1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
This is the ingredient that causes the foaming
action in your toothpaste as well as many
other personal care products such as
shampoo. Many tooth pastes contain Sodium
Lauryl Sulfate. It is there to thicken your
toothpaste and help it foam like soap to give
you that clean feeling. But there are many
downsides to using Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in
your toothpaste. SLS can increase the
incidence of canker sores or aphthous ulcers
in the mouth. So if you suffer from recurrent
aphthous ulcers, it might help to use SLS-free
toothpastes. Some studies also show that
increasing the amounts of sodium lauryl
sulfate, decreased the amount of soluble
fluoride deposited on the enamel. Since
fluoride delivery is one of the main purposes of
toothpaste it makes sense to avoid
toothpastes with sodium lauryl sulfate. The
American College of Toxicology says it can
cause skin corrosion, irritation and canker
sores. "Both Sodium and Ammonium Lauryl
Sulfate appear to be safe in formulations
designed for discontinuous, brief use followed
by thorough rinsing from the surface of the
skin. In products intended for prolonged
contact with skin, concentrations should not
exceed 1%"
2. Abrasives/Whitening toothpastes
Abrasives constitute at least 50% of a typical
toothpaste. Harsh abrasives (especially in
whitening toothpastes) can scratch and
damage tooth enamel. So it's important to be
very careful when using the extreme whitening
toothpastes or use them in moderation. Once
the enamel is scratched it becomes more
susceptible to stains and discoloration making
the user need more whitening products. Teeth
can also become very sensitive as the enamel
is worn away and the underlying tooth layer
(dentin) is exposed. These abrasive
toothpastes have tiny particles that remove
stains but can also remove the shine and
enamel on your teeth.
3. Sodium Fluoride
While Fluoride has been proven to prevent
cavities in small doses, when ingested can
have harmful effects. Children are especially
prone to swallowing toothpaste, which can
cause permanent staining (fluorosis) and be
poisonous. Ingesting even a small amount of
sodium fluoride may cause nausea, vomiting
and diarrhea. It is important to use only a pea
sized amount of toothpaste and to rinse it out
thoroughly.
4. Glycerin
Glycerin, an oily substance in toothpaste, is
often made from natural sources such as
coconut oil, but it sticks to the teeth and
takes several rinses to remove. There are some
who believe a coating of glycerin impedes the
enamel repair and re-mineralization that
would naturally occur.
5. Dyes/Triclosan
There are many dye's used in commercial
toothpastes including FD&C blue dye no. 2
that has been linked to behavioral issues and
other health problems according to the Center
for Science in the Public Interest. Triclosan, an
antibacterial ingredient used in some
toothpastes has also been found to have
adverse effects in mice and rats but has not
been proven to be harmful in humans.
Make sure you look at the ingredients in your
toothpaste next time you go toothpaste
shopping! Remember, most of the teeth
cleaning is achieved by the mechanical action
of the toothbrush, and not by the toothpaste!
Brush with a soft toothbrush, brush gently at
a 45 degree angle (not horizontally), be wary
of extreme whitening toothpastes. Only use a
pea sized amount of toothpaste to prevent
over exposure. And the most important of all
FLOSS.


http://cosmeticdentistry.about.com/od/Dental-Health/fl/5-Ingredients-to-avoid-in-your-toothpaste.htm