One of the first products I started researching was toothpaste. I noticed that my "famous name brand" toothpaste had a long list of ingredients that included one I was not very comfortable with, saccharine. So I thought I'd try a different brand and noticed when shopping around that all the other brands on the store shelf had saccharine listed as one of their ingredients as well. And there were also a few other ingredients listed that I didn't know what they were, or why they were in toothpaste.
When I was a little girl my Grandmother told me she used baking soda and sometimes added a little peroxide with it to brush her teeth. When she passed away, she had all her teeth in her mouth, she never needed dentures. This began my research to look for ways to cleanse my teeth with natural products. I happened to find a company called "Tom's of Maine" that uses natural ingredients (some including baking soda) in their toothpaste and mouthwashes. This company listed their product ingredients and explained why each ingredient was being used. This made sense to me and also made me feel comfortable using their products. I started using their toothpaste (with fluoride, they have some without, but fluoride is one chemical I'm willing to keep using because I truly believe it is helping to prevent cavities) and their mouthwash with baking soda. I switched from my also "famous name brand" mouthwash to "Tom's of Maine" because the "famous name brand" mouthwash also had saccharine listed in the ingredients. In addition it contained alcohol which I had heard on the news might be causing oral cancer in some people. I’d even read articles about this product being banned by the Australian Dental Association so I thought switching mouthwash was something I had to do for me and my family as well.
I tested my new regimen for six months before my next dental appointment. When I went in for my cleaning and checkup, both the hygienist and dentist asked me what I had been doing to care for my teeth. My hygienist asked if I had started flossing more or brushing more than twice per day. I told her I hadn't but that I had switched the brand of toothpaste and mouthwash because I wanted to use products with natural ingredients instead of harsh or unknown chemicals. Both my dentist and hygienist said I had very little plaque and that my mouth looked very healthy. My dentist told me to keep doing what I was doing since it was clearly working. I'm still using these products for my teeth and I'm checking to see what other new products "Tom's of Maine" comes up with.
45 comments:
Happy SITS Day!
Now THIS is what got me. THIS is what is making me think twice (besides the fact that I "have a thing" about my teeth)... you reported, regarding the natural toothpaste and mouth wash company, "This company listed their product ingredients and explained why each ingredient was being used." Now that just MAKES SENSE.
So, as much as I feel the will miss the clean "feeling" (I say, "feeling", because who knows how well it REALLY is cleaning -- ???) that Listerine toothpaste has given my mouth, you've convinced me to believe that the Tom's company products are worth a try.
I've changed my diet (I eat "raw"), I've stopped smoking, and I've cut out all soda pop (I was once a HEAVY "Chemical-Cola" drinker; Diet Coke drinker) -- and now only drink water and an occasional glass of wine. So, I might as well change my toothpaste too.
Thank you for sharing this. We need to pay more attention to the fact that we spend our hard earned dollars on products that have ingredients that most of can't even pronounce. Which stands to reason that something is wrong with this picture.
And the worst is so-called children's toothpaste because they put even more junk in it to make it taste like bubble gum! Good for you for having the common sense to not put toxic stuff in your mouth; it sounds so simple, doesn't it?
Cool testimony. When I started reading I thought you might mention Tom's. But I had never heard reason why it was preferable or if it was effective. I think I might switch. Thanks for the inspiration.
I wish I could find sister companies here in South Africa.
it's scary to think what is in toothpaste, but organic brands are so expensive. WOnder how much it would cost to make our own?
Good to know!
Great information. I make some of my own household cleaners and have considered before using baking soda and peroxide but knowing there's a company that uses natural ingredients is great!
Happy Sits Day!
As a Mainer, I'm familiar with Tom's. They still have great products and have stayed true to their mission even though they've been bought out by Colgate. You definitely don't use their toothpaste for the taste though! :)
This is really interesting! Thank you! I am definitely going to look for this toothpaste next time I at the store. Happy SITS day!
{Kathy} This is fascinating. I have heard of Tom's before, but have honestly never tried their products. Thanks for the information.
My parents used baking soda also while growing up. I've heard of Tom's. Great work, it takes a lot of time to research products. Happy SITS Day.
My parents used baking soda, thanks for the info. I've heard of Tom's before. Great work, takes a lot to research products. Happy SITS Day.
I am really interested in trying those, but always worried about the taste...What do you think about the way they taste?
Hmmm ... I might have to look into those products. I am seeming to always have less-than-perfect dentist visits!
Enjoy your SITS day!
Happy SITS Day!
Now THIS is what got me. THIS is what is making me think twice (besides the fact that I "have a thing" about my teeth)... you reported, regarding the natural toothpaste and mouth wash company, "This company listed their product ingredients and explained why each ingredient was being used." Now that just MAKES SENSE.
So, as much as I feel the will miss the clean "feeling" (I say, "feeling", because who knows how well it REALLY is cleaning -- ???) that Listerine toothpaste has given my mouth, you've convinced me to believe that the Tom's company products are worth a try.
I've changed my diet (I eat "raw"), I've stopped smoking, and I've cut out all soda pop (I was once a HEAVY "Chemical-Cola" drinker; Diet Coke drinker) -- and now only drink water and an occasional glass of wine. So, I might as well change my toothpaste too.
Thank you for sharing this. We need to pay more attention to the fact that we spend our hard earned dollars on products that have ingredients that most of can't even pronounce. Which stands to reason that something is wrong with this picture.
This is good to know! I've contemplated this before, but the dentist comments really have me interested. I have issues with my teeth, and the idea of a better toothpaste helping with it definitely intrigues me. Thanks for the review!
This was a very interesting post. I may just give those Tom's Farms products a try!
I can't believe toothpaste/mouthwash has saccharine! I never would have thought to check that - you would just assume it's nothing but good stuff for your teeth/mouth! Now I'm going to have to investigate what we're using.
(PS: happy SITS day!)
I'm going to have to try out some of the Tom's products. I've seen them in stores, but never bought them. Thanks for the info!
Happy SITS Day!
I've thought about switching to Tom's - and after reading this, I'll do so immediately after I finish my bulk tubes of Costco Colgate...
Hi Anna,
Thanks, I love the Tom's of Maine products and my dentist tells me to keep up what I'm doing. I really like that! As long as it keeps my teeth healthy without harsh chemicals, I'll keep using their line.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Tara,
Thanks for stopping by today!
Michelle
Hi Karen,
Luckily, the Tom's of Maine line is pretty reasonable. However, I notice the mouthwash is much more expensive. My Grandmother used plain baking soda for years on her teeth and she had them all when she passed away, no false teeth. I'm guessing if more people buy the organics, the prices will eventually come down.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Michelle
Hello from St. Louie and Happy SITS Day to you! I've never heard of this brand but you have certainly got me thinking about the products I use. I'm going to at least try the toothpaste. Thanks for the info.
Hello from St. Louie and Happy SITS Day to you! I've never heard of this line of products. Very interesting. I plan to try the toothpaste. Thanks!
Hi Carlo,
I really liked the listing of ingredients and "why" they were being used. I don't see that too often on labels! You know, I will add that with this new line of toothpaste and mouthwash I have been using, my teeth have never felt more clean. I used to notice that once I had them cleaned at the Dentist's office you feel "super" clean for a few days. You know that smooth feeling? Well since I've switched, my teeth almost always feel that way now. I've never had that even with Listerine or other major toothpaste brands. That feeling never stays the full 6 months. But now my teeth almost always feel that way. And my Dentist and Hygienist are telling me I have the "best oral health". They keep telling me I'm doing a great job and to keep it up. I think you'll like the way your teeth feel with these products. I noticed lately that they seem to have removed baking soda from the mouthwash, so I add some in myself before I gargle. I really like the way it makes my mouth feel so fresh. Not sure why they removed it, but I really like using it. Let me know what you think if you switch over. I'd be curious to see if you get the same results.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Louise,
I agree with you. I don't understand why they have to put so much unnecessary ingredients especially for kids. I would think most parents would want the kids to have even more pure products since they sometimes get more sensitive than adults. Glad we are getting better alternatives.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Laura,
I liked Tom's because it was actually the first one I tried. For me it has been very effective. My Dental appointments have never been better for me and my family. I personally like the taste of these products best. I've tried the Natural Dentist mouthwash and didn't like the taste of that at all. I also tried Jason Pure and Natural mouthwash and it also had a strange taste. But I did like them both as far as effectiveness. I just happen to like Tom's of Maine taste better. Let me know what you think, if you make the switch. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the natural alternatives. Let me know if your Dentist notices too. That's the real test.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Student Mommy,
I hope if the trend is going toward all natural or organic that most countries will eventually make the switch. I think if companies start to make profits on the natural alternatives, they'll trend to other countries as well. At least I hope so. I've seen that England seems to have more alternatives than the US, but we are trending more toward it now.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Another Jennifer,
I heard that Colgate bought them out. I was worried they would change the products back to the bad stuff. So far they haven't, but I have noticed some changes like removing baking soda. I hope they don't change the products too much. I actually like the taste of the spearmint toothpaste. I also like the taste of the mouthwashes better than other natural alternatives. Hope Tom's of Maine stays close to it's roots.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Dose of Reality,
Glad you want to give it a try. Let me know what you think if you make the switch. Also, let me know what your Dentist thinks. That's where I felt I had made the right move. It confirmed we were doing the right thing for our family.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Kathy,
Hope you will give it a try sometime. I think you'll like the results. If you ever do make the switch, let me know what you and your Dentist think.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Agapewoman,
I think baking soda is so great for your teeth. I wonder why people moved away from it when it was use in earlier generations? Sometimes we can learn from generations that used simple house products in so many useful ways.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Heather,
I really like the taste of the Tom's of Maine Spearmint toothpaste. I use the one with Fluoride. There is one without, but I'm still a little bit afraid to use the one without so I'm not sure how that one tastes. I like the taste of the Tom's mouthwash the best as opposed to other natural's I've tried. For me the taste is good on these products. I really like the mouthwash better than Listerine. The Listerine used to burn my mouth and the taste was never good in my opinion. If you try them, let me know your thoughts. The Natural Doctor mouthwash was a hard taste to get used to, so was the Jason Pure and Natural line for me. Hope that helps.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Morgan,
I think they will help out. I also make sure to brush for two minutes in the AM and two minutes in the PM before bed. I also floss for 2 minutes before bed and gargle for 30 seconds in the AM and PM after brushing. I also use an electric toothbrush and gently glide it on my teeth. If you push too hard with an electric brush you can destroy your gums and once they are gone, they are gone for good so always be gentle with the electric brushes. Let me know how your next Dental appointment goes. Good luck!
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Kristin L,
I hope you give it a try. See my response to Morgan too for other pointers for your next Dentist appointment. Let me know how it goes. Good luck!
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Kim J,
Let me know how it goes if you make the switch. I think you'll like them.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Mo,
I know how you feel. I was pretty shocked too. Especially with everything we now know about Saccharine. I can't believe they can grandfather something like that into our products. It makes me lose confidence in the Food and Drug Administration if they can be granting grandfathering access to companies without regard to the general public welfare. But that is another story and maybe another post!
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Jenny,
Let me know how it goes if you make the switch. I think you'll like the products. Especially if your Dentist notices a difference.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Roving Retorter,
Let me know how it goes if you make the switch. I think you'll like how they work and so will your Dentist.
Thanks,
Michelle
Regular toothpaste is toxic! I actually use baking soda and coconut oil for toothpaste for myself. I use Tom's (of Colgate) and Weleda for my daughter, both fluoride-free. Visiting from SITS.
Hi Andrea,
Thanks! I think you'll like the toothpaste. I use the Spearmint flavor and the one with fluoride. They have one without but right now I'm still too nervous to leave out the fluoride. My Dentist kind of wanted me to use a toothpaste with it as well. I figured for now removing most of the other chemicals that were harsh is good. If I feel more comfortable later, I may move to the one without. My hygienist told me I could use the one with fluoride in the AM and the one without in the PM to reduce the fluoride exposure but still have it to help my teeth. I may take that route at some point to test it out.
Michelle
Hi! I'm visiting from SITS. I switched to Tom's toothpaste, too, in an effort to "green" my personal care products.
Hi Lyza May,
The baking soda with coconut oil sounds like a great idea. I'll have to try that combo. Thanks for stopping by!
Michelle
Hi Elena,
It's great to change and feel good about the changes. It's good for us an our environment. Thanks for stopping by!
Michelle
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