Let’s face it. We all know that we need to brush our teeth. Our parents told us. Our dentist told us. Our teachers told us. And maybe, our friends told us, too. Maybe, because a friend would tell a friend that he — or she — has bad breath.

So, we all, rather mindlessly, go to the sink, pull out our toothbrush, and squeeze the toothpaste …

Stop! Right there!

Let’s talk, rather mindfully, about the toothpaste. What kind of toothpaste are you using? The kind you usually buy at the grocery store? Are you aware of the dangerous … yes, I said dangerous … ingredients in your toothpaste?

Look on the label.

Does it have Fluoride? Dangerous. Did you notice the warning the government makes manufacturers place on the label? > Keep out of the reach of children under six years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a POISION CONTROL CENTER immediately. For more information on fluoride, see the Top 10 Dangers of Fluoride.

Does your toothpaste have Saccharin? Dangerous. Maybe Splenda (sucralose) or Equal (aspartame)? Just as dangerous. These ingredients are put in as sweetening agents but have no real benefits for your body and can possibly lead to health problems, studies show.

How about Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)? Dangerous. That’s used to clean garage floors. This ingredient can lead to canker sores.

Next? Carageenan. Dangerous. Laboratory animals exhibited inflammation, ulcerations, and lesions in the gastrointestinal tract, and some even got colon cancer when given food-grade carrageenan. Inflammation in your mouth is your enemy.

How about propylene glycol? Dangerous. Hold on! Besides in your toothpaste … where else do we find this ingredient? Anti-freeze!

Do you really want what goes in your car to prevent freezing … or any of the other dangerous ingredients listed above … going into the most absorbent part of your body?

Of course not! Now, what to do? Where do you find toothpaste with healthy ingredients? And, wouldn’t it be just stellar if that toothpaste not only cleaned your teeth but also helped destroy bacteria and actually served to heal your mouth and gums? You won’t find it at the grocery store or the pharmacy.