Benefits of Natural Toothpaste

Overview

Toothpaste sales will grow to an estimated $12.7 billion global industry in 2012, according to a study by Global Industry Analysts. The market's growth has been partly thanks to the popularity of organic oral care products.

Consumers have turned to natural or organic toothpastes due to concerns over the quality of imported goods and the safety of chemical ingredients. Many natural toothpastes carry the American Dental Association's seal of approval for oral care, however you should consult your dentist for more information on natural or organic toothpastes.

Safety of Imported Toothpaste

Bestselling natural toothpaste brands Tom's of Maine and Burt's Bees are formulated in the United States. The companies report that while some ingredients may be imported from other nations, manufacturing facilities and products are inspected regularly as to maintain its organic certification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Conventional toothpaste manufacturers are not held to the same scrutiny. 

In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration reported that counterfeit toothpaste imported from South Africa and China contained high levels of diethylene glycol, an alcohol used in automobile antifreeze. The toothpaste showed up on store shelves on the East coast carrying the Colgate-brand label, as distributors unknowingly shipped the product to stores without checking the point of origin. Authentic Colgate toothpaste is made in America and subject to FDA review. The FDA does not assure the safety of imported products.

Avoiding Triclosan

Natural toothpastes contain no artificial chemicals, preservatives or sweeteners. Most natural products also do not include triclosan, an agent found in antibacterial soaps and sanitizers. According to the FDA, triclosan is found in some toothpastes, as it is effective at preventing gingivitis and tooth decay. Although triclosan it is not harmful to humans, the FDA has launched a review of its safety. Animal testing has shown that the compound can affect hormone regulation and increase bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The FDA expects to announce the results of its study in spring 2011. It has already been banned in European Union nations.

• Gentler Cleaners
• Natural toothpastes utilize plant and fruit extracts as their primary ingredients. The Daily Green, a holistic health website, reports that some brands use green tea to kill bacteria and papaya or peelu--a natural fiber--to whiten teeth. Licorice root extract is a common ingredient to freshen breath.

The ingredient list for conventional toothpaste features more complex additives. Sodium lauryl sulfate, which creates the foaming and lathering effect of toothpaste, is a corrosive chemical that may burn human skin, cause liver inflammation and irritate the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory system or gastrointestinal tract, according to its material safety data sheet.

Alternative to Fluoride-Based Toothpastes

The ADA endorses fluoride as a safe method of preventing tooth decay, both as toothpaste ingredient and supplement to municipal water supplies. Public opposition has produced groups including the Fluoride Action Network, which leads the charge against the use of the element in drinking water and toothpastes, believing that it may cause bone decay, reproductive and immune issues, and/or cancer. There are a number of fluoride-free toothpastes produced by organic and natural companies. In lieu of fluoride, these pastes use mint oils or herbal extracts, such as sage or neem, to protect teeth.