From time to time I suffer from mouth ulcers, more commonly known as canker sores. I’ve read different materials on the subject, and there are differing ideas as to what causes these painful outbreaks. Several articles did point to chemical ingredients that are used in toothpastes, but say you can find all natural brands that avoid such ingredients. One such ingredient is SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), which can be in a chemical form or a natural form, so when you see this ingredient you need to do some checking to see how it is derived.
In my ever widening search for “all natural” products, I found a toothpaste that is SLS free, made by Tom’s of Maine. This product is found in natural food stores, but I am fortunate that my local Fred Meyer store has a health food section that has a good variety of the Tom’s of Maine products. It does contain SLS, but it’s naturally derived from coconut oil.
They come in a variety of flavors and textures (both gel and paste), but one of my favorites is the Peppermint with Baking Soda. Tom’s of Maine is accepted by the American Dental Association, in fact they are the only natural brand to receive that acceptance.
Ingredients
Sodium Monofluorophosphate, Glycerin, Water, Sodium Bicarbonate, Carrageenan, Xylitol, Peppermint Oil, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
About This Product
* No saccharin or other artificial sweeteners
* No preservatives
* No artificial color or flavor
* No animal ingredients
* Not tested on animals
* Baking soda cleans teeth naturally
Thoughts
Taste wise, Tom’s of Maine isn’t a lot different than some mainstream toothpastes I’ve used. The texture, in my opinion, is grittier and I contribute that to the baking soda. My dad used to brush his teeth with baking soda for years, and he had nice white teeth. I don’t find that this foams quite as much as other toothpastes, and I can actually use less on my brush.
Carrageenan is an ingredient derived from seaweed, and is used as a thickening agent. The peppermint flavor is all natural from peppermint leaves. The sweetening agent is xylitol, which a naturally occurring sweetener taken from birch trees.
I remember when gum manufacturers started adding xylitol to their gum in the 1980’s, and stated that it was not only a natural sweetener, but that it was actually good for your teeth. According to Wikipedia, Xylitol
“is a “toothfriendly” sugar. In addition to not encouraging tooth decay, xylitol may actively aid in repairing minor cavities caused by dental caries. Research confirms a plaque-reducing effect and suggests that the compound, having some chemical properties similar to sucrose, attracts and then “starves” harmful micro-organisms, allowing the mouth to remineralize damaged teeth with less interruption.”
Tom’s of Maine is more expensive than the more common brands of toothpaste. A 6 ounce tube will run me about $5.00. I can pick up a tube of Pepsodent for 99 cents. It’s definitely not a brand that I buy all the time, but when I get those mouth sores, using Tom’s of Maine does seem to help make brushing my teeth less painful, and it helps speed healing of my canker sores.
The taste itself is fine, and it does clean my teeth nicely while giving my mouth a fresh clean feel. There is definitely something to be said for all natural products. My only beef is that Tom’s of Maine uses fluoride, and the jury is still out on that. I’ve read enough about it to have my doubts about it’s safety, but yet it does seem to have proven itself as a cavity fighter. If you can afford Tom’s of Maine, it’s a product worth checking out, especially if you suffer from mouth sores like I do.
