If you suffer from mouth ulcers or rashes on your face, or your teeth are discoloured and they hurt while eating, it may be cause for concern. Something that you use twice daily, as a matter of ritual, could be the reason for these oral problems. Yes, your toothpaste may be to blame. We remain completely unaware of how harmful most toothpastes are and the grave damage they might cause to our health. 

Each tube of toothpaste contains chemicals that could be potential carcinogens, the most lethal of them being fluoride, which has been categorized as a ‘toxic drug’ by the United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration). As a matter of fact, fluoride toothpaste manufacturers in the US are mandated to carry a health warning on tubes. Most of these chemicals easily enter the body through the tongue and the thin mucous membrane inside the mouth. 

If you are particularly fond of ‘gel’ toothpastes, you could be slowly taking in lethal doses of sorbitol---a sweetener and tartar-control agent, which could cause bloating and intestinal cramping, often acting as a laxative, particularly harmful for children. Saccharine, the artificial sweetener used in toothpastes across the globe, is a known carcinogen, specifically linked to bladder cancer.

SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate), a cause for mouth ulcers and mucous membrane damage, is used to de-grease engines! It is added to toothpaste to make foam but is not necessary to clean your teeth. Finally, carageenan, a thickening agent, and a must for toothpastes, is a leading contributor to cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. 

Alternative brands of toothpaste are few and far between. The consumer unwittingly becomes a victim of not only dubious advertising and campaigning, but also unethical and immoral manufacturing practices. The results are there for all to see.