Take Care of Your Teeth Without Chemicals

A Reader Writes The Green Guide:

Hello, I was wondering if you have any recommendations for adult toothpaste.

Thank you!
Maureen

The Green Guide Responds:

Supermarket shelves abound with toothbrushes, toothpastes, dental floss and mouthwashes claiming to be the "latest and greatest" in oral care. From tartar control and fresher breath to whiter smiles and fewer cavities, the choices can be dizzying.

Like any other personal care product, those meant for oral hygiene can be laden with unnecessary chemicals, some of which can adversely affect our health due to carcinogenic, tumor enhancing and skin damaging properties. However, there are a few key ingredients to avoid and alternatives to be found when browsing the shelves.

Toothpastes

Toothpastes play a leading role in our daily routines. We brush our teeth to ward off plaque, gingivitis and bad breath. And the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that we brush twice daily for good oral health. Yet in the process, could we also be exposing our teeth and gums to unnecessary chemicals? The answer depends on the product you use.

Toothpastes often contain a number of chemicals, cleansers and sweeteners, many of which can be found on the Green Guide's "Dirty Dozen" list. Common chemicals to be on the look out for include sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS), which may damage the skin and gums; hormone-disrupting parabens, which may be linked to the development of breast cancer; and other synthetics such as artificial sweeteners.

A number of natural toothpastes can be found in either your local grocery store or co-op. These products are free from potentially harmful additives, have met federal safety requirements and still taste great and leave your mouth fresh and clean. With a variety of purposes and flavors, your choices are anything but limited.

Before you commit to a new toothpaste, you might want to consider whether fluoride is a necessary part of your oral care routine. For more information on the pros and cons of fluoride, read "Protecting Your Kids This Fall: Fluoride, Ozone and Mercury."

Whether you choose fluoride toothpaste or fluoride-free, you can get both options from these companies:

Burt's Bees makes fluoride-free Cinna Mint and Lavender Mint toothpastes ($4.50/3.2 oz; www.burtsbees.com).

Herbal Choice Body offers peppermint, fennel, cinnamon and clove in fluoride-free varieties ($4.98/3.5 oz; www.naturallydirect.net/herbal-toothpaste.htm).

Jason offers a line of toothpastes free of sweeteners, preservatives and artificial colors (www.jason-natural.com). Jason's fluoride gel ($5.99/6 oz; www.mothernature.com). Jason's Power Smile, Healthy Mouth and Sea Fresh toothpastes ( $5.69; www.drugstore.com).

Peelu incorporates the fibers of the arak tree, the bark and twigs of which have been traditionally used in Saudi Arabia to clean teeth. Available in peppermint, spearmint and cinnamon ($3.34/3 oz; www.amazon.com).

Weleda brand fluoride-free toothpastes come in Calendula, Plant Gel (for sensitive gums) and Salt ($5.52/3.3 oz; www.naturallydirect.net/herbal-toothpaste.htm)

Mouthwashes

Dozens of companies cater to our desire for fresh breath and a bright smile. As a result, there is a multitude of mouthwashes in an assortment of flavors and colors on the market today. Yet lurking behind those festive facades are chemicals and colorants we could all do without.

Key ingredients to avoid when choosing a new mouthwash are SLS and coal-tar colors. Common colorants found in these products are FD&C Blue 1 and FD&C Green 3, which are carcinogenic. Also, be on the look out for FD&C Yellow 5 and FD&C Yellow 6. These colorants contain impurities that have been proven to cause cancer when applied to skin.

When browsing the shelves, try not to be swayed by the colors, and look instead to companies that have created mouthwashes free of artificial colors and sweeteners.

Take a look at Tom's of Maine cleansing, tartar control or fluoride mouthwashes, such as their Natural Cleansing Mouthwash ($3.39; www.drugstore.com; see also www.tomsofmain.com).

Jason has four mouthwash options that cater to a variety of oral needs (www.jason-natural.com/products/oral_care.php ). Available online at www.greenmarket.com ($6.99/ 20 oz).

Herbal Choice Body Care offers its fluoride-free Natural Mouth Wash for ($6.98/4.2 oz; www.naturallydirect.net/herbal-toothpaste.htm#3).

Floss

Whether you are a young child or a mature adult, it is likely cavity prevention is on your mind. In addition to brushing twice daily, the ADA recommends that we floss between our teeth once a day to remove plaque from all tooth surfaces, because floss can reach areas that a toothbrush might miss. According to the ADA, flossing is essential to preventing gum disease.

The Environmental Working Group reports that some flosses contain forms of perfluorochemicals (PFCs), which have been linked to enhanced tumor growth and cancer. For more information, visit www.ewg.org/reports/pfcworld/products.php?prodtype=5. There are, however, "green" floss varieties that champion recyclable packaging, vegetable waxes or essential oils for flavoring and do not contain PFCs.

Eco-Dent floss is packaged in cardboard, making it both recyclable and biodegradable. Though made of nylon, the floss is vegan-waxed using rice bran and infused with a blend of essential oils (www.eco-dent.com/floss.htm). Available online at www.pangeaveg.com ($5.49/100 yards).

Tom's of Maine carries flat or round nylon floss in both flavored and unflavored varieties. The floss is waxed using a combination of beeswax, Carnauba wax and Jojoba wax and is flavored with essential oils (www.tomsofmaine.com). Tom's of Maine Naturally Waxed Anti-Plaque Flat Floss ($2.54/32 yards; www.drugstore.com).

Toothbrushes

Where would toothpaste be without a vehicle to travel by? For those looking to take a step in a greener direction, there are a number of companies producing toothbrushes from recycled materials and others that are easily recycled.

Recycline produces its line of "Preserve" toothbrushes from 100 percent recycled plastics. With nylon bristles and polypropylene handles which can be recycled together, these toothbrushes are available for both adults and children. Taking recycling one step further, used "Preserve" toothbrushes can be returned to Recycline where they will be ground down to make material for recycled plastic lumber (www.recycline.com/products/preserve.html). Adult-size Preserve toothbrushes are available for $3.79 and child-size toothbrushes for $3.19 at www.drugstore.com.

Eco-Dent has a different approach to recycled toothbrushes. The Eco-Dent "TerrAdenT" brush has removable heads that can be replaced as they wear out. These brushes come in soft and medium varieties as well as colorful versions for kids (www.eco-dent.com/terradent.htm). The "TerrAdenT" toothbrush comes in a package of six brushes, each with a replaceable head ($19.99; www.greenmarket.com).

And remember, the ADA not only recommends proper dental hygiene for good oral health, but also regular visits to your dentist.