Toxic or harmless? Why to go green in Oral Care
Twice a day is a must, three times would be even better - we're talking about ideal dental care. Because an enchanting smile requires healthy, well-groomed teeth. But even when buying the right dental care, it is advisable to take a look at the list of ingredients. Because even today, some substances in conventional dental care are classified as questionable.
4 toothpaste ingredients to avoid.
The ingredient triclosan – a disinfectant with an antibacterial effect – which is often used in conventional dental care, is suspected of triggering cardiac insufficiency, among other things. Doctors, scientists and European health organizations are therefore already calling for the ingredient used in everyday products to be banned.
Microplastics are also often on everyone's lips due to their use in dental care: the tiny, non-degradable plastic particles cannot be completely filtered out of the wastewater and end up unfiltered in rivers, lakes, seas and our groundwater. There they are eaten by organisms and animals and, according to scientists, can cause inflammation. However, science has not yet been able to determine the long-term effects of microplastics on humans.
The surfactant sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), used to form foam in detergents and toothpastes, is also repeatedly in the negative headlines because, according to experts, it is considered to be allergenic and skin-irritating.
And even the ingredient fluoride , considered the panacea for gum protection, has come under fire because while it helps keep teeth clean and prevents tooth decay, it's also been discredited as a toxic industrial waste product.
Why to go green in oral care.
Natural cosmetics now offer a large selection of natural dental care alternatives. As pure natural cosmetics, they are based on 100% natural, particularly well-tolerated ingredients that also provide the desired care and cleaning performance. Instead of triclosan, microplastics and the like, the natural alternatives rely on sea salt, myrrh or sage.
Green cosmetics: good for teeth and gums.
An example of a natural alternative to conventional tooth cleaning is our All Natural Wild Mint Toothpaste. With the pleasant aroma of wild mint, it provides particularly long-lasting, natural freshness and, with a combination of plant extracts from organic green tea and myrrh, as well as a pinch of sea salt, ensures healthy teeth. The combination of sea salt crystals and the mineral calcium carbonate is considered an effective and healthy alternative to the microplastic particles that are often used as cleaning agents for the mechanical cleaning effect. In addition, the natural resin of the myrrh bush has an antiseptic and disinfecting effect. Extracts of organic coneflower root and organic sage leaves strengthen the gums and prevent tooth decay, which together with the essential oil of peppermint round off the subtle taste of sea salt.
Why brush with bamboo?
A meter in a week - that's how fast a bamboo shoot shoots up. This means that bamboo is one of the fastest growing raw materials on earth and is particularly environmentally friendly - even when harvested. A decisive factor that makes consumers increasingly turn to sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic brushes.
In addition, bamboo is a particularly water-repellent wood that does not splinter. It has a natural antibacterial and germ-reducing effect and is therefore well suited for use in cleaning teeth. The wood is biodegradable and thus noticeably reduces plastic waste - because according to dentists, changing the toothbrush is recommended every three months. Used brushes regularly end up in the garbage.
Why your toothbrush should be BPA-Free.
But there is more to a good toothbrush than a sustainable handle – the bristles also play a role. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound commonly found in plastic that has long been discredited. Studies show that BPA can disrupt hormonal balance and have health effects. Nevertheless, BPA is often processed in the bristles of conventional toothbrushes and thus easily enters the mouth. BPA-free nylon brushes offer a suitable alternative.
With ideal dental care, you should also pay attention to the hardness of the bristles: soft bristles are particularly helpful for sensitive gums, while hard bristles promote more thorough cleaning.
Our All Natural Bamboo Toothbrush made from sustainable bamboo with its soft BPA-free nylon bristles ensures thorough and gentle cleaning of teeth and gums. If the brush is replaced after the recommended three months, we recommend disposing of the toothbrush head separately from the rest.
Organic Lip Balms: So natural you can eat them.
The average consumer “eats” four lip balms every year. However, just looking at the ingredients of conventional lip care leaves a bitter aftertaste. Because while the care products make chapped lips supple again and provide dry lips with moisture for a long time, they often contain critical substances such as mineral oils and artificial additives that can easily get into the body through the mouth in everyday life and can be permanently deposited there.
A good alternative is natural cosmetic lip care. She relies on 100% natural, biodegradable essences and oils from nature. This is also the case with our All Natural Moroccan Mint Lip Balm, which protects and cares for the lips over the long term. The high vitamin E content and the natural moisturizing shea butter make the lip balm a blessing for rough lips. The extract of the gentle marigold provides additional moisture and has a calming and soothing effect on chapped lips.