Why you should think twice before buying mainstream toothpaste formulas
By hrseditor // 2025-03-26
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  • Commercial toothpaste products often contain chemicals linked to health issues like hormone disruption, cancer and gut inflammation.
  • Key toxic ingredients to avoid in toothpastes include artificial sweeteners (saccharin/aspartame), carrageenan (gut inflammation), DEA (cancer risk), parabens (hormone disruption), PEG (possible carcinogens), SLS (mouth irritation) and triclosan (antibiotic resistance).
  • Know that these health risks outweigh the alleged benefits of toothpaste. Foaming agents, preservatives and synthetic additives may cause dry mouth, canker sores, insulin resistance and even long-term issues like thyroid dysfunction or tumors (as seen in animal studies).
  • Switch to safer alternatives like natural toothpaste with baking soda, coconut oil, xylitol and essential oils to protect your health.
  • Always check labels because "natural" claims can be misleading. Scrutinize ingredients to avoid hidden toxins and prioritize truly non-toxic oral care.
Opening a fresh tube of toothpaste feels like a small act of self-care because you believe it leads to clean teeth, fresh breath and the promise of a healthier smile. But what if the very product you trust to protect your oral health is actually doing more harm than good? Many mainstream toothpaste brands contain questionable — and sometimes downright dangerous — ingredients. From hormone disruptors to potential carcinogens, these additives lurk in formulas marketed as "healthy" and "effective." Before you squeeze that minty paste onto your toothbrush, here's a breakdown of the toxic ingredients hiding in your toothpaste and why you should avoid them. (h/t to SmileTwice.com)

The problem with mainstream toothpaste formulas

Toothpaste should clean your teeth, fight plaque and freshen your breath without introducing harmful chemicals into your body. Unfortunately, many popular brands prioritize foam, flavor and shelf life over safety. Here are the worst offenders you need to watch out for: Artificial sweeteners Toothpaste often contains saccharin or aspartame to improve taste. While they don’t cause cavities, research suggests they may:
  • Disrupt gut bacteria
  • Increase blood sugar levels
  • Have possible links to cancer
Carrageenan Derived from red seaweed, carrageenan thickens toothpaste. However, carrageenan has also been linked to:
  • Gut inflammation
  • Insulin resistance
  • Ulcers
Lab studies on animals have shown alarming effects, making this "natural" ingredient anything but harmless. Diethanolamine (DEA) Found in antifreeze and brake fluid, DEA is sometimes used in toothpaste to enhance lather. Studies have linked diethanolamine to:
  • Cancer in lab animals
  • Liver damage
Parabens Parabens are preservatives used in cosmetics, shampoos and toothpaste. They extend shelf life by preventing bacterial growth. The problem? Parabens mimic estrogen in the body, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues and even breast cancer. If your shampoo bottle proudly declares "paraben-free," shouldn’t your toothpaste do the same? Polyethylene glycol (PEG) Polyethylene glycol stabilizes toothpaste's texture, but they’re also the main ingredient in antifreeze. Research suggests they may disrupt hormones and contain trace contaminants linked to cancer. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) Sodium lauryl sulfate is the ingredient that makes your toothpaste foam up, but that satisfying lather comes at a cost. Derived from coconut oil, SLS undergoes a chemical process that leaves it contaminated with toxins. Side effects include:
  • Dry mouth (which promotes bacteria growth)
  • Mouth irritation (including canker sores)
  • Reduced taste sensitivity
  • Skin irritation
Worse yet, SLS is often tested on animals, and its production involves harsh chemicals. Triclosan Triclosan was once a common antibacterial agent in toothpaste until studies linked it to hormonal disruption, thyroid dysfunction and antibiotic resistance. The FDA banned it from hand soaps in 2016, but some toothpastes still contain it. Additionally, it's been found to cause tumors in lab animals.

What should you use instead?

The good news? There are plenty of natural, non-toxic toothpaste brands that avoid these harmful ingredients. (Related: Survival dental care: Keeping your teeth clean and healthy when SHTF.) Look for formulas with:
  • Baking soda, a gentle abrasive for whitening
  • Coconut oil, which helps gently cleanse the mouth
  • Essential oils, like peppermint for fresh breath
  • Xylitol, a natural sweetener that fights cavities
Always check labels — just because a brand claims to be "natural" doesn’t mean it’s free from harmful additives. Your oral health is too important to compromise with questionable chemicals. While mainstream toothpaste brands may promise whiter teeth and fresher breath, the hidden risks aren’t worth it. Next time you shop for toothpaste, flip the tube over and carefully read all the ingredients.

Where to buy a natural alternative to conventional toothpaste

The Health Ranger Store is committed to helping you maintain optimal oral health while avoiding harmful ingredients in conventional toothpastes. That’s why we’re proud to introduce clean, lab-verified and healthy options such as Silver Fresh Fluoride-Free Toothpaste (Peppermint + Anise). Chief Originals® Silver Fresh™ Fluoride-Free Toothpaste (Peppermint + Aniseed) is a premium toothpaste formula that offers an all-natural alternative to chemical-laden conventional toothpaste. Unlike many commercially available oral hygiene products, this premium toothpaste cleanses your teeth using some of the safest and most effective all-natural ingredients for daily personal care, including menthol, sodium bicarbonate, peppermint oil, anise oil and more. Chief Originals® Fluoride-Free Toothpaste (Peppermint + Aniseed) contains no fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), or GMOs. This all-natural formulation is also non-China and thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. Here's what Chief Originals® Fluoride-Free Toothpaste (Peppermint + Aniseed) is made of: Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate) An effective mild abrasive, sodium bicarbonate is a fine, white powder with numerous practical household uses. Also known as baking soda, high-quality sodium bicarbonate dissolves easily and leaves no grit behind. For this reason, it is commonly found in toothpaste formulas and similar products. Organic Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil Extracted from the bark of the "true cinnamon" tree (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), cinnamon bark oil contains high levels of cinnamaldehyde, a natural compound with potent antioxidant properties that can support good dental health and counter free radicals. Cinnamaldehyde is also responsible for the oil's potency and fragrant aroma. Organic Peppermint Essential Oil Considered one of the most useful natural products for supporting fresh breath, peppermint essential oil is known for its distinctive cooling effect and refreshing aroma. Extracted from the fresh flowers and leaves of the peppermint plant (Mentha x piperita) via steam distillation, peppermint oil possesses potent cleansing properties that can help keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh. Silver water This potent substance possesses natural cleansing properties that can help you maintain good oral health and hygiene, making it a key ingredient in our breakthrough toothpaste formula. Xylitol (XIVIA C) Often recommended by dental experts, xylitol is a low-glycemic, low-calorie sugar alcohol that can help protect your teeth rather than harm them. Visit HolisticDentistry.news for more stories on how to maintain oral health without using products that contain harmful ingredients. You can also check out Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store for more natural personal hygiene products. Click on this link for some essential tips on how to stay hydrated this summer.  Watch this clip about the benefits of using Silver Fresh Fluoride-Free Toothpaste (Peppermint + Anise). This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Consumer beware: Harmful ingredients in toothpaste and natural alternatives you can use. Here’s why natural toothpaste is better than commercial toothpaste for supporting optimal oral health. Research shows amalgam dental fillings expose pregnant women to DANGEROUS mercury vapor levels. Union County, North Carolina bans use of fluoride in its water systems. Sources include: SmileTwice.com GCHolisticDentalCare.com.au Health.com HealthRangerStore.com 1 HealthRangerStore.com 2 Brighteon.com
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