I just don’t know what to believe anymore… oral hygiene and cardiovascular health are linked, the better oral hygiene you practice, the better your ticker in the long run.  The toothpaste you’re using is poison.  Hmmm… what to do about this conundrum?

Have you ever stopped to consider the ingredient list for commercial toothpastes?  How many times through the years have you heard that flouride is good for us?  A quick bing search reveals several sources that claim flouride has been linked to thyroid problems, among others. 

Another, quite nasty ingredient in toothpaste is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).  It’s the stuff that makes your conventional toothpaste get all nice and foamy.  It’s also the same stuff used in engine degreasers.  It’s fair to say SLS probably isn’t good for you, as well as some of the other ingredients in toothpaste.

So what does all this have to do with Gracie, right?  In an earlier post I mentioned I brush her teeth with a safe alternative that is free of toxins (see www.toothsoap.com).   I was concerned about her swallowing toothpaste, as she doesn’t know to spit it out.  Our dentist didn’t seem too concerned when I told him about my worries, and he offered no suggestions to alleviate them.  I like my dentist and all, but had to go with my instinct.

I never pass up an opportunity to experience some of the things Gracie must put up with.  Afterall, I’d never expect her to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself.  Not only does Gracie get her teeth brushed with tooth soap, I tried it myself for months (more on that another day).  What does it tastes like?  Well, um, just like soap.  It really took some getting used to.  I was so anxious to hear what the dentist was going to say at Gracie’s next checkup.  The result?  Everything’s fine!  Her teeth checked out great.  And what’s more is that her breath smells much better (this the inital reason why I started looking into toothpaste alternatives).

So if this post piqued your interest in toothpaste, the potential harm it can cause, and healthier alternatives, I suggest you spend some time to research the subject.  While you’re at it, do some reading on flouridating our water supplies.  What you learn may surprise you.