Have you ever paid attention to the chemicals in your toothpaste? If you have then you will know that toothpaste contains an active ingredient called sodium monofluorophosphate or fluoride. We don't generally think of this chemical as toxic, but recent studies have shown that fluoride is indeed toxic. While dentists have us brushing at least twice a day and having at least an annual cleaning we do not realise the detrimental effects that such cleaning can have on a person. You see if we just talk about dentist visits you will know that a dentist is chipping away at the enamel of our teeth when they clean them. Yes, they are getting rid of plaque as well, but they can do serious harm to our teeth when cleaning them as well.

So let's look at fluoride for a while. We are told to use toothpaste twice a day, and also mouthwash. These items contain fluoride. Fluoride is not always harmful to the person using it, however there are a great number of individuals who develop a disease called dental fluorosis. This disease is a reaction to the use of fluoride on the teeth. It can cause crumbling of the enamel as well as permanently damaging the teeth.

There is an individual and probably many more like her who have experienced leg pains, flu like symptoms, and headaches due to fluoride. This person and others will also show mottled brown teeth. In other words the teeth are rotting inside their mouths despite the fact and actually because of the fact that they have used toothpaste with the fluoride ingredient. The teeth are permanently damaged by the fluoride and will cause other body symptoms in severe cases. Other people may not experience the degree of toxicity to the teeth as this individual and other due, but the fact remains that fluoride is toxic.

To prevent this toxicity from occurring you need to pay special attention to the labels of the toothpaste you buy. You may ask your dentist for a recommendation regarding, which toothpaste to use if you experience these symptoms or even mild symptoms. The key is to not use toothpaste with the fluoride ingredient that is supposed to keep our teeth extra clean. There are natural toothpastes that are manufactured. These toothpastes may be available at your local store or depending on where you live you may need to order this product online. The important thing to remember is that toxicity can only be taken care of if it is caught early enough. Otherwise you may be using dentures before you reach an older age. Natural tooth decay is expected, but continuing with a product that creates toxicity should be removed from your use.

There are several individuals out there that want to stop the production of toothpastes with fluoride as the ingredient. While this is certainly a great idea it may be years before we see a change in the toothpaste market. Most toothpastes still contain fluoride and market the fluoride as the best toothpaste to use. Only you as an individual can stop from having any toxic effects from toothpaste by refusing to buy these products and searching for more natural ingredients to clean your teeth.

Triclosan is another harmful and toxic chemical that can be found in some toothpastes. Triclosan is a chemical that can turn your toothpaste into a chloroform type chemical when it is applied to your teeth. This is obviously a bad affect and should be avoided at all costs. Among other side effects besides the chloroform this chemical can cause toxic effects and cancer. We have enough problems to deal with in the cancer area without willingly exposing ourselves to an ingredient that can cause gum cancer.

The best way to avoid these harmful chemicals is of course read the label of the products you buy. You may find that fluoride is in all the toothpastes on the shelf at your local store. The best way to find alterative toothpastes is to ask a dentist to recommend a site online to purchase toothpaste or see if you can't get something directly through them. With technology we sometimes forget that creating a synthetic compound can be toxic to human consumption even if it is just using it as a toothpaste. Not everyone will have the reactions to these chemicals that are listed above, but there are more individuals out there that are affected and it should be known. The consumer needs to be cautious when it regards their health. We have learned that taking things for granted should not be done even if it is a dentist recommending the product.