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By now you’ve probably heard a little bit about natural dental products and are wondering why all the fuss? In fact, as an Eco-Dental surgery – it’s something we know a thing or two about! So, in this month’s blog we thought we’d introduce you to some of the ideas around natural dental, improvements in home dental care and take a look at creating balance in your oral hygiene routine.
First though, it’s important that we consider what “natural” means in the dental world and explain a little about the key ingredients in most toothpastes and dental hygiene products.
Most regular toothpastes include ingredients that make them appealing to a wide audience. They can feature elements to make them whiter, minty smelling and foamy. Some of the ingredients which have become so contentious in recent times include:
Fluoride
Sodium Laurel Sulfate– (also called “SLS”) used to make regular toothpaste foam.
Saccharin– An artificial sweetener used in a lot of mouthwashes and toothpastes.
Although we do understand that SLS and Saccharin do nothing for the health of your teeth, dental professionals widely agree that there are benefits to fluoride. So let’s talk about that a little.
This naturally occurring mineral has been in the firing line in the media over the past couple of years. Some have argued that it causes more harm than good whilst the dental professionals show evidence of its abilities to assist with preventing dental cavities and strengthening the enamel of your teeth.
Fluoride is present in our bodies anyways. Contained in our bones and teeth naturally, we understand its importance in an overall healthy system. Fluoride is also a natural element contained in water, soil, plants, rocks and even the air!
Commonly used in dentistry to strengthen enamel (the outer layer of your teeth), Fluoride is proven to prevent cavities. In Australia, like many other countries in the world, it is also added in small amounts to our public water supply. Most commercial toothpastes, mouthwashes and dental products will contain fluoride as a major ingredient.
So why the fuss? In recent years, research has uncovered that exposure to high levels of fluoride can be harmful to health. It is correct to say that taking too much fluoride can impact your body adversely. Drinking fluoridated water, using toothpaste with fluoride and mouthwashes containing the element are all well within the recommended safe zone.
But, as humans continue to strive for natural formulations and products with a smaller environmental footprint, it makes sense that we are questioning everything that goes into our dental hygiene products.
When we start to consider natural dental products – from floss right through to toothbrushes, it’s important to understand what natural actually means. Many products make the claim that they are natural – but still include a range of elements which aren’t really directly from nature!
Is your natural toothpaste SLS free? Is it fluoride free?
Some “natural” toothpastes contain fluoride and others don’t. Make sure you check that your natural dental products don’t contain added sugar too – as this can cause more harm than good for your smile.
Using a quality toothbrush actually does more of the cleaning work on your teeth than the toothpaste. Your toothbrush itself removes leftover food particles from your teeth, and it would still do so even if you just brushed your teeth with water!
What we use toothpaste for really is the elimination of bacteria. This bacteria can cause halitosis (bad breath) and gingivitis (bleeding gum). Toothpaste which contains fluoride is used to assist in the prevention of cavities and strengthening of the enamel.
Many natural toothpastes contain ingredients such as peppermint, mint and spearmint oils. Others contain charcoal, cinnamon and coconut oil – but really, with natural toothpastes, the ingredients are there for benefit, rather than just to smell nice or foam up.
Most ingredients in natural toothpastes are present for their antibacterial properties or to help promote fresh breath.
At Dentist Mandy, we believe that natural toothpastes present a great alternative for those wishing to reduce the amount of chemicals in their system – but we do say it’s always important to strike a balance! If you’re considering all natural toothpaste – you may still want to consider a regular fluoride treatment or using a mouthwash with fluoride to assist in cavity prevention.
One of the other major factors in choosing to “go natural” with your dental care is the impact on the environment.
Regular toothpastes and mouthwashes all contain a considerable amount of chemicals, as well as micro-plastics which leave an unhealthy trail on the Earth. When we begin to look at the amount of packaging and unnecessary additives used in the production of commercial toothpastes, it makes sense to look at more considerate alternatives.
This is why we believe that it’s important to start to looking at incorporating some of the following into an Earth-friendly dental routine:
Bamboo, rather than plastic toothbrushes
Natural fibre dental floss, or dental floss without plastic handles
Toothpaste which is packaged in reusable or recyclable materials like glass jars
For us, being responsible for the care of your teeth as well as the care of the planet is super important. That’s why we promote the idea of balance in our practice.
A sustainable garden, a store selling eco-friendly dental products and a focus on recycling are part of our strategy to build balance in our community.
If you’re wondering about any of the products we use or sell, or just want a little advice on your dental hygiene routine – we’re always happy to chat and share our knowledge with you.
