Organic And Natural Oral Care

DID you know one of the fastest ways to get something into the bloodstream is via the skin tissue under your tongue? That’s why it’s often recommended you pop certain remedies under your tongue to absorb them quickly. But it also serves as a warning when it comes to considering oral care.

Most of us don’t think twice about reaching for a tube of whatever’s nearest on the supermarket shelf, but it’s worth reconsidering your toothpaste and mouthwash and opting for ones with a lower number of potentially dangerous chemicals – or, better still, none at all. Which is why none of the toothpastes or mouthwashes I recommend below contain any:

- parabens

- sodium lauryl/laureth sulphates (potentially harmful irritant)

- phthalates

- petrolatum

- propylene glycol (this colourless liquid is used in brake fluid, antifreeze, de-icers, laundry detergents, and, worryingly, in most standard toothpastes and mouthwashes)

- harsh preservatives

- artificial colours/flavours/fragrances, or harsh preservatives

Neither have any of them (products or ingredients) been tested on animals. So they’re better for you and your family.

Pure Beginnings

Pure BeginningsPure Beginnings is a premium organic baby care line and one of South Africa’s most trusted brands of organic personal care products. Now available in the UK, their certified organic ‘Berry Toothpaste’ has been specifically designed for children of all ages. Being the thorough reviewer I am, I’ve been trying this toothpaste out for myself and am happy to report that it’s thoroughly gorgeous. It tastes great and has an exceptionally luxurious formulation leaving teeth squeaky clean; engagingly packaged too – perfect for your little ones.

Well worth stocking up on, this range is available exclusively in store and online at John Lewis. (£3.60 for 75ml) Visit www.purebeginnings.co.za for further information on the range.

Jason

Jason PowersmileJason is one of those trusted brands that seem to have been around forever (since 1959 to be exact), and are available in all good health food shops. So far, I’ve tried their ‘Sea Fresh’ plus CoQ10 anti-cavity tooth gel and ‘Power Smile’ all natural whitening toothpaste (both £4.99 for 170g). As expected from this brand, both offer superior formulations that knock spots off any of their chemical-ridden abrasive counterparts, while leaving your teeth feeling just as clean.

Buy online at www.jasonnaturalcare.co.uk. Also available in all good health food shops.

Dr Organic

Dr Organic mouthwashI must confess, I’d never heard of Dr Organic until I put my feelers out for natural oral care brands. Initially, I found their ‘Pomegranate Toothpaste’ with arnica, horse chestnut, silica, and aloe vera a tad strange tasting, but it wasn’t long before I’d been won over (£3.99 for 100ml). Their whitening ‘Aloe Vera Toothpaste’ is also soothingly refreshing and perhaps serves as a better introduction to their toothpastes, together with their alcohol-free ‘Aloe Vera Mouthwash’ (£5.49 for 500ml). A deserved winner at this year’s Natural Health Magazine’s Beauty Awards, this is a great brand worth seeking out.

Visit www.drorganic.co.uk

Weleda

Weleda salt toothpasteThose consistently reliable stalwarts of holistic and natural beauty, Weleda, whose products I can’t recommend enough, have an intriguing toothpaste which, I was warned, is akin to Marmite – you’ll either love it or hate it. Developed in cooperation with dentists, Weleda’s ‘Salt Toothpaste’ contains, yup, you guessed it, salt – and lots of it. It also contains myrrh (natural oral disinfectant), and organic ratanhia (a plant used to control bleeding and treat sore throats).

My mum brushes her tongue with salt so I’m used to the idea, but really didn’t expect my boyfriend to like it. “Is nothing sacred?” I asked him. “It was a bit harsh at first on my gums,” he replied, “but that’s proper good stuff.” Despite the plethora of toothpastes currently on offer in our bathroom (including Weleda’s gorgeous tasting ‘Calendula Toothpaste’ – developed for those who wish to avoid peppermint oil), this one remains his squeeze of choice. Priced £3.50 for 75ml, both toothpastes are also suitable for vegans.

Weleda also have a concentrated ‘Medicinal Gargle’ which can also be used as a mouthwash, helps soothe sore throats, and eases mouth ulcers and tender gums. £6.95 for 50ml, it’s a handy size for travelling too. (Consult your doctor or pharmacist before use if you’re pregnant.)

To locate your nearest Weleda stockist or buy online, visit their website at www.weleda.co.uk

Lavera

Lavera Basis Mint ToothpasteLavera are another of those natural what’s-not-to-love brands whose products come up trumps time and again. Their ‘Organic Mint Toothpaste’ (£2.95 for 75ml) is the toothpaste I’d recommend without hesitation for anyone looking to make the transition from a bog-standard chemical-ridden offering to something natural and better for all the family. Great tasting, the biological tooth-whitening formula is formulated with micro particles to help gently dissolve stains.

Lavera also offers an ‘Organic Kid’s Toothgel’ (£2.95 for 75ml) with strawberry and raspberry. As per usual, I’ve tried this and I defy any child not to like the taste of this fun, jammy-tasting tooth gel. Free from foaming agents or fluorides, it’ also safe (and tasty enough) to swallow.

To locate your nearest stockist or buy online, visit www.pravera.co.uk.

Monte Bianco – the eco-friendly toothbrush 

Monte Bianco toothbrushesMonte Bianco, an innovative yet simple style of toothbrush, is an ideal addition to your eco-friendly bathroom. With a population of over 60 million, if everyone in the UK replaces their toothbrush every three months, that’s over 240 million toothbrushes finding their way to landfill per year. The idea behind the Monte Bianco is to dramatically reduce this amount of waste.

With its unique design, only the toothbrush head needs replacing; the handle can be kept and will last up to an impressive 10 years, discouraging unnecessary land fill waste. As soon as the bristles have worn out, a replacement head can be clipped securely onto the original handle. The bristles are made from natural fibres instead of the more commonly used plastic, which is gentle on gums and ensures the manufacturing process is environmentally-friendly.

A Junior Monte Bianco is also available which is ideal for encouraging and teaching children the values and importance of being eco-friendly.

Monte Bianco toothbrushes are available from www.pravera.co.uk at £2.95 for adult and junior toothbrushes. The replacement heads are £3.95 for a pack of three.