The toxins in toothpaste don’t have to be swallowed to be harmful
It’s a witches’ brew of dangerous ingredients that we put in our mouths twice a day.
Yes, I’m talking about toothpaste.
The Cornucopia Institute has just release a shocking report about what we’re squirting on our
toothbrushes. And it discovered things that you wouldn’t want to put on your hands, let alone in your mouth.
These are chemicals that can mimic estrogen, mess with our hormones and even cause cancer.
And one ingredient that the FDA has recently banned in soap is still allowed in toothpaste!
So, here’s what the American Dental Association, as well as the companies that manufacturer these products, don’t want you to know.
We don’t give a lot of thought to toothpaste.
And apparently neither does the FDA!
Any toothpaste that contains fluoride lands in the hazy regulatory world of a drug/cosmetic combo (one without fluoride is just considered a cosmetic). Either way, the FDA gives these products little attention.
You might think it doesn’t really matter that much. After all, it’s only in our mouth a minute or two, and we spit it out, right?
Not exactly.
Even if you don’t swallow one bit of toothpaste, many of the chemicals it’s made from can easily pass from the lining of your mouth directly into your bloodstream. Mouth membranes are highly efficient at absorbing chemicals and drugs, which is why sublingual (under the tongue) meds are so effective.
And if you take a trip to Europe and buy some toothpaste there, you’ll find some of the exact same brands sold here in the U.S., only with different ingredients! Apparently what we’re allowed to buy in America is just too dangerous to be sold abroad.
When you see what the Cornucopia Institute discovered, it becomes even more outrageous that the FDA isn’t paying attention.
For example:
- DEA (diethanolamine): This is a “foaming agent” you’ll find it in lots of brands of toothpaste. DEA exposure has been linked to liver cancer and thyroid problems in mice. The European Union considers it a harmful substance capable of causing “serious health damage.”
- Formaldehyde: The same stuff used in embalming fluid is also given off from certain preservatives commonly used in many cosmetics, including toothpaste. These formaldehyde-releasing preservatives continuously give off small quantities of this carcinogen. Ingredients to watch out for include chemical names ending in urea, as well as Bronidox and glyoxal.
- Parabens: These commonly used preservatives (such as methylparaben) are known to mimic estrogen and are linked to cancer as well as developmental problems in children. Parabens can easily enter the body through gum and mouth tissue.
- Triclosan: Found in several brands, including Colgate Total, triclosan was recently banned by the FDA for use in pump soap and body washes, but unbelievably not toothpaste! This chemical is an antibacterial agent that has been found to affect hormones, including those that regulate our reproductive system and thyroid function. They also contribute to the major problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, even at low levels.
But the most common toxin found in the lion’s share of toothpastes would have to be fluoride.
For years I’ve been warning you about the danger of fluoride exposure in water and dental products. It’s been linked to everything from brain damage to cancer and most recently diabetes.
You don’t want (or need) fluoride in your toothpaste! And that’s doubly true for kids.
Now, if you’re wondering if that American Dental Association (ADA) seal somehow means your toothpaste is safe, well, it doesn’t. The ADA is practically supported by the cosmetic industry, even earning thousands of dollars a year from every ADA seal product as a “maintenance fee.”
A better idea would be to check out your brand at the Cornucopia Institute’s guide to toothpaste. And here’s a tip: Two of the lowest ranking brands are Colgate and Crest!
Sources:
“Report finds toxins/carcinogens in popular brands of toothpaste” The Cornucopia Institute, August 16, 2016, cornucopia.org
