“To keep the body in good health is a duty otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear”, says Buddha. A person begins his daily hygiene from oral health care. It is customary to brush your brush and floss your teeth in the morning. We also try and make it a habit of brushing our teeth after every meal or snack time. This shows how much we care for our oral hygiene.
There are myriad toothpastes and tooth-powders available in the market but what should really concern you while buying one is the product authenticity and the nature of its ingredients. Some ingredients can potentially harm your oral health if your immune system is not strong. Even if it was, it could still be dangerous to your body. If this is the case of a grown adult, then imagine the plight of a growing child who is subjected to their use on a daily basis.
Ingredients and their Consequences
Studies have shown that at least two or three ingredients or additives out of the composition can cause harm to the health and hygiene of the consumer. These include Saccharin, Fluorine, and other colour additives that also run a risk of cancer.
An experimental study conducted by observing consumers who had been using toothpaste with these substances has provided substantial evidence. Saccharin is found to be a carcinogenic agent and fluoride is thought to be the cause of a rare type of bone cancer. Some colour additives are also known to aid the cause of this cancer. This is in accordance with several scientists’ opinions that these ingredients actually deteriorate health rather than support it.
Source: https://www.mkdmd.com/big-benefits-to-good-oral-health/
Unfortunately, we are accustomed to using these products on a daily basis to keep up with our busy schedule. But we can prevent the next generation from falling for the same unhealthy habits as we did. Children can grow a healthy set of teeth without the need to treat them with these chemicals. There are a lot of naturally prepared products from certified organisations which can be used for the cause.
Children swallow a significant portion of toothpaste that they use. Hence it is essential that they do not use the ones that are prepared for adults as it contains higher concentrations of the same chemicals. Some of these negative impacts include:
- Ingesting too much fluoride can cause brittle bones, bone cancer in the worst case or white spots on the permanent teeth.
- The over-consumption of such substances can cause organ poisoning and other gastrointestinal problems.
- They can interfere with the enzyme production and affect the metabolism of the body which will, in turn, affect the growth of the child.
- The effects of ingestion of these kinds of toothpaste are not just local; it will travel to other parts of the body via metabolic circulation. And swallowing them in large quantities means the quicker and worse the consequences.
Guidelines to Prevent Harmful Consequences
The ill effects of illness-causing ingredients have surfaced on the minds of people. They have begun to take responsibility and check for the right ingredients and their purpose before putting them to use. Brushing twice a day is the ideal routine to maintain dental health. However, the idea should not be confused with brushing with more toothpaste or cleansing products. Especially in the case of children, it is advised by the Disease Management Association of the Population – India, that children are to be given a pea-sized quantity of toothpaste for use. They are to brush under supervision to cultivate the habit of not swallowing the toothpaste and inviting health problems. This is one of the basic precautionary measures that should be adopted. Technology has also made a distinct appearance in the dental care market and the tech assists could really be helpful in preventing consequences.
Secondly, resorting to natural products made from organic substances is another way to go about maintaining your health. The main advantage of the natural organic toothpaste is that they do not contain any fluoride or saccharide, which has become a primary concern now. Manufacturers also do not encourage the use of additive colours as the natural ingredients contain their own colouring substances. This almost nullifies the need to use any chemicals during the preparation. There are also virtual services emerging like ask a doctor, online consultation, symptoms deduction etc which can give remedies to dental concerns.
The use of toothpaste has never been essential in maintaining the oral health of a person. It is used because of the freshness and fragrance it offers after brushing. The proper method of brushing and flossing, which will effectively remove plaque is what is important. People from the previous generation have been known to have a strong set of teeth, and they did not have to use toothpaste for it. Modern medicine and medicinal products have made our jobs more straightforward but it is equally important to check the effect it has on our body.