MICROSCOPIC COLITIS SUPPORT

We are still trying to weed out any hidden gluten and on a whim I called the company that makes our toothpaste ( Nature's Gate Natural Creme de Mint ) as was told that their product is milk free since it is vegan, but it is mixed in the same tanks as their other gluten and soy products and has never been tested for those allergens so they probably have them.

I have also found recently an article that stated both microcrystalline cellulose and vegetable glycerin may both contain wheat products. Does anyone know if that is true?

Hugs,
C

Just got this answer from Tom's of Maine brand... Guess anything with glycerin is suspect now...

Hello Carrie,

Thank you for your question. All of our toothpastes contain Glycerin, which we source from Soy, Canola, Coconut, Palm Kernel, and Palm Oils. None of our toothpastes contain dairy or gluten. I hope this information is helpful to you. Please let me know if you have any other questions.


Sincerely,
Megan Dunn
www.tomsofmaine.com

Hi Carrie,

Bummer about the toothpaste.

You've probably already seen these sites, but based on what I can find, microcrystalline cellulose is made by breaking down either wood pulp, or cotton fiber, (the fiber used to make clothing, not the stalk), by a process using only water, (hydrolysis). I would assume that if recycled products were used as feedstock, though, it might be possible that gluten found in glue, (used on recycled paper products), could possibly show up in trace amounts.

http://www.aapspharmscitech.org/view.asp?art=pt030211

http://www.nbent.com/details.htm

Like you, I'm wondering of some manufacturers might be trying to save money by using soy oil in the mix, for making vegetable glycerin.

http://searchwarp.com/swa274727.htm

http://www.morethanalive.com/VG

The problem is, with the technology available today, it sometimes seems that virtually anything can be made from virtually any feedstock.

EDIT: Well, I see that you've already received a verification that those suspicions are justified. It's an increasingly complex world.

Hugs,
Tex

Toothpaste is already a problem for me because I am so fructose intolerant and that includes sorbitol, xylitol, etc. The sugar alcohols make me nauseous. Crest Pro Health is sweetened with saccharin and I am trying it now. I am a dental hygienist so I am all for toothpaste especially with fluoride ( the folks in west Texas who have a high fluoride content occuring naturally in their water do not have an abundance of health problems from the fluoride and their teeth are very hard and have fewer cavities than other places with low fluoride) but the ones with sorbitol or xylitol make me sick.

Pat

Guess we may get back to baking soda and salt before it's over.

Love, Shirley

Thanks for the links Sweetheart, I only found that one listing that it might have cotton or wheat as the source so it must have been in error as far as the microcrystalline cellulose goes. At least I can mark that one off of the no fly zone list.

It is becoming such a bummer to find allergens lurking around every corner still, but we are bound and determined to win this battle to get him into remission, so I'll just keep plowing through everything in our life till we get them all weeded out...

Hugs,
C


Off to buy some more baking soda...looks like the safest option at this point....

I shudder when I read about these hidden ingredients.

I recently noticed that my sunflower butter is made on equipment that also processes soy. Some labels contain the warning and some don't. I assume that the soy that is processed on the equipment is soy butter. It has to be very difficult to be sure that all traces of soy are gone before manufacturing the sunflower butter.

Gloria

The only problem with baking soda and salt is that they are so abrasive. They will cause your gums to recede. You may have clean teeth but no gums and when the gums recede so does the bone holding your teeth in place. They're not a very good choice.

Pat

Yeah, I shouldn't have posted that. Sorry.

Love, Shirley

Well shoot...

Pat, do you have any suggestions for what he can use that won't be as harsh? Thanks!

Hugs,
C

Carrie,

Opinions differ on the use of baking soda for toothpaste. Here is an opinion by Dr. Bunn:

Baking soda is very low on abrasion (even plain baking soda is less abrasive than Crest or Colgate). It's primary function is to kill bacteria; however, at least 26% baking soda is required. Only Arm & Hammer Multi-Benefit Peroxicare toothpaste has enough at 51% (the only toothpaste I recommend).

Does that comment remind you of the controversy surrounding gluten sensitivity?

Here is everything you ever wanted to know about toothpaste, (okay, maybe at least some of what you want to know about it, ). You can click on his "Bio" there, and learn all about Dr. Bunn:

http://www.drbunn.com/tthpste.htm#bakingsodatoothpaste

Personally, I had never heard of Dr, Bunn, before stumbling across his website, but I do like this line from his "Bio", "I like to suggest to people looking for a dentist to look at the prospective dentist's teeth."

Hugs,
Tex

Tex,

Hmmmm, I found Dr. Bunn's website interesting but I don't agree with everything he has to say. We graduated the same year so I also have 26 years of experience in the dental field. My experience says that people that use baking soda have more abrasion than the people who use toothpaste. My dentist tells patients to not use baking soda and that toothpaste produces less abrasion. I have a hard time recommending Arm and Hammer TP because all of the flavors have whitening &/or tartar control in them. Both can make your teeth sensitive. I have tried it and it did make mine sensitive to cold. I use to think that the Oral B electric TB was really good until I changed to Sonicare. I like it for its cleaning ability much better. It takes awhile to get used to the vibration - it tickles. I did appreciate his history lesson - interesting. I have found that one can go to 10 different dentists and get almost 10 different opinions. So as the old saying goes "Opinions are like a__holes, everybody has one" or something like that! LOL!

Pat

P.S. Carrie, I really don't have a suggestion on the gluten factor in TP - that is a new one on me. I will keep my ears and eyes open though. Because of my sugar alcohol problem I many times have used just water. Most people can't believe that you can get your teeth clean with just water but it really is the mechanical funcion of the TB and floss that breaks up the bacteria, not the chemical. I have recommended it many times to children who won't brush at all or long enough because they don't like TP! It is certainly better than not brushing! Please replace your brush at least every 3 months, brush for 2 whole minutes at least 2 X day and floss at least 1 X day and brush your tongue! Also please visit your favorite dental hygienist and dentist at least 2 X year!

My dentist highly recommends a waterpik in addition to brushing...perhaps if you're sensitive to toothpaste, you could use plain water and brush, and then use the waterpik to finish it off.

Pat,

I agree, that an opinion is just an opinion, (that's why I pointed out that I had never heard of Dr. Bunn before I came across his site. I'm certainly not endorsing what he says - I posted that info simply because it shows how widely opinions on this issue differ.

Consumer Reports supposedly has a highly-recommended study, comparing the relative abrasiveness of the various toothpastes, but unfortunately, only paying members can access the chart.

Probably, in a pinch, baking soda based toothpaste could be used for a while, without doing major damage, until a better substitute can be found, but then, as you say, so can plain water. Heck, sometimes after major line repairs, the rural water system we're on, carries enough sand, that the water would probably rate as a fairly abrasive medium for cleaning teeth.

Tex

I don't know anything about toothpaste but I do have to add my 2 cents about the sonicare toothbrush. It is totally awesome! I have receeding gums and a bit of periodontal problems despite excellent oral hygiene. The sonicare helped make my teeth and gums so much healthier. I swear by that toothbrush.