In general, most natural toothpaste's are better for your oral health than the usual mega-corporation brands. Although, many natural toothpaste brands have included essential oils in their formula, and though this sounds nice, it's not as good as it seems.
Our oral microbe is similar to the microbiome in our guts. They both contain “good” and “bad” bacteria. There is a healthy homeostatic balance we want to maintain to keep our mouths and guts functioning well. The effect of this great balance is a healthy body, gut, mouth, and teeth. This balance is thrown out of whack when things like mouthwash or toothpaste are killing the bacteria in your mouth indiscriminately.
Large toothpaste and mouthwash companies have made fortunes from confusing the public with products that “kill 99% of germs” as if that would somehow be a healthy thing to do. Very misleading in my opinion, because these products are disastrously destructive and cause most of the ailments they are said to prevent or fix.
Being the health-conscious person you are, you already know not to use mouthwashes. So this article is about essential oils, which have been found to be as potent and powerful as one of the main ingredients in these prescription mouthwashes - chlorhexidine. This chemical has been well documented for its ability to destroy your oral microbiome.
Therefore, the connection here is essential oils have been found to damage the oral microbiome and gums preventing them from working normally. Similar to how chlorhexidine “works”.
Therefore, just because you’d rather see “Tea Tree Oil” over “Hydrated Silica” in your toothpaste doesn’t mean it’s not equally as damaging just because it’s natural. Essential oils are powerful and can leave negative impacts on your health if used in the wrong way. (I would agree with you on that example though!)
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are very concentrated liquids derived and extracted from their respective plant type. In a standard 15ml bottle you would need the following amount of plants:
- 242,000 rose petals
- 63 pounds of melissa plant
- 50 lemons
- 3 pounds of lavender flowers
This is why essential oils are so expensive! A lot of plant matter, work, and processing goes into making them. Due to their potency, many essential oils carry serious warnings for their use. They should be considered medical grade and be used with the same care.
So why do so many people think it’s a good idea to put in our toothpaste?
I’ve personally read countless articles explaining the importance of the oral microbiome and beneficial bacteria, only to immediately recommend using a toothpaste that contains a powerful antibacterial essential oil. I’m not trying to scare you away from essential oils at all here, I love my essential oils. I just want you to be aware that they are powerful and need to be used responsibly. As a general rule of thumb, any time you’re using essential oils they should always be diluted and you usually only need a couple of drops. Using toothpaste with essential oils can disrupt your oral microbiome, which could lead to a host of negative effects. This is why we decided to leave them out of our toothpaste tablets. Here are a few things essential oils are great for.
Essential Oils for Fungal Infections
Some essential oils have been found to have powerful antifungal capabilities. They have anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic and fungicidal properties. Some of the conditions that can be treated are:
- Athletes foot
- Ringworm
- Tinea Versicolor
- Jock Itch
- Toenail Fungus
Essential oils can be a great home remedy alternative to pharmaceutical intervention. Although, depending on the condition, symptoms may persist. Monitor your use and if you’re not seeing beneficial results, always consult a physician.
Essential Oils for Aromatherapy
Some experts believe aromatherapy works by activating certain areas of the brain. Your nose’s smell receptors send messages to your brain and limbic system which can play a role in your emotional state. The enjoyable aromas can have an impact on your hypothalamus and create “feel good” chemicals such as serotonin.
Research shows Aromatherapy can have some health benefits including the following:
- Improve sleep quality
- Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
- Improve feelings of relaxation
- Easing headaches
This is why we suggest you keep your essential oils in your diffuser but out of your mouth. Enjoy them in your home and reap the benefits!