A walk down the toothpaste aisle can be a bit overwhelming. Anti-cavity, whitening, and everything in between. But there are some ingredients commonly found in big market brands that we could do without.

Fluoride. In large quantities the stuff can be down right toxic. For years we've been told fluoride is good for the teeth but there is a raging debate about whether or not small amounts added to the water supply and to toothpaste, while good at fighting cavities, just might be really bad for us. The American Dental Association (ADA) says it is safe, but there are many folks out there who disagree. The good news is there are many toothpastes available without fluoride.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS. It is a foaming agent used in toothpaste and shampoos. SLS is also skin irritant and can cause mouth sores or canker sores. Tom's of Maine, a natural toothpaste maker, uses SLS in their products and maintains that it doesn't pose a risk, but if you're prone to canker sores find a toothpaste without it.

Triclosan. It is a antiseptic widely used in deodorants, soaps and toothpastes which can react with chlorine in water to create a dioxin. Again, companies that use it (Colgate-Palmolive for one) say it is completely safe and there isn't conclusive evidence otherwise, but the ADA did come out with a study says it isn't relevant to toothpaste.

Some alternatives to try:
Jason's Natural Toothpaste - cleans and whitens with sodium bicarbonate, bamboo, silica and calcium carbonate.

Vita-Myr - helps out the gums and uses zinc, folic acid, clove and myrrh.

Tom's of Maine - it does have SLS but they've got a lot of fluoride free options and can be found in most super market and drugstores. Tom's has a good section on their website that explains the different ingredients in their product.

Or you can also make your own toothpaste with baking soda. Mix up a paste and add a few drops of essential oils if you like (mint or cinnamon). A box of baking soda will go a lot further than a tube of toothpaste.

Amy says: I've been using Tom's toothpaste for a few years now and it seems to be working just fine, plus they've got a lot of options so when I finish up with one tube I try a new flavor with the next.

More info:

Better Nutrition Magazine