Red 40, Red 33, Red 30, for external use only; Blue 1(aluminum), external use only, suspected toxin-carcinogen-teratogen; Yellow 10 permitted use but may be carcinogenic; Hydroxides, carcinogenic; Carbomer, irritant; Propylene glycol, causes liver and kidney damage; PEG 300, PEG 12, plasticizer containing the toxin dioxane; Synthetic alcohols, toxic; Sodium Benzoate, may cause allergic reactions; Aluminum, carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic; Sodium Hydroxide, irritant (found in oven cleaner); Parabens, allergenic; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, damages DNA in cells.

Sounds like chemistry class, but in a recent survey of toothpaste ingredients in my local grocery store, these are a few of the toxic ingredients listed on the labels.

And what about Sodium Fluoride? The good news is that, after almost forty years of fluoridated toothpaste, it is now required that the label include a notice that fluoride is a poison. The bad news is that fluoride is not FDA approved, and we were are overloaded with it from many other sources, including food.

Fluoride is classified in the Merck Index as an ant and rat poison, fifteen times more toxic than arsenic. It is found in air pollution, fertilizers, and contaminated water. It promotes genetic damage, gingivitis, pyorrhea, and periodontal disease, accelerated aging, immune dysfunction, birth defects, rheumatoid diseases, cancer, vitamin deficiencies, osteoporosis, abnormal hardening of bones and teeth, damages the liver, aorta, lungs, and kidneys, among its damaging effects.

It was recently reported in the media that a healthy thyroid is important in pregnancy in order to support brain development. Fluoride can damage the thyroid. Water that is fluoridated (and chlorinated) prevents the thyroid from absorbing iodine, its major nutrient. This may also have an impact on the rising number of cases of thyroid disorders. The Environmental Protection Agency considers fluoride compounds like those added to most US water supplies to be toxic waste.

The Journal of the American Dental Association reported that fluoride treatments at the dentists office are the greatest risk for fluoride intoxication. The Novocain shot you get to numb your gums can undergo metabolic changes into aniline which is highly carcinogenic. Even mercury fillings once the main material for fillings is now bypassed for healthier substances. For more information please refer to Gary Null.

Interestingly enough, The USPHS had data from the National Cancer Institute and Proctor & Gamble, manufacturers of Crest with fluoride, stating that fluoride causes cancer. Proctor & Gamble also reported that less than 0.5 PPM (your water gets 1PPM added to it) causes genetic damage.

What can you do to get healthier teeth naturally?

The first thing is to have good nutrition. Foods high in calcium, manganese, Vitamin C and E promote good strong healthy teeth. Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin can control tooth decay as found in a study at MIT. Avoid processed foods which promote tooth decay.

If you truly believe you must have fluoride, get it from foods such as beef, cheese, whole wheat, yams, or corn. The best sources are fish and vegetables, which contain calcium fluoride, the natural form.

Brush and floss daily, this helps your teeth and gums stay healthy, and may add two years to your life.

Use herbal tooth powder or an old remedy made from pure sea salt, peppermint oil and baking soda. You can replace the peppermint with cinnamon if you like. Even hydrogen peroxide mixed into a paste with baking soda works well. Plain (pure) water is ok if you don’t like pastes or powders. The point is: BRUSH YOUR TEETH!

If you have gum infection, the herbalist’s treatment of choice is goldenseal and myrrh. For healing receding gums and deep pockets, use a base of slippery elm bark and mix in the herbal tooth powder and a little pure water to from a ball, then place between your cheek and gums for about 30 minutes twice daily. You can also strengthen your gums and teeth by massaging them with the tooth powder. The herbal tooth powder contains herbs that add calcium to the tooth matrix, tighten gums, and fight bacteria.

In extreme cases, and to prevent infection after dental work or surgery, use the clinically proven oriental medicine formulas we use. Many dentists around the country use this combination in their practices, avoiding the use of antibiotics.

You can find more information about natural dental health by contacting the Preventive Dental Health Association in care of David S. Kennedy, DDS at 619. 222. 6981.

You may contact CHI for more information about natural products mentioned in this article.

Your comments, suggestions and questions for this column are invited. Thank you for your interest in our work.

HEALTH MATTERS© is presented by CHI - Creating Health Institute, a 501c3, tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, ©1999

This article originally appeared in 1999 in a Washington Post owned newspaper based in Everett, WA.  It has appeared in other print media sources.

Current (2008) fluoride additives to municipal water supplies is sourced from fertilizer waste.

Dental Health