Most kinds of toothpaste on the market contain chemicals that are simply poisons. It is a fact. But we don’t die from brushing our teeth. That’s because the human body has various powerful detox mechanisms. Our bodies have a superb detoxifier – the liver, which works hard to safeguard us from the wrath of these chemicals and keeps us alive! But you might wonder, if we are not supposed to eat the paste, how is it even being ingested? Well, this will come as no surprise – since the mouth is a highly absorbent area of the body, what we put in there is quite easily absorbed into our body. By the way, it’s good to keep in mind that if someone accidentally or intentionally ingests toothpaste, they can experience nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress, and it’s best to see a doctor.

Using toothpaste without paying attention to its ingredients comes at the cost of overburdening the liver and the body’s detox mechanism. In the long run, it will harm us under the pretense of cleaning our teeth. Many of us know it for a fact or at least suspect it. Despite that, the issue doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

Some common concerns often heard are – The healthy options either don’t taste or feel fresh or don’t do an equally good job. Here is the underlying issue – if one has to rely on harsh chemicals(some of which are potentially carcinogenic) to get a clean “feeling” mouth, the underlying problem may be systemic. If all else in the body is operating as it should, there is no need for abrasive chemical cleaners in oral care. No other species have elaborate oral care routines like us and still experience no cavities or tooth decay. Wonder why? It’s the diet. Studies have repeatedly shown that cooked, processed, and high-sugar diets, along with an overabundance of food, make humans vulnerable to plaque and tooth decay. In contrast, our animal friends eat raw and get their protection from nature. So one essential step we all can take to help our oral health is to get a good handle on nutrition by cutting out refined sugars and consuming more raw natural foods.

Of course, in our defense, we have longer life spans. In most cases, we outlive our teeth. But the bottom line for us humans is – The longer we have those teeth intact, the better our chances at good health are. So we could maybe address this issue from both sides –

1. Clean up our diets as best as we can, with a focus on lowering sugar and improving gut health.
2. Clean up our tooth pastes as best as we can.

For me personally, taking stock of my overall health came after I ran into distressing oral issues. I could power through weight gain, hormonal imbalance, and the whole suite of issues that come with neglecting one’s health for a long time. But once the serious oral problems started, getting away with the nonsense wasn’t possible anymore. I had to clean up everything in my diet and activity routines and majorly overhaul my life choices to get a handle on the issue. That’s a story for another day, but we proceed, keeping in mind that #1 is a prerequisite for any significant positive change in the body. For this conversation, we will stay focused on #2.

The idea is to look for toothpastes that do not contain the following ingredients

• Artificial sweeteners
• Artificial colors
• SLS (this is also found in detergents and floor cleaners)
• Carrageenan(linked to cancer and inflammation) and propylene glycol(linked to liver, heart and CNS damage).
• Flouride.

Below is my favorite clean find.

And here is a recipe to make your own toothpaste, if you would like to give it a shot. It’s pretty simple, very effective in cleaning, and a lot better from a health and safety standpoint. It’s sans the harsh chemicals that are present in most over-the-counter tubes of toothpaste. Just mix the following 4 ingredients and store them in a clean container.

1. Himalayan Salt (For the abrasiveness to gently remove plaque) 1/4 cup
2. Coconut oil for its anti inflammatory & cleansing properties. 1/4 cup
3. Baking soda (for the alkalinity) 1/2 teaspoon
4. A drop of peppermint essential oil (for the minty fresh smell)

and don’t forget – “Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.” – Mallory Hopkins.