Is your Toothpaste a Blend of Harmful Chemicals?

Brushing your teeth regularly gives you the satisfaction that your teeth are well protected. But have you ever thought that your toothpaste may just not be what it promises to be?

The toothpaste has come a long way. Brands have been continuously evolving their products to deliver the best to you. The more a product makes your teeth sparkle, the more you like it. Then there is the germ fighter toothpaste which apparently leaves your mouth sans germs. And as our food habits continue to wear out our teeth, tooth sensitivity caught all the companies’ attention and they came out with various variants that promise to shield sensitivity and let you enjoy super hot or cold or sweet food without any discomfort. But have you ever wondered if amid all these innovations is your toothpaste safe enough?

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Harmful Ingredients in Toothpaste

Antibacterial agents such as Triclosan, zinc salts and chlorhexidine gluconate are used in toothpaste to fight off harmful bacteria to reduce gum infection and bleeding gums. Long-term use of any antibacterial ingredient may promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Sensitivity-reducing salts such as Sodium lauryl sulphate are detergents that also act as foaming agents and may cause mouth ulcers, dry mouth and irritation of the oral mucosa.

Certain toothpaste might be very abrasive and may harm you by stripping away the protective enamel.

Toothpaste abrasiveness may be calculated by the RDA value which stands for Relative Dentine Abrasiveness. So toothpaste with an RDA value of 80 or below is considered enamel friendly.

How to Dodge Harmful Toothpaste?

Use SLS-free toothpaste. Some herbal toothpaste offers SLS-free formulations.
Use fluoride toothpaste for avoiding tooth decay.
Read the ingredients and decide for yourself which toothpaste is best for you. After all, it is the action of the toothbrush that helps remove the plaque on your teeth and gums. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles.
Use toothpaste which is less abrasive (with a lower RDA value). Colgate Total, Colgate Regular, and Sensodyne are some good options.
Patients with active root caries lesions and with a risk of lesion progression should use fluoride toothpaste containing 5000ppm fluoride (prescribed by their dentist only), frequent fluoride mouth rinsing, and topical application of fluoride varnish two to four times a year.
Opt for ADA-approved toothpaste. Don’t be carried away by compelling advertisements and offers. Be sure to choose toothpaste that has earned an American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.
Be wary of imposters. In 2007, some toothpaste imported from China was found to contain a toxic substance, diethylene glycol.