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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Glycerin in Toothpaste

Some people wonder about the source of glycerin and others debate or even argue on whether it is an animal or plant product.The reason that this has become a hot topic is that it is important to vegetarians and especially to vegans, as well as to others who express concern for their health and that of the environment.

However, the source of glycerin is not the most important issue concerning this product; there is more to this matter.

Glycerin is a thick and colorless liquid that has a sweet taste, and is a very popular ingredient in beauty products. Beauty product manufacturers claim that glycerin is a good humectant, which means that it attracts moisture to the skin.

Glycerin is especially prevalent in toothpastes; it is used to make paste creamy and it sweetens at the same time. As good as all that may sound, glycerin has an additional characteristic; it is sticky, meaning that when one brushes their teeth with toothpaste containing this product, the glycerin coats itself over the teeth.

With regular application of such a toothpaste, teeth slowly begin rotting underneath because the film-like coating of glycerin prevents minerals from restoring the enamel— the top coat on teeth that keeps them strong.

According to different sources it takes anywhere from twenty to twenty-seven rinses to remove the coating of glycerin from teeth.

Unfortunately, most toothpaste on the market—even the “natural” brands— contain glycerin. Check the ingredients for yourself.

15 comments:

Laryssa Herbert said...

Very interesting! Thanks for the heads up.

Cebra ethical skincare said...

What a load of tosh! Total rubbish. I asked my dentist and he laughed so loud he nearly dropped off his chair... there is NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING that re enamels adult teeth. Neither diet nor toothpaste. Not in adults anyway. It's ACID that attacks teeth - glycerin doesn't coat teeth. And once enamel is gone that's it. Can't be replaced.

Tentfire said...

Great blog! Thanks for sharing. I have been making my own tooth cleanser lately.... no glycerin nor SLS. My teeth have never been cleaner! Plaque is all gone, too, yea! And best of all, my gums have quit bleeding, are pink again, and firming up. Now, to see if my teeth will remineralize. I sure hope so.

Theophila said...

This is complete rubbish. Glycerin does NOT coat teeth. It IS a humectant, drawing moisture from the surroundings, but glycerin is also WATER SOLUBLE. You'll know this if you've ever bought pure USP glycerin. It is sticky, but not nearly as much as honey, and it dissolves and washes away, especially if you are BRUSHING. Just as honey coating your teeth would be washed away with water and brushing.

Furthermore, glycerin has several natural anti-bacterial properties, and you are also wrong on the assumption that remineralisation occurs through the environment. It occurs through a healthy diet and lifestyle, and only a tiny, partial bit on whether your teeth can "breathe." All of this rubbish about glycerin is only through the work of one Dr. Judd, which has not been backed up or replicated as required by other reputable sources and does not seem to be peer-reviewed (challenged and tested by others in his field)

John Moran said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
John Moran said...

Great Post. Glycerin is so much debatable to be in a toothpaste due to its properties and source. Although it is considered as the best option for creams and lotions.
Michigan teeth whitening dentist

James said...

http://www.docgiff.com/stories/result-the-great-soap-experiment

Tosh? Rubbish? Guess you are all out to lunch and rathr believe the dentist, who makes his money from your innocence and ignorance. Do you really think he would suggest something that might do damage to his wallet?

Anonymous said...

Yeah the dentist pushes fluoride too and look what this dentist says about it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bvjhdYRaeDc

This will make you question you dentist for sure

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Theophila said...

I suffered from cavities and dry mouth and have used the whole gamut of both commercial and holistic toothpastes. I now brush (softly but thoroughly) with a toothbrush and a 4:1 ratio of baking soda to finely ground sea salt with a drop of peppermint essential oil and a few drops of glycerin to make it into a paste. I have not had any new cavities in the last 3 years, my teeth are whiter, and there is no residue to coat my mouth or teeth (no, the glycerin does NOT leave a coating), so, also, no more dry mouth to prevent my saliva from doing its job.

Unknown said...

Glycerin uses include many applications. Some
include E-Cigs, Arts & Crafts, Food Applications, Personal Care needs, Synthetic Ice Formulations, and Food Grade Antifreeze applications. If you are using your glycerin direct in food you must use a product that is packaged to

USP requirements.

bit twiddler said...

"...alcohol possesses bactericidal action, whereas glycerin possesses bacteriostatic action. Though both actions are by nature antiseptic and result in death of a bacterium, the mechanisms are very different. The bactericidal action works by direct chemical killing of a pathogen, whereas the bacteriostatic action works by a process of imparting a given character to the terrain in which a pathogen exists thereby containing the pathogen, dehydrating it via glycerin’s hygroscopic action which results in its demise."
--from http://www.cedarbear.com/CBNTechSpeakLinks/Glycerin_versus_Alcohol.pdf

"Glycerol is bacteriostatic in its action, and ethanol is bactericidal in its action." -- Wikipedia

denturologue said...

Great information provided in this blog.
Glycerin includes many beneficial terms like Food Applications, Personal Care needs, Synthetic Ice Formulations..

dentiers

mine az said...

Ah! Nice! I never thought glycerin could be used in a toothpaste as well. I am going to Torrance dentist next week for my regular dental checkup. I will ask him about this. It is obviously a very informative and good post. I would love to try it as soon as possible.

Param said...
This comment has been removed by the author.