18 Oct 🦷 Xylitol or Fluoride Toothpaste: Our Guide for Naturally Healthy Teeth 🦷
For most of us, the classic disposable tube of toothpaste has had its day. The time is now for a new era of toothpastes: more natural, sustainable, eco-friendly and (won’t lie) more confusing 🥴. Xylitol, fluoride, activated charcoal, coconut oil, how to find our way out? At least, it is reassuring to notice that all these components are neither rocket science nor toxic compared to those that fill the long list of ingredients in big brand toothpastes.
Goodbye suspicious ingredients, hello fabulous smile! 👄😄
Whitening Your Teeth Naturally
We’ll dive in right away, without preliminaries: teeth are not naturally white. They are more of an ivory color. We are often overwhelmed with images of perfect smiles adorned with more-than-perfectly-white teeth that make us forget that such whiteness is not the natural color of our teeth. We also tend to forget that our teeth turn yellow as we age (such is the natural tooth cycle) and as we eat acidic food (🍵☕🍷🍋). In fact, the natural color of teeth varies from a person to another, ranging from ivory to gray to pink.
👉 Basically, take off your mind all of those so-called whiteness requirements; they don’t necessarily equal to good oral health. Focus on taking good care of your smile so that it shines from its health and unicity.
With this great premise in place, let’s jump into the different ingredients of natural toothpastes 👇
Zoom on Xylitol 🧐 in toothpaste and mouthwash
Indeed, it has a complicated name, almost too scientific. But it is so handy! Besides being of natural origin (present in birch bark, beech, corn and even certain fruits), xylitol is one of the best allies in the fabrication of dental hygiene products. Its properties are quite impressive:
- Decreases the pH of saliva by neutralizing acidity
- Contributes to the health of teeth and gums
- Adds a little sweetness to toothpaste without causing cavities (natural sweetener)
Our friend Stéphanie Larose, dental hygienist at Centre de santé dentaire de Bromont has nothing but good things to say about xylitol and explains why it is so highly praised:
“First of all, tooth decay occurs when plaque bacteria feed on the sugars we eat and produce acidity to digest them. It is this acidity that causes tooth decay.
The great thing about xylitol is that it is impossible for bacteria to metabolize it. No metabolization means no digestion and no acidity. Also, xylitol stimulates salivation, which helps to rebalance an acidic pH to the naturally neutral pH of the mouth, and thus reduce the risk of cavities.”
– Stéphanie, dental hygienist
Xylitol has it all! The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has even recently recognized its benefits in reducing cavities in children. It is suggested to consume between 4 and 20 grams daily, divided into three or more servings. That’s good news, we find it in a 25% concentration in our fluoride-free activated charcoal toothpaste and in our four fluoride-free toothpaste flavors 🎉.
What about Fluoride?
Don’t be fooled; your teeth won’t flash in the dark with this (fluorescent, fluoride, y’a know). Anyway, we choose not to add fluoride to our toothpastes. Why not? Because fluoride can pose health risks, especially to young children or when swallowed. We prefer to go for natural ingredients that do not present any health risks, but that rather contribute to the health of your teeth.
Go Coco or Go Home 🥥
Coconut oil alone could take on the mission of brushing your teeth well. It has multiple virtues: it prevents plaque and cavities and has natural whitening properties.
Our dental hygienist, Stéphanie Larose, reminds us that the hydration obtained from coconut oil “creates a mechanical barrier against bacteria when used in our toothpastes and mouthwashes”.
As a matter of flavor, we add natural flavors that wonderfully complement the creaminess of coconut oil: green mint and frosted mint, as well as orange and banane (little ones’ favorites 🧒👶).
Coal in Toothpaste?
If it seems counterintuitive to you to combine mouth and charcoal, we get it, but we shouldn’t associate charcoal with dirt or the with the Christmas’ naughty list 🎅. Activated charcoal is packed with benefits when used in toothpaste:
- Whitening effect (removes yellowing spots)
- Powerful detoxifier
- Mouth sanitation (absorption of bacteria that can cause tartar and cavities)
The little downside of charcoal is that it is abrasive. Fortunately, “combining it with coconut oil, which is soft and hydrating, reduces its abrasiveness. Coconut oil counteracts this flaw in charcoal, while maintaining its anti-stain properties” (Stéphanie Larose, dental hygienist).
Just like xylitol and coconut oil, activated charcoal is a great ally in the preparation of our dental care products 🌟. We find it in our fluoride-free activated charcoal toothpaste.
When Halloween Rhymes with Toothpaste 🎃
Halloween, toothpaste; you’re thinking, where is the link? That’s normal! Let us explain!
Whether you love Halloween or would rather stay home with friends eating candy in the dark while secretly waiting for Christmas, activated charcoal toothpaste has underrated whitening and detoxifying that will perfectly remedy the sugar rush that candy will give you 🍬.
Use activated charcoal toothpaste in a gang, and you’ll soon look like an unclear hybrid between a zombie and a goth vampire 🧟🧛♂😂. It’s a good thing that ridicule never killed, right? 😉
Wrap-Up
Xylitol, activated charcoal, coconut oil and even palm-free glycerin are our all-time favorites ingredients for eco-friendly and natural dental hygiene products as well as for a complete oral health.
🦷 If you have any questions about natural dental care, we will be happy to answer them. Densists and hygienists are also important allies who know well the specificities and needs of your mouth 👄
🎃 Send us pictures of your zombie look with your black mouth 😉
References
« Santé, non au fluor », Le Devoir
« Dentifrice au charbon, attention danger! », Santé Magazine
« Prendre soin de ses dents avec des ingrédients naturels, c’est possible? », Je suis naturel
« Dentifrice zéro déchet », Les Trappeuses
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