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Toothpaste is a product used every day. It helps maintain good oral hygiene and prevent dental cavities by protecting against them and gum inflammation. However, conventional toothpastes contain ingredients that can affect your health. This is why organic toothpastes are recommended, especially for children. Find out more about these toothpastes here.
Here is a guide that will tell you everything you need to know about organic toothpaste for children.
Organic toothpaste: What is it?
Organic toothpaste in tablet or gel form is a zero-waste toothpaste for children, babies, or adults. It carries a BDIH, Cosmébio, or Ecocert certification that guarantees compliance with standard organic cosmetics criteria. It generally contains 95% or more ingredients of organic or plant origin. Its formula contains no chemical preservatives. It is therefore both a good oral care product.
The composition of organic toothpastes
These organic toothpastes are primarily made from ingredients sourced from organic farming. Components proven to be toxic are automatically removed from the list of authorized active ingredients. Furthermore, unlike conventional synthetic toothpastes, certified organic toothpastes do not contain dyes, artificial foaming agents, synthetic flavors, or chemical preservatives.
On the label of organic toothpastes, an INCI list indicates each component of the product according to its concentration level. It includes many active ingredients: plant extracts, essential oils, natural flavors, natural sweeteners, mineral salts, and sea salt.
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Plant extracts
- Thyme: it helps prevent inflammation of the oral cavity.
- Lemon balm: it helps significantly reduce dental pain.
- White tea: it protects you against the formation of cavities and helps fight dental plaque
Essential oils
- Lemon essential oil: it helps combat bad breath and dry mouth and whitens teeth.
- Tea Tree essential oil: eit effectively combats dental plaque.
- Peppermint essential oil: it is known for its analgesic, anesthetic, and disinfectant properties.
Natural flavors
- natural strawberry flavor: it helps protect teeth and gums from tooth decay.
- natural mint flavor: it provides a feeling of freshness throughout the day.
- natural eucalyptus flavor: it strengthens your tooth enamel and protects it from dental plaque.
Mineral salts
They help reduce plaque formation on sensitive, fragile gums.
Why choose organic toothpaste for children?
There are several reasons why you might choose organic toothpaste.
Organic toothpastes respect your health and contain effective ingredients
Choosing organic toothpaste primarily means avoiding the consumption of toxic and undesirable substances. Organic toothpastes effectively clean teeth, remove dental plaque, and prevent cavities. They contain essential oils to replace antibacterial agents.
They contain specific active ingredients, such as sage, which helps sensitive gums, and activated charcoal, which helps whiten teeth. Organic toothpaste also contains lemon, which can remove stains and combat tartar. It also contains sea salts and trace elements that help tone and strengthen the gums. Unlike conventional toothpastes, it contains no artificial thickening agents, foaming agents, or flavorings.
Organic toothpastes are certified
There are various certifications for organic toothpastes. An independent organization inspects the manufacturer before the toothpaste can be certified organic. This inspection is based on several criteria: the raw materials used, the manufacturing process, the product labeling, and its packaging.
Speaking of the main certifications for organic and natural cosmetics, there is the Ecocert label. It requires at least 95% of plant-based ingredients from organic farming and a minimum of 10% organic ingredients. The Cosmos Organic standard requires 95% natural ingredients and 20% organic ingredients in the product as a whole. The Nature et Progrès label requires 100% of the components to come from organic farming.
Organic toothpastes have a distinctive taste
Organic toothpastes differ from conventional ones not only in appearance and texture, but also in taste. At first, it may be unfamiliar, but over time, you will get used to it. They contain organic lemon essential oil, which provides a fresh sensation while brushing. Some organic children's toothpastes leave a fruity, appetizing taste because of these 100% natural flavors. Organic toothpaste has a pleasant fragrance and taste.
What toxic substances are not contained in organic toothpaste?
Conventional toothpastes contain toxic substances that may be harmful to health. They can have adverse effects on the body and may cause numerous conditions. These substances include fluoride, triclosan, titanium dioxide, petrochemical derivatives, and endocrine disruptors. They are not present in organic toothpastes.
Fluoride
Fluoride is the most common ingredient in toothpaste. It helps maintain a protective barrier against cavities. Nevertheless, many people—and even some dental practices—are beginning to be wary of this ingredient. Indeed, excessive fluoride could lead to the development of dental and bone diseases. According to some studies, it may also reduce performance. Fluoride levels should therefore be monitored, particularly in children. To be safe, you should use organic toothpastes, as they do not contain fluoride.
Triclosan
Triclosan is one of the chemical components most commonly found in conventional toothpastes. Inserm considers this powerful antibacterial agent a highly concerning endocrine disruptor. It increases behavioral problems in young children. It can adversely affect fetal brain development during prenatal exposure.
Titanium dioxide
A study conducted by the Agir pour l'environnement association shows that the majority of toothpastes sold in France contain titanium dioxide. Although the E171 additive was removed from food products in 2020, it is still permitted in cosmetics. Nevertheless, ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) has issued recommendations and calls for vigilance regarding titanium dioxide.
Petrochemical derivatives
Several toothpastes available in supermarkets contain petrochemical-derived products. Among the undesirable active ingredients, you may find synthetic sweeteners, polymers, or mineral oils containing alcohol. Organic toothpastes with a natural composition do not contain substances derived from the petrochemical industry, unlike traditional toothpastes. These products are not only dangerous to health but also have an environmental impact.
Endocrine disruptors
Triclosan is not the only endocrine disruptor found in conventional toothpastes. Propylparaben, or propyl parahydroxybenzoate, is also included among the ingredients considered risky. Toothpaste manufacturers are authorized to use a small amount of sodium propylparaben. They may also use ingredients with antifungal and antibacterial properties in their products. These products pose risks of endocrine disruption.
The fluoride-free organic toothpaste your child can use is Y-Brush toothpaste. It is a chewable toothpaste that helps reduce acid attacks, fight bacteria, combat dental plaque, and give your child fresh breath.
The right solution: make your own organic toothpaste
Homemade organic toothpaste generally contains an abrasive, an antibacterial agent, and a detergent to be as effective as possible.
An abrasive
The abrasive helps remove the dental plaque present on your teeth.
Here is the list of the different abrasives found in organic toothpastes:
- calcium carbonate, also known as Blanc de Meudon
- white or green clay powder
- baking soda, with a very salty taste
An antibacterial ingredient
It helps prevent plaque buildup and also helps preserve your toothpaste.
Here is the list of antibacterial ingredients found in organic toothpastes:
- cinnamon, ginger, or peppermint powder, according to your taste;
- various essential oils: peppermint, cinnamon, lemon, tea tree, clove, thyme, sage...
A detergent
The detergent removes greasy substances stuck to the teeth and makes the toothpaste foam. The powdered Marseille soap (in such a tiny amount that it does not produce an unpleasant taste). This is the usual detergent in homemade toothpastes.
The recipe for homemade organic toothpaste
You can prepare a powdered toothpaste. made with calcium carbonate, which is completely safe for your tooth enamel.
Here is the recipe for homemade organic toothpaste:
- Grind a small amount of organic Marseille soap shavings in a mortar and place them in a bowl.
- Do the same with a few dried peppermint leaves.
- Weigh all the ingredients with a scale and add them to your toothpaste jar: 30 g of calcium carbonate, 5 g of peppermint powder, 3 drops of peppermint essential oil, 1 g of Marseille soap powder, 1 to 3 g of fine sea salt (optional, to strengthen the gums). Close the jar and shake it well to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
How much toothpaste should you put on your toothbrush?
Before your child is one year old, it is recommended that you put a smear of toothpaste on their toothbrush, then a pea-sized amount. It is also important to ensure that your child spits out the excess toothpaste without rinsing their mouth afterward. To enhance the toothpaste’s effect, especially if it contains fluoride, keep it in the mouth for a few moments before rinsing.
We hope this guide has helped you understand what organic toothpaste is. We also hope you now understand what it is made of. They offer many advantages over conventional toothpastes. Furthermore, not all of the toxic substances found in commercially sold toothpastes are present in organic toothpaste.
