Every day there is more information about which chemical ingredients to avoid when it comes to skincare and beauty products. One of the most overlooked areas for a bit of greening is something we all (hopefully) do each day, twice a day or more - cleaning your teeth. There are a few small and not so painful changes to make that will ensure that the entire cleaning routing stays eco-friendly and health-friendly.
A Few Ingredients to Avoid
Parabens
These pesky little preservatives show up in many skincare, haircare and beauty products. Industry experts representing large brand names will indicate that small amounts of Parabens have not shown an significant health risk. Some claim that frequent absorption of Parabens can lead to the growth of cancerous tumors. In the face of unclear research and big lobby dollars, there are companies creating wonderful alternatives that WORK and get the job done with natural preservatives.
Triclosan: According to the GreenParent.co.uk - Triclosan is found in most chemical toothpastes for its antibacterial properties. It is a chlorophenol, a class of chemicals suspected of causing cancer and when taken internally, even in small amounts, this family of chemicals can lead to cold sweats, circulatory collapse and convulsions. Although many companies will claim the safety of Triclosan, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has this ingredient registered as a pesticide!!
Ingredients That Work Naturally
Not surprisingly, there are some wonderful natural alternatives to commercially produced brands who claim safety of ingredients that are anything but. Some effective ingredients in natural toothpaste include:
- Baking Soda
- Arrowroot Powder
- Unrefined Sea Salt
- Peppermint Oil
- Glycerin
Great Green Choices
The Toothpaste
A great natural alternative is an eco-friendly product from a company called Spirit Bear Tooth Powder which can be purchased online at Eco-Natural.com. Local natural food stores and most grocery chains are adding more natural selections each day.
Tom's of Maine - A great company featuring a full line of natural teeth cleaning products, is open with customers by sharing a complete ingredient list and offering a guarantee of no animal testing. Check out the full list of natural ingredients found in Toms' products.
The Toothbrush
Preserve products has found the answer to the mountain of discarded toothbrushes that end up in the landfill each day. From toothbrush to razor, all of the products made by Preserve are made from 100% recycled plastic. Once you are done with a Preserve products, simply grab a mailing packet at point of purchase and send it to Preserve to let the recycling continue.
Elena Lipson - Elena aka EcoDiva is a freelance eco-writer and consultant as well as a mama to sweet toddler who keeps her on the move and motivated to ...
