One of the purposes of a toothpaste is to eliminate bacteria that can cause dental problems. Think of the bacteria from your teeth, tongue, and the entire oral cavity.
But what happens when the toothpaste cannot remove the bacteria?
Toothpaste Without Triclosan Products
The most logical answer is that the bacteria remains and this can lead to the development of oral health problems.
What do you think makes a toothpaste product unable to fight bacteria?
You may say that the toothpaste does not contain the right ingredients and it’s not strong enough to do this job. This can be one situation.
Another reason is related to the ingredients of the product. Toothpaste products contain ingredients that are meant to fight and eliminate bacteria. Triclosan is such a component.
The problem is that bacteria can develop some sort of resistance in time and these chemicals will not be able to do their job.
To prevent such situations from happening, you may want to go for a different product. A toothpaste without triclosan can be a great alternative to consider.
This product uses safer ingredients that do their job and help you maintain a healthy oral hygiene.
Using a toothpaste without triclosan can have some great benefits for your teeth.
Toothpaste without triclosan benefits
Can fight bacteria better and eliminate it
Toothpaste and other personal care products use certain ingredients that have the role of fighting and eliminating bacteria.
The problem with these ingredients is more complex. Let’s focus more on triclosan.
Triclosan can eliminate different types of bacteria from your mouth, but there is no scientific proof that it can get rid of all of them.
In other words, there is no study to show it cleans 100% of all the bacteria. This means that it can leave behind some bacteria.
The bacteria that remains can develop some sort of resistance and in time, it may even become immune to the effects of this ingredient.
With triclosan not being able to do its job, the chances of you having bacteria and developing oral health problems may increase.
Going for a toothpaste without triclosan can help you avoid this situation. Usually, this type of products uses other ingredients with anti-microbial properties.
When looking to purchase such products, asking a specialist for advice is recommended. Your dentist can tell you more about the products that are suitable for your needs.
Protects you against cavities and other teeth problems
When bacteria are around, other problems are not far away.
In this case, you can think of cavities, plaque, bad breath, enamel problems, and the list can continue.
Oral health problems are not only unpleasant to deal with, but they will also require extra costs in order to solve them. Think of dentist appointments, tests, possible treatments, and special products.
This is something most people will most likely want to avoid. Using the right toothpaste can help you prevent this.
A toothpaste without triclosan can be a great option to help you keep your oral cavity healthy and clean.
Helps you maintain healthy and clean teeth
The main purpose of a toothpaste is to clean your teeth and help you maintain them healthy and beautiful.
A toothpaste without triclosan is designed to help you in this direction.
You can find different products on the market that contain different flavors (look for natural ones) and that are designed for special uses (such as sensitive teeth).
If you are interested in this subject, you may want to take a look at toothpaste without glycerin.
What is triclosan?
Triclosan is an ingredient used in different personal care products because of its antibacterial properties. It eliminates germs and prevents bacterial contamination.
The products that can contain triclosan are:
- toothpaste
- soaps (especially antibacterial ones)
- body washes
- deodorants
- aftershave
- cosmetics
Besides being used to eliminate bacteria, triclosan is also added in some products for other purposes.
For instance, it acts as a preservative in water-based items such as aftershave and cosmetics. It prevents bacteria and fungi from developing and growing in them. This is how these products resist for relatively long periods of time on store shelves.
It can also help eliminate unpleasant odor and this is why you find triclosan in deodorants and similar sprays. Deodorants eliminate the bacteria from our sweat and this is how they get rid of the odor. Bacteria is the only thing that makes sweat smell bad.
The usage of the triclosan ingredient in these products is usually regulated by an authority. In the US, the FDA is responsible for this part.
You can also find triclosan in products that are not regulated by the FDA. Here are a few examples:
- clothing items
- toys
- furniture
- kitchenware
What concerns are related to triclosan?
Triclosan has been used since the 1960s and it was first used as a pesticide.
Since then, different studies have been done to see what other effects this ingredient can have. I’m talking here about potential health problems, side effects or different allergic reactions.
In general, triclosan has been linked to:
- causing hormonal disbalances in animals
- the development of bacteria and germs that are very resistant to antibiotics
- harming the immune system
- skin cancer
Studies on animals showed that great amounts of triclosan may lead to decreased levels of certain thyroid hormones. Although this can sound alarming, there was not enough evidence to establish how it can affect humans.
Another study is currently analyzing the link between triclosan and skin cancer, and whether this chemical can influence the development of this condition. The results of the study are still awaited.
There may not be a direct proof that triclosan causes one or more of these health problems, but all of these indicate that the usage of this chemical poses a certain risk.
In fact, some producers are starting to remove triclosan from their items.
Plus, in 2016, the FDA issued a rule in which over-the-counter wash products that are antiseptic could not be marketed to consumers anymore. These items had triclosan in their composition.
The main idea is that you may want to be careful with what products you’re buying. A toothpaste without triclosan is just one example.
There are other items you may want to keep an eye open. Deodorants and antiperspirants can also contain triclosan. You may want to go for a triclosan-free and maybe a paraben and aluminum-free deodorant.
How to fight and keep away bacteria from your mouth
Make sure you drink enough water during the day
Drinking enough water does not only keep you hydrated and full of energy, but it also contributes to a healthy oral cavity.
The saliva from your mouth plays an important role, as it prevents bacterial growth. Having a dry mouth can do exactly the opposite.
Also, bacteria in the mouth increase the chance of bad breath problems.
Make sure you drink enough water during the day and you keep yourself hydrated.
Want to know what other benefits the saliva has?
It helps maintain a healthy strong tooth enamel. The enamel is composed of calcium and phosphate. During a normal day, we lose some of these minerals, in the demineralization process.
The saliva helps us remineralize the enamel. It contains the minerals that we lose and when it comes into contact with our teeth, it does the job.
Enjoy the benefits of natural mouthwash products
When I say natural mouthwash products, I’m not necessarily referring to conventional mouthwashes made of natural ingredients.
There a few products that you may have in your home and you can use as a mouthwash.
Here are a few examples:
- fresh mint leaves
- fenugreek leaves
- cardamon
- baking soda
For example, you can chew a few mint leaves or use mint tea as a mouthwash. Mint is a common ingredient in oral hygiene products. Using the raw product can help you have a fresh breath and eliminate bacteria.
Baking soda is probably one of the oldest items used to clean the mouth. You just dissolve some baking soda in a cup of water, rinse your mouth with it, and you’re done.
Baking soda is known for being great at eliminating bacteria and including it in your cleaning routine can have some wonderful benefits.
Include tongue scraping in your oral hygiene routine
The tongue is a place where bacteria love to live. They hide in tiny places and stay there, causing you problems.
Tongue scraping can be a great way of removing them. For this, you can either use your toothbrush or you can buy a tongue scraper. It’s up to you.
The process is the same for both. You take the item and start scraping your tongue. You can do this after you’ve brushed your teeth.
Use dental floss after you brush your teeth
Dental floss is a wonderful help. It’s great to have one in your bag when you’re not at home, but it’s also important you include it in your cleaning routine.
After you’ve brushed your teeth, take the dental floss and clean the spaces between your teeth. Bacteria and pieces of food can be trapped there and you definitely want to remove them.
You can use dental floss in the morning and the evening after you’ve brushed your teeth.
If you’re interested in this topic, you may want to take a look at natural floss alternatives.
How to make your own toothpaste without triclosan
Having a toothpaste without triclosan has never been easier. You can find them in different stores or you can simply order them online.
If you’re more a DIY person, this topic is something you need to check. The other option is to make your own toothpaste without triclosan.
You may already have some of the ingredients in your home, so you may not have to do too much shopping before actually preparing the homemade toothpaste.
To make this toothpaste, you will need:
- 1/2 cup of coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- around 2 packets of stevia powder
- 20 drops of essential peppermint oil
Start with melting the coconut oil. Continue with putting all the ingredients together and mixing them.
Mix really well until you obtain a homogenous composition. Place it in a small jar and allow it to cool completely. You will see that the entire mixture will solidify.
When you want to use it, just dip your toothbrush in the composition or use a small spoon/instrument to put on your toothbrush.
What you want to keep in mind is that this can be a great change in your oral hygiene routine. A homemade toothpaste without triclosan can be very different from a conventional product found on the market.
First of all, just think of the ingredients. The recipe I’ve presented you above uses more natural ingredients. Conventional products use different chemicals in their composition (they can also contain natural ingredients).
For instance, toothpaste products contain sulfates, ingredients that are responsible for the foaming part. When it comes to more natural and homemade products, it’s less likely to find these components.
Less foaming does not mean that products lacking sulfates are not good enough. It’s a difference caused by the difference in ingredients.
What’s more, if you feel that a new product is causing some changes in your teeth’s looks (making them more yellow, signs of bad breath), you should definitely speak to your dentist.
Maybe these changes are just something temporary until you get used to the new product. They can also be signs of new dental problems.
A specialist can identify what the problem is and can help you solve it before it worsens.
If you’re interested in this topic, you may also want to check non-comedogenic face wash.