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Toxic Toothpaste: 4 Ingredients to Avoid in Natural Toothpaste

More and more people are making the switch over to organic, natural products after numerous studies have come out advocating for a more natural approach. The days of chemically processed products are coming to an end, but just because something says “natural” on it, doesn’t mean that it’s free from ingredients that seek to do your body harm. These ingredients include: carcinogens, inflammatory agents, and even endocrine disruptors that can throw your body out of rhythm and cause some real damage. Some would argue that since we don’t swallow or ingest toothpaste that we are not at risk from these toxins, but the soft tissues in your mouth are able to absorb these harmful ingredients which can then enter your bloodstream.

 

So, without further ado, here are 4 toxic toothpaste ingredients that you should look out for when choosing your next tube.

 

Fluoride

Once popularly regarded as a must-have in toothpaste, this mineral which is naturally found in water sources, is now frowned upon. While it may help prevent cavities and tooth decay, the use of fluoride over time can lead to fluoride toxicity. Fluoride toxicity shows itself in the following ways: headaches, vomiting, rashes, and headaches.

 

Titanium Dioxide

This one is a big one to watch out for. It has no benefit to your teeth and simply gives toothpaste it’s bright white color. Tested in a lab, this inorganic compound has been known to cause cancer in rats, and therefore may even be carcinogenic to humans. It also attacks your brain which may cause nerve damage. Skip the aesthetically pleasing toothpaste and go for something that won’t harm your body.

 

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

This ingredient, just like titanium dioxide, does not have any cleaning agents or health benefits for your teeth. It simply makes the toothpaste foam in your mouth. While it is derived from either palm or coconut oil, it’s the manufacturing process that contaminates it with harmful byproducts that can cause mouth sores.

 

Carrageenan

This ingredient has been under fire and in the spotlight for a while. Like the others before it, it’s simply another aesthetic ingredient, used to thicken the toothpaste. It is, however, the least harmful ingredient on the list as it is derived from red seaweed. However, once ingested, it can cause skin rashes and disrupt your digestive system so it’s better to avoid it altogether.

 

So, before you pick up your next tube of toothpaste, be sure to look at the ingredients and watch for these four big ones.

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Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month and is extremely important to talk about since the early detection of oral cancer is the key to beating it. Unfortunately, many people dismiss the signs and symptoms as something else and the cancer is caught late, decreasing the patient’s chances of survival. Every time you go to the dentist, before your cleaning, your dentist will examine your mouth and make note of anything that seems out of the ordinary.

 

Here are some of the places that they examine, as well as the things they are looking for when screening for oral cancer.

 

Head and neck

Lumps, bumps, and swelling is what the dentist is looking for here, especially if they happen to only be present on one side of the neck. Alert your dentist to any places that feel tender as they prod around the area.

 

Lips

Your dentist will pull down your lower lip to check for any sores or odd patches of color. They will also use their thumb and forefinger to massage around the area to check for any lumps or unusual swelling.

 

 

Cheek

Here, your dentist is looking for any red, white, or dark patches of color on the inside of your cheek. Likewise, with the lips, your dentist will take their thumb and forefinger and gently squeeze and roll your cheek to check or swelling and bumps. Be sure to alert your dentist to any cheek injuries that you know the cause of, such as if you have accidentally bit your cheek recently.

 

Roof of the mouth

If oral cancer is present, the roof of your mouth may have lumps and be a different color. This is what the dentist is checking for here.

 

Tongue

Your dentist will be looking for odd colors, lumps, and textures all over your tongue, including the other side. This check is easily done at home as well by standing in front of the mirror. Report any unusual finding to your dentist or health care professional as they may be signs of oral cancer.

 

Your dentist should perform a complete mouth exam every time you go and visit for a cleaning. This is why your bi-annual cleanings are so important–not just for maintaining a bright and healthy smile, but also to keep you safe and alert you to anything you should be concerned about.

 

If you haven’t already scheduled an appointment, please contact us today so we can book you in.

 

 

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How to Clean Your Dental Retainer

You’ve finally done it! The braces are gone and now you can get back to having a mouth full of worries, right? Well, you’re partially right. In the months following the removal of your braces or Invisalign, your dentist will give you a retainer–a device that keeps your teeth in place so they don’t shift around and ruin all the progress that your teeth have gone through over the years.

 

Like anything else though, it’s important to keep your retainer in good health so it can do its job properly and not cause any problems. While you may think that a simple rinse every once and awhile will do the trick to keep it fresh, there is a bit more work that goes into maintaining and cleaning your retainer than you may realize.

 

Many chemicals and cleaning agents will actually damage your retainer such as bleach and alcohol. Considering that many retainers are made of plastic, bleach will degrade the material, and boiling it in hot water will cause the retainer to lose its shape and warp. Toothpaste may seem like an obvious option, but toothpaste contains abrasives inside that are meant to remove stains and plaque from your teeth, and therefore will damage the fragile material of your retainer, creating nooks and crannies that bacteria can hide and multiply in.

 

The only tools that you will need to clean your retainer are a soft-bristled toothbrush and liquid soap. Special cleaning agents like those made for dentures are also available, but are much more expensive and liquid soap will get the same job done for a cheaper price.

 

Using clean hands, cradle your retainer in one hand while brushing it gently with the toothbrush in the other hand. Work the soap into a lather and scrub all the surfaces before rinsing it completely. The last thing you want is a soapy aftertaste on your tongue when you reinsert your retainer. Wash the case that your retainer goes in when you are not wearing it as well as bacteria can linger inside and render your cleaning useless.

 

Speak to your dentist for proper cleaning techniques if you have any questions about alternative cleaning products. Remember, a clean smile is a happy smile. Contact us today to schedule your next cleaning appointment if you have not already done so this year.

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What is Dental Sedation?

Fear of the dentist is more common than most people may realize, and unfortunately, it leads to many people putting off going to the dentist, if they even end up going at all. Luckily, there’s now a solution so even the most anxious of patients can have a relaxing time and get their teeth taken care of at the same time. It’s called dental sedation and most dental offices offer it, but it can vary by location so be sure to ask questions if you suffer from dental anxiety and see if they offer any options to make your appointment more comfortable for you.

 

What Is Dental Sedation?

 

There are many types of dental sedation ranging from a simple calming agent to putting the patient on a general anaesthesia so they are unconscious for the whole procedure. No matter the route that you end up taking, it is extremely important that you have someone there with you at your appointment to get you home safely, as most types of sedation will impair your motor function for a couple of hours afterwards.

 

Laughing Gas

 

Also known as nitrous oxide, laughing gas is a conscious method used to relax patients during their appointment. Not only will you be awake for the procedure, but since laughing gas’ effect wears off rather quickly once you stop breathing it in, you’ll more than likely be able to drive yourself home afterwards if laughing gas is the only type of dental sedation that you recieve. Patients with higher levels of anxiety may require oral sedation on top of laughing gas in which case will need to make prior arrangements with family or friends for a ride home afterwards.

 

Oral Sedation

 

Oral sedation is another form of conscious sedation where the patient takes an oral sedative before their procedure, usually one the night before, and then another one an hour before the procedure. This method is usually recommended for those with higher levels of dental anxiety.

 

Although this is a conscious form of sedation, patients often remember very little of anything. Oral sedation will have side effects though such as sleepiness so arranging a pick up and drop off is an absolute requirement.

 

IV Sedation

 

IV sedation is less common and comes in two forms. The first form is known as “twilight” and much like oral sedation, the patient will not remember much of anything, but is conscious and in a very sleepy state. However, it is very easy to rouse the pateint out of the “twilight” state should the dentist need to wake them for any reason.

 

The other option which is even less common is general anesthesia, which hospitals use on patients when they are undergoing surgery. Therefore, only hospitals or specialized dental clinics offer this form as an anaesthesiologist needs to be present to monitor your vital signs while you are unconscious. This is an extreme measure, used only for those with extreme anxiety or those who are immune to the other forms of sedation. General anaesthesia renders the patient totally unconscious and can have side effects as well such as disorientation, drowsiness, and even nausea. Support from a family member is required to get the patient home safely. It’s also important to note that not everyone is approved for general anaesthesia, such as those who have adverse effects to it. Your dentist will be able to determine which type of dental sedation is right for you.

 

Do I Need Sedation Dentistry?

 

Whether visiting a new dentist or an old one, it’s important to talk to them about your fears and discomforts before your appointment. More often than not, dentists will usually recommend the laughing gas or an oral sedative, but as mentioned before, it varies from person to person.

 

Dental sedation is a wonderful way to ensure that those with even the highest amount of anxiety can get access to dental care. Speak to your dentist about your options and book that appointment that you’ve been putting off for you long.

 

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