Move over Crest Whitening Strips, it’s time to talk about greening our teeth, rather than whitening them. Or, to be more precise, greening our toothpaste. After coming across an article on Grist.com about one family’s attempt to find the tastiest, most environmentally friendly toothpaste on the market, I got curious about how my own toothpaste measured up.
Greening your…teeth?
By Joanne O’Donnell
DECEMBER 2009/January 2010 CONDUCIVE
Was changing brands from my favorite tried and true toothpaste going to really help the planet and be better for my health? Would these “eco toothpastes” actually be up to par with the minty fresh experience I have come to enjoy? As I held my toothbrush and toothpaste in hand the next morning, I decided I needed to do some research of my own.
While many of the all natural toothpastes I looked into claimed to conduct sustainable business practices and used recycled packaging, I still found a number of potential health and environmental concerns to be aware of. The chemical Triclosan is a common additive in many toothpastes, even some that claim to be “all natural”. Food and Water Watch notes that Triclosan has been linked to an array of health and environmental effects. The Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database lists a limited number of products that contain Triclosan and those that don’t.
Also, a number of natural toothpastes now market themselves as Fluoride-free, as Fluoride builds up in the body over time. However, the American Dental Association still recommends the use of Fluoride in all toothpastes, as it has not been proven to cause negative side effects in the majority of the population. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is another product often added to toothpastes (and many other products). It’s been linked to canker sores, skin irritations, and potentially some more serious health risks.
I tried a handful of toothpastes including:
My favorite turned out to be The Natural Dentist, as it tastes great, isn’t too pasty, and doesn’t contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (which is the additive I decided I wanted to avoid the most). It does contain Fluoride, but I’m personally not too hypersensitive about this as I’ve come to expect it as part of my oral hygiene experience. I had a lot of fun making the homemade toothpaste, but I’d really need to work on getting the consistency right if I was to use it on a daily basis. Based off this preliminary, totally unscientific research, it wasn’t too difficult to find a toothpaste that satisfied my eco-consciousness, my slight hypochondriasis, and my taste buds. As with everything, it’s important to consider your personal preferences and do your research. If you’re interested in reading more, the hidden world of toothpaste is discussed further on a number of websites including ConsumerResearch.com.
