Many people have been taught to rely on toothpaste to act as a cleanser for their teeth. In fact, we've been conditioned to think that if we don't use certain types of toothpaste, we risk having cavities or even loosing teeth.
Many factoids are coming clean as their dirty roots are being examined. I've relied on Dr. Joseph Mercola's relentess search for truth to expose many things we formerly thought were safe. He and his research team go to great lengths to examine formerly hidden documentation to back up their assertions. So, what I'll present will come from his team and others. https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/toothpaste-brands-tested-positive-for-lead-cola/
Dr. Mercola posted on May 28, 2026, that of 51 popular toothpaste brands 90% had lead, 65% had arsenic, 47% had mercury, and 35% had cadmium. Only 6 toothpastes tested clean. It was reported that toothpaste companies "refused to remove heavy metals." They did not take kindly to whistleblowers.
Tamara Rubin is dedicated to exposing lead in products, especially those that affect children. She found that two of her children had severe lead poisoning and experienced permanent brain damage from it. This led her to do all kinds of high quality research. The following feature an important YouTube on her work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMbhbwMhs1U&t=367s
Did you know that autism is also linked to lead found in various products? Just ran into an article on that when I was cleaning out papers in my office. The following site lists some of the challenges that lead causes: development delay, learning difficulties, behavioral problems, hearing loss, seizures and in extreme cases, death. https://neurolaunch.com/can-lead-cause-autism/
Many people had "silver" fillings in their teeth. The color came from mercury which is another gross brain toxin. The Cleveland Clinic notes that there are three forms of mercury. Elemental is in glass thermomenters, electrical switches, fluorescent lightbulbs and dental fillings. Inorganic is in batteries, some disinfectants and chemistry labs. Organic is in coal fumes, red mercurochrome, (also merthiolate), and fish that ate methylmercury (a type of organic mercury.) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23420-mercury-poisoning. (I read somewhere that the coal burning factories of a certain Asian country find their way to America via high wind currents.)
Symptoms of mercury toxicity are not always easy to track to the cause. However, they affect the brain, heart, kidneys, central nervous system, and include coughing, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, bleeding or swollen gums, a metallic taste in the mouth. It can cause urine to have a reddish purple color, diarrhea or blood in vomit or stool. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23420-mercury-poisoning
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15357-urine-changes
By the way, did you know that the other substance used in mercury dental fillings is a powder containing, silver, tin, copper, zinc and other metals. Not a good idea to have fumes released with every chew of your teeth. https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-dental-amalgam
The brain is especially vulnerable to the effects of mercury. It moves thru the brain's protective agency, the blood-brain barrier where it accumulates. Since it's a nerve toxin, it interferes with vital nerve transmission systems. It causes oxidfative damage which is like rust to brain cells. It can alter the way the brain functions and play havoc with memory, word recgnition, decresed attention span, impaired motor skllls, cognitive decline like neurodegenerative diseases. Early one, symptoms might be headaches, fatigue, brain fog, insomnia and confusion. https://neurolaunch.com/mercury-effects-on-brain/
Symptoms can progress to tremors, poor balance and coordination, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, light sensitivity, irritability, anxiety and depression. Can you imagine the combo of lead and mercury at this point?
Let's look at arsenic, a known poison. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, darkening of the skin with lesions, and progress to heart diseaes, nerve damage and an increased risk of cancer. It can also cause changes to heart fhythm, muscle cramps, tingling in fingers and toes, constant sore throat, and red and swollen skin. https://www.healthline.com/health/arsenic-poisoning#symptoms
Who would think that this known carcinogen would be added to some toothpastes? The types of cancers linked to arsenic are: bladder, blood, digestive system, liver, lungs, lymphatic system, kidneys, prostate and skin. https://www.healthline.com/health/arsenic-poisoning#complications
Now, lets look at cadmium. It targets, the kidneys, bones, lungs, and cardiovascular system. Symptoms can be chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, excessive salivation, headaches, dizziness, fever and chills, muscle aches, fatigue. It can soften bones, increase a risk of fractures, cause high blood pressure, mess with brain function, and cause anemia, and reproductive problems. It's also classed as a human carcinogen. https://www.droracle.ai/articles/307542/what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-cadmium-toxicity
So how are we exposed to it? Cigarette smoking, forest fires, plastic stabilizers, dyes, paints, and some manufacturing processes. And now we know it's in some toothpastes. It's known to contribute to such chronic disorders as Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, ALS, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis.
Mammavation is another fact finding site. In October 4, 2022, Enviromental Health News in conjunction with Mammavation and their high quality testing equipment ran an article on the PFAS in floss. They equate gliding the, now very thin, strip thru your teeth as giving them a good dose of PFAS. https://www.ehn.org/pfas-floss)
So what are PFAS? They are called "forever chemicals," and are connected to such problems as birth defects, testicular cancer, reproductive challenges and many other disorders. It's like tefflon and makes floss slippery. But, each time it rubs against your gums it's imparting a dose of PFAS to your body to be spread thruout your bloodstream.
It disrupts your endocrine system and lowers your immune system function which leaves you more susceptible to cancer. It also elevates your cholesterol.
So which one of these challenges do you want in your body? By the way, I did not touch on the addition of fluoride to some toothpastes as that exposure needs a whole column by itself.
Consider making your own toothpowder or paste. Here are some suggestions.
Ingredients: 2/3 tsp baking soda. 1 tsp fine sea salt. 1/4 Cup organic coconut oil (or MCT oil) 1-2 tsp organic arrowroot powder (optional)
Combine soda and salt. Add softened coconut oil or MCT oil and to stir to desired consistency. Use a small spoon to get the right amount for your toothbrush. https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/diy-toothpaste-for-a-fresh-mouth
(I suggest soaking toothbrushes in hydrogen peroxide periodically to keep them clean.)
A number of homemade recipes use bentonite clay, but I am hesitant because some clays were implicated as being contaminated with Mineral rich sea salt is in some. Its benefit are that it increases saliva which lessens the pH of plaque causing bacteria. You can add a drop of peppermint essential oil for taste. Other essential oils can be a few drops of tea tree oil, or 10 drops of wild orange essential oil, or 3 drops of cinnamon essential oil. https://homesteading.com/must-homemade-toothpaste-recipes/
The practice of dentistry is like the practice of medicine. Everyone has a different genetic history, so what works well for some, may not work well for others. If we truly understood how our own bodies reacted to the products we used, we would likely trim down our dependency on commercialism.
So, pick and choose what you want for your own personal welfare. Personally, I use a baking soda, salt based tooth powder with a bit of peppermint oil and find it refreshing and more than enough.
Especially in this world we now live in, it pays to be cautious about your personal products. Although it takes work to stay healthy, the end result is worth the effort.
Be healthy, my friends.
Nancy Pidutti, PhD, NHH, Nurse, Author, Chaplain
