Our bodies are regularly exposed to harmful ingredients in everyday consumer products, like toothpaste and mouthwash. That’s why it’s important to be knowledgeable about these toxic chemicals so that you can make informed, healthy choices for you and your family when selecting oral care products.

Here are the 5 most common oral care ingredients that could be bad for you:

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
2. Titanium Dioxide 
3. Artificial Sweeteners
4. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG-8 and PEG-12)
5. Triclosan 

To read more about these ingredients, check out our contributor's post on the Dermstore blog! 

None of the ingredients listed above are in our toothpaste, mouthwash or teeth whitening pens...we promise.

FAQs

1. How can you ensure that the oral care products you are using are safe?

The way to ensure that the oral care products you are using are safe is by following a few steps. First, make sure that the product has been approved by the American Dental Association and it does not contain fluoride or alcohol. Second, look for labels with words such as hypoallergenic, sensitive, and natural. Third, when in doubt about a product's safety, consult your dentist before use.

2. What should you do if you have been using products with harmful ingredients?

If you have been using products with harmful ingredients, then you should stop immediately. The chemicals in these products can cause a number of issues including skin irritation and cancer. You should also make sure to read the labels on all your other beauty products to see if they contain any of the harmful ingredients listed.

3. What ingredient in toothpaste is harmful?

Many cosmetics and toothpastes still include SLS, despite the fact that nearly 16,000 studies have documented its toxicity. Even though it is also used as an insecticide, EWG claims that this chemical has the potential to induce irritation and organ toxicities.

4. Is sorbitol bad for teeth?

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that can be found in many candies and chewing gum. It's often used as an alternative to high-sugar items because it has less calories than regular sugars. Sorbitol doesn't cause tooth decay like other sweeteners, but it can still lead to cavities if consumed too frequently or without brushing one's teeth afterwards. Sorbitol is safe for teeth when consumed in moderation, so long as the person brushes their teeth right after consuming sorbitol.

5. Is sodium monofluorophosphate toxic?

The typical percentage of MFP found in toothpaste is 0.76 percent. Sodium fluoride is often replaced with this molecule in children's toothpaste due to its lower acute toxicity, however both compounds have small long-term toxicity risks.