April 2008
Patients | Web Exclusive

Know natural facts

Revealing myths and reading labels to get the real deal behind natural products.
by Renee Knight

Myth busters

There are plenty of misconceptions associated with natural products that may be keeping patients who can benefit from going natural from making the change. Here, we bust some of those myths.

* Natural products don’t work. Many natural products are just as effective as their chemcial-based cousins, they just use nature-based ingredients to get the job done. So patients will still enjoy the cavity-fighting and even the whitening benefits they’ve come to expect from their oral care products.

* Natural products do work. Just because a product label claims that it’s natural, it doesn’t mean that it is. Read the ingredients to know for sure. And even if it is truly natural, it doesn’t mean the product fights or treats what the label touts.

* They don’t taste good. Whether your patients prefer mint or fruit flavors, they will likely find something that they like. Some products may take some getting used to because they’re not as sweet as what your patients are used to.

* They’re more expensive. This may be true with some brands, but take a closer look at what and how much you get for the money.

* Natural products are 100% safe. It’s important to talk with your patients about any natural ingredients they might be allergic to. There are natural toxins, and your patients should know what to look for to avoid negative reactions.

* Natural products can’t contain fluoride. This is still up for debate, but many natural companies do offer products with and without fluoride. Others don’t use fluoride at all.

 
What’s in it?

Here are some common ingredients found in natural products:

* Baking soda  
* Xylitol
* Potassium nitrate  
* Citrus acid
* Grapefruit seed extract
* Natural flavor oils
* Aloe vera gel
* Echinacea
* Goldenseal
* Glycyrrhizin

Some ingredients that shouldn’t be in natural products:

* Artificial flavors
* Dyes
* Artificial sweeteners  
* Alcohol
* Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
* Sudsing agents