Protecting yourself and protecting the earth are both important, but so is protecting your oral health. Green is the way the world works for many families across the globe, but finding green products that work can be a little bit tricky. Organic, herbal and other all natural remedies are under the microscope as to just how effective and healthy they truly are for oral health.
A natural toothpaste will have different options in flavor, but they won’t have artificial colors or additives like you would find in a transitional mainstream toothpaste. Moreover, with the increase in demand for these natural products most major brands will have a natural alternative made from plants or other natural sources. The consistency and texture is basically the same as any other toothpaste, and you can taste the clean without harsh chemicals.
Now, many natural toothpastes will not have fluoride in them. They are all mostly void of sodium lauryl sulfate as well. Many ingredients are used in natural and herbal toothpastes, but some common ones are aloe, baking soda, plant extracts, myrrh, eucalyptus oil and flavorings like tea tree and peppermint or cinnamon.
Natural and Herbal Toothpastes; Why they do not contain Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral found in the crust of the earth. This is not a plant derived substance, however it can get into the plants from groundwater where it is naturally found.
While you may be opting for the alternative to the mainstream toothpaste, it is urgent to seek out proper dental care and checkups. The effects of not having fluoride in toothpastes are still widely unknown. Brushing twice every day is vital, and three times a day is optimal. You should also floss regularly. See your dentist at least every 6 months, and pay attention to the following things between dental visits.
- Floss and brush after meals, and if you cannot brush then rinse.
- Don’t do in between meal snacking
- Make sure foods and drinks are vitamin/mineral rich
- Get plenty of calcium
As for which is better between natural and organic toothpaste, you are looking at basically the same thing. Both use natural ingredients and omit all of the harsh chemicals and additives. Many of these will use things like sea salt, coconut oils and the like. There is however a slight difference that is a really big deal to a lot of people.
Natural vs. Organic
Organic is more clearly defined than natural that really does not have a strict set. When you see the term natural it can mean many different things. Some of the things that are considered natural are quite alarming.
With organic goods you know exactly what you are getting and what you are not getting. The federal regulations on organic goods are very uniform, and fundamentally it means that the product is made from the standard production practices that are defined as well as strictly regulated by the USDA.
You always know with an organic product you will never have toxins, pesticides, antibiotics, GMO’s or artificial hormones of any kind. So when you seek out what option is best, more are inclined to lean towards the organic toothpastes for green living and optimal health all the way around the board.
