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Earth Talk
EarthTalk
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: Are there toothpastes on the market
that don't contain chemicals or artificial sweeteners? --
Jeffrey Moss, Westport, CT
Most conventional toothpastes use saccharin as a
sweetener. Although it has not been proven that saccharin
causes cancer in humans, many studies have linked it to cancer
in laboratory animals, and some experts, including Dr. Samuel
Epstein of the University of Illinois Medical Center and the
Center for Science in the Public Interest, recommend that
consumers avoid it.
Fluoride has also come under fire in recent years because of
its suspected ties to bone cancer, hip fractures and fluorosis,
white spots and blotching on teeth caused by excessive
ingestion of fluoride. Although the American Dental
Association (ADA) strongly endorses fluoride-containing
products, claiming they are safe and effective for cavity
prevention, some experts argue that if fluoride can damage
tooth-forming cells, as in fluorisis, then other harm to the
body may also occur.
Triclosan is the most often used antibacterial agent in
toothpaste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers
triclosan a pesticide and a chlorophenol, part of a class of
chemicals thought to cause cancer in humans. Sodium lauryl/laureth
sulfate, a foaming agent, and sorbitol are two other oral
hygiene ingredients whose safety has been questioned. And most
so-called “whitening” toothpastes use sodium or potassium
hydroxides, also known as lye, considered a poison by the Food
and Drug Administration.
For many years the alternatives to mass-market toothpastes
were plain baking soda or bad-tasting pastes that most adults
disliked and kids refused to use. There are many new pastes on
the market now that, if somewhat less sweet-tasting than those
with saccharin, taste great--and the dental establishment is
warming up to them.
The ADA has awarded its seal to Tom’s of Maine, which makes a
large variety of natural-ingredient toothpastes. And the
Journal of Clinical Dentistry found that Herbal Toothpaste and
Gum Therapy from The Natural Dentist outperformed Colgate’s
Total in reducing gingivitis and teeth stains. The Natural
Dentist makes pastes and gels in a variety of flavors that
contain sodium laureth sulfate, but don't use artificial
sweeteners, preservatives or dyes. Peelu Toothpaste, which
comes in Spearmint, Cinnamon and Peppermint flavors, uses
peelu, a vegetable fiber, as an abrasive and glycerine as a
cleanser, rather than a synthetic detergent. Weleda makes
toothpaste free of saccharin and sodium lauryl sulfate. Its
Pink Toothpaste with Myrrh contains nine essential oils for
gum health, and its Children’s Tooth Gel is made especially
for young teeth.
For consumers who wish to avoid fluoride, Tom’s of Maine makes
fluoride-free natural toothpaste for adults and children.
Tom’s also makes a whitening toothpaste that uses silica;
Jason Natural Products makes one that uses both silica and
bamboo powder.
CONTACTS: Center for Science in the Public Interest, (202)
332-9110,
www.cspinet.org; American Dental Association, (312)
440-2500,
www.ada.org; Tom’s of Maine, (800) 367-8667,
www.tomsofmaine.com; The
Natural Dentist, (201) 944-0123,
www.thenaturaldentist.com; Peelu Toothpaste, (888)
543-9294,
www.bytheplanet.com/Products/Peelu/Peelu.htm; Weleda,
(800) 265-2615,
www.usa.weleda.com; Jason Natural Products, 877-JASON-01,
www.jason-natural.com.
GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk ,
c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT
06881; submit your question at:
www.emagazine.com; or
e-mail us at: earthtalk@emagazine.com.
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