that can affect the immune system’s ability to fight off chronic inflammation that can lead to bowel diseases and metabolic disease, such as diabetes (Brian, 2017; Quigley, 2013).
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is a substance used to maintain moisture, and it can be found in various foods, household products, and medications. Minor skin irritations have occurred when using propylene glycol topically (ATSDR, n.d.). The majority of serious health risks happen in cases where propylene glycol has been used intravenously. Studies have shown that large quantities of medications containing propylene glycol that have been administered through an IV have the potential to cause long-term complications with kidney function (Ropp, 2017). Individuals with kidney and liver problems should also be weary of this substance due to their inability to properly filter propylene glycol from the body. A buildup of the chemical over time can have traumatic effects that may include seizure, coma, lactic acidosis, and intravascular hemolysis (ATSDR, n.d).
Alternative Options
While, the information regarding the health risks involved with the use of toothpaste is open for debate it’s hard to ignore the health effects associated with these added chemicals. Luckily for consumers, in response to the growing concerns with these toxic ingredients there has been a steadily growing momentum surrounding the search for alternatives to conventional toothpaste brands. Safer ingredients such as baking soda, xylitol, and coconut oil are commonly found in these toothpaste alternatives. Although, there is never any guarantee that additives are completely harmless these substitutes do not have nearly as many of the harmful effects of traditional toothpaste ingredients, and may even provide consumers with some surprising benefits.
Alternative Toothpaste Ingredients
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an alternative ingredient in toothpaste that has been proven to be a useful tool in the aid of stain removal. Its antibacterial properties make it a very effective method in the eradication of tooth decay (Hara & Turssi, 2017). While, information regarding the health concerns of baking soda have not been widely reported, risks associated with the ingestion of baking soda are very low (Thomas & Stone, 1994).
Xylitol
Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is found in fruits and vegetables, and is derived from plant materials. Xylitol can be useful in the prevention of cavities by encouraging saliva production that can hinder bacteria overgrowth. It can lead to lower levels of bacteria in the mouth, reducing the occurrence of plaque, gum inflammation, and dental erosion. Side effects with xylitol are generally low. Although, reports of diarrhea and bloating have been documented (Nayak, Nayak, & Khandelwal, 2014).
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a natural substance that is obtained from coconut palm (Coconut oil, n.d.). Its side effects are considered to be relatively low. One of the major benefits of coconut oil is that it contains lauric acid, which is known to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties allow coconut oil to aid in the prevention of tooth decay (Peedikayil, Sreenivasan, & Narayanan, 2015).
In Conclusion
The use of conventional toothpaste carries the potential for serious health concerns. While, many of the health risks associated with these toxic substances are well known to toothpaste manufacturers most consumers are unaware of their effects. However, with the help of individual research and online resources consumers are slowly, but surely, becoming more informed about the products that they are purchasing. Alternative toothpaste brands with safer ingredients have gradually made their way to the mainstream market, and are looking to provide consumers with less toxic options. As previously mentioned, there is no guarantee that any one chemical is safer than the other. Consumers must be meticulous in what they choose to buy and bring into their homes, or put into their bodies.
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