Toxic Toothpaste and Scary Mouthwash.. The Nine Untouchables

From our perspective as  dentists here at Preston Road Dental Care, PA, we feel that for a person to have a reasonable chance of creating a healthier mouth with their home-care efforts, it would clearly be to their advantage to use products that have known health-enhancing benefits.  We recommend that you check your toothpaste and mouthwash for any of the following ingredients, and discard them if they include these harmful products.  We recommend and carry only organic healthy products in this office.

The Nine Untouchables are as follows:

Triclosan -  EPA-registered as a pesticide, suspected of causing cancer in humans.  Stored in body fat, can accumulate to toxic levels, leading to a number of problems including brain hemorrhage, heart conditions, kidney damage, and paralysis.

Propylene Glycol (PG) - recognized as antifreeze.  Has killed many cats and dogs that have lapped it up.  Used  in toothpaste as a wetting agent.  EPA requires anyone working around it to wear protective goggles and clothing as it is readily absorbed in skin.  Systemic consequences of brain, kidney, and liver abnormalities.

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) - destroys protein immediately, dissolves oral soft tissues imparting a “slick” feeling.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) -  a detergent and surfactant that dissolves proteins.  Also found in car washes, engine degreasers, and garage floor cleaners.  When combined with other chemicals, can be transformed in to nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens.  Find residual levels in the brain, heart, liver, and lungs.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) -  makes toothpaste foam.  A toxic substance  and close relative of SLS.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) -  found in quite a number of toothpastes, but has no logical therapeutic benefit.  Used in cleansers to dissolve oil and grease.  Potential carcinogen that when used on skin alters its natural moisture factor leaving skin vulnerable to aging and invasion by harmful bacteria.

Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40) -  common ingredient in number of toothpastes.  Very dehydrating facilitating the entry of other harmful chemicals into oral soft tissues.  On skin promotes premature aging and brown spots.  Fatal ingested dose is less than one ounce. 

FD&C Color Pigments -  synthetic color pigments made from coal tar, almost all shown to be carcinogenic.  Most contain heavy metal salts, which can accumulate in the body and cause serious health problems.  Do toothpastes and mouthwashes need to be red, blue, green, etc?

Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol) -  primary component in majority of mouthwashes.  Of all the ingredients in oral health products, this is probably the most harmful.  Draws moisture out of living cells, noticeably dehydrating tissues.With alcohol contents of nearly 27 percent (54 proof), it is known to be a cause of oral cancer for approximately 36,000 users a year.  There were approximately 500 deaths in the year 2000 from this form of alcohol ingestion.

We recommend that you read the toothpaste and mouthwash labels to ensure there are no harmful ingredients in them.  The products that are available in our office are organic and natural.  Leave the toxic toothpastes and scary mouthwashes, the untouchables, on the shelf and find something that supports health rather than compromises it. 

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