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Toxins in Traditional Toothpaste & Natural Toothpaste

Updated: Apr 29

In Bad Taste: Harmful Ingredients in Toothpaste


WHAT'S IN THAT TUBE

Unfair to us and usually unnoticed by us, toothpaste brands often use ingredients that are harmful to our bodies and our environment. Brands labeled and marketed as natural can sometimes be just as deceptive. Let's brush up on the unclean ingredients that can be found in conventional and natural toothpastes and dive a little deeper into their unsustainable packaging.



Blue and White Striped Toothpaste on a Blue and White Toothbrush by a White Toothpaste Tube against a White Backdrop
Check Your Labels

In This Post:



Toxins in Popular Toothpaste Brands


CARBOMER

Synthetic polymer. Can be contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen, during the manufacturing process. May cause mild skin irritation or allergic reaction. Classified as a microplastic, meaning it's not biodegradable and will persist for a very long time. Microplastics themselves are not considered toxic but can affect health due to the chemicals they contain and absorb then carry into your body.


CARRAGEENAN

Thickening agent found in very popular natural toothpaste brands. Found by scientists to be linked to bloating, gastrointestinal inflammation and ulcerations, irritable bowel disease, and colon cancer.

 

DEA

Petrochemical derivative used in antifreeze and brake fluid. Found in household items including toothpaste. There are concerns that DEA may be a carcinogen and a hormone disruptor. It also reacts with other ingredients to form nitrosamines which are carcinogenic and genotoxic (damage DNA).


DYES

Petroleum and coal tar derived carcinogens often contaminated with arsenic and lead. Persistently used in household items and cosmetics like toothpaste. Blue 1, Yellow 10, and Red 30 are the most common in toothpaste.


ETHOXYLATED INGREDIENTS

(e.g., SLES, Polysorbate, Polyethylene Glycol)

The ethoxylation process creates 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, known human carcinogens. Ethoxylated ingredients can contain trace amounts of these harmful byproducts. Some ethoxylated compounds are harmful to aquatic life and are persistent in the environment.


FLUORIDE

There is a plethora of research on fluoride, on both sides of the argument, whether or not it's a toxin in toothpaste. It has been found by experts, including EPA officials, to be a neurotoxin, meaning it can damage the brain and nervous system and cause neurological disorders. Studies indicate that it can cross the blood-brain barrier, impacting cognitive function. Some studies suggest that the neurotoxic effects of chronic fluoride exposure could decrease cognitive development and increase ADHD prevalence.

SLS

Petroleum-based detergent used as a foaming agent. Found in popular natural toothpaste and traditional toothpaste brands. Skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant that exacerbates mouth ulcers and chapped lips.


TITANIUM DIOXIDE

Coloring agent used in both natural toothpaste and traditional toothpaste to give the paste a bright white color. It has been found that nanoparticles of this ingredient can enter the gums and have toxic effects on the central nervous system.


 

Charcoal & Baking Soda in Toothpaste

Low-tox but worth a mention


CHARCOAL POWDER

Due to its abrasive particles, charcoal may lead to enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, increased risk of cavities, and gum irritation. Discoloration and staining can occur if charcoal particles work their way into enamel.


SODIUM BICARBONATE (baking soda) and SILICA/HYDRATED SILICA

Not necessarily toxic but popular in natural toothpaste brands. Found to be too abrasive for tooth enamel. Potentially wears down enamel and prevents re-mineralization opening the door for discoloration, stains, and irreparable damage.


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Low-Tox Toothpaste Swap

Free of the Toxins and Chemical Compounds Listed Above


Canary Nano Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste Tablets


Canary Logo Amber Jar of Peppermint Canary Toothpaste Tablets with Lid Leaning on Jar and Tablets Overflowing against a White Backdrop
CANARY TOOTHPASTE TABLETS

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Rod-shaped Nano Hydroxyapatite

Has a better safety profile than needle shaped. It is more commonly used in dental products and has been shown to reduce sensitivity and strengthen enamel.



Xylitol, Sorbitol, and Erythritol (artificial sweeteners)

I confirmed with the founder of Canary that negligible amounts are used in their tablets, and they are always looking to evolve their products and ingredients as science and research allows. Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. Please be hypervigilant when dispensing and storing your tablets. Protect your puppies.



Toothpaste Tubes in Landfills

The U.S. discards an estimated 400 million toothpaste tubes per year. The UK comes in around 300 million within the same time span. Global annual estimates of discarded toothpaste tubes range from 1.5 billion with some sources citing up to 20 billion... per year. The estimated number of tubes produced annually is 20 billion. This aligns with where the range tops out since a majority of the tubes produced per year make their final stop in landfills. Most standard toothpaste tubes are still manufactured from mixed materials, predominately plastic and aluminum layers, which makes them non-recyclable. These tubes take a staggering 500 years to biodegrade. Eco-conscious consumers and companies have moved away from contributing to this waste, but these numbers are still sobering.



Sustainable & Plastic-Free Alternative

Canary is plastic-free. Canary Toothpaste Tablets come in amber glass jars or compostable refill pouches. There are 126 tablets in a jar (2-month supply). The compostable pouches come in two sizes: 63 tablets (1-month supply sample pouch) or 240 tablets (4-month refill pouch). I find that the glass jars retain the flavors better, but either way, I feel 100% better knowing that my household did not partake in the 400 million discarded toothpaste tubes this year... discarded single-use plastic and aluminum which will still be doing damage to our ecosystem 500 years from now. Canary is a bold brand committed to purging plastics. Let's go Canary! Kindly recycle, please.




Visit my Canary Toothpaste Review post for a deeper dive into Canary Toothpaste Tablets. You may also be encountering toxins when you floss. Come on over to my Toxins & Microplastics in Dental Floss post to see the not-so-flossy side of flossing.


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