About Organic Toothpaste
Can you name a few of the ingredients in your toothpaste? Do you know what you're putting in your mouth twice a day? Conventional toothpastes are often made with hard-to-pronounce ingredients, like propylene glycol and titanium dioxide. Propylene glycol is an ingredient found in airplane deicing fluid, and titanium dioxide can be found in some paint. These are chemicals that are far from natural. Spare yourself from attempting to decipher your toothpaste and switch to a tube of organic, all-natural toothpaste.
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Benefits
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Organic toothpaste, also known as herbal toothpaste, consists of all-natural ingredients. Unlike conventional toothpaste, most brands of organic toothpaste display their ingredients on the packaging or on the manufacturer's website. Many brands of organic toothpaste are made using essential oil and do not contain controversial ingredients, like fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), triclosan and artificial sweeteners and colorings. All organic items are made with ingredients that haven't been sprayed with pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers, making organic toothpaste a safe choice for children.
Features
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Many brands of organic toothpaste contain herbs traditionally used for oral hygiene. Myrrh is an herb that helps kill plaque-causing bacteria. Propolis is produced by bees and is used to promote a healthy mouth. Xylitol is an all-natural sweetener made from corncobs and birch tress that has soothing and plaque-fighting properties. Chamomile may also be used to decrease gum inflammation. Baking soda is usually a main ingredient due to its acid-neutralizing properties and because it can effectively remove plaque.
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Effects
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Organic toothpastes vary in their ingredients but most are free of the common controversial ingredients found in most commercial toothpastes, like FD&C blue #1 and sodium saccharine. FD&C blue #1 is an artificial blue dye that may have toxic effects in moderate doses. Sodium saccharine is an artificial sweetener that may be a potential carcinogenic. SLS and fluoride is found in some organic toothpastes but most brands offer you the choice of fluoride- and SLS-free. SLS, used to achieve a foamy effect, is considered safe by the American Cancer Society but is still linked to skin irritation. Fluoride is proven to prevent cavities but can be toxic if ingested. Most brands of organic toothpaste don't contain triclosan, a potentially cancer-causing pesticide used as an antibacterial chemical.
Potential
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Toothpaste doesn't stay in your body just when you brush--all ingredients can be absorbed through your mouth's tissues into your bloodstream. Toddlers often ingest toothpaste when first learning the basic of brushing teeth. With organic toothpaste you don't have to worry about putting chemicals into your mouth. If you seek out organic food, then you should seek out organic toothpaste as well.
Considerations
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Tooth powder is an economical alternative to tooth paste, which is really just hydrated tooth powder. Tooth powder is commonly made from baking soda and may contain tea tree oil or mind extract. Organic tooth powder is often sold alongside organic tooth paste.
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Resources
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