Smile Naturally: Why Choosing Natural-Based Toothpastes Are Best
Brushing your teeth every morning and night is a critical component for oral health. At this point in your life, you’re probably on autopilot as you brush away the bacteria and germs that cause cavities and gum disease. The minty-fresh taste also leaves breath feeling fresh.
However, there’s a dark side to this oral care ritual. Many of the ingredients contained in toothpastes are harmful to your health. Fluoride, toxic chemicals like SLS, and artificial sweeteners can cause other health issues.
Fluoride in particular is often contained in most conventional toothpaste brands. It makes little sense since it is infused in the public water supply for most Americans. Excessive exposure to fluoride can impact thyroid function for both adults and children. It also poses many other dangers such as neurological problems and cardiovascular issues.
The biggest problem with fluoride is that if swallowed, there are greater risks. Young children may not always remember to spit out toothpaste, making them more prone to toxicity from swallowing this chemical agent.
If you’re concerned about the toothpaste you’re using and wondering if it’s full of fluoride and other harmful chemicals, there’s a simple way to check.
Myth or Fact: Decoding Toothpaste Color Codes to Eliminate Chemical Toothpastes
You may have heard that the colored bars located on the seam closure portion of your toothpaste tube can tell you about the ingredients at a glance. It’s something that has gained steam over the years, but this makes little sense simply because your toothpaste comes in a box.
When you buy a tube of toothpaste, that box will not have any color codes on it. On the tubes though, you may see bars in black, red, blue, or green. According to the myth, black bars indicate a fully chemical formula while red bars are a combination of chemicals and natural ingredients. Blue indicates natural ingredients plus medicine while green is supposedly the healthy choice by being all natural.
These bars are for the machinery to recognize when to separate the tubes. If you’ve noticed any of these bars on your tube of toothpaste, they are not an indication of what is inside your toothpaste.
Now you’re likely wondering how you find a natural toothpaste without fluoride or other harmful ingredients. The answer lies in simply reading the ingredients to see what is included.
Natural Toothpaste Choices
There are plenty of healthy toothpaste brands out there that can get you started on a more natural smile. Here are three of them that we wholeheartedly recommend.
Dr. Bronner’s All-One Toothpaste originally comes in peppermint, though it also added a spearmint flavor to its lineup. It’s made with 70% organic ingredients and does not contain fluoride or SLS. Instead, it uses organic menthol crystals, coconut flour, and coconut oil to help you get that naturally winning smile.
Davids’ focuses on restoring your oral microbiome for a healthier mouth. It uses limestone, coconut oil, and mint oils to freshen your teeth and gums while helping remove stains and plaque. The nano-hydroxyapatite is gentle even for sensitive teeth and is a remineralizer that helps your enamel.
Say goodbye to chemicals and “Hello” to healthier teeth and gums. This natural formulation uses tea tree oil and has no fluoride, utilizing peppermint, coconut oil, and minerals to brighten your smile.
Let us know if you’ve tried taking your toothpaste in a more natural direction!