Mouthwash: Any natural alternatives to Listerine and Colgate?

A few years ago, I decided to buy Listerine mouthwash to complement my oral hygiene habits, besides brushing my teeth twice a day and flossing every few days. Recently, I came to learn from the internet about the side effects of Listerine. For example, the alcohol content in Listerine is said to cause dryness in the mouth, which actually promotes bacteria overgrowth (and overuse of mouthwash can even cause oral cancer), according to this website.

"The overuse of mouthwash is linked in several studies to oral bacterial infections, tooth decay and cancers of the mouth. The alcohol in the mouthwash is known to cause 'dry mouth' which allows bacterial overgrowth. The solvent properties of alcohol can dissolve fillings. This increases exposure to mercury vapor from amalgam fillings and xenoestrogenic phthalates from composite fillings. Additionally, the alcohol stains teeth and damages the tooth enamel setting up an environment for accelerated tooth decay."

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032408_bad_breath_solutions.html#ixzz28WG7MMx4

According to this website, the acidity of mouthwashes can cause erosion of dental enamel, which in turn results in teeth sensitivity.

"In another study, at the Division of Restorative Dentistry in Bristol, U.K., researchers found that use of low pH mouthwashes cause erosion of dental enamel that is directly correlated to sensitivity in teeth. People with less enamel complained of much greater tooth sensitivity to hot and cold."

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/024591_mouthwash_cancer_oral.html#ixzz28WGUTu7S

So about a couple of years ago, I decided to switch to using Colgate Plax mouthwash, which doesn't contain alcohol. I use it about once a week on average. Lately, however, I decided to google about some of the ingredients, such as sodium fluoride, and I learnt that this chemical can be toxic to the body if ingested over a long time.

So I am going to look for natural alternatives to the above two mouthwashes. Meanwhile, I learnt from this website that suggests some natural eco-friendly mouthwashes. I will see if I can find them in a pharmacy or natural health store. http://www.chasinggreen.org/article/eco-friendly-and-healthy-mouthwash-alternatives/

Update (as of 7 Oct 2012)

When I was shopping at the supermarket, I managed to find a non-fluoride toothpaste called Elgydium. While it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, at least it doesn't contain sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate, which is found in almost all other brands of toothpastes. Besides, Elgydium is made in France, the country that bans GMO foods, so I suppose this toothpaste would be considered safer than the other brands, since the country would have observed more stringent health measures both in their food and medical industries.

I also bought Betadine gargle and mouth wash from the supermarket pharmacy, which I suppose doesn't contain fluoride, as there is no mention of this ingredient on the package, so I suppose it would be safer to use than other brands of mouth wash. It is also meant as an antiseptic that soothes sore throats, which I was sometimes prone to, so it would help prevent sore throats too if I were to use it occasionally, perhaps on a weekly basis or so.

Related link:
Sodium fluoride may cause joint pains

Sodium fluoride may cause joint pains

I learnt that sodium fluoride in toothpastes and mouthwashes can have side effects, such as joint pains due to the fluoride accumulating in joints of the body over time.

http://toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Fluoride
"Skeletal fluorosis happens at the advanced stage of fluorosis. Fluoride deposits in the joints of the neck, knees, pelvic and shoulder bones and hinders movement. In the early stages, back stiffness, burning sensations, tingling or prickling, and muscle weakness arise and irregular calcium deposits show up in ligaments and bones."

So yea, I will see if I can get toothpastes and mouthwashes that do not contain sodium fluoride in future, and monitor whether the knee joint pains will cease after using these non-fluoride items.

 

Related link

Mouthwash: Any natural alternatives to Listerine and Colgate?

Dumbing down of the masses

"Diet, injections and injunctions will combine, from a very early age, to produce the sort of character and the sort of beliefs that the authorities consider desirable, and any serious criticism of the powers that be will become psychologically impossible. Even if all are miserable, all will believe themselves happy, because the government will tell them that they are so"

Bertrand Russell, The Impact of Science on Society 1953

I think there is some grain of truth because according to some articles in Natural News website that I have read, the government's plan to add fluoride to public water may well be an attempt to "dumb down" or affect the mental capability of the masses, which may in turn affect their critical thinking ability and not question the government's propaganda too much. Here's an example of an article that discusses the possible links between fluoride and lower IQ levels in humans, and learning and memory impairment, among other symptoms.

"In all, FAN said, 34 studies now link fluoride to lower IQ levels in humans, while scores of other studies correlate fluoride to learning and memory impairment, fetal brain damage, altered neurobehavioral function and altered thyroid hormone levels."

http://www.naturalnews.com/037339_fluoride_brain_damage_studies.html#ixzz27ot2gcXT

I suppose it would be advisable for the public to install water filters in their homes, where they can, in view of this finding.

Here's sharing this video that discusses the possibility of the population being subject to chemical manipulation through vaccinations and fluoride in water supply.

"Why is America so brainwashed by the corporate media? Why do we care more about American Idol and sports games than being poisoned with mercury in our vaccinations and sodium fluoride in our water supply? America needs to wake up and get the facts about our chemical manipulation before it's too late."

This website suggests some ways to remove fluoride from our daily water consumption and activities - I think I will start looking for fluoride-free toothpastes in health stores in future too. 

http://purewaterfreedom.com/osc/remove_fluoride.php
"1) If you're using a fluoridated toothpaste, consider switching to a non-fluoridated alternative (which you can find at most health food stores)"

The following website summarises the various ways the authorities seem to be using to dumb down the modern society - I think this happens not only in America but also in other modern cities such as Singapore. These ways include chemtrails, processed food, fast food, HD TV and video games and other entertainment. http://adventofdeception.com/dumbing-down-through-chemtrails-hd-tv-and-food/

Speaking of entertainment, I used to play computer games quite a lot when I was younger in my school days, and I have grown out of it since the early 2000s. I suppose I too was subject to the subtle manipulation of the authorities by being distracted by computer gaming, instead of being more aware and concerned about social issues in life, so to speak.