Why do we use toothpaste?

Why do we use toothpaste? Because our parents tell us to, the dentist recommends it, or the mere fact it makes our mouth taste better? It may differ for each of us, but the bigger question is what is actually in your toothpaste? Firstly it is important to note that the cleaning of your teeth does not primarily come from the toothpaste, it comes from the friction of the toothbrush you cause whilst brushing. Toothpaste is required to eliminate any bacteria that if left, could lead to gingivitis and dental malodour. Also remember that the recommendation is to clean your teeth twice daily, every day, so we are very likely using A LOT of toothpaste in our lifetime. With this in mind, there are a number of nasties in common toothpastes, but we are going to focus on the main one. For so long, fluoride has been commonly added to toothpastes in order to strengthen your teeth and prevent decay, or so we are told. But did you know that overexposure to fluoride can lead to mottled teeth, otherwise known as dental fluorosis? Sources link fluoride, which is an endocrine disrupter, with suppressing the immune system, causing gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea, potential birth defects and the fact it may contribute to certain cancers. Further information reveals that children exposed to excess fluoride, have up to five times greater chance of developing a low IQ. So with this knowledge, all you need is a good toothbrush, something that freshens the breath and also kills bacteria. Enter natural toothpastes! They are derived from natural ingredients like mint and other herbs, and they are not made to foam as much (hence there is no added Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS) which introduces a host of other issues).