May 16, 2012

Fluoride Free Toothpaste: Reader's Suggestions

I have learned much about toothpaste since posting the picture of my family's toothpaste!  This is yet another prime example that as consumers we must be diligent to read labels.  Read them and understand what they mean.

Thank you to all who contributed information and comments.

First of all, Kelli Stuart bursted my toothpaste bubble by sharing this link, saying that if a toothpaste has glycerin in it (both Tom's and Jason have glycerin), it will prevent teeth from remineralizing.

The author of the above post recommends making your own toothpaste.  Well, I have - and I don't like the taste.

If that wasn't enough, another friend, Jill DeLon pointed out that Tom's uses Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS) (known carcinogen and hormone disruptor.)

GAAHHHH!!!  Just when I thought I was winning the war in the toothpaste arena by going fluoride free, there is still work to be done.

Truth be told, I will not throw away any of our toothpaste.  What we are using is still better than the fluoridated toothpastes.  I am OK with glycerin in the Jason brand.  I will not buy Tom's again for our children.

Brands that were recommended by readers:


Blog commenter jcurran said: "I tried a few recipes of homemade toothpaste, as well as Orawellness Brushing Blend. What I've settled on, because I don't mind the salty taste of baking soda, is a little baking soda with a little squirt of Tooth Soap Peppermint Whip. The Whip I get from Amazon. It's too foamy for me without the baking soda (and too expensive). Together they're just right."


Linda Green emailed to say: "My personal favorite fluoride free toothpaste is anise flavored by Nature's Gate. I starting using this brand about twelve years ago. My oldest grandson is 16 and he switched to this brand 2 years ago."  {Julie's NOTE: ingredients include glycerin and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (I've not researched Sarcosinate)}


Another friend mentioned MI Paste and said, "...it  did a good job of reducing the sensitivity for me.  The downside was that after a period of time my teeth turned gray :{  It took a lot of scrubbing with baking soda to get it off.  I can't imagine that it happens often or they couldn't stay in business."

Lisa Lipe chimed in to say:  "Dr. Hendricks told me she recently researched toothpaste and decided on Design for Health Periobiotic Spearmint.  Her stipulations when she started looking were no flouride, no SLS, no NutraSweet, no artificial color, and it must have xylitol and calcium.  The bonus on this one is the probiotics, but it does have glycerin.  She also said that she purchased Spry for Kids for the children in her family. "

So, dear readers, keep reading... labels especially.  And chime in when you find a great tasting, fluoride-free, SLS free, and glycerin free toothpaste.

Thanks again to all who contributed to make this blog post possible.

-Julie

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6 comments:

  1. Didn't mean to be a bubble burster :( Hey at least you're a step ahead of me with my Colgate :) The dark teeth spots in the article just freaked me out about glycerin. However, I WAS inspired to pick up a toothpowder at Whole Foods yesterday to try out. I need to check out a few of the ingredients but I figure it's a start.

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  2. I make our own toothpaste from a wellness mama recipe: http://wellnessmama.com/2500/homemade-remineralizing-toothpaste-recipe/.
    It doesn't taste bad at all and my teeth have never felt cleaner (more clean?). I tried using just the OraWellness brushing blend as my toothpaste but my mouth never felt as clean so when i have the brushing blend, I use it along with the toothepaste.

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  3. I just called Whole Foods and they carry Spry for kids.

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  4. I forgot to mention that I read somewhere that saliva remineralizes teeth on its own. We don't really need to have the minerals in our toothpaste, a relatively modern invention. Eating a healthy diet is key.

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  5. Too funny. I guess we always have more to learn, huh? I brush my teeth with a few swipes of the toothbrush on an organic bar of soap made with 100% oils (palm, coconut, and olive). Glycerin is a natural byproduct of saponification (the process used to make soap), but supposedly it's okay to use on teeth if it's naturally occurring as opposed to added in by manufacturers.

    We have switched toothpastes so many times! They all taste nasty at first, but my buds always adjust.

    Oil pulling is great for whitening teeth and can be done with coconut oil or sesame oil.

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  6. Coral White is free of all those things (no fluoride, glycerin or SLS). It remineralizes with coral calcium. I use it together with Essential Oxygen Organic Brushing Rinse and I don't even have morning breath. Both are on Amazon. Coral White is also available at Vitamin Shoppe if you have one near you.

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