When you buy toothpaste, you probably choose a brand based on experience, taste, emotion, or influenced by an effective marketing campaign that the brand launched. Not many people select their toothpaste purely on the ingredients it contains. Isn’t that strange?
When you order food in a restaurant, you want to know if you’ll be eating beef or tofu, no? And when you order drinks, you want to know if you’ll be drinking a refreshing healthy juice or hard liquor!
So why aren’t we more careful with something we’ll be putting in our mouths day after day, after day, after day??
There is a fair chance your current toothpaste contains one or more of the bad and mostly useless ingredients listed below. Chemicals that are used to ‘improve’ your experience, but that are not so kind for your body. Luckily there is an alternative that’s 100% clean!
1. SLS
Many ‘regular’ kinds of toothpaste (and shampoos and foam parties) contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). It creates foam when you brush, but can also for some people irritate sensitive teeth and gums. Or cause an allergic reaction.
Did you know that the level of foam differs per country? In other words: foam is a marketing gimmick, with potentially nasty side effects! We believe that our mouths are not Mediterranean discotheques for teenagers, so daily foam parties caused by chemicals are extremely unnecessary.
2. PARABENS
Parabens are a fairly common additive in cosmetics, including toothpastes. Used as a preservative, parabens are chemicals that can mimic the hormone estrogen and potentially cause cancer as well as developmental and reproductive issues. Some of the fancy words to avoid here are: Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Benzylparaben.
3. PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Pharmaceutical grade Propylene Glycol is used in toothpaste to create a smooth texture, acting as a humectant by retaining moisture.
What is lesser known is that it in its industrial grade is used in antifreeze, paints, enamels, and aeroplane de-icers.
Unfortunately, it also has the potential to cause cancer, reproductive issues, and skin irritation.
4. ARTIFICIAL COLORS
Synthetic colours are made from coal tar. Only seven colours remain on the FDA’s approved list; all others have been banned. Yellow #5, for instance, is under review for suspected relation to hyperactivity, anxiety, migraines, and cancer.
5. TRICLOSAN
Triclosan is an ingredient added to many consumer products intended to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination.
Some short-term studies have shown that exposure to high doses of Triclosan is associated with a decrease in the levels of some thyroid hormones. And there is reason to suspects it makes bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Not a fun thing to put in your mouth!
Smyle - The 100% clean alternative for your teeth
We hope that this information won’t lead to any toothpaste nightmares. You can rest assured that our tabs DO NOT CONTAIN any horrible chemicals, pesticides, GMOs, glutens, fluoride, saccharin, SLS, SLES, carrageenan, parabens, triclosan, artificial sweeteners or additives, propylene glycol, detergents, or synthetics that can harm your health.
They do contain natural ingredients that give your teeth healthy and effective dental care. Our tablets come in recyclable paper sachets and travel to your home with CO2 neutral mail delivery. To keep them fresh, we’ll give you a nice reusable glass bottle.
We think that this is the best sustainable choice for everybody, but obviously you don’t have to take our word for it. Check out the many positive reviews from our community. Would you like to try Smyle?
Want to start brushing without (micro)plastic? Try Smyle now with 15% discount. USE code: NOPLASTIC here.