Beware of these 6 ingredients when buying toothpaste

Some toothpaste ingredients may be harmful to your teeth and body health. Recently, the Hong Kong Consumer Council tested toothpastes on the market and found that all 26 adult toothpastes contained heavy metal lead. The one with the highest lead content was Yunnan Baiyao toothpaste. Seven out of the nine children's toothpastes contained lead, but none of them exceeded the standard.

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

Medical research has confirmed that the foaming agent sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in toothpaste can induce and aggravate oral ulcers, causing dryness of the oral mucosa and tiny cracks. SLS can also cause teeth to become sensitive to cold. A medical study found that patients with oral ulcers who used toothpaste without SLS reduced the recurrence rate by 81% and the severity of the ulcers was also reduced. Therefore, experts recommend that patients with oral ulcers use toothpaste that does not contain SLS, clean their teeth with dental floss, or eat carrots regularly to clean their teeth.

2. Triclosan

Triclosan can remove plaque for up to 12 hours, so it was used in oral care products in the early days. However, studies have found that triclosan, similar to bisphenol A, is a hormone disruptor that affects physical health. In addition, it affects algae, disrupts the food chain and damages the environment.

3. Dye

The dyes that make toothpaste colorful actually pose a variety of health risks. If swallowed by mistake, they are likely to irritate the respiratory or digestive tract. The study also found a significant association between blue SLS and behavioral problems in children. Therefore, it is better to use white toothpaste.

4. Flavoring

Many people like mint-flavored toothpaste. But when buying toothpaste, you should first pay attention to whether "flavoring" such as aspartame is added. It is best to choose toothpaste containing natural sweeteners such as natural xylitol or stevia.

5. Hydrated silicon oxide

Toothpaste contains hydrated silica which whitens teeth. This substance does not break down over time, so it may damage tooth enamel. Experts suggest that baking soda can be used instead of hydrated silica toothpaste for brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth.

6. Alcohol

Alcohol has antibacterial properties, but it is also a drying agent. Brushing your teeth with toothpaste containing alcohol can temporarily freshen your breath, but dry mouth can cause the growth rate of oral bacteria to double, which is more detrimental to oral health.