Tagged with 'oral-health'

Hydrogen peroxide deserves a place in every home – it’s practical, non-toxic and cheap!

I am feeling pretty good about the progress, albeit slow, replacing household products with safe and clean alternatives. However, toothpaste is one product I haven’t tackled and need to. It goes into our mouth 2 times per day, 365 days per year. I know you spit it out, but it’s probably safe to say we end up swallowing a smidgen, and over time, I can imagine the amount of swallowed toothpaste adds up. My 2½ year old will also be brushing with “normal” toothpaste soon and he certainly will swallow some. It raises an interesting question about what we’re actually ingesting.

What’s in Toothpaste?

According to the American Dental Association, toothpaste contains the following parts with examples of each, and why they’re included.

Abrasives to remove debris and residual surface stains. Examples include calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, hydrated aluminum oxides, magnesium carbonate, phosphate salts and silicates.

Fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel and remineralize tooth decay.  

Humectants to prevent water loss in the toothpaste. Examples include glycerol, propylene, glycol and sorbitol.

Flavoring agents, sweeteners, and coloring agents. Examples include saccharin and other sweeteners to provide taste.  

Thickening agents or binders to stabilize the toothpaste formula. They include mineral colloids, natural gums, seaweed colloids or synthetic cellulose.

Detergents to create foaming action. They include sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate.

Here’s the caveat. Several of these ingredients used in conventional toothpaste are being questioned about their safety. Here are four ingredients to consider avoiding the next time you purchase toothpaste.

Flouride

Most are probably aware many toothpastes and mouth rinses contain fluoride. Dentists have recommended fluoride for years to prevent cavities. However, fluoride has become a very controversial topic over the past few years, and whether to avoid it or include it in your toothpaste depends on who you ask.

Fluoride strengthens teeth. However, too little or too much fluoride can be detrimental to the teeth. While government reports warn fluoridated drinking water can dramatically reduce cavities and tooth decay by up to 90%, too much of it might cause spots on kids’ teeth. According to a CDC study, 2 out of 5 adolescents have tooth streaking or spottiness due to excessive fluoride. In extreme cases, teeth can even be pitted by the mineral.

Children`s toothpaste often come in flavors that taste like candy or bubblegum, which may tempt children to swallow it. This can be a problem since the warning states even small amounts of fluoride swallowed can cause serious health risks.
For parents with children, reducing dental caries can also be achieved by reducing your child’s teeth expose to sugary foods and drinks. Limit the use of sippy cups to only water.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

Before the 1940s, toothpaste contained soap. Now Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used as the detergent in toothpaste, which makes the toothpaste lather in your mouth. It’s commonly found in shampoos for the same purpose. SLS has a reputation for being a skin irritant, and in one study, a significantly higher frequency of canker sores (aphthous ulcers) occurred when the patients brushed with an SLS-containing toothpaste.

Researchers speculate SLS dries out the protective mucous lining in the mouth...making it vulnerable to irritants that lead to canker sores. 

Triclosan

Triclosan is an active ingredient in toothpaste and an endocrine-disrupting chemical that can cause brain damage and cancer. It causes bacterial resistance to antibiotics, not to mention a major environmental pollutant that is bioaccumulating in fish and other aquatic organisms. 

Artificial Colors

Artificial Colors such as FD&C Yellow 5 and Blue 1 are fake dyes produced from petroleum and can have toxic effects at moderate doses. They can trigger a wide number of behavioral, learning, and health problems. Over several decades of use, some of these synthetic dyes have come under greater scientific and government scrutiny due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic activity. Because of this, they are still referred to in the industry as coal tar dyes, according to the US FDA.

In marketing toothpaste, companies have added whitening ingredients, fizzy flavors, and lots of other crummy ingredients we have to put in our mouth daily. I don’t like this and don’t want this exposure for myself, my husband, and certainly not my children. I will keep you posted as I begin my search for a natural toothpaste that keeps my teeth clean, prevents cavities, and does contain a bunch of potentially toxic ingredients.

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

What is Essential Oxygen 3% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide??  

It is H₂O_2, which is water with an extra boost of oxygen. Advocates of food grade hydrogen peroxide 3% claim it is the cleanest way to clean....everything! 

The 3% concentration is very important. Avoid a concentration any stronger than this unless you know how to properly dilute it. The "Food Grade" label is also important.

What's In Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide? 

It is Certified USDA Organic with no heavy metals--free of sodium laurel sulfates, chlorine bleach, pesticides, fluoride, glycerin and alcohol. It contains 3% hydrogen peroxide and water.

What Is Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide Used For? 

It actually has many, many uses. Let's take a look at some of them in more detail.

1. Fruit and Vegetable Cleaner

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers hydrogen peroxide a sanitizer so you can clean the skins of your fruits and vegetables before eating them or even spray the produce after you cut into it. Simply spray, let stand for a few minutes, rinse and dry.

2. Cleaning the "Toxic Zone"...the Bathroom!

As a disinfectant, spray the food grade hydrogen peroxide solution 3% on counters, toilets, bathtubs, floors, etc. Truth be told, any room can safely be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide. I definitely plan to try this on my kitchen counters and appliances!

3. Fungus and Mold Control on Roses and Vegetables 

Mix 5 Tablespoons baking soda and 5 Tablespoons 3% hydrogen peroxide in one gallon of water. Spray directly onto roses and vegetables.

4. Laundry 

Food grade hydrogen peroxide is powerful and can be used to bleach your clothes. This is great for removing any pesky stains or keeping those whites white.

5. Use for Oral Health

Hydrogen peroxide is highly regarded as an antiseptic, anti-bacterial mouthwash that promotes healthier gums, calms tooth sensitivity, treats canker sores, breaks up tartar, conquers bad breath, and stops stankin' morning mouth. Note: do not swallow the solution!

You can also use Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide Solution 3% for gently whitening teeth, and it has a powerful first aid effect on Gingivitis, bacterial gum pockets, and receding gums.

How To Store Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide Solution 3%? 

The opaque bottle filters out the sun--the sun can damage hydrogen peroxide. Keep the bottle in a cool place because hydrogen peroxide breaks down very easily.

Warnings:

Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide Solution 3% by Essential Oxygen is for external use only. The FDA does not recommend for internal use. Do not use in the eyes or apply to large areas of the body. Do not use on deep or puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns.

This product is available in an 8 or 16 fl oz bottle with sprayer.

Link to Essential Oxygen's Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide Solution 3%

Link to Essential Oxygen's Brushing Rinse

Cheers to green cleaning and healthy gums and teeth!

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

Question:

I've always struggled with bad breath.  Could a tongue scraper help?

Answer:

Tongue scrapers, which are available in most drugstores in various shapes and sizes, have been touted as a way to reduce or eliminate bad breath (halitosis).  You put the tongue scraper at the back of your tongue and bring it forward along your tongue, repeating as often as needed.

Research on the effectiveness of tongue scrapers is limited.  What has been published so far describes tongue scraping as temporarily effective for bad breath, but there's not enough evidence using a tongue scraper helps with ongoing (chronic) halitosis.  However, if you have a coated tongue, which can occur from an overgrowth of bacteria, tongue scraping may be helpful.  For instance, a coated tongue can be caused by smoking, dry mouth, poor oral hygiene or medication use.

Although there's no harm in trying a tongue scraper to treat bad breath, it's just as important to practice good dental hygiene overall:

• Brush your teeth and tongue after you eat.
• Floss your teeth at least once a day.
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth, a cause of bad breath.
• Schedule regular dental checkups.

Consider this:  lactose intolerance can lead to bad breath.  Try adding these lactose drops to anything you eat which contains dairy, even if in small amounts (ie: creamer in coffee).

An improper diet can lead to stomach problems and a deficiency in good intestinal flora which can cause bad breath.  Consider taking a probiotic to increase good bacteria in your gut, promote healthy digestion, and improve your immune system.   

If bad breath continues, consult your dentist.  He or she can identify the cause and help develop a treatment plan.

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RD

Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

A portion of this article courtesy of Mayo Clinic’s Alan Carr, D.M.D.