What’s Really In Your Toothpaste

In our modern chemical world, many people are searching for simpler ways to live.  Reducing the personal impact of toxic chemicals on our health is key. 

Plant based eating and organic foods have been well documented and understood. What is less well known is the impact chemical toothpastes have on our bodies.

We chatted with Mike Francis, Owner and “Mad Scientist” at Maxwell & McIntyre the makers of organic, vegan toothpaste in Leigh

Mike had some surprising facts to share.

If you looked closely at what makes up commercial chemical toothpaste you just would not use it.

The key troublemakers are Sodium Fluoride, Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS) and Triclosan. 

Sodium Fluoride has well documented poisonous origins and is something that should never be used without professional application.

In 2010 over 40% of American children were suffering from dental fluorosis that damaged teeth and required expensive treatment to repair. The cause. Over ingestion of fluoride.

Imagine what the numbers are now.

Sodium Laurel Sulphate is a nasty foaming agent that strips the natural oils from your skin. Not only is it potentially dangerous, it is also completely unnecessary, but we’ve been sold on the aesthetic that “if it’s foaming, it must be working”.  It is known to cause mouth ulcers and is a real problem for many people. Dentists now call us looking for help with patients with ulcers that will not heal.

Triclosan is a nasty antibacterial and antifungal preservative banned by the FDA. It is still used in many name brand toothpastes – how they get away with using it is beyond me. What they have used to replace it is almost as bad.

Good toothpaste should be as natural as possible without foaming agents, chemicals and artificial sweeteners. If the paste you are looking at has ingredients that you don’t understand, why would you use it? 

However, habits are hard to break and the taste profiles of commercial toothpastes are well known. All we can do is make great products and help educate and inform so the consumers can make better choices.

There are four products currently in the range, with more coming. They are all vegan, organic, totally natural and supplied in reusable glass jars.

The flagship product is the Baking Soda Toothpaste– just the best!  It has a salty mint flavour with a green coconut oil base that really helps heal. If you have mouth issues, use this.  Sweet Peppermint and Strawberry Toothpastes were made to palate match with commercial toothpastes and to help people transition.  With almost identical core ingredients as the Baking Soda Toothpaste, they are delicious and really effective toothpastes and whiteners.

Finally, the Mineralising Toothpowder is an outstanding solution for people with sensitive teeth. We have had patient reports of significant reductions in sensitivity after about two weeks of use.

Available online here.