Revealed: the secret truth about the beauty industry (part 10)

Does your fluoride toothpaste do more harm than good?


Since childhood we have been told day and night to wash our teeth at least twice a day – or possibly after every meal. And of course, the wisdom is that we ought to use fluoride toothpaste as it’s good for the teeth and prevents dental caries.

But the truth is that the main ingredients of most toothpastes – fluoride, triclosan and hydrogen-peroxide are toxic and can be carcinogenic and even harm your teeth.
As grownups we have long shed the habit of eating toothpaste – but the toxins they contain still find their way into your body because absorption is very fast and efficient through the mucosa of the mouth – in fact, this is one of the shortest ways to the bloodstream, the brain and other organs. Just to name a few positive examples: Bach-flower drops are dripped into the mouth and homeopathy medicine is usually put under the tongue to dissolve.

The biggest threat faces children because they not only wash their teeth with it, they often swallow the toothpaste as well. A 100ml tube of toothpaste may contain so much fluoride that it can potentially be lethal to a small child.
It’s merely a rhetorical question why manufacturers make toothpastes so attractive to children by adding pink and blue colours and strawberry or sugar flavours. In fact, the product is toxic.
In some countries the toxicity of toothpastes is indicated on the packaging – but I have never ever seen it on a toothpaste tube here, although the brand and the fluoride content are the same.
And just like in many other aspects of life, what matters is the packaging: make the box as eye-catching and glamorous as possible; make the toothpaste colourful, compelling, purple and striped; give it huge foam and bombastic whitening power that lasts for 12 hours.
But...

Take a good look at the tube of your toothpaste and check the list of chemicals!
Fluoride is recommended as the ultimate compound to strengthen our teeth and prevent dental caries. The truth is that teeth cannot be strengthened externally; the only way to make them more resilient is to chew on hard food (e.g. carrots)
It’s not fluoride that makes our teeth healthier. In fact, toothpaste only supports the washing of the teeth but it’s not essential to it. Would You take a rodent-killing poison into your mouth? Sodium fluoride can be found both in rat- and roach killers. What’s more, excessive use of fluoride can colour the teeth and lead to white (in more serious cases, brown) specks on them (even on baby teeth).
This is an antibacterial agent, a synthetic preservative used for its antiseptic- and antifungal effects. It doesn’t only kill harmful bacteria, it wipes out useful bacteria too; it may cause allergic reactions and weakens our defence against infections. Parabens, which we mentioned earlier, are another group of dangerous preservatives. (link)
It’s the whitening agent in most whitening toothpastes. It’s very effective and widely used in paper production, hair dyes as well as in washing powders and detergents. Its regular use leads to substantial erosion of the tooth’s surface.
We have already written about its harmful effects (link). Its only function is to generate foam. It irritates the mucosa and it can cause wounds in the mouth.
It’s a synthetic sweetener considered carcinogenic. It can provoke allergic reactions.
It’s a plastic-based adhesive commonly used in toothpastes, hair sprays and styling waxes. In toothpastes, its function is to make triclosane ‘stick’ to the teeth and ensure ‘protection’ throughout the day.
It’s used as a moisturiser. It can cause eye- and skin irritation.
In kids, they may cause behavioural anomalies and they can also lead to allergic reactions, headaches and asthma.
What do I recommend as an alternative to all that?

It’s best to throw away all cosmetics which contain synthetic colours, scents and other chemicals. Take control over your skin’s health now!

Have a wonderful an chemical-free day,
Andrea Varga-Darabos

PS: I feel honoured by your decision to learn from me. However, if you want more in-depth knowledge on these subjects, click here