Potentially Toxic Ingredients Found in Toothpaste

Over the years, toothpastes have become more advanced in technology. There are toothpastes on the market for tartar control, tooth whitening, increased cavity protection, reduce sensitivity, stain protection and removal, and those designed to freshen your breath. Then there are the line of products offered by popular toothpaste companies that are created and packaged to appeal to children.

But, how many of us actually pay attention to the ingredients that are used in our toothpaste to give us that whiter smile, fresher breath, and cleaner teeth? What is in the toothpaste that makes it taste good, smell good, and feel good on our teeth, tongue, and oral tissues?

The following is a list of potentially toxic ingredients that are commonly found in over-the-counter toothpastes that many of us use on a daily basis and have for years.

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS):

SLS is an industrial detergent used in toothpaste, most often in the cheaper brands, as a foaming agent. Researches believe that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate dries out your delicate oral tissues which make your tissues more vulnerable to irritants that can cause canker sores and dry mouth.


• Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH):

This chemical compound is also known as caustic soda or lye and is used in textiles, industrial detergents, and drain cleaners. Sodium hydroxide is added to toothpastes to neutralize the acidic pH imbalance caused by other chemicals used in toothpastes. It is toxic if ingested and this is why toothpastes that contain sodium hydroxide often include on their warning label advising consumers to seek medical help or call a Poison Control Center right away "if more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed".


• Chlorine dioxide:

Chlorine dioxide is an industrial bleach used for disinfection of municipal water, bleaching flour, and bleaching wood. Active Chlorine Dioxide is added to toothpaste as a tooth whitener.


• FD&C blue dye No. 2:

We generally think nothing of reading a dye on an ingredient label simply because we consume food dyes on a daily basis. The problem with this particular coloring agent is that it is associated with a risk of learning disabilities, behavioral problems, allergic reactions, and headaches. It is also a dye that is used to stain jeans blue.


• Triclosan:

Triclosan is a pesticide. It is added to toothpaste to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth. The problem with this chemical is that not only is it a pesticide, when mixed with chlorine found in tap water, a chemical reaction takes place that creates Chloroform.


• Fluoride:

Fluoride is added to toothpaste to help fight against cavities. Fluoride becomes harmful when swallowed, even in small amounts. One needs to be careful with childrens toothpaste that contains fluoride simply because many of these toothpastes have flavors such as bubblegum, which a child may be tempted to eat. Fluoride is a toxic chemical that can lead to death if swallowed, especially in young children. Because of the serious health risks and potential for death associated with swallowing fluoride, the FDA warning - "WARNING, keep out of reach of children under the age of 6. If more than used for normal brushing is swallowed, contact your physician or local Poison Control Center immediately.", is placed on all products containing fluoride.


• Botanical ingredients:

Many herbs and natural oils have the potential to interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking. Some herbs and plant extracts may be harmful to pregnant women as well as children. The U.S. National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, and Medline Plus have created a valuable resource located here NLM.NIH.gov , that lists side effects, dosage, drug interactions, and effectiveness of over-the-counter medicines, prescription drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies.


• Aspartame and Saccharin:

Both of these additives are artificial sweeteners. Aspartame has been linked to birth defects, brain tumors, cancer, and weight gain. Saccharin may possibly cause allergic reactions in people who can not tolerate sulfa drugs. Canada Health has not approved saccharin as safe.