Why I Switched to Natural Toothpaste

When you wake up in the morning, what's one of the first things you do? Perhaps you put on your slippers, brew a fresh cup of coffee, eat breakfast and then brush your teeth as you prepare for the day ahead. As you brush your teeth, each movement is second nature – you don't really give it much thought, do you?

What if you knew that your standard, conventional toothpaste was full of toxins? How would you feel about this routine activity? Would you give it a little more thought? If you eat a clean diet and take care of your health, why should you take a different approach with your beauty and grooming products? See why you should consider natural toothpaste.

This is a guest post by Megan Thompson, a DIY health & beauty addict and blogger. We hope that you find it enjoyable and informative.

Go into your bathroom and take a good look at the tube of toothpaste you use each and every day – what do you see? Does your toothpaste contain a warning of some sort – possibly stating that a Poison Control Center should be called if too much is swallowed? How can toothpaste be that toxic? Does it have a cumulative effect?

This is exactly why I switched to natural toothpaste

As I began to take an interest in nutrition and what I was putting in my body, I noticed that the products I was using on a daily basis were exposing my body to toxins on my body. Your skin is not impermeable – toxins in creams, for instance, are absorbed into your bloodstream via this large external organ.

When it comes to toothpaste, it's a product that you are essentially putting into your body, as you swish this minty substance around your mouth. Of course, small amounts will be absorbed and even swallowed, which is what peaked my interest. What was in conventional toothpaste? Billions of people use these big-brand toothpastes on a daily basis - surely it couldn't be that bad, right?

Unfortunately, there are common toothpaste ingredients which are potentially problematic for human health, including:

• Triclosan – A chemical used as an antibacterial, Triclosan is a known endocrine-disrupter. Yes, it has been shown to prevent gingivitis, but at what cost to your health? In a 2015 report, based on a study conducted by Superfund Research Program scientists, it was stated that long-term exposure to Triclosan was linked to liver tumor growth in mice. When breast milk samples were taken from lactating mothers, 97 percent contained this harmful chemical.

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate – This is the agent that causes toothpaste to foam when it's in your mouth – it's believed to be the reason why foods taste yucky after a thorough brush. This chemical is said to disrupt the functioning of your taste buds and even worse, it's often contaminated with 1,4 dioxane – a known carcinogenic. It is also extremely damaging to the environment.

• Fluoride – Although fluoride has long been viewed as the answer to tooth decay, scientists have reported that it's a toxic chemical that has an accumulative effect. This means that it builds up in your tissues over time, resulting in possible endocrine and neurological dysfunction. If you have children, they are especially at-risk due to accidental ingestion.

• Microbeads – Once presented as the latest toothpaste technology, microbeads are detrimental to the environment and our health. They are essentially small plastic beads that are washed down the drain, finding their way into the environment. As reported by CNN last year, more than eight trillion microbeads enter United States aquatic habits each and every day.

Shockingly, that's enough to fill 300 tennis courts on a daily basis. As they absorb toxins before being consumed by marine life, they essentially poison large bodies of water, as well as our food supply.

What are my options? I can't afford specialty organic toothpaste...

To be fair, many all-natural toothpastes are fairly reasonable in terms of their price. Sure, you may not want to shell out $8 for toothpaste, but think about how long that one tube will last - people spend more than $8 on one fast food meal. It's important to make your health a priority and reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals is a step in the right direction.

If you'd like to play around with making your own homemade toothpaste, you have options. There are many natural ingredients, which provide the same antibacterial, cleansing, and foaming properties that various chemicals do. From bentonite clay to coconut oil, baking soda to peppermint essential oil, you have plenty of options.

Activated charcoal is another highly beneficial natural ingredient, which can essentially absorb toxins and whiten your teeth. Not only can it eliminate stubborn coffee stains from your teeth, it actually changes the pH in your mouth, preventing gum disease, bad breath, and cavities.

There's nothing natural about bright blue gel with 'fresh-breath' beads running through it. If you would like to take your healthy lifestyle to the next level, focus on sourcing more natural alternatives. When you make your own toothpaste, you support your health, wallet, and the environment.

Resources

Imam, J. (2015). 8 trillion microbeads pollute United States' waterways. CNN. Retrieved on January 28^th, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/19/us/8-trillion-microbeads-pollute-water-daily-irpt/

Singer, H., Muller, S., Tixier, C., and Pillonel, L. (2015). SRP Researchers Determine that Triclosan Promotes Liver Tumor Growth in Mice. NIH. Retrieved on January 29^th, 2016, from http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/srp/1/ResearchBriefs/PDFs/SRP_ResearchBrief_241_508.pdf

Photo Credit: My 27 Days

About the Author

Megan is a DIY health & beauty addict. She’s committed to making her itsy-bitsy apartment chemical free. You can find her work at Rocky Mountain Essential where she is responsible for the blog, Instagram and Pinterest.

Beyond Vitality Nature Camp offers a unique off the grid experience in the beautiful tropical rainforest of the "Nature Island", also known as the Commonwealth of Dominica. It's the perfect place to expand your knowledge, heal, adventure and truly ground yourself and connect with nature. See our one of a kind experience here.