Why Is Triclosan in Toothpaste?

You better start mixing toothpaste with your shampoo You’re getting a cavity in your brain.

Archie Bunker

“What’s the best toothpaste to use?”

 I’m going to unleash a whole Chunky Soup can of “You Want The Truth?

 You CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!” Gosh, that’s such an overused movie quote. Sorry about that, but still.

If you’re a dental professional, isn’t this the most annoying question you get, day after day?

Do you even care which toothpaste your patients use?

No. You don’t. Asking a dentist what toothpaste to use is like asking your physician which bar of soap or body scrub you should use to clean your skin. Your dentist and dental hygienist have never seen a tube of toothpaste that singlehandedly improves the health of all patients in their practice, and the reason is simple:

Toothpaste is a cosmetic.

We brush our teeth so that out mouths no longer taste like… mouth. Mouth tastes gross, right? It tastes like putrefied skin. It tastes like tongue cheese. It tastes like Cream of Barf.

On the other hand, toothpaste has been exquisitely designed to bring you a brisk rush of York Peppermint Patty, or Triple Cinnamon Heaven, or whatever flavor that drives those tubes off of the shelves in the confusing dental aisle of your local supermarket or drugstore.

Research suggests triclosan is effective against tooth decay, but not against periodontitis, plaque or gingivitis. Some even believe there is a role for the chemical in protecting oral health. However, while the chemical is highly effective against oral bacteria, so is chlorine bleach — but you wouldn’t dream of brushing your teeth with it.

Colgate continues to use triclosan in its toothpaste to “fight harmful plaque germs.” The parent company, Colgate-Palmolive, has maintained the levels of triclosan used in their products is both safe and necessary in the role to fight gum disease. Patricia Verduin, head of R&D at Colgate-Palmolive, wrote this in response to media reports on the impact triclosan has on your endocrine system:

“As for claims of endocrine disruption, the World Health Organization defines an endocrine disruptor as something harmful to one’s health, and that is simply not the case here.”

On its website, Colgate makes this statement:

“We remain confident that ongoing independent scientific reviews will continue to add to the substantial body of research that affirms the safety and effectiveness of Colgate Total? with triclosan … The FDA concluded that soap manufacturers had not submitted adequate safety evidence for use in these products; the agency did not conclude that triclosan in soap is unsafe.”

However, the ruling by the FDA on September 6, 2016, does not mention a lack of submitted safety evidence, but states:

“FDA is issuing this final rule after considering the recommendations of the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee (NDAC); public comments on the Agency's notices of proposed rulemaking; and all data and information on OTC consumer antiseptic wash products that have come to the Agency's attention.”

In other words, the FDA made the ruling based on data they did have, and not on data that had not been submitted.

Hormone Disruption and Gut Health at Stake

A number of studies have led to understanding how triclosan functions as an endocrine disruptor. In this short news video, Dr. Gary Cohan describes how triclosan may impact a man’s sex drive. Studies have demonstrated thyroid hormone disruption in rats and frogs, as well as disrupted thyroid hormone-associated gene expression.

Exposure to triclosan has become so commonplace that it is showing up in urine, blood and breast milk of people around the world. Even those who don’t use products with triclosan are exposed to it in their food, water supply and even household dust.

Triclosan has both estrogenic (female hormone) and androgenic (male hormone) properties, which may lead to the development of breast cancer. Exposure to triclosan may elevate calcium levels in the cells that may potentially affect neurodevelopment and neurological functioning, and impair mitochondrial function.

After exposure to sunlight, or interaction with chlorine in tap water, breakdown products of triclosan include a list of dangerous chemicals, such as chloroform, 2,8-Dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 2,4-dichlorophenol, an endocrine disruptor and U.S. EPA priority pollutant. However, the damage to your body does not end with your endocrine system.

A small study from Stanford University found while triclosan was killing bacteria in your mouth, it may also be slowly breeding superbugs in your intestinal tract.

Preliminary data from this study fall in line with information from others that demonstrate triclosan may cause subtle disruption in your gut microbiome, integral to your immune system and your overall health. The researchers collected stool samples over a one-year period, finding subtle differences in the bacterial communities of those using toothpaste with triclosan.

Many of the bacteria from the group Proteobacteria that grew in the gut of those using triclosan are known to become broadly resistant to antibiotics and are linked to dysbiosis, or an imbalance of gut microbiome. Although the study had limitations, the researchers found an increase in an antibiotic resistance gene that enables bacteria to resist penicillin and other similar drugs.

Other Questionable Toothpaste Ingredients

While triclosan is not found in all commercial toothpastes, your toothpaste likely contains other toxins known to be endocrine disruptors, or to increase inflammation or have carcinogenic activity. According to the Cornucopia Institute’s report, “Behind the Dazzling Smile,” the average woman uses 12 personal care products with 168 different chemicals and the average man uses six products with 85 different ingredients.

A common ingredient found in dental products and your tap water is fluoride, a known endocrine disruptor, neurotoxin and bone weakening substance the FDA classifies as a drug when used to prevent disease, such as cavities. Humans have no known physiological requirement for fluoride. More information about this drug intentionally added to your tap water may be found in a previous article by Michael Connett, senor adviser for the Fluoride Action Network.

Carrageenan

A thickening agent suspected of being a carcinogen, it is linked to intestinal inflammation.

Artificial colors and flavors

Some have been linked to hyperactivity, behavioral problems, cancer and allergic reactions.

Sweeteners

Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners are often added. Aspartame metabolizes in your body to formaldehyde and has been linked to birth defects, cancer and weight gain.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

SLS interferes with the function of your taste buds, has been linked to the formation of canker sores and is registered as an insecticide.

Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

While formaldehyde is a prohibited ingredient as it is a known carcinogen, some preservatives work by slowly releasing formaldehyde.

Parabens

These are endocrine-disrupting preservatives linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity.

Propylene glycol

A type of mineral oil commonly found in paint and antifreeze, it easily penetrates skin and facilitates the absorption of other chemicals.

Diethanolamine (DEA)

DEA is a hormone disruptor that reacts with other ingredients to form N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), that is easily absorbed and has been linked with cancers of the stomach, esophagus, liver and bladder.

Brush Your Teeth With Safer Alternatives

Fortunately, there are safer alternatives, not all of which you have to make at home. Consider choosing from the Cornucopia Institute’s top picks,27 or from the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.28 While over-the-counter products are great for travel, you may enjoy using a homemade toothpaste that you can make with a few basic ingredients.

For example, combine a simple mixture of coconut oil and baking soda with a few drops of peppermint essential oil, adding enough baking soda to form a smooth consistency. Store in a glass jar in a cool, dry place.

Coconut oil may help inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium that is a cause of tooth decay, and peppermint oil extract has been shown to be superior to the mouthwash chemical chlorhexidine in inhibiting the formation of biofilm formations linked to dental cavities.29 Also remember that your diet is the foundation for strong, healthy teeth. Nutrients that are particularly important for oral health include:

·        Vitamins C, D and K2

·        Magnesium

·        Phosphorous

·        Potassium

·        Calcium

References

·        U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Are all personal care products regulated as cosmetics?

·         Environmental Science and Technology, May 18, 2017

·         Environmental Health News, June 1, 2017

·         The Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics, January 2011

·         Cochrane, Triclosan/copolymer Containing Toothpastes for Oral Health, December 5, 2013

·         Mother Nature Network, June 4, 2017

·         Colgate Total, Safety of Colgate Total with Triclosan

·         Federal Register, September 6, 2016

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

DISCLAIMER: This information is intended for educational purposes. Dayal Ram is in no way liable for the use of this information and makes no warranty or guarantee as to its accuracy.

Thanks for reading!  Carry a great Smile.