The Healthy Solution for Your Teeth & Gums - November 2011By Klaus Ferlow, Vancouver, BC
 Modern toothpaste is a heavy mix of chemicals and synthetics meant to clean, polish and maintain healthy teeth and gums. But are those ingredients safe, or even necessary?
Many people these days live a healthier life style. They reduce their bad fat intake, reduce refined sugar and replace it with stevia (from a sweet herbal plant from Paraguay), try to avoid heavily processed foods with artificial colours and chemicals (aspartame and/or neotame artificial sweeteners), eat more certified organic vegetables and fruits without herbazide and pestizide spraying or radiation, and even clean their house with non-toxic products. But have you given any thought to what you are swishing around in your mouth at least twice a day?
It seems that toothpaste is almost as old as teeth and early populations used abrasives like crushed oyster sheels, bone and eggshell mixed with flavoring and powered charcoal. Later essential oils of peppermint, spearmint or cinnamon made brushing more pleasant and helped to kill bacteria and germs at the same time. Most commercial toothpastes have ingredients such as SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate, fluoride, PVM/MA copolymer, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium saccarin, artificial colour FD & C blue no. 1). Let's find out what these really are:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate It is a detergent, humectant (moisturizer), emulsifier and foaming agent. It is a combination of lauryl alcohol and mineral sodium sulfate followed by neutralization with sodium carbonate. Found also in care wash soap, engine degreaser, garage flow cleaners. Degenerates cell membrance and can change genetic information (mutagenic) in cells and damage the immune system. It is reported to cause eye irritation, skin rashes, hair loss, dandruff and allergic reactions. Penetrates your eyes, brain, liver and remains there long-term.
Fluoride Derived from hydroluric acid, made by reacting sulfuric acid with fluorspar, an ore rich in calcium fluoride, a hazardous chemical. Researchers have linked it to cancer but no one is listening. Especially dangerous for young children who tend to swallow it after brushing their teeth. Many types of toothpaste contain enough fluoride in a 120ml (4 0z) tube to even kill a small child! That's why many toothpaste manufacturers include a warning on their labels "not to use by children under the age of 6 years" Fluoride can corrode the tooth enamel, when swallowed can lead to Chron's disease. It does not reduce cavities and scientists are linking it to dental deformity, arthritis, allergic reactions and approx. 10.000 death each year from cancer.
PVM/MA Copolymer A thickener, dispersing agend and stabilizer. Highly irritating in the eyes, skin and mucous membranes.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate A ionic (negatively charged) surfactant. A Compound which reduces the surface tension in water, between water and another liquid, or between liquid and a solid, classified as a wetting agent. It has ether added and is therefore irritating and toxic.
Sodium Saccarin This is an artificial sweetener (from the dangerous, hazardous Aspartame family). Used in a variety of products from mouthwash to lipsticks. Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic, causes adverse reaction. Tests in the 1980s on rats developed bladder cancer. Even the FDA (Federal Drug Administration in USA) list is as a possible carcinogen!
FD & C Blue No. 1 Often used to dye pastes blue, this coal tar derivative may cause allergic reactions, is a suspected carcinogen, teratogen or toxin and has been known to produce laignant tumors at the site of injections in rats!
An interesting report indicated that Fluorosis (fluoride poisoning) can result in darkened or mottled teeth, erosion of enamel, compromised bone structure and a host of other problems including learning disabilities, kidney disease and brain lesions.
People brush and floss their teeth to remove sticky plaque, food particles and bacteria anywhere from 2 - 3 times a day. There is a widespread concern for two groups of people in particular: young children and those who suffer from chemical sensitivity as a result of chronic exposure to environmental and household chemicals. Consumer have a right, if not a responsibility to be aware of the potential hazards that maybe lurking in their personal care products.
Recommended reading: the book with the title: "100.000.000 Guinea Pigs - Dangers in Everyday Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics, Chapter I’ The great American Guinea Pig’: A hundred million Americans act as unwitting test animals in a gigantic experiment with poisons, conducted by the food, drug and cosmetic manufacturers", first published January 12, 1933 - 73 years ago!
Buying naturally if concerns such as those mentioned in this article convince you to dump your traditional (commercial) toothpaste in favour of a natural brand.
There are many natural types of toothpaste like Neem Tree toothpastes from the Ayurvedic medicine in India with a history of over 6000 years. The Neem Tree from India has been called a miraculous healing herb and people in India and Africa have used Neem tree twigs as tooth brushes for centuries to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. The twigs contain antiseptic ingredients that help with oral hygiene. Give your oral health a lift with our Neem Tree toothpaste that comes with Anise and/or Mint (Peppermint & Spearmint essential oils) flavour. It does NOT contain SLS or laureth sulfate, phosphate, artificial colour, saccarin, harsh chemicals, strong abrasives or fluoride.
References:
100.000.000 Guinea Pigs - Dangers in Everday Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics, Arthur Kallet, F.J. Schlink, ISBN 0405080255
Toxic Sludge is good for you, John Stauber, Sheldon Rampton, ISBN 1-56751-060-4
Toxic Deception, Dan Fagin, Marianne Lavelle, ISBN 1-56751-162-7
Hard To Swallow - The Truth About Food Additives, Doris Sarjeant, Karen Evans, ISBN 0-920470-47-5
Aspartame (NutraSweet) - Is it Safe?, H.J. Roberts, M.D., ISBN 0-914783-58-0
 Klaus's Bio: Klaus Ferlow, herbalist, innovator, lecturer, researcher, author, founder and co-owner of FERLOW BOTANICALS, Div. of Ferlow Brothers Ltd, Vancouver, B.C. manufacturing herbal medicinal and personal care products without harmful ingredients. - Klaus Ferlow Website - Email
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This information and research is intended to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All material in this article is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this newsletter / e-magazine / website. Readers should consult their doctor and other qualified health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided in this newsletter / e-magazine/website are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors. Readers who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions. OK in Health is not responsible for the information in these articles or for any content included in this article which is intended as a guide only and should not be used as a substitute to seeking professional advice from either your doctor or a registered specialist for yourself or anyone else.
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