What’s the Best Toothpaste? — Part 2

Simple Science: The Best Toothpaste

In the wide and confusing world of popular tooth cleansing products undoubtedly the safest, most effective combination you can use on your teeth is a soft bristle toothbrush and water, twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. Back up this simple exercise by flossing at least once a day, without fail — and you will have the healthiest mouth around.

But realistically most of us who are interested in maintaining a healthy oral environment probably will feel slightly dissatisfied with the notion that you can have clean teeth without using minty commercial toothpaste. So, what are the healthiest options and how can you make sure you are using products that promote clean teeth and preserve your overall good health?

It’s All In the Ingredients

When you consider that Ben Franklin used a combination of honey and ground charcoal to clean his teeth, it becomes fairly evident that people have been concerned with keeping their teeth clean for a very long time and over the course of time; there has been quite a few interesting ways of accomplishing the important feat of good oral hygiene.

Take for example an ancient Egyptian recipe discovered in 2003 dating back more than 1,500 years that combined one drachma of rock salt – (approximately 100th of an ounce) – two drachmas of mint, one drachma of dried iris flower and 20 grains of pepper all carefully crushed and mixed together to form the best known “powder for white and perfect teeth”. Modern scholars daring enough to try the concoction for themselves found it ‘abrasive and painful to use’. And so … it’s no doubt why we’ve been looking for better alternatives ever since.

Ingredients to Avoid

The most common ingredients in toothpaste include; Silica and Limestone, Aluminum Oxide (provides coarseness to scrubbing) Titanium Dioxide (made from the minerals ilmenite, rutile and anatase – to give toothpaste its white pigment), Mica (adds sparkle to the toothpaste) and of course, fluoride.
For many of the ingredients in toothpaste there are potential health concerns and some have proven to be downright toxic. Some of the biggest offending chemicals include the following:

Fluoride: a byproduct of the fertilizer industrial – this toxic chemical can cause a myriad of health problems when ingested (usually as an additive of the public water systems) and, ironically it is a known demineralizer that removes calcium from teeth and bones causing discolorization of teeth leaving them brittle.

Saccharin and other artificial sweeteners: People ingest synthetic sweeteners and don’t realize how harmful it can be to their health, much less their teeth. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any artificial ingredients in your toothpaste, particularly in the form of sweeteners.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and other detergents: used in many known products as a foaming agent and as with most detergents SLS is known to be harmful to the skin, eyes, brain, liver and lungs. It is also quite corrosive and harmful to skin tissue. SLS is also widely used in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and car wash soaps.

Aluminum: when combined with fluoride, aluminum is absorbed into the body at an alarming rate, and aluminum is a metal that seems to collect in the brains of Alzheimer’s victims.

Silica or Zirconium: an abrasive mineral – harms gums and wears away tooth enamel which is particularly hazardous for people who brush a little too enthusiastically or when combined with hard bristle toothbrushes.

Healthy Alternatives

Everyone is looking for a healthy alternative, so what’s the best toothpaste? What’s the best alternative? The fact is, each and every person reacts differently to different ingredients. Take for instance, the case of a recent patient of ours: she had been recommended a bee propolis toothpaste which, by most accounts, is a very biocompatible toothpaste. She broke out into blisters along her guns (and no, she is not allergic to bees). Even within our office we have different employees who are sensitive to different toothpastes. The choice of one employee actually causes dry mouth in another employee. So what’s the best toothpaste for you? You’ll have to learn the ingredients and try different types until you find one that you are most compatible with.

Mixing Up the Homemade Pastes

An online search will turn up hundreds of recipes for toothpaste, and most of those at least start with the two basic ingredients of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. For anyone interested in trying their own hand at making homemade toothpaste just keep in mind that you want to avoid anything that might be overly abrasive to tooth enamel or harmful to the gums, and never swallow the ingredients.
For its recognized healing properties, Aloe Vera is a good ingredient to include as is diluted tea tree oil but most recipes focus on taste and giving a lasting sense of freshness to the mouth. Some of those ingredients include cinnamon, ginger, fennel, clove, spearmint and peppermint – all relatively harmless when combined with other dry ingredients but stay away from essential oil versions of these flavors unless they are well diluted as they can cause burning sensations to the mouth and gums.

Store Bought Toothpastes

There is an unending list of toothpastes on the market today, some claiming to be ‘natural’ while still including ingredients that are either on our list of things to avoid or chemicals that cannot be pronounced. The bottom line is; avoid any toothpaste that has more than six or seven ingredients and never buy anything that contains chemicals or ingredients that you cannot identify. Look for toothpastes that do not contain fluoride, aluminum, artificial sweeteners or detergents and beware of toothpaste marked ‘natural’ – do your homework and read the label.

Toothpaste Analysis

To help make your decision easier (or maybe more difficult) we have compiled a list of many of the most popular alternative toothpaste options. We have done our best to provide complete analysis, but as formulas change, this list may become out of date. Hopefully it provides a starting point for you in your search.

Enjoy… and good luck!

This File May be Best Viewed if You Download it Using the Link Provided… It’s a Large Document.
Best Toothpastes

The World Health Organization urges “switch” away from amalgam

Great news from Charlie Brown at Consumers for Dental Choice. I can’t say it much better than he did, so you can read his letter verbatim, below.

In a clear sign that dentistry’s amalgam era is fading, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) just released its long-awaited report on dental amalgam.  In Future Use of Materials for Dental Restoration, WHO urges “a switch in use of dental materials” away from amalgam.

“[F]or many reasons,” WHO explains, “restorative materials alternative to dental amalgam are desirable.”  The report describes three of these reasons in detail:

• WHO determines that amalgam releases a “significant amount of mercury”:  WHO concludes that amalgam poses a serious environmental health problem because amalgam releases a “significant amount of mercury” into the environment, including the atmosphere, surface water, groundwater, and soil.  WHO says “When released from dental amalgam use into the environment through these pathways, mercury is transported globally and deposited.  Mercury releases may then enter the human food chain especially via fish consumption.”
• WHO determines that amalgam raises “general health concerns”:  While the report acknowledges that a few dental trade groups still believe amalgam is safe for all, the WHO report reaches a very different conclusion: “Amalgam has been associated with general health concerns.”  The report observes, “According to the Norwegian Dental Biomaterials Adverse Reaction Unit, the majority of cases of side-effects of dental filling materials are linked with dental amalgam.”
• WHO determines that “materials alternative to dental amalgam are available”:  WHO concludes that “Materials alternative to dental amalgam are available” – and cites many studies indicating that they are superior to amalgam.  For example, WHO says “recent data suggest that RBCs [resin-based composites] perform equally well” as amalgam.  And compomers have a higher survival rate, says WHO, citing a study finding that 95% of compomers and 92% of amalgams survive after 4 years.  Perhaps more important than the survival of the filling, WHO asserts that “Adhesive resin materials allow for less tooth destruction and, as a result, a longer survival of the tooth itself.”

We have come a long way.  Less than a year ago, dental trade groups were circulating an unedited and unreviewed draft of this report to government officials, implying that it was WHO’s final position.  But the draft was riddled with factual errors and scientifically unsupported claims.  Consumers for Dental Choice – working with non-governmental organizations, scientists, and environmentalists from around the globe – organized a letter-writing campaign to insist that the draft be immediately withdrawn, accurately rewritten, and properly reviewed.

And it worked!  Now WHO has removed all claims of amalgam’s safety.  Now WHO has committed itself to “work for reduction of mercury and the development of a healthy environment.”  Now “WHO will facilitate the work for a switch in use of dental materials.”

Thank you to everybody who urged WHO to take this important step to protect future generations from dental mercury.

It’s time for the U.S. FDA to catch up with the world – and we need your help.  FDA’s support for amalgam is radically inconsistent with WHO’s new position.  Please contact Dr. Jeff Shuren, Director of the FDA Center for Devices, at

Email:  jeff.shuren@fda.hhs.gov

Fax:  301-847-8149 & 301-847-8109

Telephone:  301-796-5900

Mail: 10903 New Hampshire Ave., WO66-5431, Room 5442, Silver Spring MD 20993-0002
Here is a sample letter:
Dear Dr. Shuren:

In its recent report, the World Health Organization concludes that dental amalgam releases a “significant amount of mercury” and raises “general health concerns.”  In light of these serious problems, WHO calls on health authorities like FDA to take action now: “Health authorities can play an active role in advocacy for use of dental materials alternative to amalgam…Directives can be set up for provision of dental care incorporating concerns for oral health and the environment.”   

The WHO report says “Materials alternative to dental amalgam are available.”  In particular, “Alternative restorative materials of sufficient quality are available for use in the deciduous [baby] dentition of children” – the population whose developing neurological systems are most susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of dental mercury according to FDA.  So there is no excuse for subjecting children to the risks associated with dental mercury exposure.

FDA needs to stop amalgam use in children immediately and join WHO in working for a switch to the many mercury-free alternatives to amalgam.    

Sincerely,
Your name

Thank you for working with us to protect everyone worldwide from mercury fillings!

– Charlie, 18 October 2011

Charles G. Brown
National Counsel, Consumers for Dental Choice
President, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry
316 F St. NE, Suite 210, Washington DC 20002
Telephone: 202-544-6333
Fax: 202-544-6331

The Top Story Today in Tampa… not what you think

I’m in Tampa, Florida today for a conference and had some shocking news when I woke up. The news? Pinellas County (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, etc.) is REMOVING fluoride from it’s water.

The really shocking thing? This news story was AHEAD of the death of the venerable Steve Jobs in this morning’s paper(s).

While the battle over fluoride is beginning and/or raging in many municipalities around the country, the fact that Pinellas County — of all places, not the stereotype for alternative health by most measures — is big news, even if it wasn’t affected for health reasons (more on that, below).

Here’s a link to just one of the headline stories (I have so far seen it on the cover of three major papers): http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article1195449.ece

Here’s another shocker: Who was the organization that stopped the fluoridation and affected this headline change in policy? Not the IAOMT, not the Fluoride Action Network, not the IABDM… nope, it’s none of the above. Instead, it was the Tea Party. Yes, the conservative political group affected the change to end fluoridation in Pinellas County.

I won’t say too much else except this: Read some of the quotes in the articles, as they are classic of mainstream thinking. Here’s a sampling:

• “I think the tea party has engulfed themselves or surrounded themselves with conspiracy theorists,”
• “I think it’s embarrassing and shortsighted,”

Oh, and what spawned the change? Well, it certainly wasn’t the health effects. Nope, it was the government’s use of taxpayer money. Oh well… at least it’s a start!

Help Stop the Use of Mercury in a Major California City

On September 20, 2011 at 5:00 PM, the city of Long Beach will hold a city council meeting that has the potential to radically alter the way Californians are affected by mercury amalgam… and they could use your help.

At the urging of Californians for Green Dentistry, the city council in Long Beach will discuss the idea of requiring all dentists to install amalgam separators to help protect our environment and to voluntarily cease use of Dental Amalgam, implement Best Management Practices and install
dental amalgam separators to catch spilled mercury.

This is a potential watershed case for the fight against mercury amalgam, and they are asking for YOUR help.

The following message is an abbreviated version of the email sent straight from Californians for Green Dentistry. Below that is a link to download the memo issued by the City of Long Beach.

Due to the resistance that will becoming from the Harbor Dental Society, it is imperative that we show a strong diversified group of people – what we need – Scientists, Doctors, Mercury Free Dentists, Victims, Environmentalists – and activists.

We will be allowed 3 minutes each to speak with no ability to yeild time to another speaker.  Therefore we must be well prepared and on our “A” Game!

We need to address why this is important for Long Beach.  The city is a dominant maritime <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime>  center of the United States and was recently named “Aquatic Capital of the Nation.” It wields substantial influence critical to the global economy <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_globalization> . The Port of Long Beach <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Long_Beach>  is the United States’ second busiest container port and one of the world’s largest shipping ports.

Broc the Chief of Staff for VM Lowenthal suggested that we fill the room and have at least 7 speakers to go up- from there we listen to the opposition and then continue to refute whatever they say – and keep the most dynamic speakers for the end…to strategically let council here us last…there is no need to sign in so we just go up to the podium when the issue comes up…

If there was ever a time when we NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK- THIS IS IT…With the FDA hearing 2 days later, we can report on the action of Long Beach…I hope that you will all call – or email me with your confirmation to attend – THIS CAN TURN THE TIDE ON THE ENTIRE ISSUE….

PLEASE ADDEND AND IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS CALL ME…310-923-4116  - WE NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE!

With much gratitude,

Anita, Kristy, & Marisa – Californians for Green Dentistry

Thanks,

Dr. Marvin

Click to Download the Memo from the City of Long Beach

Mercury Amalgam Fillings in Long Beach

Win a FREE Safe Mercury Removal (and restoration!)

In celebration of Mercury-Free Awareness Week (September 4-10), we are giving away a FREE safe mercury removal EVERY DAY this week!

There are three ways to win:

1. Leave a comment on this article telling us why we should give the free removal to you (what health concerns do you have? Unsolved dental issues? Anything that makes us want to give it to YOU).
2. Visit our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/naturaldentistry) and tell us why we should pick you
3. Send us an email (info@naturaldentistry.us) and tell us why we should pick you.

Each night we will look at all the entries and pick ONE person to receive a completely free mercry removal and a restoration (so that means if you have a large mercury filling, you could have that removed for free AND get a free CEREC crown along with it!).
You only need to enter once and we will pick the five best… so if you enter today, you could win today, tomorrow… any day this week.

Enter early to make sure you maximize your chance. This giveaway has at least a $500 value!