| We have all seen the lovely advertisements on | | | | teeth white. It is also put in paper, paint, plastics and |
| television where the whole family are happily and | | | | food for the same reason. |
| smilingly brushing their teeth and gaining sparkling clean, | | | | - Sodium fluoride - is put in toothpaste to prevent tooth |
| bright and shiny teeth with a ring of confidence as a | | | | decay. However, many studies show the same level |
| result. But we all know that these people are actors | | | | of tooth decay in children who use sodium fluoride and |
| and are being paid for their ring of confidence. In reality, | | | | children who do not. Too much sodium fluoride causes |
| toothpaste is a concoction of chemicals that are not | | | | dental fluorosis and has been linked to Alzheimer's |
| necessarily there for our greater good. | | | | disease, kidney damage, neurological damage, cancer, |
| They usually include the following: | | | | gastrointestinal problems, bone and tooth decay, |
| - Triclosan - is put in toothpaste to act as an | | | | arthritis and osteoporosis. |
| antibacterial and antifungal agent. Its use may result in | | | | It is reasonable to think that all these chemicals are |
| resistant bacteria and it may be carcinogenic. It could | | | | there for a purpose. For example, it might seem to be |
| react with the chlorine in tap water to give chloroform, | | | | a good idea to have an antibacterial agent in our |
| a toxic chemical liquid. | | | | toothpaste. However, resistant bacteria, cancer and |
| - Glycerin - is put in toothpaste to stop it from drying | | | | chloroform are a very heavy price to pay, especially |
| out. It is also used as a lubricant and in the | | | | when there are natural alternatives available that we |
| manufacture of cosmetics, dynamite, inks and resin | | | | could be using. A bit of silica to help with scrubbing |
| and is a component of antifreeze. | | | | might also seem like a good idea but I really wish that I |
| - Sodium lauryl sulphate - is put in toothpaste to act as | | | | had known about it years ago so that I could have |
| a detergent. It can penetrate the skin and enter the | | | | looked for a way of naturally looking after my teeth |
| blood stream and be carried to every organ of the | | | | and gums instead of destroying them. |
| body. | | | | I think that it is clear that the unease over the |
| - Silica - is put in toothpaste to act as an abrasive. | | | | chemicals in toothpaste is a real, valid and compelling |
| - Artificial sweeteners - are put in toothpaste to satisfy | | | | worry that should be concerning us all. And fortunately, |
| our need for a sweet taste. | | | | it is now possible to buy well made, effective and |
| - Titanium dioxide - is put in toothpaste to make our | | | | reasonably priced, natural toothpaste products. |