My good friend, MK, asked me my thoughts and opinions about non-toxic dental products. I not only wanted to give you my thoughts as a retired dentist but I also reached out to my wonderful friend who is a huge advocate of reducing the toxins in our lives.
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Quote of the day: “Truth is incontrovertible. Panic may resent it, ignorance may deride it, malice may distort it, but there it is.” Winston Churchill
Non-toxic dental products
1-A common sense approach
2-The “Good” Ingredients
3-Avoid these ingredients
4-Products to try
Since my journey about non-toxic dental products as well as anything clean beauty related is in the intermediate stages, I asked my friend, Aimee, The Toxin Terminator, who is an expert to weigh in on some questions too.
Insider tip: Aimee has a book (found on Amazon) that I’ve bought and read that addresses the topic of removing hidden toxins. Many times these ideas can be overwhelming, so I recommend finding a couple of areas in your life to start and then continue to add more as time goes on.
And this doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy all the new products. That’s part of the simplified angle, I wanted to include in this article.
For reference, I was a cosmetic dentist and graduated from dental school in 1992. I owned my dental practice for over 20 years and put my patient’s needs front and center. However, it wasn’t until I retired that I really started exploring more natural options. Remember, most dentists have been taught the Western Medicine approach by their professors, and don’t always challenge that teaching.
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Common Sense Approach
When you start researching non-toxic dental products it can be overwhelming because they are brands and words that you aren’t familiar with.
So before I get to the ingredients you should know, let me just say that the BEST thing you can do for your dental health is to invest in a waterpik (found on Amazon). They aren’t expensive and I prefer the cordless ones which I use in the shower.
If you ever want to know all of the scientific research on why the Waterpik is the gadget of choice, email me at Jtouchofstyle@gmail.com and I’m happy to share.
Insider tip: Expect to replace these about once a year. They aren’t made to last forever, but your gums and mouth are worth it. And yes, my husband and I share it and don’t change out the tip between uses. I figure we kiss each other, so it’s no different.
I also want to say that personally, I believe in trying to use non-toxic dental products and skincare and makeup. Yet, I also don’t obsess about it to the nth degree. There are times I still buy items that don’t fall into this category because of certain reasons.
One thing that I know for certain is yes, our body is meant to filter out toxins. HOWEVER, you have to remember that your body can be overloaded. I always say that your body is constantly fighting wars from the inside, and if all of its soldiers are too spread out, it won’t win all of the battles.
That’s why it’s good to reduce the number of chemicals and toxins as much as possible. And remember that the food we eat is a huge factor also.
If you don’t know where to start, I would suggest a functional medicine provider who can give some insight. I shared my experience with Blue Coral Health telehealth here.
The Good Ingredients for Dental Products
1-Hydroxyapatite– Hydroxyapatite (HAp), in its natural form, is a form of calcium that makes up 97% of your tooth enamel and 70% of the dentin of your teeth.
Insider tip: What I learned from my dental hygienist recently is this is being used to strengthen teeth instead of fluoride and starting to make a wave even in Western Medicine dental journals.
2. Silica– While it might sound like a complex scientific name, hydrated silica is simply a hydrated form of silicon dioxide. As the Encyclopedia Britannica explains, silica is the second-most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust. It’s naturally crystalline, with sand and obsidian being common forms.
3. Calcium Carbonate – Calcium carbonate, or CaCO3, comprises more than 4% of the earth’s crust and is found throughout the world. Its most common natural forms are chalk, limestone, and marble, produced by the sedimentation of the shells of small fossilized snails, shellfish, and coral over millions of years. Calcium carbonate is one of the most useful and versatile materials known to man.
Calcium carbonate is used widely as an effective dietary calcium supplement, antacid, phosphate binder, or base material for medicinal tablets. It also is found on many grocery store shelves in products such as baking powder, toothpaste, dry-mix dessert mixes, dough, and wine.
4. Perlite – Perlite is one of nature’s most versatile and efficient minerals, formed by molten rock, also known as volcanic glass. This mineral has been a longstanding member of the cosmetic community. Perlite Microspheres exhibit powerful abrasive properties, perfect for the formulation of personal care products. The addition of perlite also improves the foaming abilities giving a richer lather.
Avoid These Ingredients
Insider tip: These are Aimee’s top 5 ingredients to avoid. There certainly are plenty more, but her theory has always been if we avoid the top ones, then most likely the others like preservatives, artificial colors, dyes, and flavors will not be in those products. An app she loves to use to check the safety and ingredients in all personal care products is Think Dirty. A rating of 3 or lower is the best bet. Not only does the app list the rating, it also explains their effect on the body.
1. Fluoride – Fluoride is a mineral that’s naturally found in water sources and it’s commonly added to dental care products to help prevent cavities. But the dangers of swallowing too much fluoride present serious health risks, which is why the Food and Drug Administration requires all fluoride toothpaste in the U.S. to include a poison warning on the label. The absorption of this ingredient can cause permanent tooth discoloration, stomach ailments, acute toxicity, skin rashes, and impairment in glucose metabolism. Because the symptoms of acute fluoride toxicity mimic other, common ailments many cases of fluoride poisoning go undiagnosed or mistreated.
Insider tip: All dentists know that too much fluoride is bad, but over the last 50 years, the advantage of fewer cavities was considered more important. However, now that there is HA (#1 in good ingredients), the thinking is changing.
2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)-It is a key ingredient that is found in most toothpaste as well in our beauty products. Basically, it acts as a form of soap, helping the toothpaste foam. It is used by most manufacturers to make toothpaste because it is convenient and cheaper than the alternatives. Exposure to SLS in toothpaste removes the protective mucin layer present in the soft tissues of the oral cavity. This compromises the integrity of the oral mucosa, resulting in ulceration of soft tissues.
Insider tip: If you get many mouth sores, removing SLS from your routine can be the most helpful approach instead of relying on medicines.
3. Parabens – Parabens are used to preserve the shelf life of a range of cosmetics, including toothpaste. Parabens can disrupt hormone function by mimicking the hormone estrogen.
4. Phthalates – Bisphenol-A, commonly known as BPA, and Phthalates are chemicals commonly found in everyday items. Once these chemicals break down and seep into our bodies, they cause irreparable damage to our health. Knowing that our mouths are 50 times more absorbent than our skin means ensuring we use BPA and Phthalate-free formulations for our oral care is vital.
5. Propylene Glycol – Propylene glycol is used to improve a product’s shelf life, appearance, and texture. In large quantities, propylene glycol has been linked to damage to the central nervous system, liver, and heart.
Non-Toxic Products
By giving you this list, it does not mean you have to throw away what you already have. Let me give you some insider tips on how not to waste what’s already in your home, yet try to keep you safe.
But I’ll also link to these products that you can incorporate when you are ready.
Insider tip: My biggest motto is there are pros and cons about E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. That’s why it’s good to switch up brands and products as well as use as little as possible.
Non-Toxic Toothpaste
BTW, you can’t believe the claims when a product says natural or is thought of as a non-toxic dental product brand. For instance, some of Tom’s toothpaste I checked had SLS as an ingredient. READ THE INGREDIENTS to know for sure.
- Ollie Smile -This was not recommended by Aimee, but one that I have been using for the last couple of weeks.
- Thieves-This is what Aimee uses.
- Auromere-This is a brand I found that uses no sweetener if that is a concern for you.
Insider tip: If you need to use up what you have, the best way to keep your mouth healthy is:
1-Only use a very small amount of toothpaste. DO NOT cover the entire toothpaste head with toothpaste. Your mouth should not look like a rabies-infected dog when you’re brushing.
2-Use toothpaste for cleaning around the sink instead of in your mouth.
Other Non-Toxic Dental Products
1-The Primal Life brand is another that Aimee has vetted. I hadn’t heard of gum serum until doing this research, but it’s basically a mixture of different oils (found on Amazon). Their toothpowder is basically toothpaste in powder form.
2-Aimee uses this Thieves mouthwash. I see the second ingredient is colloidal silver which Rob and I use often.
3-I use these instead of “flossing”. I had issues with the wax of the waxed floss accumulating under my gums and causing issues many years ago.
Insider tip: I do not think that mouthwash is essential. If you are using a Waterpik and eating well, you don’t need to add this extra product.
Other dental articles that are written by me:
1-Dental advice
2-Dental tips
3-Hidden dangers
Learn More About Aimee as the Toxin Terminator
Thank you to Aimee for so much information about these non-toxic dental products. I shortened much of the information and tried to make it understandable. If you have any questions, let me know.
You can find Aimee’s podcasts here, get her book (it’s free with Kindle Unlimited), or check out her website (where she has a free eBook among other resources) for more information.
Aimee Carlson is THE TOXIN TERMINATOR. She is the host of The Toxin Terminator podcast, a certified Toxicity & Detox Specialist, a best-selling author, and a featured expert guest on numerous podcasts and summits. Aimee has spent the last 8 years removing hidden toxins from her own home to be free of chronic disease and has helped hundreds do the same. Through her podcast and professional associations, she has had access to some of the top doctors, healers, experts, and industry leaders in the natural health and wellness field. Aimee’s passion is giving hope to those who are still suffering, getting no relief from traditional medicine, and are ready to take control by detoxing and cleansing their health and environment.
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