November’s Recipe of the Month: Toothpaste

Ever wondered if that tingly, burning sensation you feel when brushing your teeth is really good for you? It might not be depending on your paste of choice.

Many commercial toothpastes contain triclosan, an antibacterial ingredient that can react with the chlorine in water to form chloroform gas. When inhaled or absorbed by the skin, it can cause depression and potentially even cancer. Triclosan has adverse effects on our ecosystem once it flows down the drain, causing dioxin-producing photochemical reactions when exposed to sunlight. Dioxins do not degrade over time, and pose a threat to both human and aquatic life by accumulating in body tissues. The long-term effects of triclosan are not yet known, and as a result it has been strictly regulated in Europe and banned by stores like Marks and Spencer but remains on North American shelves.

Another common ingredient is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent derived from palm oil. SLS is a known carcinogen, and palm oil plantations are the leading cause of tropical deforestation and habitat loss in Southeast Asia – home to some of the world’s most endangered species (the orangutan, the Sumatran tiger, the proboscis monkey, and many other flora and fauna). Some of the last bits of rainforest are being clear-cut for these plantations, only to be abandoned 15-20 years later once the trees stop producing such vast quantities of palm kernel.

A more traditional toothpaste ingredient has also come under scrutiny: fluoride. While it’s true dentists recommend we all get our dose of fluoride to keep our teeth sparkly white and strong, what they don’t tell you is that most of us get enough fluoride in our drinking water alone to support good oral health. Too much fluoride can affect our central nervous systems and studies have shown links between fluoride consumption and Attention Deficit Disorder and Alzheimers.

But never fear, clean brushing is near! There are a number of green toothpastes available or you can whip up a tube of your very own!

Make-Your-Own Toothpaste (from pioneerthinking)
6 tsp baking soda
1/3 tsp salt
4 tsp vegetable glycerin
15 drops of essentials oil of your choice (peppermint, spearmint, vanilla, orange – get crazy!)

Other ingredients to add: fresh aloe vera (for a gel like consistency); a drop of neem oil (great for stronger teeth and preventing cavities!); clove essential oil (for sensitive teeth or toothaches); myrrh essential oil (for inflammation of gums or any infections); tea tree essential oil (antibacterial- use only a drop or two – do not use for children under 10).

Not sure what’s on your toothbrush? Call the company and ask for a list of ingredients. A great searchable online resource can be found at the cosmetics database, or check out this month’s green read – Ruth Winter’s A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients.

Photos by Sara Moe.