Pregnancy Toothpaste: Protecting Babies from Harmful Ingredients

Pregnancy is a time when mothers have to be extra careful with the food they eat and the products they use as these may directly or indirectly affect the fetus development and growth. For centuries, pregnant women have been using normal adult toothpaste containing fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate and saccharin.

Little did they know that these ingredients could more or less bring harmful effects to them and the fetus. For one, fluoride is a poison used to kill rats and insects, and it's more poisonous than lead and just slightly less poisonous than arsenic.

Fluoride may accumulate in the brain of the foetus, causing damage to cells and neuro-transmitter.

Sodium lauryl sulfate, a detergent and foam-forming agent found in normal toothpaste, can cause or worsen mouth ulcers as it dries out the protective mucous lining in the mouth. Pregnancy gingivitis, caused by rising levels of hormones may also be aggravated.

Saccharin is an artificial sweetener synthesized from coal tar. It causes bladder cancer in male rats. Considered a possible carcinogen, it can also affect the foetus development.

Nowadays, there are toothpastes specially make for pregnant women in the market. They are safe for both moms and babies. They do not contain any of these harmful ingredients mention above.

These kinds of toothpastes help to prevent tooth decay, strengthen teeth and fight bad breath. This is very important because during pregnancy, most of the women have desire to snack on carbohydrate and sour food.

The bacteria will convert the starch and sugar that remains in the mouth into acid causing tooth decay to happen.

The toothpastes for pregnant women usually contain ingredients like xylitol, calcium and phosphate and sarcosinate.

Xylitol is a natural sweeten found in the fibers of vegetables and fruits. It prevents tooth decays by reducing the numbers of bacteria Streptococci mutans, which is the main microorganism that causes tooth decays in the mouth. Xylitol also increase saliva flow, to enable better cleaning and neutralize acid levels in the mouth.

Our teeth consist of calcium and phosphate crystals. Hence, calcium and phosphate in toothpaste can enhance tooth re-mineralization and strengthen them against acid attack.

Sarcosinate inhibits certain enzymes involved in the breakdown of sugars to acids, thus prevent dental caries to form. It also inhibit growth of bacteria in the mouth, mainly those which cause bad breath.

So, choose better toothpaste that is safe and suit you and your babies today.

Sources:

http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/allmann_ambe/

http://chemicalland21.com/specialtychem/perchem/SODIUM%20LAUROYL%20SARCOSINATE.htm

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/calcium+phosphate

http://www.xylitolinfo.com/cms/connect/xylitol/home/xylitol_index.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-carcinogen.htm

http://dentistry.about.com/od/dentalhealth/f/pregnancyging.htm

http://128.240.24.212/cgi-bin/omd?neurotransmitter

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/elements/arsenic/arsenic.htm

http://www.macslab.com/toxic.html

http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/549saccharin.html

http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html

http://www.zerowasteamerica.org/Fluoride.htm