Brush Up, Naturally

Fresh breath and a bright white smile are just part of the key to good oral health, which more and more research is showing is an important component of overall wellness. Studies have connected tooth decay and gum disease with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illness—and that’s in addition to the extreme discomfort caused by tooth loss and the embarrassment that can result from bad breath.

There are certainly no shortage of products on the market geared towards helping us brush and floss our way to healthy gums and teeth. The shelves of pharmacies and grocery stores are rife with promises of extreme levels of freshening, whitening, germ-fighting and cleaning. But the reality is, “many toothpastes add ingredients that sound nice but serve no therapeutic or cosmetic purpose,” says Ellen Saksen, toothpaste category manager for Tom’s of Maine, a natural care product company that manufactures a line of natural based oral care products. “But because much is absorbed through the lining of our mouths (the oral mucosa), many consumers are concerned with what they expose themselves to when they use products with ingredients that are synthetically derived.”

Handle With Care

We put toothpaste in our mouths at least once a day and very likely more. But most boxes of commercial toothpaste contain explicit warnings not to swallow the product under any circumstances. Here’s a rundown of the ingredients in many toothpastes—including some natural brands— that make such a warning necessary:

• Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Both of these are meant to make toothpaste foam generously for a clean feeling, but they’re also used worldwide in clinical studies as a skin irritant, and are made of molecules small enough to penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. Furthermore, SLS is thought to increase instances of canker sores and recent studies have shown that, among other potential health issues, SLES mimics estrogen activity in the body.

• Sodium Fluoride (MSDS): Fluoride is the most contentious of toothpaste ingredients, which is why some toothpaste companies—like Tom’s of Maine—offer toothpaste both with and without the ingredient, and Green Beaver, a Canadian purveyor of natural care products, including a line of safe plant- and mineral-based oral care products, doesn’t use fluoride in its toothpaste at all. Health Canada continues to endorse the use of fluoride in oral care products to prevent cavities but acknowledges that the consumption of high levels of fluoride—levels which it says far exceed those to which most Canadians are exposed daily—can cause health problems.

• Triclosan: It’s an antibacterial agent used in a whole range of consumer products, from toothpaste and towels, to cutting boards and even underwear. Yet there is mounting evidence that it is often ineffective, and a potential health risk to humans—and the environment, where it accumulates and persists over time. It’s also so strong it’s often used in hospital-grade antibacterial hand soaps and sanitizers. Now that’s tough to swallow!

• Artificial Dyes: FD&C colour dyes, the ones used in a vast number of personal care products and foods, may cause allergic reactions in humans leading to headaches, nausea and other symptoms. Some FD&C dyes, including Blue dye 1&2, have been recommended by the Hyperactive Children's Support Group and the Feingold Association to be eliminated from the diets of children because of a potential link between food additives and ADHD. FD&C Blue dye has been banned in several countries, including Austria and Switzerland. Also, it’s petroleum-derived, which means it’s not made from a sustainable source.

• Peroxides: Many whitening treatments contain peroxide in a variety of forms. Although peroxide is generally regarded as safe for use in oral care products, it’s a harsh chemical by nature. Overuse can cause tooth sensitivity and damage to enamel.

The Good Stuff

Not all oral care products are created equal—and that’s a very good thing. There are many products available that are free from artificial dyes and flavours, preservatives and other harsh ingredients. Which is just part of the good news. The other positive about naturally based oral care products is the beneficial ingredients they do contain:

• Peppermint Oil: A natural breath-freshening agent that is also known for its efficacy in the treatment of indigestion and headaches.

• Zinc Citrate: A safe, naturally occurring mineral that stops plaque from turning into tartar, and offers a variety of health benefits.

• Aloe Vera: Famed for its soothing properties, it’s been used medicinally for thousands of years to soothe and heal.

• Witch Hazel: A natural astringent that reduces inflammation, making it particularly useful in treating sensitive or swollen gums.

• Baking Soda: Baking soda provides a natural method of cleaning and whitening teeth that’s just as effective as commercial toothpaste, even when used as a homemade paste.

• Calcium Ascorbate: a safe, natural source of vitamin C that also contributes to the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums.

• Neem: Neem has powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and, among other health benefits, is thought to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

• Tea Tree and Lemon Extracts: Natural antibacterial agents that are known for their body-purifying properties.

The Product Run-Down

These companies make oral care products that contain as many of the abovementioned natural ingredients as possible:

Green Beaver: This Canadian company only makes toothpastes that are free of SLS and SLES. No surprise then that they don’t foam up as much as regular toothpaste, a fact that takes some getting used to. Resist the urge to use more paste to get your teeth clean, though; just because it’s not foaming, doesn’t mean it’s not working. Green Beaver’s Zesty Orange Natural Toothpaste offers a welcome change from more conventional toothpaste flavours, and the company’s Antimicrobial Toothbrush Sanitizer, which uses natural bioflavonoids to sanitize toothbrushes before each use, is a must for every medicine chest.

Tom’s of Maine: Although some of the Tom’s of Maine toothpastes do contain SLS, it’s used in lower levels than most commercial toothpastes. And all of Tom’s of Maine oral care products don’t contain artificial colours, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or animal ingredients. Tom’s of Maine’s Clean and Gentle Care SLS-Free Toothpaste is the best choice: the foaming action of SLS is replaced by glycyrrhizin, a derivative of purified licorice root, and it also contains natural silica to gently whiten. Tom’s of Maine Natural Cleansing Mouthwash, with aloe vera and witch hazel, is soothing and refreshing.

Kiss My Face: The pure essential oils that are the mainstay of most Kiss My Face formulas are certified organic. Also, Kiss My Face has replaced the water found in standard toothpaste formulas with organic aloe vera gel. “We did that because aloe is one of the best soothers and healers, and supports healthy teeth and gums,” says Steve Byckiewicz co-founder of Kiss My Face. Kiss My Face’s Triple Action Aloe Vera Gel Toothpaste has Coenzyme Q10 for gum health, natural silica for whitening and aloe vera for soothing and healing. The company’s Fresh Breath Mouthwash is super strong and minty, but also contains gentle aloe and tea tree oil extracts.