Oral health is vital to our general wellness. According to the World Health Organization, “Oral health is a key indicator of overall health, well being and quality of life.” [note]http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health[/note] 

Unfortunately, many of the products we use to prevent cavities and maintain oral health contain harmful, toxic ingredients. Avoiding the fluoride debate, there are many reasons to switch to an ethical, natural oral health care company.

What’s in your toothpaste? 

From tricoslan to bleach, there are a lot of potentially harmful ingredients in specialty toothpaste.  Here are 5 basic ingredients that every brand uses:

Sweetening agent

I remember in middle school science class, we made homemade toothpaste. One of the ingredients was sugar. Sugar? That made no sense. 

All toothpaste contains sweetening agents The American Dental Association will not approve of any cavity-causing sweeteners, like sugar. Most commonly used are sorbitol and saccharin. 

Sorbitol: This sugar alcohol ingredient is chemically removed from glucose. Sorbitol is banned in the European Union from soft drinks because it has a laxative effect when consumed over 50 grams a day. The European Food Safety Authority found it helps “neutralise plaque acidity on teeth” thus making it the sweetener of choice for chemical containing toothpaste. [note]https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/sorbitol-diabetics/[/note]

Saccharin: Saccharin is an artificial sweetener that is 300-400 times sweeter than sugar. [note]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccharin[/note] At one time it was banned as a cancer-causing agent, but now is recognized by 100 countries as safe. [note]https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/17/us/us-ban-on-artificial-sweetener-might-be-ended-after-2-decades.html[/note][note]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3185898/[/note]

Abrasives

Abrasives are ingredients that help to scrub your teeth with the action of your toothbrush. They must be gentle enough to not damage the enamel and are typically naturally derived. Common abrasives used in oral hygiene products are calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, and hydrated aluminum oxides. Calcium carbonate is a mineral. It has been in toothpaste since the time of Ancient Romans and Egyptians who used crushed eggshells and oyster shells respectfully. [note]https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/selecting-dental-products/what-is-in-toothpaste-five-ingredients-and-what-they-do-0814[/note] Hydrated silica occurs naturally on earth in the form of diatomaceous earth.[note]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrated_silica[/note] Hydrated aluminum oxides occur naturally in gibbsite.[note]https://www.thefreedictionary.com/hydrated+aluminium+oxide[/note]

Sometimes microbeads are used as abrasives. These tiny pieces of plastic wreak havoc on marine life. [note]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2926020/Are-hidden-horrors-toothpaste-Dr-Toby-Talbot-tells-ingredients-concern-most.html[/note]

Flavors

Toothpaste flavors include mint, licorice, berry, cinnamon, etc. There’s even sweet cupcake frosting flavored toothpaste! The flavoring in oral health care products is a place for artificial chemical ingredients to abound. Artificial colors are sometimes added too to make the product look more appealing. This ingredient always receives the highest hazard rating from the Environmental Working Group. 

Humectants

Humectants give toothpaste the texture needed to squeeze out of the tube. Sorbitol, mentioned above, also acts as a humectant. Glycol, propylene, glycerin, PEG, and glycerol are also commonly used. Some glycerin comes from animal fat.[note]https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702620/GLYCERIN/#[/note] These petroleum-based ingredients often contain hidden amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, known human carcinogens.

Detergents

Typically sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is used to create suds and bubbles while brushing. This ingredient is commonly found in engine degreasers, as well. It is a known irritant and can cause mouth and canker sores.[note]https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/whats-in-your-toothpaste.html[/note] Dr. Talbot, an expert in restorative dentistry, explains the harmful potential of SLS:

The problem with SLS is that it opens up the gaps between the mucosal — skin — cells in the mouth, which allows toxins or carcinogens to get in [these can come from all manner of sources including tobacco smoke]. Oral mucosa is one of the most delicate tissues in our body and SLS is effectively a detergent. [note]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2926020/Are-hidden-horrors-toothpaste-Dr-Toby-Talbot-tells-ingredients-concern-most.html[/note]

Detergents aren’t really necessary in toothpaste other than to make you think your teeth are getting cleaner because of the foaming action.

Why You Should Switch to Dr. Brite Natural Oral Care

Dr. Brite offers a range of natural oral care products to help you avoid the nasty ingredients found in typical toothpaste, mouthwash, and whiteners. Here the natural replacements used by Dr. Brite for the common ingredients described above:

• Sweetening agent: Hexane-Free Organic Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract
• Abrasives: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral), Hydrated Silica (Mineral)
• Flavors: Peppermint oil, spearmint oil, strawberry powder/extract, raspberry powder/extract, vanilla oil, monk fruit extract
• Humectant: Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Soy-Free Vegetable Glycerin
• Detergent: Potassium Cocoate (Organic Coconut Oil Derived)

Other “natural” toothpaste contain suspect ingredients like SLS.  You don’t have to sacrifice quality oral health care products to avoid potentially harmful ingredients. Dr. Brite has strong ethics and full disclosure of ingredients to help you maintain that beautiful smile and stay healthy!

Dr. Brite is a top scoring product on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database! This is a rating you can trust and has high standards. Furthermore, Dr. Brite is:

• Owned by women
• Made in the USA
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• SLS-free
• Non-GMO
• Never tested on animals
• Over 90% organic
• Affordable
• No harmful ingredients

Dr. Brite sent us several high quality natural oral care products to try. We were impressed by everyone one and fighting over who gets to keep them! 

Dr. Brite Mint Toothpaste | Whitening Toothpaste with Natural Activated Charcoal | Fluoride Free

I am in love with this toothpaste! Dr. Brite Mint Toothpaste has a refreshing flavor, and I love the way my teeth feel after using it. It is the first charcoal toothpaste I have tried that is not black.

Awaken your senses with a rush of breath-taking mint. Flash radiance and exude a healthy smile. Natural, wholesome ingredients of activated coconut charcoal, organic coconut oil, non-acidic vitamin C work in harmony to help gently polish away cavity-causing bacteria while whitening without a dark mess.

It gently cleans your teeth, and it makes me want to brush my teeth more! A few years ago, I learned that another natural toothpaste I was using was too abrasive for my teeth. I had developed sensitivities from the abrasive ingredients. This has not happened with Dr. Brite!

Dr. Brite Berrylicious Toothpaste |  Natural Vitamin C | Fluoride Free

Dr. Brite Berrylicious is perfect for children and people who don’t like mint flavored toothpaste.

Excite your taste buds with yummy berry goodness that smiles of all sizes will love! Antioxidant and non-acidic vitamin C helps heal and promote healthy gums while a party of safe-to-swallow ingredients gently and thoroughly cleans away cavity-causing plaque to reveal a healthy smile.

This is seriously the best kids’ toothpaste ever!  Beware of silly strawberry toothpaste by another “natural” brand as it contains SLS and carrageenan. 

You can trust Dr. Brite to use safe, organic ingredients with reduced, recyclable packaging.  These ingredients are so safe and clean, you could eat them!  This is great news for parents. No need to worry if your child swallows some toothpaste.

Dr. Brite Coco Chai Toothpaste | Whitening Toothpaste with Organic Coconut | Fluoride Free

Wow! What a unique toothpaste flavor! Dr. Brite’s Coco Chai toothpaste is perfect for the morning after a cup of coffee or tea.

Transport yourself with every brush to a delightful world of flavors with coconut, cinnamon, and cardamom. Reveal a brighter smile with healthy teeth and gums by indulging in the ancient ayurvedic power of coconut oil that helps keep cavity-causing plaque at bay, freshens breath, and supports better gum health all with no sensitivity.

It’s also super cool we were sent a travel size portion of this product. I would definitely take this backpacking.

Dr. Brite Oral Spray: Brite & Fresh | Alcohol-Free | Clinical Strength  | Therapeutic Essential Oil Blend | Coconut Activated Charcoal 

Dr. Brite’s Brite & Fresh Breath Freshener is essential for coffee drinkers like me! Give yourself a quick little spray and don’t worry about offending anyone with your bad breath.

Put some pep back into your breath! Refreshing peppermint quickly eliminates bad breath with just a couple spritzes. Enjoy a burst of minty cool freshness while you’re on the go without the stinging burn of alcohol.

This product leaves a lovely, fresh aftertaste and really works to neutralize bad breath. It works instantly to rid your mouth of odor-causing bacteria. Additionally, Brite & Fresh Breath Freshener helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease using all natural ingredients. I love how it makes my teeth even feel cleaner without brushing, which is perfect for the middle of the day.

Dr. Brite Natural Mouth Spray: Berrylicious | Kids Mouthwash | Vitamin C | Alcohol-Free

Dr. Brite’s Berrylicious Natural Mouth Spray is great for kids! Pediatric dentists often recommend mouthwash for little ones to help reach the places they may miss brushing. Just like toothpaste, many types of mouthwash contain potentially harmful ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride and chlorhexidine. [note]https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/mouthrinse[/note] These ingredients are definitely not meant to be swallowed. Furthermore, their safety has been studied for adult use, not children.

Little smiles will love spritzing yummy, safe-to-swallow berry goodness that helps freshen breath and takes care of their smile. Healthy gums are encouraged directly with non-acidic vitamin C while coconut oil gently nourishes for a thorough clean.

Dr. Bite’s Berrylicious Natural Mouth Spray is made from completely edible ingredients, so you need not worry if your child swallows some. This product is a great addition to any family’s natural oral care regime.

Dr. Brite is awesome! You can feel the love behind these products. These are high-quality natural oral care products you socially and ethically support. Furthermore, the company has set the goal of zero waste by 2021. Dr. Brite also gives back to the community through non-profit partners and community volunteering.