Treehugger on Toothpaste
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09.17.05
Toothpaste is tough. Our dentist, who we worship, insists that we use a flouride toothpaste; Others go nuts over flouride. We felt slightly less guilty buying flouride toothpaste from Tom's of Maine, where even the fluoride is natural. (right- ground up fluorspar.that has to be better for us!) UK website ethicscore.org looked at toothpastes recently and rated Tom's and Kingfisher tops, Crest last. ::Ethicscore.org the Guardian article reviews them for flavour and packaging: ::Guardian and tipster Bonnie
Supposedly you could get by without the toothpaste by using a Soladay-2 (which TH posted http://www.treehugger.com/files/2004/12/wip_top_five_pe_1.php)
Anyone actually buy it? I'm curious to read an actual review.
My dentist points out that allegations of increased flouridosis (mottled teeth from a bit too much NaF) occuring in the US parallels the increased consumption of prepared foods and bottled beverages across the board. Huh? Older US cities tend to have flouridated tap water whereas the suburbs less so. Guess where the bottling and food processing companies are located? So..adding the toothpaste to your diet plus considering whether your local area already flouridates is important..check in with your dentist for his/he thoughts about what happens when there are all added up.
Another alternative to a flouride toothpaste is a product called Organic Dentifrice by Shaklee.
Tooth decay is directly related to diet and fluoride is not required for healthy teeth. The only ones benefiting from fluoride are those who sell it.
With fluoride reaching 2/3 of Americans via their water supply and virtually 100% via the food supply, tooth decay is still a national epidemic. While fluoride use is growing in products and in foods, tooth decay is increasing.
So either fluoride causes tooth decay or fluoride has no beneficial effects on teeth that are in a body fed a poor diet.
For more info:
New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation
www.orgsites.com/ny/nyscof
Fluoride Action Network
www.FluorideAction.Net
our well water had very high flouride content which, as john points out, mottled our teeth before we knew what was happening. however, contrary to what nyscof says, none of my siblings have ever had a cavity but their kids who grew up on low-flouride city water get plenty. i think we benefited from flouride, not the people who sell it.
I dissagree. I know that Fluoride is bad for you. Toms of Maine toothpaste is just an excuse, in my opinion. I use Natural Garden toothpaste. Fluoride is bad for your health in my opinion!