Danger in your mouth

Toxins are everywhere and they are also IN something most of you put into your mouth everyday.

You brush your teeth everyday, but do you have any clue what toxins could be brimming on your bristles while you brush? Many toothpastes on the market include a host of harmful ingredients. You may not believe that a daily dollop of toothpaste could cause harm, but it adds up over time. It is estimated that the average person will use 20 gallons of toothpaste in their lifetime!

Below are 7 Ingredients you want to avoid in your toothpaste.

• Fluoride
The fluoride used in toothpaste is sodium fluoride and is considered an over-the-counter drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In fact, warning labels are required by the FDA on all fluoride toothpastes and dental care products shipped since 1997. The warning reads as follows:
“Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately.”
Today, 95 percent of all toothpaste sold in the U.S. contains fluoride, according to the Fluoride Action Network. However, too much fluoride can cause a condition known as fluorosis that discolors or spots tooth enamel and affects 41 percent of American adolescents, according to the CDC. When you consider that fluoride is added to more than 70 percent of the country’s water supply, suddenly we are dealing with a potential overdose. Opt for fluoride-free brands.

• Artificial sweeteners
Sorbitol, a liquid that keeps toothpaste from drying out, is a laxative that can cause diarrhea in children. Saccharin, another artificial sweetener, has been linked to bladder cancer, brain tumors and lymphoma in rodents. Instead, try stevia or xylitol as natural sweetener alternatives; the latter has been shown to also prevent tooth decay by increasing saliva, thus decreasing bacteria, in the mouth.

• Artificial colors
Synthetic colors are derived from coal tar. Only seven colors remain on the FDA’s approved list; all others have been banned. Yellow #5 is under review due to links to hyperactivity, anxiety, migraines and cancer. If your toothpaste contains these, keep shopping.

• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Originally used to clean floors, sodium lauryl sulfate is a detergent known to cause microscopic tears in the mouth (which can lead to canker sores). It’s an ingredient that makes toothpaste foam; look for glycyrrhizin as a healthier alternative.

• Carrageenan
Derived from red seaweed, carrageenan is added to thicken toothpaste, but it’s been linked to gastrointestinal inflammation, ulcers and even colon cancer in laboratory animals. While food-grade carrageenan sounds safe, it’s also been linked to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in mice.

• Propylene glycol
This is the main active ingredient in antifreeze and is used to soften cosmetic products. It has been linked to damage to the central nervous system, liver and heart.

• Triclosan
Triclosan is added to personal care products to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. An FDA banon using it in body wash and soaps goes into effect Sept. 6. However, triclosan is still used in the Colgate Total line of toothpastes, according to Consumer Reports. Studies link triclosan to a decrease in thyroid hormones and an increase in antibiotic resistance, as well as tumors in mice.

So what did I do to make sure those ingredients didn't make their way into my body?  I keep my teeth and gums healthy by using Young Living’s AromaBright Toothpaste. It gently brushes away daily buildup and helps combat the effects of unsightly staining. It’s tough on buildup, but its smooth, plant-based formula is gentle on teeth and their delicate enamel.  You know that furry feeling you get on your teeth just an hour after brushing......that doesn't happen with AromaBright.  I have had the best cleanings ever using it and the hygienist has been very pleased.  So, make your hygienist pleased!