Q: I use Colgate Total antibacterial toothpaste. How effective are natural antibacterial alternatives?
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A: On my last trip to the dentist, I was given a gold star for brushing well (okay, fine, there was no actual star involved) and a small tube of Colgate Total. I politely returned one of the above. Why?
Yes, we all have bacteria in our mouths – a good 800 different kinds, actually. Some of it’s good and some of it’s bad. Keeping that balance is key to whole health. But is it really necessary to boost the bacteria-banishing power of toothpastes by turning to a persistent chemical that’s lingering in 75 per cent of North Americans?
There’s no denying that triclosan is damn good at killing bacteria. A lot of hoopla was made earlier this year about the latest study proclaiming that certain toothpastes containing triclosan (like Colgate Total) are better than regular fluoride toothpaste at killing bacteria.
Besides the fact that one of the authors actually works for Colgate, the study isn’t much of a surprise, since fluoride’s main job isn’t killing bacteria. It’s an enamel strengthener (unless you have too much).
Other studies have raised concerns about the potential long-term risks of triclosan toothpaste creating antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in our mouths. It’s been well over a year since the Canadian Medical Association called for a ban on all antibacterial consumer products for fear of bacterial resistance.
The David Suzuki Foundation is also pushing for a ban on triclosan (and 11 other body care chemicals), recognizing that it’s toxic to aquatic life and a suspected endocrine disruptor.
What’s the point, when a Swedish study found that brushing with a triclosan/polymer toothpaste and a fancy electric toothbrush for three years “failed to prove additional benefits” compared to brushing well with regular fluoridated paste and a manual brush.
But how do natural health store toothpastes hold up? A 2004 study that pitted the antibacterial power of herbal pastes against Colgate Total named NutriBiotic’s Dental Gel as the all-round “herbal” winner in terms of combating four harmful strains of bacteria. Thing is, its active ingredient, grapefruit seed extract (GSE), comes with its own mouthful of controversy.
Rumours have swirled about GSE getting its real power from triclosan, and though two studies in the 90s confirmed its presence in some brands, NutriBiotic says it tests each batch of GSE to confirm that it’s triclosan-free.
Good news, except for the fact that it says nothing about regular testing to ensure that it’s free of benzethonium chloride, a synthetic disinfectant that the USDA says gives GSE products their real antimicrobial power.
NutriBiotic argues it’s all a big mix-up, the result of “false positives.” So I tracked down Gary Takeoka, the lead USDA scientist who did the testing in 2001 and again in 05. He confirms that they indeed tested NutriBiotic and other GSEs and says the mix-up claims are totally false.
“They’re putting a synthetic antimicrobial in the product.” He and his team found, as other researchers have, that citrus seeds had no inherent antimicrobial power.
It’s enough to make GSE users gag. So which natural toothpaste battles bacteria without resorting to synthetic bug fighters? According to that herbal toothpaste study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, Peelu, Weleda’s Pink toothpaste with myrrh, Herbal Brite and Dental Herb aren’t great at the task, and against one strain of oral bacteria linked to heart disease you can also toss out Jason’s NutriSmile C.
But Jason’s Healthy Mouth, Auromere, Nature’s Gate Natural Toothpaste and Tom’s of Maine Natural Toothpaste all performed solidly.
Remember, dentists have long advised us to keep bacteria in check with simple steps: brush well twice a day and floss once. Colgate’s own website points to a third cavity-busting tip: reduce the amount of fermentable carbs you eat (like sweets, chips, crackers – you know, refined stuff). Gargling with essential-oil-based mouthwashes (with ingredients like menthol, eucalyptol and thymol) has also gotten the clinical thumbs-up.
Just bypass the Listerine, since it’s heavy in mouth-drying alcohol.
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