What toothpaste do you recommend?

This is naturally one of the most asked questions we get from our patients in a holistic dental practice.

People are waking up to the fact that the most common toothpaste, two big ones I will not name but that start with the letter “C!” are filled with toxins! Clever marketing strategies and commercials plastered all over the television showing a handsome dentist with a great smile touting the benefits of fluoride, and sparkle filled pastes?! Let’s get real! Mainstream toothpaste is unhealthy! For something that people are putting in their body at least twice a day, and children are more prone to swallowing, you MUST be using a clean source.

Some of the most common harmful ingredients are:

Alcohol– It is used in mouthwash because of its antibacterial properties, but it kills off ALL bacteria, even the beneficial ones our oral microbiome needs. It induces dry mouth which is detrimental. Nothing falls apart faster than a dry mouth. Alcohol also is a known carcinogen, which can cause oral cancer.

Artificial colors/sweeteners– Most commonly used to give a more visually “appealing” look, and sweeter taste, but truly unnecessary. Toothpaste shouldn’t taste like candy! Aspartame, a common sweetener, is a carcinogen! Artificial coloring and sweeteners aren’t safe and have been linked to hyperactivity and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

Carrageenan– Usually added as a thickening agent, it can cause inflammatory skin conditions like intestinal issues, colon ulcerations, and cancer. 

Fluoride– Is a major toxin! Just say no! 80% of fluoride poisoning cases were reported in children under age six.

Propylene Glycol–  Studies have shown propylene glycol to be a long-term toxic ingredient that should be entirely avoided, especially in children. If you needed more of a reason to steer clear, propylene glycol is used in antifreeze.

SLS sodium lauryl sulfate– A foaming agent. Who needs their toothpaste to be foamy? This is a lie the population has been told they need to clean their teeth. This agent also lives a double life as an insecticide, so the same ingredient you’re putting in your mouth to promote oral health can kill insects?! Look for these alternative names: A13-00356, Akyposal SDS, Aquarex methyl, Monododecyl ester, Monododecyl ester sodium salt sulfuric acid, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium salt, sodium salt sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid mono-dodecyl ester sodium salt and sulfuric acid.

Titanium Dioxide– What gives most pastes their white color, another visually pleasing unneeded ingredient. Another known carcinogen. The membranes inside our mouths absorb high concentrations of titanium dioxide.

Triclosan (which has thankfully been banned in most already due to its high toxicity) disrupts the hormones in the thyroid, causes cancer, and creates antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Stop getting overwhelmed in the toothpaste aisle, scanning long lists of hard-to-say ingredients. Even very popular “natural” toothpaste-like Toms, Boka, and Himalayan- still contain some harmful ingredients, depending on your sensitivity level. So if you want to skip the ingredient reading session…

I’ll save you some time!

These are a few of our favorite natural toothpaste! All contain only the best and purest ingredients. Packed with the top essential herbs, oils, and nutrients from the earth our teeth need to remineralize!

No “harmful if swallowed” labels to be found!

Coral white

It comes in three tasty flavors and is formulated with ionic calcium and 73 trace minerals from above the sea. Scientifically proven to neutralize acid, restoring pH balance in the mouth. So, if you battle high acidity, this is a great option for you! It also has a few of my favorite herbs including echinacea, goldenseal, and clove! Bonus, they have a great kid’s option as well.

Link to buy coral white: https://amzn.to/3RcW3qO

Redmond clay Earthpaste

They have a whopping 8 flavors! All ingredients come straight from the earth, with nano silver for added antimicrobial effect. This company is also known to carry the best quality salt out there. Sidenote, this company provides transparent information about the Prop 65 labeling law in California, they confirm their products are safe, and listed chemicals are widely distributed to the environment via air, water, soil, and natural clay (which is a key ingredient in some Redmond products). As a result, these types of elements are often found in common products even though they are not intentionally added to the food.

Link to buy Redmond Earthpaste- https://amzn.to/3HDbk0Z

Pur O3 Tooth Powder

They take it one step further and ozonate their products. Adding ozonated oils creates a more robust antimicrobial effect. They use a proprietary, heat-free process to convert ozonated oil into a powdered form. In this form, the ozonated oil mixes better with other ingredients that are essential for cleaning your teeth. Always simple, safe, and pure.

Link to buy PurO3 tooth powder- https://amzn.to/3jd4x4R

Hello Watermelon kids toothpaste

For picky kiddos who need a fun flavor, and cannot tolerate mint/cinnamon. We also love their slogan, “kids are supposed to say the darndest things, not brush with them!” It is thoughtfully formulated with high-quality ingredients like xylitol and erythritol and soothing aloe. Fluoride-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free. Although this does contain vegetable glycerin, it is still a better option for kids than mainstream toothpaste with fluoride.

Link to buy Hello Watermelon kids toothpaste- https://amzn.to/3HG1kEw

For DIYers! Make your own toothpaste

You can make your own simple toothpaste for cheap! Some other beneficial ingredients not in this recipe are nanohydroxyapatite, and any essential oils you like, for example peppermint oil, lemon oil, etc. Play around with your mixes!

Here is a great DIY toothpaste recipe-

https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/diy-toothpaste-for-a-fresh-mouth

The bottom line, the fewer ingredients a toothpaste has the safer you are. Just make sure they are pure, simple, and come from the earth, not a chemical lab! That’s all our teeth need to be strong, healthy, and properly remineralized.

To your health,

Jennifer Corrigan RDA

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19133944/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24436139/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3441937/

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/dirt-antibacterial-soaps?gclid=Cj0KCQjww_f2BRC-ARIsAP3zarFWzk-jHgblADanNgkWUY04ochrT4qbEVThplpHno-DqM8EXutS-K0aAjJdEALw_wcB

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5651468/

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/706561-TITANIUM_DIOXIDE/#.WqLcQ5PwYmI

Dr. Kayleigh A. Short DMD, formerly of Integrative Dentistry in Seattle, is your top choice for a holistic dentist, and cutting-edge care available to the greater Seattle area, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Monroe, Snohomish, Duvall, Whidbey Island, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Everett, and surrounding areas. Washington State, nationwide, and worldwide we are available for telemedicine holistic dentistry consults. For the best care in Seattle for holistic dental and natural holistic facial aesthetic needs. We diagnose complex dental health cases, that other dentists turn away. Contact us today or schedule an appointment to discover how we can help optimize your oral health and support your wellness journey. -Dr. Kayleigh Short and the WDC Team