Most of us desire to have a charming smile and sparkling teeth. That is why we sometimes try almost all brands and all kinds of toothpaste just to know which one will give us the best results. There is actually no harm in doing that. However, we must be aware that this product that we use everyday may cause harm to our body as well.

One of the main ingredients of toothpaste is fluoride. However, some toothpastes contain huge amounts of this chemical. Excessive fluoride inside our system can cause several problems like chronic fatigue, arthritis, rheumatism, constipation, and maybe cancer. According to the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency, fluoride is considered to be an unclassifiable carcinogen.

There are also other chemicals found in toothpastes that are, sometimes, not even listed in the tube. Chemicals in toothpaste, when we use them, get absorbed by our teeth and gums. And since there are times that we swallow toothpaste along with our saliva, these chemicals reach some parts of our gastro intestinal tract as well. These chemicals can cause stiffness in the joints and muscles . Our nerves can also be affected which can cause spasms and pain.

Some toothpastes claim to have formula against sensitive teeth to prevent pain in the gums and teeth. The reason why these can prevent the pain is the manufacturers include pain killers in these toothpastes. As people use them everyday, the nerves in the mouth slowly are affected.

Regular ingestion of these harmful chemicals from toothpastes can also cause our breathing to be shallow. Our heart beat may increase Some may get muscle cramps in different body parts. And since it affects the blood and the heart, there is a possibility of a heart issue in the future.

There are some toothpaste that also prevent gum bleeding. This is possible because of blood-clotting chemicals that are put into these products. However, these agents not only can stop the bleeding in gums, but can also develop blood clots which can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

One kind of chemical that was found in some toothpaste is the sodium laurel sulfate or the SLS. This chemical is common in shampoos as well. It can cause skin inflammation and separation of the layers, as stated in the Journal of the American College of Toxicology in 1983. SLS can also lead to permanent eye impairment according to Dr. Keith Green of the Medical College of Georgia.

Though these effects may not be seen right away, it is the long-term effect of these chemicals in our body that is the concern. And the fact that these products are part of our daily lives, we may be at a huge risk to these side effects without knowing it. Our vanity can cause us to be involved in toothbrushing several times a day.

We need to learn to explore and find alternatives and taking responsibility for our futures. Be sure to check the label and start finding something that can help your oral hygiene without side effects.

Carla Donnelly is a writer on environmental and health issues at the MangoLife Wellness Website. Sign up for the free monthly newsletter and get a free vegetarian ecookbook plus a chance to win a chemical-free soap that raises the body ph and is useful for personal care: http://www.mangolife.com/miracle2webpage2.html