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Is there Poison in your Toothpaste?

And what about your soaps, shampoos, cleansers, makeup, body lotions, etc?

There are 7 questionable chemical ingredients that can cause problems for your skin when applied as a liquid. Topping the Avoid List….

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

SLS is a surfactant, detergent and emulsifier. It thickens and foams. It is used in thousands of cosmetics and cleaners. Present in nearly all shampoos, toothpastes, body washes and cleaners, liquid hand soaps, laundry detergents, bath oils and bath salts. It originates from coconuts but because of the manufacturing process SLS’s are contaminated by dioxane, a carcinogenic by product.

It is considered a “moderate hazard” by Environmental Working Group (EWG). This provides an informative database to search for the ingredients in your favourite products.  SLS’s break down the skins moisture barrier and allows easy penetration for other chemicals. Because it dissolves the oils on your skin, it can cause a drying effect.

Clinically, for the Dental Hygiene client, I will notice sloughing of tissue. Sometimes “ropes” of skin from the inside of one’s cheek or gums peel off. Many clients report they are suffering with a dry mouth and/or a burning tongue as well as persistent canker sores. In many cases their taste buds may be altered making food taste differently.

When SLS is combined with other chemicals, it becomes a “nitrosamine” a potent class of carcinogen.  If SLS were only just in our toothpaste would it be so terrible?  Maybe not, but the fact that it is in virtually all our products we use on a daily basis we increase the cumulative absorption.

Some toothpaste manufacturers advertise the benefit of adding Triclosan which can provide anti-bacterial benefit. When Triclosan mixes with the chlorine in your tap water chloroform is formed.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified chloroform as a probable human carcinogen.  These antimicrobial chemicals flow down your drain contaminating the environment and food chain.

Consider toothpaste that will give you a natural antibacterial effect with no SLS such as those containing Xylitol.   Green Door Vitamins (advertisement this page) readily stocks this product.