Warning! Do You Know What is in Your Toothpaste?

It's not just about toys from China that are toxic to your children, but such every day products as toothpaste made right here in the U.S. Although adults are affected as well, children are often more sensitive to chemical assault. A little exposure over time can build up in their little bodies.

One of the fastest ways to absorb anything into the body is through the mouth. Drugs such as nitroglycerine for heart conditions, vitamin supplements, and natural homeopathic remedies are given under the tongue for fast absorption. Your daily routine of brushing your teeth with your favorite toothpaste, may also be delivering a daily dose of antibiotics or other potentially toxic ingredients, without you realizing it.

You've been Warned!

Most people, even dentists and dental hygienists, don't realize there is a WARNING on the back of most toothpaste (including many from health food stores). The warning is mandated by the FDA for active ingredients that are drug based. The most common ones are fluoride, antibiotics and other drugs used to prevent cavities, tartar or teeth sensitivity.

Even children's toothpaste has a warning to "keep out of reach of children under the age of six. If more than used for brushing is swallowed, contact the poison control center or your physician". If a child under the age of six swallows half of a tube of the sparkly, bright colored toothpaste that taste like bubble gum and contains fluoride, the result could virtually be deadly. Besides fluoride and the potential for poisoning your child if large amounts are swallowed, most toothpaste contain saccharin, and many other artificial additives. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is another ingredient to stay away from. Studies have reported potential for flare-up of canker sores with SLS. Instead of choosing one of these types of commercial toothpaste for your child or you, providing your family nutritious meals and brushing with common sense toothpaste without potentially toxic ingredients is much safer.

Super bug connection and your personal care products:

In recent years we've been hearing about an alarming increase of superbugs such as methicillin-resistant Staphlycoccus aureas (MRSA). The CDC and other studies list one cause for the rise of these antibiotic resistant bacteria to be the general overuse of antibiotics. This overuse is not always in the form of a pill. You may be absorbing a small amount of an antimicrobial drug through your personal products as well.

Many brands of toothpaste, deodorants, shampoos, and soaps contain antibiotics, antimicrobials and strong disinfecting detergents. Triclosan, acetylpyridium chloride and tea tree oil are commonly used ones. Although natural, tea tree oil is a strong anti-fungal and antibiotic better suited for conditions such as athletes foot than an ingredient in your moisturizer.

Antibiotics should only be prescribed if you have a serious infection. Informed consumers make wise buying decisions that aren't based on pretty packages. Read, research and choose wisely for you and your family.

Allergies from sources you may not have thought about Another common ingredient used in dental products is salicylates. Salicylates (pronounced sal-e-se-late) are natural chemicals in plants. They are also used as one of the main ingredients in aspirin and other pain relieving medications. Many personal care products contain salicylates as one of their ingredients. Some products contain salicylates in the chemical form or in plant ingredients that are included in the formulation. For example, a product that contains herbs, may not list the word "salicylate" on the label, but may contain salicylates because they are a natural chemical in herbs.

Besides personal care products, salicylates can be found in food, medication and cosmetics. Many people realize they have sensitivity to Aspirin, but may not realize that same ingredient is contained in many of their personal care products but not labeled as Aspirin or salicylic acid, but mint or other plants or herbs.

Salicylate Allergy:

Sensitivity to an ingredient may result from a variety of causes. The sensitivity will result in the substance (allergen) causing an allergic response brought about by the immune system. What may be a harmless substance to one person, may cause a variety of reactions, from mild to severe, in another person based on how their immune system responds.

The more compromised the immune system is, the more likely the person will react to substances. Some allergies are inherited, others can develop over time.

Salicylate sensitivity can lead to symptoms such as:

* Asthma-like symptoms * Headaches * Nasal congestion * Itching, skin rash or hives * Swelling of hands, feet and face * Stomach pain

Those that have fibromyalgia and are on the guaifenesin protocol of Paul R. St. Amand M.D., (What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia), are advised to totally eliminate salicylates from personal care products, cosmetics and supplements. Dr. St. Amand has found that salicylates block the beneficial effect of guaifenesin for the relief of fibromyalgic symptoms.

Just because it's natural, doesn't mean it's good for you:

It's interesting to note that the "natural" product industry promotes plant ingredients for personal care products and cosmetics. Since these plant ingredients in varying degrees contain salicylates, could it be that allergies develop over time from the continued long term use of these plant ingredients that are absorbed through the skin into the body.

Plant ingredients also have medicinal properties, and have been used for centuries in Chinese medicine and herbal therapy. Modern pharmaceutical drugs originate from plants, but are developed in synthetic chemical form. As essential oils, plant extracts, herbs and plants are used not in their proper context for therapy, but included in personal care products to market as "natural", the question arises, could this also have negative effects on the body over long term through cross reactions with each other or with medications one may be taking?

Plant ingredients will become rancid unless strong preservatives are used. These strong preservatives do not have to be listed on the label as long as the plant has been soaked in the preservative and not added separately. Presently, there is no FDA labeling regulation for disclosing all ingredients for personal care or cosmetic products. Can you imagine an avocado or aloe vera plant sitting on your kitchen counter for days without going rancid? This brings up the concern over the validity of "natural" products on a label.

Some plants have more salicylates than others. Mint, essential oils and plant extracts have the highest amount. Of course, most toothpaste contain mint. Many major brands of mouthwash contain essential oils and salicylic acid.