These are the ingredients of the one I use. Not sure what most of this is, but it isn't looking good!
Ingredients
Aqua, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Aroma, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Saccharin, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Fluoride, Limonene, CI 77891, Contains Sodium Fluoride (1450ppm F)
In case you are wondering here is what some of those ingredients are and do.
Sodium Laureth Sulphate (aka Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, or SLS) which is used to create foam. It’s a major ingredient in washing up liquid and does play some role in cleaning your teeth. But it isn’t essential and in some studies it has been shown that it can make human tissue (skin, scalp, mouth surfaces) more easily penetrated by other chemicals.
Tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) is sometimes used as a water softening agent. It removes calcium and magnesium from the saliva so that less plaque is formed. It is slightly unpleasant tasting and needs other ingredients (e.g. detergents) present to make it work. Toxnet rate it as moderately toxic.
Some toothpastes may contain
Triclosan which helps kill plaque-forming microbes. Triclosan is a bio-persistent chemical which turns up in fish, breast milk and wastewater.
For that white “Hollywood” smile many toothpastes contain
hydrogen peroxide. There are some health queries about the safety of this when used in concentrated amounts. One study, by
Europa, concluded that most people suffered no problems from a 1.5% hydrogen peroxide solution used twice a day. However, hydrogen peroxide is also classed as a weak carcinogen and they therefore concluded that it should be sold in a 0.1% concentration only.
Another whitening ingredient is
sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). This is considered a moderate hazard.
Worse though is
carbamide peroxide, which is generally produced from
perhydrol urea. This is an animal product and is rated as moderately toxic by the EWG (Environmental Working Group). It’s already banned in Canada.
Sodium carbonate peroxide is added to some whitening toothpastes. It breaks down into sodium carbonate (washing soda) and hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide then bleaches the teeth and kills germs around the gums.
Titanium dioxide (also found in sunscreens) is used to make the toothpaste opaque and bright white. This is generally considered a Low hazard.
Polyethylenes such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and other polymers are also found in many toothpastes. They are used to bind and stabilise. Health concerns include cancer, allergies/immunotoxicity and organ system toxicity.
Fluorides are used to harden the teeth and protect against decay. They work best when combined with surfactants (detergents) such as SLS and ALS. There are many health questions over the use of fluoride – and the jury is still out.
Sodium fluoride is commonly used and is thought to be a cancer-causing agent (carcinogenic) in prolonged use.
Sodium monofluorophosphate has similar properties.
Because many of the ingredients in toothpaste can be irritating
Allantoin (thought to be harmless) is sometimes added to counter this.