Recently I was discussing with a local dentist and he stated “why would you put salt in your toothpaste?” As a lifelong salt lover and enthusiast he did not believe that this practice should be allowed at home. Yet, many salt people have complained about the heavy taste of their toothpaste.
Here is a little about the salt industry and how it works in the United States and other countries around the world. Salts Worldwide Corporation is the largest producer of this essential mineral. It also manufactures magnesium chloride, which can help with gout and other arthritis related diseases.
The company does not use any refined or unrefined minerals for the salt that they produce for their various products. While all of the salts are made from natural ingredients, the ones for the teeth, mouth and health are processed and packaged differently.
Many salt manufacturers have been aware of the potential health hazards associated with some of the additives used in the processing of some of their salts. This has led to research efforts and often some of the regulations about the best practices. However, consumers still have a variety of choices when it comes to purchasing toothpaste.
Two popular brands of salt for toothpaste are sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Sodium chloride has been linked to a decreased risk of kidney stones. It is a natural occurring mineral and as such it is present in some fruits, vegetables and cereals.
Sodium chloride has also been shown to lower blood pressure and it acts as a vasodilator which increases blood flow throughout the body. Potassium chloride is more readily absorbed by the body. It is naturally occurring but has been chemically altered to become more desirable.
Scientific studies also have shown that sodium chloride works to stimulate and calm the blood vessels. Another advantage to using this kind of salt is that it acts as a diuretic. You do not have to drink a lot of water while you are brushing your teeth to get these results.
If you would like to try a healthy salt for your toothpaste and are wondering what benefits sodium chloride may offer, you can purchase it in its pure form. Unfortunately, because of all of the controversy, most supermarkets cannot sell it for this purpose. Instead, you can find the mineral at your local health food store, drug store, vitamin store or in your department store.
They also have sodium stearate, which is a new development and I will discuss in another article. Sodium stearate is a chemical derivative that has the consistency of butter. When in contact with saliva it crystallizes into a form that is quite appealing.
Scientists have found that it has a high percentage of its main ingredient that is sodium. It also has a higher amount of moisture than sodium chloride. These qualities make it a better choice of salt than other salt forms.
When one of these two salt types is used with baking soda, they can create a paste that does not dissolve the tooth enamel. It will coat the teeth in a protective layer that will prevent tooth decay and other dental problems.
Of course, there are many other options to choose from including magnesium chloride, potassium chloride and even sodium bicarbonate. All of these types will help with your oral health. Please take some time to research some of these options before making a final decision on which one is best for you.
