Beware What You Brush: The Hidden Toxins in Oral Hygiene

Hi, everybody. I'm Dr. Sandhya Moldovan, periodontist and nutritionist. Welcome to the Holistic Dentistry Podcast, the show that gives you the tips and tools to detoxify your mouth for a healthier body. As we explore together the root cause of disease. Remember, you're not healthy until your mouth is healthy, so take care of it in the most natural way.

Welcome to today's show, everyone. Today I'm diving into an important topic that affects everyone. Toxins and oral care products. We all use some form of oral care products, whether it's toothpaste, toothpaste and mouthwashes, and maybe even floss that can contain toxic compounds. So as your host and expert in the field, I'm here to guide you through the top toxic chemicals in oral care products. You must avoid and encourage you to choose healthier alternatives. So let's look a little bit about how to read a label. Beware of labels like do not swallow in oral care. You're putting it in your mouth. So why would you have a label like do not swallow any kind of oral care product, in my opinion that you're putting in your mouth, it must be safe enough to swallow. Why? Because toxins get absorbed through the mucosa of the mouth, through the cheeks, underneath the tongue. Even the gingiva can get absorption. That's why a lot of medications are actually delivered sublingual or under the tongue because of that absorption process. Let's take for example, this label on the Colgate Total toothpaste. It says, keep out the reach of children if more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed. Get medical help or contact a poison control center right away. Now, let me ask you, is this something you want to brush your teeth with or your children brush your teeth with? I don't think so. So another label to be aware of is anything that's antimicrobial or antibacterial. The whole process of oral health care is to actually help us maintain a healthy microbiome. So really, we don't need to kill bacteria. Anything that's antibacterial, antimicrobial, most of the time is also toxic. So let's take the number one toxic ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwashes, or the number one on the list today is fluoride. While fluoride is known for its cavity prevention properties, definitely excessive use can be harmful for that reason. There's that label saying, if you swallow it, go to the emergency room and get medical help. See the poison control center because of fluoride. Too much fluoride can cause enamel crumbling, chronic skeletal fluorosis, and other health issues like thyroid disorders and weakened bone. The FDA even issued an acute toxicity warning for fluoride. The FDA requires all fluoride toothpaste sold in the United States to bear this poison warning. Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow northern used for brushing, seek professional help. So is fluoride really important in toothpaste? No, it's not. Because fluoride on its own does not prevent cavities. It can cause toxicity. And we can use other things that prevent cavities, such as a healthful diet and calcium hydroxyapatite to help strengthen our teeth. Some symptoms of fluoride poisoning include GI pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches. The minimum dose that can produce these symptoms is estimated to be really low. 0.1 to 0.3 milligrams per kilogram of fluoride. That's really 0.1 to 0.3 mg of fluoride for every kilogram of body weight. A child weighing 10 kilos can suffer symptoms of acute toxicity by ingesting just one to three milligrams of fluoride in one sitting, which is not that hard to do. So my opinion, don't have fluoride toothpaste in your household. If you have young children, 1 to 3 milligrams of fluoride is found in just 1 to 3 grams of toothpaste, which is really less than 3% of the tube. And that in itself can cause toxicity. And by the way, this amount of fluoride is also found in toothpaste that is marketed specifically for children with bubble gum and fruit flavor. And, of course, a young child, once they taste that bubble gum and fruit flavor, the next thing they want to do is eat that. So be aware of these kind of labels even on the children's toothpaste. Now, number two on the list of toxins to avoid is the alcohol in mouthwashes. And, you know, alcohol can actually cause disturbances in the cellular layer. A lot of these alcohol and mouthwashes have antibacterial properties, but it kills good and bad bacteria. And killing good bacteria actually may decrease your body's production of nitric oxide. So avoid mouthwashes. Mouthwashes are not necessary for health. Alcohol is a known carcinogen and can lead to oral cancer, even if used too much. Especially for those of you out there that are trying to have a, you know, good breath and make sure you have good oral hygiene, you might think that maybe using mouthwash three, four, Times a day is best for you? Well, it's not actually can do more harm than good. Many mouth rinses containing alcoholic concentrations between 5 to 27%, which is high alcohol is usually used as a solubilizer, stabilizer, preservative, anti plaquing effect and also a way to obtain a distinctive flavor. Some people are really addicted to that potent Listerine sting I like to call it, which is not good for you in the end. On the other hand, in a similar way to the alcoholic solutions, ingested mouthwashes with alcoholic concentration between 18 and 27% also potentiate the effect of the essential oils to achieve a high penetration in the soft tissue. 30 seconds. Some biochemical and epidemiological studies suggested that aceroldehyde, the first metabolite of ethanol, plays an important role in carcinogenesis of alcohol in oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal and esophageal cancers. Acetaldehyde is actually a byproduct of alcohol and it forms shortly after starting to swish with an alcoholic based mouthwash. The mechanism of acetaldehyde production of ethanol can come from the metabolism of ethanol itself through oral microflora or conversion by the epithelial cells. It has been shown that poor oral hygiene increases the production of acetaldehyde in addition to other factors like smoking and heavy drinking, producing a carcinogenic potential, meaning cancer causing of the oral cavity and even the upper airways. In a study that looked at alcohol based mouthwashes as a risk factors for oral cancer published in 2020, they looked at different research papers to come up with some conclusions. We call this a systematic review. There seems to be evidence of the relationship between the consumption of mouth rinse with alcoholic solution and the production of acetaldehyde. The literature also suggests that there's a clear relationship between metabolite of ethanol and oral and upper airway cancer. Therefore, it is very important to avoid mouthwashes with alcohol, whether by prescription from a dentist such as chlorhexidine or the ones that are over the counter. Number three on toxins to avoid in oral care products is artificial colorings. Now the problem with artificial colorings is that they've been linked to hyperactivity and ADHD in children. And funny enough, we use more artificial coloring in children's product to make it more appealing for them to use it. But when you put artificial coloring in the oral cavity, even if you don't swallow it, you're going to get absorption through the mucosa. So best to avoid things that are Artificially colored, you can find choices that are naturally colored things, let's say, like beet pigments, for example, we can obtain the nice red color. These colorants are more about aesthetics than health anyway, and their safety is really questionable. Now, in line with artificial colorings, we also have artificial sweeteners. Commonly used sweeteners like sorbitol, saccharin and aspartame in toothpaste really have their drawbacks, especially if kids too swallow the toothpaste. Sorbitol can act as a laxative. While saccharin has been linked to bladder cancer, brain tumors and lymphoma. Aspartame on its part can break down into other harmful compounds like formaldehyde. And formaldehyde can lead to all various health issues. The one sweetener to look for is xylitol. Erythritol Stevia is also okay. These are all sweeteners that actually promote a healthy microbiome. Number five on the list is Triglorsan. And some of you might know this name because for a while we had it present in so many different household products, not just oral care products. It was an antibacterial and antifungal agent that was banned from hand soaps and body washes and discontinued from many toothpaste brands due to its potential to disrupt thyroid hormones and contribute to antibiotic resistant bacteria and cancer risk. Some people move from Triclosan to Triclosan's cousin, Triclocarban, but it's still toxic. And as I was doing some research to see if there's still Triclosan products on the market, I actually found a place called the Pharmacy Club, which still sells something called a bexident mouthwash that contains triclosan. So be aware of mouthwashes that contain triclosan or toothpaste with triclosan because they are toxic for us. Now, in a first of its kind study in 2008, that EWG found tricloxan and 15 other toxic chemicals in the blood and urine of 20 teen girls from eight states in the District of Columbia. So we know that triclosan from mouthwashes or oral care products do pass in the bloodstream. And yes, we do eliminate it to some extent. But in the end, our body can only handle so many toxins. So if you can make subconscious choices about the things that will get absorbed into your body, this will go a long way. In September 2016, the FDA banned 19 antimicrobial ingredients, including triclotan and triclocarban in the over the counter consumer antiseptic wash products based on insufficient evidence demonstrating their safety for long term daily use. Afta, they've allowed this product to be on the shelf for years. Many of those 19 chemicals have been in widespread use for decades and many are still allowed in a number of other over the counter personal care products. The FDA first indicated in a 1974 paper that there was insufficient evidence to show that tricloxan was effective and safe for long term use. The FDA's decade long path to issuing a final rule and the narrow scope of the September 2016 so we're talking about 50 years later indicate the existing regulatory practices are not sufficient to protect us as human beings from adverse impacts in these antimicrobial chemicals. So you have to do your research. You can't rely on the fda. Just because something is FDA approved doesn't mean that it's good for you. Scientists from both academia and nonprofit organization co authored the Florence statement in 2016 to share current scientific research on two widely used antimicrobial agents and to motivate the broader consideration of long term impacts of antimicrobial use. And part of that list was triclosan and triclocoban Carrageenan. For a while I saw a lot of carrageenan products on the market. Some of them I ate myself because, you know, we thought it was a natural thickening agent. However, this thickening agent found in some toothpaste and food products, can cause inflammation of the intestinal tissue and of the mouth and even has been linked to cancer. So a lot of the products have eliminated carrageenan from their constitution. So try to avoid it. Now I want to talk about the next two toxins that are commonly found in oral care products. Cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium lauryl sulfate, because they usually go together. Cocamidopropyl bethane, commonly used as an emulsifier or a thickener. This ingredient causes skin sensitization and is actually harmful to the environment. There was a study done on human fibroblasts. Basically those are from the gingiva. They took themselves, put them in a petri dish and they took some cocamidopropobetain. And what they've seen is that over 90% of the cells actually died in the presence of this particular thickener that was commonly added to toothpaste. Sodium lauryl sulfate had the same effect. Now, SLS products are present in so many personal care products, including toothpaste, and it's added as a detergent or a foaming agent. A lot of people like to feel that foaming effect of the toothpaste because they feel if you don't have the foam, you're not getting cleaned. But the problem is with sls, a lot of people are allergic to it. It can lead to canker sores, irritation and even gum inflammation. It also weakens the mouth natural lining. The presence of SLS in higher concentrations in cleaning products irritates the skin and repetitive applications really can cause contact dermatitis in the mouth. You can get this recurrent aphthous stomatitis is called, which is very, very painful condition associated with the presence of a single multiple ulcers in the mouth, sometimes with defined margins and redness. And especially they're very painful, especially if you drink something or eat something acidic. The use of a toothpaste with high concentration of SLS recurs or causes the recurrence of these ulcers. Exposure to SLS in toothpaste removes a protective mucin layer present in the soft tissues of the oral cavity and this compromises the integrity of the oral mucosa. Ulcers can sometimes take up to eight days to heal completely. Now, SLS can also cause an altered taste perception. Some individuals have reported a reduced or altered perception of taste which lasts up to four hours. SLS interferes with the working taste cells, altering the taste perception. This unpleasant taste sensation is evident when citrus fruit juice is immediately consumed after brushing with an SLS rich toothpaste. A burning sensation in the mouth or burning mouth syndrome can also be caused by sls. Some individuals complain of burning sensation of the inner surface of the lips, the tongue or cheeks, or dryness of the mouth while brushing with SLS based toothpaste. So what's a better alternative? Luckily, today there's lots of great alternatives to SLS and try to avoid SLS and shampoos as well. I researched this because I have mineralizing tooth powder. I was trying to avoid using any kind of synthetic surfactants and we came up with soap bark extract. Soap bark extract. It actually comes from a tree and it's really also anti inflammatory. Of course it doesn't foam as much as sls, but it'll give you a really good clean feeling. Research suggests that SLS free toothpaste are just as effective even though they don't foam against gingivitis as compared to SLS based toothpaste. So the foaming effect really doesn't do much for the clean feeling. It's really that illusion that it gives you A better clean. Now, let's talk about parabens. Because, you know, some of you might think parabens are just present in skincare, but they're also present in toothpaste. They help to extend the life or the shelf life of toothpaste. But the problem is they're endocrine disruptors and they can increase the risk of breast cancer and other health complications. They can accumulate in the body faster than they can be eliminated. Especially you're using paraben based toothpaste, paraben based makeup, maybe also hand lotion, body lotion. This all adds up. And some of you are better detoxifiers than others. If you're not a good detoxifier, then you're going to get more of a buildup of paraben in your body. Paraben containing toothpaste can cause also inflammation of the mouth called stomatitis and cheilitis, inflammation of the lips, and some of you may even notice redness at the corners of the lips due to parabens. So best way is to avoid it. We don't really need to have parabens. You might need to just use your toothpaste and don't keep it on the shelf for two years. Another toxin commonly found in dental floss is perfluorohexane sulfonic acid. So this is actually used to coat the floss. Why? Because it slides easier in between the teeth. So definitely read whatever floss you're using and make sure it's uncoated. This is part of a PFAS class of chemicals which are associated with liver damage and other health issues. And we know there was a study done, which I talked about in a previous podcast episode, that these PFAS linings with everyday floss use have been found to go up in the bloodstream. So the level of the PFAS is higher in the blood when people use this kind of floss. So avoid it. Propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water. And this synthetic chemical is used in antifreeze. And you're thinking, what in the world is antifreeze doing in toothpaste? But believe it or not, it is present. It is practically odorless and tasteless. And even I remember going to one of the drugstores and looking at a toothpaste. It said, children's natural. Lo and behold, one of the ingredients was propylene glycol in a children's naturals toothpaste. So make sure you read all the ingredients. Don't just believe the front cover of the toothpaste itself. Animal studies have been shown to be toxic over long term use, especially in children. Last but not least, toxin that I want to talk about about today is titanium dioxide. Manufacturers get titanium dioxide from minerals called bruchide, brutile and anastase, is processed into a powder and refined to meet strict safety guidelines. This inorganic compound is used for its white color in toothpaste, but really doesn't provide any oral benefit. There are concerns about its potential carcinogenic properties and its effect on on non reproductive organs. The FDA says titanium dioxide is safe to use in food and personal care products. The FDA provides strict guidelines on how much it can be used in food. So the limit is very small. If it wasn't toxic, why did they put a limit on it? Basically no more than 1% of titanium dioxide can be used and food products such as toothpaste. But not everyone agrees on the toxicity level. The European Commission banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in the European Union in 2022. That came after a 2021 report from an expert panel at the European Food Safety Authority which reviewed the data on titanium dioxide. They said they could not rule out concerns that the food additive might be able to damage DNA and possibly lead to cancer. So why is our FDA still saying that titanium dioxide is safe to use in toothpaste and food? Remember, your oral health is a window to your overall well being by avoiding these harmful chemicals that I mentioned. Titanium dioxide, propylene glycol, pfas, inflos, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, cocamidopropyl, Bethane, carrageenan, triclosan, artificial colors and sweeteners, alcohol in mouthwashes and fluoride. You're going to be healthier. You're investing in your oral health by choosing better and healthier products for your oral care routine. So look at your label. Read your label. For that reason, as many of you know, I created an oral health natural product company called Orasano in which I provide natural ingredients because I couldn't really find a good brand out there that really nurtured the mouth, nurtured your microbiome. Even though some of the natural oral care products out there were still antibacterial. And I believe that if we create a good environment for the mouth, we eat a healthy diet, our microbiome can reset, can stay healthy. So using a toothpaste, for example, with calcium hydroxyapatite instead of fluoride will keep your teeth and enamel strong. Using water flossing instead of string floss is less toxic and more effective. Using natural triple probiotic is important for your microbiome. There's no need to use mouthwashes. Those are the studies we have today. And I'm committed to bringing you the latest research on oral health in this podcast. Thank you for joining me.

Thank you so much for joining me this week. Please make sure you check out the show notes for any links mentioned in the show. If you like today's show, please invite your friends to listen as well. That would mean a lot to me. Do you have a question you'd like to me answer? Message me on Instagram @Dr. Sanda. This is Dr. Sanda. And remember, your mouth is the gateway to your health, so take care of it in the most natural and best way possible.