Toothpaste No-Gos: Harmful Ingredients to Avoid for Healthier Teeth

Did You Know? Your Oral Mucosa Is Permeable to Many Ingredients – The Importance of Choosing the Right Toothpaste

This principle is also applied in many medications, highlighting how crucial it is to understand the ingredients in the products we use daily, such as toothpaste.

Unwanted Ingredients in Toothpaste

Microplastics

Microplastics are not only a significant burden on our ecosystem but also a major threat to our health, particularly the health of our teeth. The reason is that microplastics added to many toothpastes can cause excessive abrasion to the teeth, damaging the enamel. This leads to increased sensitivity to heat and cold, as well as sensitive tooth roots. These issues are becoming increasingly common, especially among younger patients. This was observed by Dr. Mariana Mintcheva, a specialist in aesthetic dentistry from Düsseldorf.

Why Do Many Toothpastes Contain Microplastics?

To meet the consumer demand for whiter teeth, many toothpaste manufacturers use microplastic abrasives. Microplastics, made from polyethylene and polypropylene, are non-biodegradable. If you pour some toothpaste through a fine sieve, you'll be surprised at how many colorful plastic beads remain behind. Our wastewater treatment plants are overwhelmed and unable to filter out such a high quantity of microplastics, which then end up in nearby lakes and oceans. Fish ingest these microplastics, which ultimately makes its way onto our plates. It’s an unpleasant reality.

That’s why our formula contains no microplastics. Our MINT Toothpastes provide clean, beautiful teeth while also offering the peace of mind that comes with choosing an eco-friendly product.

Abrasives (Abrasiva)

The cleaning action of most toothpastes relies on abrasives. However, many abrasives not only remove food particles, plaque, and stains but also wear down tooth enamel. This is known as abrasion. Toothpastes with whitening effects, in particular, tend to have high abrasion values, leading to enamel loss. As a result, the enamel becomes thinner, and the teeth become more sensitive. This heightened sensitivity is often felt when consuming hot or cold food and beverages, causing the sharp, painful sensation when drinking coffee or eating ice cream.

The major issue is that the damage is irreversible. Enamel doesn’t regenerate, and the abrasive particles continue to wear it down.

How Abrasive Is Your Toothpaste?

To determine the abrasiveness of your toothpaste, look at the RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasion) value. An RDA value between 20 and 40 is considered low, while medium abrasiveness is between 50 and 60. High RDA values start at 80 and can go up to 250.

With an RDA value of just 25, our MINT Toothpaste is much lower than average, making it ideal for people with sensitive teeth.

Triclosan

Many oral care products contain triclosan, a chemical disinfectant and preservative that fights bacteria. However, while triclosan targets germs, it can also harm the oral mucosa by destroying its natural protective barrier. When the barrier is weakened, it becomes easier for fungi to multiply, leading to fungal infections.

Triclosan also promotes the development of "superbugs" — antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

That’s why we’ve completely avoided triclosan in the development of our MINT products. Instead, we use natural ingredients such as perlite and cellulose particles to gently remove plaque while strengthening enamel for healthy, beautiful teeth.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

Sodium lauryl sulfate is a surfactant found in many personal care and household products, responsible for the characteristic foaming in toothpaste. This foam helps rinse away plaque and food particles. However, sodium lauryl sulfate can be problematic. It can cause allergies, irritate the oral mucosa, and lead to changes in the mucous membrane. Painful white blisters, known as aphthae, are common side effects.

Interestingly, sodium lauryl sulfate is often labeled under other names like SLS or Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS).

Parabens

Toothpastes need preservatives to increase shelf life, and many manufacturers rely on parabens for this purpose. Unfortunately, parabens are absorbed through the oral mucosa, interfering with the body's hormone balance. This is especially concerning during pregnancy, as parabens can disrupt fetal development and even feminize male embryos.

Parabens can also cause allergic reactions, manifesting as red pustules. Additionally, some studies have linked parabens to cancer, as higher concentrations have been found in tumors. However, there has been no conclusive evidence showing whether healthy tissue also contains parabens. Given the potential risks, we’ve chosen to avoid parabens entirely in the development of our products.

PEGs (Polyethylene Glycol)

We also avoid PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols), which are emulsifiers that help mix liquids into a uniform consistency. These controversial ingredients increase the permeability of skin and mucous membranes, allowing harmful substances like parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, and triclosan to penetrate the body more easily, causing potential harm.