The Imperfect Environmentalist by Sara Gilbert

Author:Sara Gilbert [Gilbert, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-345-53759-1
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2013-08-12T16:00:00+00:00

Tooth Care: Chew on This

Cut to the Chase, Hippie: What’s the Least I Need to Know?

Totally eco-friendly toothbrushes are labeled as such, but if you find yourself shopping for a toothbrush at a truck stop outside of Podunk, just look for one that’s BPA-free.

Intriguing … I Can Handle a Little More

When it comes to brushing our teeth (yes, I hope you do that at least twice a day), we have to worry about what’s in the brush and what’s in the paste. When it comes to the paste, I use Nature’s Gate. Or pick another organic brand, such as Weleda or JASON. Fluoride is probably the most controversial ingredient in toothpaste, and while many eco-friendly brands make a fluoridated version, it’s an ingredient that shouldn’t be taken lightly. A waste product of the phosphate fertilizer industry, flouride is a known carcinogen, a neurotoxin, and an endocrine disruptor. Modern research doesn’t support the idea that it reduces risk of cavities, and with so many states adding fluoride to the water, most people just don’t need it.

With toothbrushes, in addition to BPAs, watch out for the ones that contain PVC and phthalates. How bad could it be if it’s allowed in a toothbrush? Pretty bad, actually. My kids looked at me like the Tooth Fairy had died when I handed them their wooden toothbrushes, but the chemicals in some standard brushes are downright scary. Bisphenol-A (BPA), a hormone-mimicking chemical, is linked to cancer, infertility, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a plastic that produces numerous toxins, particularly when chewed on by young kids. And phthalates, used to improve plastic flexibility, are linked to hormone disruption, early puberty in girls, and fertility issues. And here we were just trying to keep our pearly whites gleaming.

Some PVC- and BPA-free toothbrush brands include: Oral-B, Baby Buddy, Green Sprouts, and Preserve. Preserve brush handles are made from recycled yogurt cups and even come with a pouch to mail back the used brush for recycling.

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