Do We Choose Our Toothpaste Consciously?
What comes to mind when you think about your habits that are now automatic because you do it every day of your life? Eating, drinking water, applying cream, brushing teeth, maybe wearing contact lenses… Although they seem to take a very short time, they are activities that take days in total throughout our lives.
According to a study, a 79-year-old person spends an average of 79 days, or about three months, brushing their teeth. So what do we actually get into our bodies through toothpaste? How do the microminerals that we are exposed to with pastes lead to accumulations?
Yes, toothpastes are not products that we swallow directly. However, the oral mucosa is one of the most permeable areas in our body. Moreover, the inside of our mouth is already considered the starting point of our digestive system. When we look at it from this point of view, we can immediately see the importance of toothpastes. Sometimes we choose toothpaste based on color, whitening properties, flavor, even beautiful packaging. What we need to pay attention to is that toothpastes are beneficial for both our teeth and our whole body. We can achieve this by becoming aware of the ingredients that should not be in our paste.
Fluoride
When we take excess fluoride into our body, the enamel begins to combine with the hydroxyapatite crystals in our tissue. It turns into fluoroapatite, a much stronger molecule that dissolves at high PHs. Thus, the teeth become much more resistant to acidic environments. On the other hand, daily intake of microdose of fluoride results in a harmful accumulation in the body.
SLS
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) is the agent that provides the foaming effect of toothpaste. Unfortunately, it can cause mouth ulcers and micro-damages in people with sensitive gums.
triclosan
Trioclosan is actually a type of pesticide. It is found in toothpastes due to its antibacterial properties. In 2016, its use in products such as soap and shower gel was banned by the FDA (American Food and Drug Administration) due to skin absorption. Yet this material can still be used in toothpastes. However, triclosan, which accumulates in the body over time, creates a hormonal imbalance.
Coloring molecules and bleaches
Thanks to the coloring molecules, the pink, green and blue striped pastes look good, but unfortunately, they erode the teeth. Pastes that are stated to have a whitening effect have a similar effect.
It may be a little difficult to pay attention to all of these items in our toothpaste shopping. The method I use in my own practice is to use multiple brands and features of toothpaste and change them daily. Thus, I do not cause a specific micro-accumulation and I choose the taste and texture I want from my toothpaste menu every evening and improve my brushing experience.
The views expressed in this article are written to shed light on alternative studies and to encourage conversation about these studies. Even if the articles contain the advice of physicians to some extent, they are for informational purposes only. This text; cannot replace professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment.
More for the curious
https://www.dentistryq.com/practice-management/patient-relationships/article/16359938/how-long-does-the-average-person-brush-check-out-this-infographic
About the author:
Ceren Tosun – Founder of Spicy Health
Ceren Tosun, a dentist, yoga teacher, aromatherapist, health and wellness expert, has holistically educated herself on wellness and health while studying dentistry. After practicing dentistry in Istanbul, she moved to New York where she discovered different traditions of yoga and meditation, healing and wellness. Tosun, who also studies Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy; He is certified in areas such as Ayurveda, functional medicine, aromatherapy, mindfulness, good living and NLP. Currently living in London, Tosun is also the founder of Spicy Health, where he consults on health and wellness.
