Tuesday
04Nov2008
Tooth Soap?
“What is tooth soap? Is it really soap you use for brushing your teeth?”
Yes. The new liquid soaps that people are using to brush their teeth are all just plain old soap and a surprising number of people are now abandoning standard toothpastes in favor of it.
What Tooth-Brushing Soaps Are Really Made Of
Sold in liquid, shredded bar and even solid bar form, all these “teeth soaps” have one thing in common—they’re all just plain old soap. Often, manufacturers add flavorings like essential oils or natural sweeteners like honey to the mix, but take away all the bells and whistles all these “tooth soaps” are basically the same. In fact, the process of making this dental soap is identical to the process your ancestors used if they made their own bath soaps at home.
Why In The World Would Anyone Brush With Soap?
Proponents of dental soap claim that the glycerin found in most commercial toothpastes prevents the enamel of teeth from remineralizing. Unfortunately, as you’ll see, neither this statement nor the paper it was first made in are very credible.
In a widely-circulated paper supposedly authored by Purdue graduate Gerard F. Judd, a number of claims are made. Among them are the declarations like these:
- No Ugandans under the age of 10 have any cavities.
- Glycerin (a common ingredient in toothpaste) is so sticky that it takes 27 attempts to wash it off. AND …
- This stuck-on glycerin prevents the natural re-mineralization of tooth enamel.
- Ordinary soap kills bacteria and viruses in the mouth.
Now, I could tell you that a 2004 study of 614 Ugandan children PROVED that 84.3% of them reported at least one oral “problem” but I think you’ve heard enough to be skeptical already.
The fact is, I can find absolutely NO scientific evidence to back up these claims. Nor can I find any evidence that this supposed author has published anything in any credible medical or dental journal. Aside from his book, Good Teeth Birth to Death, the only references to him that I can find are on web sites that … drumroll, please … . sell dental soap.
Is There Any Science Behind Tooth Soaps?
To my knowledge, there have been no scientific studies proving or disproving that brushing your teeth with soap is especially helpful or harmful to teeth.
Oh, about the “glycerin impedes re-mineralization” argument … the next time someone tells you that they’ve stopped using toothpaste because it has glycerin in it you can tell them that soap has glycerine too. It’s a natural byproduct of the soap making process.
References:
Kiwanuka, S., et al. (2005). Self-Reported Dental Pain and Associated Factors in Ugandan Schoolchildren. Norwegian Journal of Epidemiology.
Judd, G. (2002). Dental Health. Retrieved from reactor-core.org/dental-health.html on November 4, 2008.
Tue, November 4, 2008
Reader Comments (14)
I've been brushing my teeth with soap for months now. Yes, you're correct glycerin is a byproduct of soap making but a majority of the glycerin can be removed during the soap making process. It's true there is no scientific study that shows that glycerin prevents re-mineralization but I can telly you this. There is a distinct difference between how my teeth feel after using toothpaste and after using soap. If all you've ever used is toothpaste you'll have become accustomed to the feeling of that coating that is indeed on your teeth and tongue. Use soap just 2 times and you'll be amazed at how clean your teeth feel and your tongue and teeth will not feel coated.
The main reason I began using soap for my teeth is because the lining of my mouth is very sensitive to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS. There is no scientific study that SLS can be an irritant either but any product I use with it in it irritates my mouth. Through the process of elimination I've concluded that it must be the SLS. Soap is non-irritating.
I use Kiss My Face olive oil soap. It's just soap nothing else in it.. It may have some glycerin left in it but there is probably less in it than the intentional glycerin added to toothpaste which is intended to maintain the paste's moisture level keep it in "paste" form.
For me it doesn't matter if glycerin prevents re-mineralization but the soap does clean my teeth, doesn't coat my mouth, doesn't irritate the lining, and is natural and non-toxic.
What more could anyone ask for?
Some people might say "Better taste", but as with most things, taste is acquired. You get used to it.
I agree that you can't trust anything on the internet, but toothsoap helped my periodontal disease improve immensely. Apparently toothpaste enters the pockets, whereas the soap just rinsing away.
I don't use the soap sold by Prescription tooth soap; I just use an all natural soap made by anybody. I am pleased with toothsoap and would recommend it to anyone who has a problem controlling the plaque buildup on their teeth. I say this because people with gum disease tend to attract plaque more easily than others.
Anyway, for anyone having problems with keeping your teeth plaque free and have pockets, considering brushing with an ALL NATURAL soap; it will make your dental visits much more pleasant.
Hey Lisa! I just found your site today, but I'm really enjoying it.
I'm a dentist in Austin, Texas. I run my own practice, and my father runs his dental practice one door down. I first heard about 'tooth soap' about three weeks ago. My father, my staff, and I looked into it and came to the same conclusion that this blog alludes to.
I searched an academic database and found nothing of relevance, but when I 'googled' tooth soap I came across a myriad of hits for the same few websites, with the exact same rhetoric, almost identical testimonies, and the same buzz level that comes with any snake oil product.
Don't waste your bandwidth with a rebuttal, tooth soapers. I know it all already. Your dentist said that he doesn't have anything to do, your teeth are too clean. Or maybe you 'healed' some cavities or canker sores. You probably had major tartar build-up behind your incisors, but your tooth soap miraculously vaporized the tartar. Your kids love the grape, you love the citrus, with all the flavors you're bound to find one you that's just right.
Scams are always wrong, but when these people start impacting others' health it is criminal.
Thanks to everyone for their comments.
I found a product called Tooth Chips - Soap for Teeth and have been very very pleased with the results. My gums no longer bleed, sensitivity is gone and I wake up with NO morning breath. While the good dentist calls this snake oil, I call it a blessing. I would challenge anyone to give this stuff a try and decide for themselves. I'm glad I took a chance on it.
To the dentist that said that using snake doesn't work is sadly acting like all my dentists have acted in the past. I had juvenile periodontis and lost 4 teeth as a child. None of my dentists offerred me any hope and just told me to expect to lose my teeth.
I did my own research and started taking CQ10 and Calcium and basically tighten up teeth. The dentists would just pretend not to see the improvement. THEN, I discovered tooth soap last year. At my last cleaning, the hygenist tried to tell the gum surgeon my pockets had reduced and to keep doing what I was doing. She told the gum surgeon (periodontist) and guess what he said: "they must have been that depth to begin with.
I deal with gum disease every day of my life (for the last 20 years to be exact) and it angers me that dentists offer no help and then when people try to tell them what helps they call it snake oil. Of course, our teeth haven't filled in cavities or anything like that, but if you are a gum patient and reading this blog I am telling you that brushing with soap (AND NO TOOTHPASTE) will keep your roots cleaner. The toothpaste hardens and enters the pockets.
Anyway, if you don't like soap, use IPSAB tooth powder and your teeth will squeak, but whatever you do stay away from toothpaste--add Vitamin C, E, and COQ10 to your diet and get good cleanings from a dentist. My last 3 gum surgeons purposefully didn't do good cleanings so that they could charge me for root scalings and surgery. Find a good general dentist who focuses on prevention.
Finally, if you have pockets, get a pocket irrigator (vitajet or waterpik). THe key is keeping the roots clean.
Also, so you don't feel like a fool, just don't mention what you do to the dentist. I never do. Oh, and one final thing, use GLADE floss. I find that it is the best on the market for not shredding and cleaning well between teeth. Floss and brush at least twice a day, rinse with water after meals and acidic drinks, and keep those little plastic tooth space picks (by Butler) with you for removing food particles.
Don't know if what I was saying previously got through or not.
Sorry, my nursing baby kicked the keyboard.
As I was saying, I agree with the fact that tooth soap is just plain old homemade soap. I think charging the prices that they charge for shredded soap is outrageous! I'm all for making money and being entreprenuerial(sp?) but that's alot of money for less than a bar of natural soap. Less than one bar of natural soap plus a labeled jar plus shredding does not equal what they charge at a fair price. I will make my own soap before I pay them that kind of price.
I think the proof is found in the user of the product and their results.
Brushing your teeth with soap works.
If there's any scam going on other than the price they charge for toothsoap, it's no worse than the scam going on to the public saying that the flouride in toothpaste and public water is good for your teeth. It sure keeps the dentists in business though.
I already listen about this method on cleaning teeth, I'll try to compare this with teeth paste
I've used tooth soap for over six months (along with "tooth swish" (mineral salts)) and it's working a lot better for me than tooth paste. A cavity on a molar in the back of my mouth has been "shrinking" (tested with a laser at the dentist's office twice over the past six months - been waiting to get it filled, the second laser test showed it to be significantly less "bad" than before) I believe this is due either to remineralization or natural re-growth of the enamel now that I am using a non-abrasive soap rather than an abrasive commercial toothpaste. Overall, I am a lot happier using a tooth soap, but the "tooth-specific" soap I have been using is hideously expensive so I am looking to move to a regular soap such as Dr. Bronners' Peppermint Castille Liquid Soap.
I'd definitely recommend the concept of tooth soap, combined with a mineral salt "tooth swish" to anyone who is experiencing sensitivity and is interested in having stronger enamel. Based on my experience, moving away from commercial toothpastes has been really beneficial for me. My teeth also stay cleaner longer, I am not noticing as much plaque build-up throughout the day. The downside is that your teeth will not be as white over time, since the soap is non-abrasive. This can be addressed by periodically using an abrasive paste or baking soda.
I do think that the pricing of some of these tooth soaps is outrageous, however.
I agree that there could be some "scam" aspect to charging $50 for a dropper-bottle-sized container of liquid soap. But I've also had very positive results with a soap + remineralizing "swish".
I have been following the toothsoap forum. I remember brushing my teeth with ivory soap as a child when we ran out of toothpaste. I never had a cavity and we were on welfare, but I always brushed my teeth. I was fourteen when I had my first cavity. Reecently I had bridge work done and am sufferring from allergic reaction which my dentist refuses to believe and I have been tested by an allergist who suggested a patch test before any more dental work and prescribed zyrtec. I had a dental student at Northwestern university who worked on my teeth. He was from Pakistan, 28 years old and had never had any cavities. I looked at his mouth and his teeth were perfect. The secret was that his mother brushed their teeth in sand, coal and some other substance groung it into a powder and brushed their teeth with it. I have read stories of african people withperfect teeth because they chew on a certain tree bark, in mexico and India. sometimes I think dentist loose their sesitivity after leaving dental school and its all about the mechanics. I have found in my experience that doctors form the middle east and china are prone to use old world methods or suggest them than american doctors. American dental students are so burden with school loans they loose a little bit of them selves and everyday we are loosing more dental schools (like Northwestern Univ) in this country .
I decided to try tooth soap about 4 months ago. I love it.
I went in for my 6 month cleaning last week and my hygenist noticed an improved difference in my gums.
For me that said it all.
I've read this blog with interest and was disappointed at the input from the dentist. He makes no mention of trying soap for teeth and making an informed comment about it. I personally had gum disease and bleeding gums. I did have surgery and later found Tooth Chips - Soap for Teeth from Rose of Sharon Acres. Their prices aren't so outrageous and their shipping is minimal. I've noticed that my gums no longer bleed and at my last dental checkup my dentist told me laughlingly that he couldn't make any money off of me. My teeth feel squeeky clean and I'm very pleased with this product.
Read The Fluoride Deception Mostly five star reviews on Amazon.com, no negative reviews at all.
The only people who think of fluoride as helpful to the human body are those who are ignorant of its history.
It's industrial waste.
But fluoride also occurs naturally. It's particularly abundant in green tea, for example.