Teenage girl suffering from [food] allergies may have been killed by brushing her teeth with Aquafresh
Many of us with kids who have multiple food allergies, have problems finding a safe toothpaste. I know early on, my son had issues with several brands. At this point we use baking soda or pumice that we get from the dentist.
This story of this beautiful young girl is very sad and I’m not sure that they are really sure of the cause of her anaphylaxis. However, I thought I’d share this story here since I’ve heard about it from several of you.
Teenage girl suffering from allergies may have been killed by brushing her teeth with Aquafresh
“A teenager died after suffering an extreme allergic reaction to toothpaste, her family said yesterday.
Her parents believed the newly repackaged Aquafresh toothpaste was the most likely cause of the fatal reaction. But the inquest in Blackburn was inconclusive.
Pathologist Dr Richard Prescott told the hearing toothpaste could cause sever reactions.”
January 21, 2008 @ 11:03 am
We’re doing OK with the Tom’s Silly Strawberry. My son reacted to Colgate and Crest, we think because of the cinnamates — he’s also reacted to ketchup (most brands contain cinnamon, listed as “spices”) and to some sunscreens (many of which also contain cinnamates). I’ve always thought it was just us and that no one else had toothpaste or cinnamates issues. You think it is a bit more common? Do you have any idea what it is that is causing the toothpaste reaction (doesn’t seem to be peanut, according to the manufacturers)?
January 27, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
This is very interesting. My elder son and I both have had bronchospasms from Aquafresh in the past. Neither of us has food allergies; it’s my younger son who does. We do both have asthma. I’ve never had this reaction to other toothpastes; it’s the type of reaction I get from dried fruits that contain high levels of sulfites.
I’m so sorry for the family of this girl.
Amy
January 28, 2008 @ 6:59 am
Our sympathies go out to her family. My youngest has multiple food allergies and I am always in disbelief at the microscopic amounts that trigger his reactions. I don’t know the history of this girl, but with my son, I am on constant vigil that his two older brothers don’t grab his tooth brush by accident - like if we come in very late from night skiing. I have heard of egg shells being used in toothpaste. My youngest does not want to use toothpaste so he brushes with water and rinses with an anticavity rinse.
January 29, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
I have a two and half year old son, Tyler who has severe food allergies and a few other allergies, also has a mild form of asthma. i have never heard of the toothpaste issue but I am so grateful for this website. I have only been using Toddler toothpaste for him so far and he has had no reactions, but this concerns me especially since we have used aqua fresh for years, are there natural or organic forms of toothpaste that may be more safe? I am so sorry for this girls family and will keep them in my prayers. if anyone has any suggestions about the toothpaste please let me know.
February 5, 2008 @ 9:43 pm
Amy i too have suffered greatly with asthma/bronchitius/allergies. what i can tell you it’s either the artificial sweeteners or the artificial ingredients. Stevia should work well, in liquid form with a little bit of distilled water should make a great toothpaste for your child. you can write me if you wish i don’t want to take up space. it’s 300 times sweeter than sugar, comes in chocolate, raspberry orange/vanilla and black cherry/chocolate or some others any health food store would carry it. it has all the properties opposite of sugar. meaning it’s great for teeth it gets into teeth and makes them stronger, and zero calories zero impact to glycemic index great lather too. moonstream1@aol.com
March 12, 2008 @ 7:33 am
Health News, Health Articles - news.healtharchive.net
March 26, 2008 @ 11:45 am
I have severe food allergies and they seem to get worse as I grow older. I am a new grandma and my four month old grandson shares my rice allergy. As for toothpaste, I am using baking soda and trying to find something else that works. Besides the cinnamates, Crest also has aspartame. I was having difficulty breathing after I brushed. I have had sensitive teeth for years, but the sensitivity has mostly disappeared since I quit using commercial toothpaste. Uncle Tom’s was better, but it still bothers me. I am allergic to coconut and they list that as a source, so that must be it. My face broke out in hives (and then zits–at my age!) after brushing with Uncle Tom’s. I tried several different flavors–not an inexpensive venture. One good thing came of this. My husband loves the Uncle Tom’s toothpaste, so it won’t go to waste.
March 26, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
Floppty Ears, I’m curious about the stevia toothpaste solution. I have some stevia powder that is highly concentrated. Can I mix this with distilled water to brush or should I buy a liquid and then dilute it? What ratio of dilution is used? I’m probably not the only one looking to find something other than baking soda.
June 6, 2008 @ 11:50 am
My wife had extensive work done by a periodontist 3 years ago who recommended she begin using a certain brand of toothpaste (sorry, cannot remember the brand) but she told me how it left a bad aftertaste in her mouth.
Within a month of starting this, she lost her sense of smell and taste. We began looking for reasons. We found that the toothpaste had triclosan in it and I believe some of the stuff we researched indicated possible neurological problems. Anyway, she stopped using it immediately but unfortunately her smell and taste did not come back. Some good news on that front, just in the last 2 months we found a product called Sinus Buster (no we are not selling it) and within about 2 weeks of use she was able to begin tasting some items. I still have to smell the milk before she uses it (I dont drink milk) however since her smell has not returned completely.
July 28, 2008 @ 5:25 am
Wow, nice information you provide here. I hope that you can elaborate more on the sidebar topic. Because I’ve the same problem with that. So if you can tell me more how to cure it, it would be nice!
Thanks!
October 11, 2008 @ 11:52 am
Wow… this is horrible. Never would have thought someone could have a reaction that bad to toothpaste. I came across this article while doing some research after taking my son to the doctor last night just before putting him to bed as he was having some type of allergic reaction. The only thing different in his routine that we could figure out was he had Haagen Daaz Black Cherry Vanilla ice cream after eating supper. So… trying to figure out what the culprit was.
This has some great information. I am going to post this article to the SparrowGirls health forum.
www.SparrowGirls.com
“Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people… of the characters and conduct of their rulers.” John Adams
November 1, 2008 @ 8:46 am
I thought I was losing my mind. After toothbrushing at night, the wheezing began. At tirst I thought it was my pillow, or the room. But I’ve now had to start gargling with water to make sure ALL the residue from the paste is out of my mouth and that none gets in my throat. Does anyone know are there new additives (like they did to cigarettes in the 60’s? I’m looking for a new toothpaste. Can anyone recommend one that doesn’t have irritants?
Another thing to watch out for is coldwater detergent. I had one heck of a time until I realized this was causing problems too.
My heart goes out to the family of that young girl. This should not be happening. We need more info on the stuff we buy for our families.
January 15, 2009 @ 12:37 am
I found out a few years ago that I was allergic to all commercial brands of toothpaste. I broke out under my bottom lip at the corners…then it just became a rash. A friend who is into natural cures told me people (especially women) can build up an intolerance to the toxicity of toothpaste and it usually starts in the mid to late twenties. Anyway, for awhile I bought Uncle Toms Propollis & Myrh toothpaste and it worked well. Lately it came back and I realized that all the toothpaste from Uncle Toms now has whiteners & tarter control ingredients…which I think is causing it. I tried other brands at the health food store but now am just using baking soda…trying to get rid of the rash. I’ve used Stevia as a sweetener, but never heard about it as a toothpaste. Worth a try.
January 21, 2009 @ 9:45 am
I just discovered after MONTHS of misery and hundreds of dollars that a food additive called carrageenan was setting off (in concert with sulfites and msg my asthma and inflammatory problems) This additive was “under review” by the Joint Fao /WHO EXPERT COMMITTEE ON FOOD ADDITIVES
This substance is used in toothpaste for texture and mouth feel. I wonder if that poor girl who died last year had an allergy to this substance. This is a natural substance so they can still say “all natural” on the label… well arsnic is natural too and we know what that will do to you… It’s in some soy milks (which I switched too believing I was “helping” myself). I went back to milk after this.
Mothers everywhere and anyone having breathing, disgestive or skin problems have to start really reading labels and asking questions. There are now dozens of names for good ole MSG in food.
620 L-Glutamic acid 625 Magnesium L-glutamate
621 Monosodium L-glutamate 627 Disodium 5’-glutamate
622 Monopotassium L-glutamate 631 Disodium 5’-isonate
623 Calcium glutamate 635 Disodium 5’-ribonucleotides
624 Monoammonium L-glutamate
Other ways of disguising MSG is to call it a different name. Common sources of processed free glutamate (MSG) are:
Monosodium glutamate Potassium glutamate
Hydrolysed vegetable protein Hydrolysed protein
Hydrolysed plant protein Autolyzed yeast
Plant protein extract Sodium caseinate
Calcium caseinate Yeast extract
Textured protein Hydrolysed … anything
Malt extract Flavouring
Stock Seasoning
Natural flavouring Spices
But I digress…
This is to give you an idea of how things get
renamed once John or Jane Q Public get wind of a problem.
Back to carrageenan
This food additive/substance is made from seaweed is used for food texture and feel and is used in lab animals to induce inflammation. Need I say more??
October 14, 2009 @ 1:12 am
Thanks for the list of the monosodium glutamate…the other listings I have found confusing. I don’t go over the top with those things, but you never know when you can convert…
Also about the toothpaste. I have a coconut, coconut oil, palm oil allergy - hives really bad. I went to the dentist and mentioned this to her…Yup. she new all about it. Lot’s of people have it. Not unlike our friend monosodium glutamate, Coconut and it’s deliver comes in many names and products: Sodium Laraul Sulfphate, Laureth Sulfate, etc. look for cocodomide and palm as well.
Hives, lungs and angina is my deal. Laurel Sulfate is in everything - Shampoo, Creme Rinse, lotions, suntan oils, curry. and yes….Toothpaste. “kiss my face” has an aloe based with mint. I’ve been using it for three years and love it. I use the whitening, but they also have a plain one. There is a company that makes items using tea-tree essential oils. They have good toothpaste, also. A bit more expensive, but without the ingredient names that are too long to prounounce.!
Good luck.
Also the Laurel Sulfate is in medications like ALL over the counter pain relievers, and many perscription drugs.
October 18, 2009 @ 4:41 pm
Protein Bar…
There are a lot of good opinions here. Really gives me a new way of looking at things….
April 26, 2010 @ 12:29 am
There is additional information on www.steviainformation.info that may be helpful.
May 12, 2010 @ 9:04 pm
www.truthaboutabs.com…
I' ……
June 9, 2010 @ 8:14 pm
crazy. i use to use aquafresh and i know we are all allergic to different things.. im allergic to alot of things but aquafresh was not one of them my prayers and thoughts go out to the family.
August 7, 2010 @ 4:08 am
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