The New York Times published an article back in 2016 alerting the public that the FDA banned the anti-bacterial chemical Triclosan from soap. There is some evidence that it poses risks of causing cancer as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity. So why was Triclosan not banned from Colgate Total toothpaste, which claims to help reduce plaque and gingivitis?
For now, the FDA let this slide, which seems confusing since everything contained in a toothpaste absorbs through the gums into the bloodstream and what isn't spit out is partially swallowed.
If this chemical poses a bodily danger to our skin, it doesn't seem we want it in our mouths!
The fact of the matter is we're moving away from massive bug-killing all together. That's part of the reason Triclosan is not allowed in soap anymore.
Over-sanitizing our skin, food, drink, dishes, clothing, etc. has resulted in lower natural immunity and created "superbugs"- bacteria that are resistant to our arsenal of #antibiotics. Now there's a population threat we can be worried about!
How do you select toothpaste?
The first rule of thumb is, know what's in it. Remember that everything you put in your mouth is potentially absorbed or swallowed so be conservative. The best-selling toothpaste, containing a laundry list of what they can do for you, would not be my choice. Many people are sensitive to strong flavoring or other additives and get more gum inflammation than help. Plus, the whitening claims just don't pan out. In the case of your paste perhaps less is more.
But don't forget fluoride (What #Modere toothpaste doesn’t have – sugar, fluoride, harsh abrasives. What it does have is an effective formula based on gentle, water-soluble abrasives that thoroughly clean your teeth and gums, along with natural #peppermint oil to leave you with naturally fresh breath.). It's the single most important ingredient because fluoride molecules absorb into the porous tubules of the teeth and help protect them from acid erosion and decay.
Sadly, our commercial food supply is acidic (to fend off bacteria growth on the grocery store shelf), our most popular beverages are almost as acidic as stomach acid, and then there is stomach acid (reflux) itself - which is all too common.
If you want help personalizing your choice, ask your #dentist or hygienist to help you learn just what you need in toothpaste - and no more than that.