You've probably heard it a hundred times here: Our oral health plays a major role in our overall health and wellness. Taking care of our mouths leads to healthy gums and teeth, but it goes beyond our mouths.

When choosing oral care products, it’s important to know what ingredients are in them. But it's also important to know what role those ingredients play in your health.

Conventional products often contain toxic chemicals and ingredients we don’t want in our bodies. These products are not only bad for your oral health but also impact the health of your entire body. And many of them wreak havoc on the environment as well!

Choosing products with non-toxic ingredients is the best way to improve your oral health without harming your body.

The Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Mouth

Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental issues, such as cavities, inflammation of the gums, and bad breath. If not treated, these can lead to serious issues like root canals, infections, and periodontitis.

Aside from impacting our mouth, there’s a strong connection between the health of our mouth and our body. Research shows that oral health problems can lead to more serious medical conditions. These include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and more. It can even play a role in fertility! Maintaining a healthy mouth isn’t only about having a bright smile… it's about your overall well-being.

The health of our teeth and gums is important for health, but it goes beyond that. The microbiome in our mouth is very crucial to our health. It helps keep the mouth strong and increases its bacteria-fighting abilities. This is important because when disease is present in the body, bacteria from the mouth have been found.

In your oral hygiene routine, you want to choose products that support your health, not harm it. But you also want them to work! That’s why it's so important to be aware of the ingredients in your oral care products. Choosing products that have natural and non-toxic ingredients that are proven to work is the best way to care for your mouth and body.

What Ingredients Should I Avoid in Toothpaste? 

Many popular conventional toothpaste brands contain ingredients you want to avoid. Fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and triclosan have been linked to various health concerns. Studies show they can cause hormone disruption, increased inflammation, and gut irritation.

Fluoride, for example, has been shown to disrupt the microbiome balance in the mouth. Ever noticed that warning label on toothpaste? That’s because fluoride can even be toxic when ingested. Studies link fluoride to premature aging, decreased IQs in children, and thyroid issues.

Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, a foaming agent commonly found in toothpaste, can irritate the gums and cause canker sores. Some people even have SLS allergies. This causes redness, swelling, and itchiness in the mouth and lips.

Triclosan is an antibacterial agent in toothpaste and mouthwash. It's been linked to antibiotic resistance and hormone disruption. Although it’s been banned from hand soaps, it’s still used in conventional oral care products. 

These chemicals not only harm our oral health but also have an impact on our environment. For example, SLS has been found to be harmful to marine life when it enters the water supply. Triclosan has been linked to the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water systems. Fluoride can have a negative impact on soil health and potentially contaminate water sources.

Despite these potential risks, these ingredients are still used in conventional products. 

What Ingredients Should I Want In a Toothpaste?

If it's surprising to you to learn that fluoride is an ingredient you should avoid in a toothpaste, you might be wondering what other ingredient could keep your toothpaste effective at fighting cavities. We're glad you're asking yourself that question!

Hydroxyapatite - Did you know that 95% of your tooth enamel is made up of hydroxyapatite? It's a form of calcium apatite, also known as calcium phosphate, and is a naturally occurring mineral that makes up our bones and teeth. What better way to strengthen your teeth than to use exactly what they are made of? 

Hydroxyapatite is a superstar ingredients because it gets into the tiny crevices of your teeth (where cavities begin!) and fill those cracks up and strengthen the overall enamel of the tooth. No fluoride required here!

Xylitol - You might be more familiar with Xylitol when it comes to gum, candy, or food as a sugar replacement. But research shows that it is a fantastic ingredient to improve the health of your mouth.

Xylitol reduces the levels of mutans streptococci (MS) in plaque and saliva by disrupting their energy production processes, leading to cell death and an inability to wreak havoc on our teeth. It also reduces the adhesion of these microorganisms to the teeth surface and also reduces their acid production potential. This is so important for teeth health!

The Benefits of Non-Toxic Oral Care Ingredients

Given the risks of certain ingredients, it's important to find alternatives that will keep your mouth health at its best. In addition to the above, some of the more prevalent benefits of using alternative and natural oral care products include:

• Gentle on sensitive teeth - Many natural toothpaste options use gentle ingredients. This makes them great for those with sensitive teeth and gums. These products can also reduce the risk of irritation and inflammation in the mouth.
• Promote an alkaline environment - Saliva protects teeth from decay by maintaining a healthy pH balance in the mouth. Xylitol (often used in natural products) also helps create an alkaline environment.
• Strengthening teeth - Natural toothpaste often contains calcium carbonate and hydroxyapatite. These ingredients strengthen enamel and protect teeth from cavities.
• Fresh breath - Many conventional mouthwash brands use alcohol that can disrupt the balance of bacteria. Natural ones use essential oils and gentle ingredients to freshen breath without causing harm. 
• Promote a healthy oral microbiome - Natural and non-toxic products maintain a healthy microbiome. This leads to a healthier mouth and body.
• Reduce exposure to harmful chemicals — Avoid unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals by using products free from ingredients like fluoride and SLS.
• Care for our environment - Natural and non-toxic oral care products are often made with sustainable packaging. And since they don’t contain harmful chemicals, it reduces the amount of these chemicals released into the environment.

With the added benefits of reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and supporting sustainable practices, using natural and non-toxic oral care products is a smart choice for our health and the environment.

How Can I Maintain My Oral Hygiene Naturally?

With so many benefits for our health and the environment, switching to natural and non-toxic products is an easy way to support your oral care. 

Wellnesse offers a wide range of products for the whole making, making it easier for you to make the switch from conventional options. All of our products are free from toxic chemicals, including fluoride, SLS, and triclosan.

Plus, we are committed to sustainable packaging. For example, our toothpaste containers are made from 100% compostable sugarcane bioplastic. This means they’re compostable, and the lids are recyclable.

Wellnesse Toothpaste

Our Whitening Toothpaste gently removes stains and whitens teeth without harsh chemicals. We use all-natural micro-hydroxyapatite instead of fluoride. It also has natural ingredients like aloe vera, neem oil, and green tea powder to promote healthy teeth and gums.

Made with activated charcoal powder, our Charcoal Toothpaste effectively removes stains naturally. It also contains other natural ingredients like xylitol, aloe vera, and peppermint oil. These promote healthy teeth and gums while maintaining fresh breath. It contains no glycerin, SLS, fluoride, or artificial flavors, so it’s a safe and effective option.

Made with safe and natural ingredients, the Children's Strawberry Toothpaste is perfect for little ones! The delicious strawberry flavor makes it a hit with kids. And parents can feel comfortable knowing their children aren't being exposed to harmful chemicals. Baking soda helps neutralize acids and promote an alkaline pH, while aloe vera soothes any inflammation.

Wellnesse Oral Probiotics

With four different probiotic strains included, our Oral Probiotics pack a powerful punch of probiotic support. There are 500 different types of bacteria in the mouth, which helps maintain a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria. They come in a recyclable amber glass bottle to protect them… no need to refrigerate them! And they’re safe for all ages!

Wellnesse Floss

Made with natural candelilla waxed silk and infused with peppermint oil, our Silk Floss is a natural, eco-friendly option. Peppermint leaves your mouth feeling fresh and clean. Our packaging ditches the plastic containers. Instead, we use a 100% recyclable cardboard box. Flossing is an essential step in maintaining good oral health, and our floss makes it easy to do.

For the kids learning to floss, they’ll love our Plant-Based Floss Picks. They’re a great (plastic-free!) way to clean little teeth that have a hard time reaching to the back of their mouth while gripping regular floss.

Wellnesse Balanced Mouth Blend

Our Balanced Mouth Blend combines organic peppermint, oregano, and clove bud oil to freshen your breath. It's a great alternative to conventional mouthwash. Mix a few drops with water and swish, add a few drops to your toothbrush and toothpaste before brushing, or add a few drops to your oil for oil-pulling. Plus you can recycle the glass bottle when you’re done!

Using our natural and non-toxic oral care products helps maintain a healthy mouth. And you'll reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. Making the switch to natural and sustainable options not only benefits you but also the environment.

Choose Wellnesse for a Healthier Smile, Body, and Planet

Switching to natural and non-toxic oral care products is an important step to take care of your health. Plus, it's a great way to live a sustainable, non-toxic lifestyle. With Wellnesse's range of oral care products, it's easier than ever to make the switch and care for your body. Our products nourish, strengthen, and protect your teeth while keeping harmful chemicals at bay!

Shop Wellnesse to support and strengthen your oral health!