TUCSON, Ariz. - If you have an older tube of Colgate Total in your bathroom, check the ingredients. And if it has triclosan, toss it. Triclosan is an antibacterial that may help prevent gingivitis but also may have some side effects.
“Endocrine disruption, as well as impact on immunity, and contribute to antibiotic resistance," says Tunde Akinleye, Consumer Reports.
It was banned from hand soaps and body washes in 2017. It is still technically allowed in toothpastes, but essentially gone from the market. Colgate’s new Total SF toothpaste doesn’t contain triclosan. So what should be in your toothpaste?
“The first thing people should look for in a toothpaste is fluoride. Fluoride will help decrease tooth decay," says Dr. Michael Schwarz, DMD.
Other ingredients include baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, which may help reduce plaque, and hydrogen peroxide, which can act as a whitener, although some experts say it’s not concentrated enough or on your teeth long enough to make a noticeable difference.
Then there are abrasives—calcium carbonate and modified silica—used to help remove food debris and surface stains. And if your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold you may use a toothpaste with desensitizers. Used regularly, ingredients such as sodium citrate, casein phosphopeptide, and potassium nitrate may help relieve sensitivity. There’s also Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS. It creates foam to help circulate the toothpaste into the spaces between teeth. So how do you know which toothpaste is right for you?
“I usually say the one you won’t mind using," says Dr. Schwarz.
Some toothpastes contain the ingredient xylitol. A few small studies suggest that when paired with fluoride, it could prevent cavities better than fluoride alone. But a warning to pet owners, xylitol is very dangerous for dogs.
Click here for some great tips on how to get the most out of brushing your teeth.
