Top 10 Dangerous Toothpaste Ingredients

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Even though toothpaste (in some form or another) has been around as long as the Ancient Greeks have, the formula (as we know it) did not become popular until World War I. As soon as companies began manufacturing toothpaste, people began to purchase the magical concoction – guaranteed to produce glistening teeth! White teeth were all the rage after World War I had ended, and toothpaste quickly became a product that most people simply couldn’t live without.
Toothpaste is one item that nearly everyone uses today, but what makes this concoction so special? Whether you brush your teeth once per day or three times per day, chances are that you’ve never taken the time to read that ingredient list. Some believe that the ingredients contained in a standard package of toothpaste are essential – others believe that water may be just as effective. In the end, there’s a good reason why most toothpaste packages warn: “Do Not Ingest!”

10. Formaldehyde

That same ingredient that coroners can’t live without can be found inside of your toothpastse tube. Formaldehyde kills all of those small bacteria that climb onto your teeth after eating or sleeping. If a large amount of formaldehyde is accidentally ingested, the result could be fatal. Severe formaldehyde ingestion results in jaundice, kidney damage, liver damage, and death.

9. Detergent

Foam, suds, activation! What would toothpaste be without that satisfying soapy feeling? Manufacturers use regular detergent in order to appease the masses that prefer bubbly toothpaste. While bubbles may be fun, be careful if you accidentally ingest a large amount of this stuff – swallowing detergent can cause digestive tract burning.

8. Seaweed

Stretchy and slimy, seaweed holds that paste together. Without this green stuff, toothpaste would simply fall apart! The good news is that seaweed isn’t toxic. In fact, seaweed has a number of nutritional benefits, though hitting the sushi bar is a better way of gaining those benefits.

7. Peppermint Oil

Minty, minty, minty! Fresh breath can only be kept fresh with the help of peppermint oil! While refreshing when brushing your teeth, peppermint oil can cause a slow pulse, heartburn, and muscle tremors if it is consumed.

6. Paraffin

As slick as the petroleum that it is derived from, paraffin creates a smooth paste that oozes onto your toothbrush. As you might imagine, paraffin wasn’t meant to be eaten. If you happen to swallow this ingredient, you may end up with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and severe constipation.

5. Glycerine Glycol

Never heard of this ingredient before? Sure about that? Glycerin glycol is added to toothpaste in order to prevent the paste from becoming too dry – it’s also found in antifreeze. Even though glycerin is not toxic, this additive may cause nausea if swallowed.

4. Chalk

That’s right – chalk. Thanks to the fact that chalk is made from exoskeletons, it’s hard enough to remove all of that caked on gunk from your pearly whites. Chalk dust may cause lung problems if inhaled, and swallowing a bit of chalk could cause bleeding.

3. Titanium Dioxide

This is another common toothpaste ingredient, though it’s usually found in white paint. When added to toothpaste, titanium dioxide has the safe effect on your teeth as it does on walls – it keeps them nice and white (for a few hours, at least!). Ingesting titanium dioxide won’t hurt you, but it isn’t recommended either.

2. Saccharin

Something has to combat that terrible detergent taste! Saccharin is sweet, but not too sweet – just the way that most people like their toothpaste! Saccharin has been a hot topic of debate every since Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House. The USDA tried to ban the substance in 1972, though it is considered “safe” to ingest today

1. Menthol

One last ingredient to add a minty note to your breath. Without menthol, toothpaste might taste like, well, chalk, glycerin, paraffin, detergent, titanium dioxide, and seaweed! Go ahead and ingest menthol if you like, but sipping some tea containing menthol is a far better idea than chewing on your tube of toothpaste.

Gross...

Maybe the whole idea of us being up in arms about fluoride in toothpaste has let them put in these disgusting ingredients.

Some of them blow my mind and I'm shocked that these are allowed in something we put in our mouth.

They think because they put "do not swallow" on the label that makes it okay? No matter how hard you try you will always get some down your throat and you will always have some sort of remnants left after rinsing your mouth out.

Any thoughts?

Pred...

So that makes 8, not 10.

Considering Seaweed and Menthol aren't "Dangerous".

It amazes me the things we put into our bodies, and are totally unaware of.

Star and Flag for you.

Too bad children aren't taught this info in school.

Baking soda and salt is really all you need. I haven't bought toothpaste in years.

Don't forget flouride, which is doubly dangerous since it's in our drinking water, too. Good post!

/TOA

10 years that toothpaste adds to your life.

Sorry to be so flippant and can't be arsed to look right now but, tooth decay and tartar ingestion shorten your lfe by 5 to 10 years.

I'll stick with clean teeth until you point me in the direction of something as cheap, convenient and efficient as brushing my toothy pegs with the minty paste.

reply to post by spacedonk
Hi spacedonk -

Baking soda and peroxide is great (just don't get too much peroxide, burned gums suck. Dr. Bronner's natural soap also works in a pinch, but I really like Tom's of Maine's toothpastes...they've got all sorts of varieties including fluoride- and sodium laurel sulfate- free and are otherwise all natural with an aim to maximize safe ingredients.

Take care!

A good solution is make your own.

Here's one:

www.antlife.org...

Originally posted by ThinkingCap
So that makes 8, not 10.

Considering Seaweed and Menthol aren't "Dangerous".

That's what I was thinking.

reply to post by OrganicAnagram33


You guys should check out that new toothpaste they are advertising, they claim its for children and it is "safe" to swallow. I just seen the commercial on tv yesterday.

Never know could be some artificial fluoride that rots you from the inside out, oh wait did I just describe the "norm" toothpaste?

Originally posted by spacedonk
10 years that toothpaste adds to your life.

Sorry to be so flippant and can't be arsed to look right now but, tooth decay and tartar ingestion shorten your lfe by 5 to 10 years.

I'll stick with clean teeth until you point me in the direction of something as cheap, convenient and efficient as brushing my toothy pegs with the minty paste.

That might have been true back in the day before dentists, but today we have dentures which can combat any lack of teeth. That's why chimps only live to certain age is because they lose their teeth and with that the ability to chew.

As has been stated in previous posts there is much better ways of cleaning your teeth that does not involve all these crazy chemicals.

Pred...

I am being totally honest about this: When I was around 10 or so, I was taught never to spit because it was very rude and gross, so I thought I was supposed to swallow the toothpaste. I did this for a significant amount of time and never suffered any health problems. If I just got lucky then I guess I am lucky, I'm a 26 year old adult now and the only health problem I have is acid reflux (could be related, I don't know). This conspiracy paranoia over toothpaste is very over-hyped if you ask me.

You know, I have perfect teeth and a beautiful smile! I brush twice daily with Crest, use mouthwash containing fluoride, had fluoride treatments at the dentist when I was a kid and I have never had a cavity. I don't floss like I should, but who does?

I also don't eat tooth paste or drink mouth wash. My body wash and shampoo has all sorts of nasty chemicals in it like Triclosan and Benzoyl peroxide and Salicylic acid.... blemish-free smooth, healthy skin.

I also don't drink my body wash or pour it in my eyes. Admittedly I have accidentally gotten shampoo in my mouth, but trust me it was washed out pretty well... it tastes horrible!

Does anyone see where I am going with this? All sorts of products have nasty things in them that are good when used externally, but not internally.

Keep the fluoride and other chemicals on your teeth and not in your stomach like the product is intended to be used, until then stop demonizing it.

Reply to post by Spencer1989

1989 lol

you still have a couple more years before the big C knocks on your door dont worry

the ancients say, do not put anything on your body that you wouldnt put on your mouth

but you re a smart one eh

hope you reach old age so you can realize the mistakes you are making now

and for homework go research the word

cumulative


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

Because I live such a vagrant life, I have usually only managed to brush my teeth about once a week for the last few years. Sometimes not even that. And usually I just have water, not toothpaste. And yet, I've never had any tooth decay, gingivitus, or cavities, or anything like that.

Last time I had a tooth knocked about of my head was about 2 years ago when I was 23 and it grew back quite quickly. Despite being an adult I can still regrow teeth. But I've never lost a molar. Also my breath does not stink.

So, am I freak, or does brushing teeth really actually not as important as some people make it out to be?

reply to post by AnotherYOU

Originally posted by AnotherYOU
Reply to post by Spencer1989

 

1989 lol

you still have a couple more years before the big C knocks on your door dont worry

the ancients say, do not put anything on your body that you wouldnt put on your mouth

but you re a smart one eh

hope you reach old age so you can realize the mistakes you are making now

and for homework go research the word

cumulative

 

Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

 

Well said.

I'm not afraid of toothpaste, sorry. I'll take my chances, but thanks for your concern.

reply to post by Spencer1989


Nobody said you should be afraid of it.

We were simply implying that if one was intelligent, they would stop using toothpaste containing harmful ingredients. Reason isn't for everyone.

Great information, S&F and I agree with the poster who said "don't put anything in your mouth that you won't put on your body"
We use Fluoride free tooth paste but I am going to read the next box as to what else is in this paste.
Some of those ingredients are indeed a bit scary and I hope we are not ingesting them now.
I see doctors on a frequency that most people see the sun, let me tell you about 6 years ago they all started posting warnings about ingesting and the amount of tooth paste to use.
I thought that was odd and after some internet research we went fluoride free toothpaste and also threw in a five stage reverse osmosis water system to boot.
No regrets here.
Regards, Iwinder

Originally posted by predator0187


Gross...

Maybe the whole idea of us being up in arms about fluoride in toothpaste has let them put in these disgusting ingredients.

Some of them blow my mind and I'm shocked that these are allowed in something we put in our mouth.

They think because they put "do not swallow" on the label that makes it okay? No matter how hard you try you will always get some down your throat and you will always have some sort of remnants left after rinsing your mouth out.

Any thoughts?

Pred...

Yes it does. Swallowing even the entire amount that you put on your toothbrush isn't going to hurt you. You'd have to deliberately consume half of the tube to even get sick.

As for the "cumulative effect", the chemicals that are in toothpaste aren't persistent. They don't stick around in your body and they don't build up.

Also, people need to stop believing in the "fluoride is bad" crap.

Originally posted by SG-17

Originally posted by predator0187


Gross...

Maybe the whole idea of us being up in arms about fluoride in toothpaste has let them put in these disgusting ingredients.

Some of them blow my mind and I'm shocked that these are allowed in something we put in our mouth.

They think because they put "do not swallow" on the label that makes it okay? No matter how hard you try you will always get some down your throat and you will always have some sort of remnants left after rinsing your mouth out.

Any thoughts?

Pred...

Yes it does. Swallowing even the entire amount that you put on your toothbrush isn't going to hurt you. You'd have to deliberately consume half of the tube to even get sick.

As for the "cumulative effect", the chemicals that are in toothpaste aren't persistent. They don't stick around in your body and they don't build up.

Also, people need to stop believing in the "fluoride is bad" crap.

Yes sir, we have seen it on the nightly news here actual moving pictures of the masses lined up out side of the aluminum smelting plants just waiting to get their chance to take home and ingest some fresh slag...(Fluoride]
Regards, Iwinder

edit on 8/13/2011 by SG-17 because: (no reason given)