Did you know that most common toothpaste, mouthwash, and even dental floss products have toxic ingredients in them? Even small amounts of these ingredients add up over time (yes, these ingredients end up in our digestive tracts) and can be harmful to our health.
Here are 9 toxic products/ingredients to look out for:
Triclosan
It is considered an endocrine-disrupting chemical and can contribute to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics. In September 2016, Triclosan was banned from soap products following the risk assessment by the FDA. However, Triclosan still remains, at high concentrations, in other personal care products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, and surgical soaps. Most toothpastes advertised as “tartar control” contain triclosan.
Sodium lauryl (laureth) sulfate (SLS, SLES)
SLS/SLES is used as a surfactant or foaming agent in toothpaste. It can cause chronic oral lesions (canker sores), and cracking at the corners of the mouth. It is often very irritating to oral tissues, triggers inflammation, and also has the potential to trigger hypersensitivity to certain metals.
Plastic abrasives or microbeads
Very small beads made of polyethylene and similar plastics are added to many toothpastes. Besides being suspected endocrine disruptors, microbeads can get stuck in the tiny crevices between the teeth and gums. Microbeads can also trap bacteria in the gums, which can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. In the environment, microbeads can absorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs, which are long-lasting toxic chemicals like pesticides, flame retardants, and other industrial chemicals). They are ultimately passed up the food chain and can be consumed by humans who eat microbead-contaminated seafood.
Artificial sweeteners
Chemical sugar substitutes are often added to improve flavor in toothpastes. Common sweetening ingredients in oral care products are saccharine and aspartame. These sweeteners have been shown to alter the functioning of the “good” bacteria in our digestive tracts, which can negatively affect health.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is a synthetic substance used in toothpaste as an emulsifier and wetting agent. This compound is known to irritate the skin, eyes, lungs, and mucous membranes.
Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide’s sole function is to make toothpaste look white. This ingredient is particularly worrisome if in nanoparticle form (making it more easily absorbed), and may be carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and genotoxic.
Alcohol-based mouthwashes
Alcohol-based mouthwashes disrupt the oral microbiome and dry out the oral tissues. This drying can increase the risk of oral cancers. Many commercial alcohol-based mouthwashes also contain triclosan and other toxic ingredients, including artificial dyes and parabens (known endocrine disruptors).
Teflon-coated dental floss
Some dental flosses (e.g., Glide) are slippery because they are coated with Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE) during the manufacturing process. Teflon has been linked, among other things, to certain cancers and endocrine disruption.
Fluoride
Fluoride use in dental products is a controversial topic. The chemical may accumulate in tissues, leading to displacement of iodine, an essential nutrient. Too much fluoride can be particularly harmful for children and their developing teeth; they tend to swallow a lot of the toothpaste they use, which can lead to fluorosis (showing up as a mottling of teeth). Fluoride-containing products should be used discriminately. Fluoride should only be used topically and rinsed out afterwards, and should not be ingested. Dental professionals should opt for topically applied silver diamine fluoride to minimize side effects, as this form of fluoride is the best choice to immediately arrest tooth decay.