The desire for a fresher breath has been around as long as men and women have been around. From ancient times chewing on mint leaves, to the Japanese tradition of "cleansing the palate" between courses, to our current mouthwash. Should we be concerned with the ingredients we find in our every day mouthwash? Let's see.
Our standard mouthwash today could contain benzalkonium chloride, calcium, cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, domiphen bromide, enzymes, eucalyptol, fluoride, hexetidine, hydrogen peroxide, menthol, methylparaben, methyl salicylate, and thymol. Sweeteners such as sorbitol, sodium saccharine, sucralose, and xylitol and some brands may have as much as 27% alcohol, that is more alcohol than is in beer or wine!! Obviously alcohol is a concern, but let's take each one of the chemicals independently.
Benzalkonium Chloride - This chemical is typically used as an antiseptic in hand sanitizers. And in the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) it clearly states "Potential Acute Health Effects:
Our standard mouthwash today could contain benzalkonium chloride, calcium, cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, domiphen bromide, enzymes, eucalyptol, fluoride, hexetidine, hydrogen peroxide, menthol, methylparaben, methyl salicylate, and thymol. Sweeteners such as sorbitol, sodium saccharine, sucralose, and xylitol and some brands may have as much as 27% alcohol, that is more alcohol than is in beer or wine!! Obviously alcohol is a concern, but let's take each one of the chemicals independently.
Benzalkonium Chloride - This chemical is typically used as an antiseptic in hand sanitizers. And in the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) it clearly states "Potential Acute Health Effects:
Very hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive), of eye contact (corrosive). The amount of tissue damage depends on length of contact. Eye contact can result in corneal damage or blindness. Skin contact can produce inflammation and blistering. Inhalation of dust will produce irritation to gastro-intestinal or respiratory tract, characterized by burning, sneezing and coughing. Severe over-exposure can produce lung damage, choking, unconsciousness or death. Inflammation of the eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or, occasionally, blistering.
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells. Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Classified Reproductive system/toxin/female, Reproductive system/toxin/male [POSSIBLE]. The substance may be toxic to kidneys, liver, heart, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, central nervous system (CNS). Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. Repeated exposure of the eyes to a low level of dust can produce eye irritation. Repeated skin exposure can produce local skin destruction, or dermatitis. Repeated inhalation of dust can produce varying degree of respiratory irritation or lung damage."
Cetylpyridinium Chloride - This chemical is another antiseptic found in lozenges, toothpastes, throat sprays, and mouthwashes, as well as certain pesticides. We go back to the MSDS with regards to dangers of ingestion and we find, "Potential Acute Health Effects:
Very hazardous in case of ingestion. Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator).
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available. The substance is toxic to lungs, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Chlorhexidine Gluconate - This chemical is a germicidal antiseptic found in face cleansers and mouthwash and is also used as a preservative. Our trusty MSDS tells us "Potential Acute Health Effects:
MSDS: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923401
Domiphen Bromide - This chemical is an antimicrobial that has the potential to cause irritation to digestive track, lungs, and skin. I couldn't find an MSDS for this particular chemical. Surprisingly there is very little online about it.
Fluoride - Do I need to repeat yesterday's post?? :) Let me paraphrase - NEVER ingest anything with fluoride in it, if you have a choice. NEVER take fluoride drops, fluoride treatments... a very small amount of fluoride is carcinogenic.
Hexetidine - This chemical has a broad range of uses - it is an anti-bacterial, an anti-fungal, and an anti-plaque chemical used in both human and veterinary medicine typically used to cure oral thrush, gingivitis, and ulcerative stomatitis. The MSDS states that there are no dangers with ingesting this chemical.
MSDS: https://www.accessbutler.com/msdsimages/A0000780.pdf
Methylparaben - This chemical is used in medicine, cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, foods, and drugs to increase shelf life. It is known to cause breast, ovarian, uterine, and prostate cancer. It also may cause infertility.
Recommended reading: http://www.ehow.com/about_5453218_dangers-methylparaben.html
Methyl Salicylate - or better known as "oil of wintergreen"
Thymol - is a natural known agent found in thyme oil and is an antiseptic.
And to think we haven't even touched on the sweeteners - and artificial sweeteners. :) Here are some more links for your reading pleasure...
I posted this one to Facebook earlier today - great article: http://www.energygrid.com/health/2006/11kf-personalcare.html
A good reminder that we must read every label: http://www.squidoo.com/natural-mouthwash
And here is one about mouthwash and it's link to cancer: http://www.naturalnews.com/025581_mouthwash_cancer_alcohol.html
Blessings... E
Very hazardous in case of ingestion. Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of inhalation. Noncorrosive for skin. Non-sensitizer for skin. Non-permeator by skin. CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available. The substance is toxic to lungs, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
MSDS: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923401
Domiphen Bromide - This chemical is an antimicrobial that has the potential to cause irritation to digestive track, lungs, and skin. I couldn't find an MSDS for this particular chemical. Surprisingly there is very little online about it.
Fluoride - Do I need to repeat yesterday's post?? :) Let me paraphrase - NEVER ingest anything with fluoride in it, if you have a choice. NEVER take fluoride drops, fluoride treatments... a very small amount of fluoride is carcinogenic.
Hexetidine - This chemical has a broad range of uses - it is an anti-bacterial, an anti-fungal, and an anti-plaque chemical used in both human and veterinary medicine typically used to cure oral thrush, gingivitis, and ulcerative stomatitis. The MSDS states that there are no dangers with ingesting this chemical.
MSDS: https://www.accessbutler.com/msdsimages/A0000780.pdf
Methylparaben - This chemical is used in medicine, cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, foods, and drugs to increase shelf life. It is known to cause breast, ovarian, uterine, and prostate cancer. It also may cause infertility.
Recommended reading: http://www.ehow.com/about_5453218_dangers-methylparaben.html
Methyl Salicylate - or better known as "oil of wintergreen"
Thymol - is a natural known agent found in thyme oil and is an antiseptic.
And to think we haven't even touched on the sweeteners - and artificial sweeteners. :) Here are some more links for your reading pleasure...
I posted this one to Facebook earlier today - great article: http://www.energygrid.com/health/2006/11kf-personalcare.html
A good reminder that we must read every label: http://www.squidoo.com/natural-mouthwash
And here is one about mouthwash and it's link to cancer: http://www.naturalnews.com/025581_mouthwash_cancer_alcohol.html
Blessings... E
Q: What are your thoughts on Xylitol?
ReplyDeleteA: Xylitol is a naturally occuring substance found in birch bark, mushrooms, lettuce, and berries... and our bodies make up to 15g each day on its own. Sensitivity to xylitol is rare. It is used regularly in most dental products these days - along with gum, mouthwash, childrens vitamins, etc. it increases the amount of saliva created, reduces cavities, and reduces plaque. So, overall... I have no issues with it. :) BTW... keep away any products with xylitol in them as it is toxic when ingested by animals.