Over the past several years there has been a strong growth of dollar stores where shoppers can find a wide variety of household items (everything from canned goods to motor oil) in one convenient location for $1.00 Oftentimes, you can even find the same merchandise in dollar stores as you would find elsewhere for a considerably higher price.

Most people believe that this is because they’ve obtained supplies from manufacturers or wholesalers disposing of overstock or older merchandise for a fraction of the usual price. One of the most commonly purchased items is toothpaste. However, you might want to be cautious when buying dollar-store toothpaste.

Studies have shown that the Crest, Colgate and other brand name toothpastes weren’t the same as from Wal-mart, grocery stores, etc. This is because the toothpastes were manufactured in many other countries and aren’t approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). For instance, some of the toothpaste was made in South Africa or Kenya where the fluoride is ten times stronger than what we’re allowed in the U.S. If we use this toothpaste often, we could be poisoning ourselves, so you obviously don’t want your children swallowing this. Of course, where the toothpaste comes from can make a big difference. For instance, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) has standards which are similar to the American Dental Association’s (ADA).

Nevertheless, you also have to be careful when purchasing Canadian toothpaste at your local dollar store too. You’ll want to check the dates on these tubes of toothpaste since investigations have shown that some of them have expired 2 years ago.

While expired toothpaste doesn’t pose a significant health risk (most brands don’t even carry expiration dates on their packaging), older toothpaste may be undesirable because it may be less effective or less pleasant to use due to changes in taste and consistency. Many of these dollar stores are placing the blame for these problems on wholesalers. Nevertheless, the truth is still there and you and your family’s health depends upon it.

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For people who want a smile that is brighter, the process of tooth whitening can be easily administered. Tooth whitening can reduce staining and discoloration and ultimately grant a patient a whiter and brighter set of teeth.

But how much really can your teeth become whiter? Some tooth whitening products claim that your teeth can become nine shades whiter. This is exaggerating. A whitening of two or three shades is more possible and can already provide a significant change in a person’s smile.

It is important to note at this point that our teeth have no uniform whiteness. Usually, the whitest teeth are the two front teeth while molars are generally two shades darker. A realistic goal for anyone wishing to have a whiter set of teeth is for the process to achieve its optimum level while retaining the natural look of white teeth. Besides, the whitening results vary from patient to patient depending on the teeth structure and procedure type.

But first, what causes tooth discoloration? Remember that aging, chemical damage and staining are factors that contribute to discoloration as are medications, tea, coffee, cola soft drinks and cigarette.

There are also other factors that affect the color of teeth like genetics and disease. Some people have naturally whiter teeth enamel and their children can acquire this gene trait. But if you suspect that there’s a physiological factor behind the color of your teeth, it is best to consult your physician too so you can better inform your dentist.

Teeth whitening corrects the discoloration in your teeth by removing the staining on your teeth. And there are a number of methods or techniques that can be used to achieve this such as the following: mild acid whitening, chemical whitening, abrasive teeth whitening and the latest one: laser teeth whitening.

Teeth bleaching is a chemical process that a dentist can use to lighten up the color of the teeth of his patient. The process can be administered right in the dentist’s clinic, at the patient’s home or a combination of clinic first-finish at home. Home teeth bleaching procedures are more common nowadays these afford patients the convenience of their own homes.

The cosmetic dentist first molds a custom mouth tray or mouth guard for his patient. Creating the mouth tray is critical because this controls the amount of whitening agent to be used and holds the entire teeth for even whitening. Other material requirements for the home procedure are fairly easy to handle. The dentists should make sure that the patient is well-instructed and well-equipped. While treating at home, never hesitate to call your dentist if you have questions or is not sure of what you’re doing.

Typically, the mouthguard containing the whitening solution must be worn overnight or as instructed by your dentist and/or recommended by the product literature. The session could also last for as short as 2 or 3 hours. This really depends in the product and your own whitening need.

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Boy, I sure am glad I’m addicted to reading labels! Over the years I found my favorite time to read labels is waking up in the early morning with that first cup of java in an attempt to get the blood circulating to my brain. Well, one day just before brushing my teeth while still partially dazed, I scanned over the ingredients list on my toothpaste tube and nearly gagged. Sodium laurel sulfate? Eckkkk…..

Sodium laurel sulfate is an artificial “foam booster” used in many products from garage floor cleaners and other industrial cleansers to store bought soaps and shampoos. In a concentrated form it is not only an irritant, but some studies have even linked it to cancer. Some debate the fact that it may pose a threat to our health and environment, and I can be open minded enough to agree that the amount used in most products is within a concentration appropriate for the product’s purpose that certainly won’t kill you overnight if the product in question is used as directed. (Although I personally prefer to avoid products with it.) However, in my mind, I can’t justify the reasoning of it being used in a product that’s to be used in my mouth several times a day!

I decided to do some further research on ingredients commonly used in toothpaste and the results have surprised me. It turn out that sodium laurel sulfate wasn’t the only thing I should be worrying about.

One of the of the concerns I had already been aware of was with fluoride. There have been studies proving that over-exposure could cause forms of cancer in time. What’s interesting is, in my research I actually came across one point of view that was a big ‘ol “so what? Everything causes cancer nowadays.” Ordinarily, I’d almost agree. The difference is toothpaste is easily ingested and even if you rinse well trace amounts are sure to get left behind. Multiply that by three times a day for the rest of your life…

Then the real shock sets in! There are now studies that prove fluoride has very little to no effects in the prevention of tooth decay! Alright then…. It seems like an entirely pointless risk to me now.

A newer ingredient that has been added to toothpaste as an antibacterial agent is triclosan. It’s formulation and structure has been compared to some of the most toxic known chemicals. Some argue that it is in fact safe, but setting the chemical’s composition aside, there are also other concerns. Being an antibacterial agent, it takes exercise away from our immune systems. Just like the theory of the overuse of antibiotics- bacteria and viruses will eventually build stronger and stronger resistances which will make it harder to treat more serious conditions in the future. Antibacterials don’t discriminate either. “Good” bacteria could also be killed, creating an imbalance.

Some toothpastes also contain “hydrated silica”. Now this, I already knew, was pretty much sand. What I am still trying to figure out, is why one would want it in there toothpaste?

There were a couple of other questionable additives that I have read about, more than half of what I’ve read about are additives also used in pesticides. It sounds like there’s yet another product on the market that ruffles up interesting debates in regards to safety.

Am I saying, “everyone hurry up and throw out your toothpaste before you die!” Absolutely not. I simply think people should be informed so that they can make their own decisions and in the very least, have the opportunity to know it’s a good idea to have an extra good rinsing after brushing your teeth. The only thing I do strongly encourage is that if you have small children- please keep this in mind and keep an extra eye out for them while brushing! I remember how much I loved the taste of my Sesame Street toothpaste as a kid, so most of my worries are for them. Ingesting enough of this stuff can easily be toxic for a small child.

If you are interested in safer solutions you can always check out your local health food store for more natural toothpastes, but as many of times products such as these tend to cost a little. For a thriftier approach, I know many that use plain baking soda on their toothbrushes. Some even drip just a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on their brushes before the baking soda.

For myself, personally, I’ve had a hard time adjusting to these methods so I have found a few more tolerable solutions. Sometimes mixing a few drops of a natural orange, lime, or peppermint essential oil makes the experience easier to deal with in regards to plain baking soda. My favorite method by far is making my own natural homemade recipe for toothpaste. What I do is take a small container of baking soda and slowly mix in natural vegetable glycerine until it reaches a similar consistency to the toothpaste that we’re all commonly used to. Then I sparingly add a few drops of my essential oils to taste. Glycerin is naturally sweet and mildly antibacterial, so if you make a little at a time there’s no concerns of it spoiling. Oddly enough, not only does this taste surprisingly decent, but my teeth are actually whiter than ever!

Playing with natural essential oils in toothpaste is actually pretty fun and can make it pretty tasty, but remember even natural substances can be toxic. So as always- do your homework FIRST! I know many are used to minty toothpastes and wintergreen essential oil is one in particular that may be tempting, but is in fact toxic if ingested internally!

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