Ingredients That Are Black & White^TM

There are three words that feel almost impossible to say as a medical provider: "I was wrong." We're trained to project confidence, to have answers, to guide our patients with unwavering certainty. But the truth is, medicine—including dentistry—is constantly evolving, and sometimes that evolution requires us to pause, reassess, and admit when our understanding has shifted. When I first began questioning the safety of fluoride, I felt an immediate pressure to find a substitute. The natural-minded dental community was buzzing about hydroxyapatite, and I found myself jumping on that bandwagon perhaps more quickly than I should have. The promise of a "natural" alternative felt like the perfect solution to recommend to the families in my practice. But here's what I've come to understand: while I don't feel the same concerns about hydroxyapatite that led me away from fluoride, the research simply isn't as clear and definitive as we've been told. The science is still emerging, still evolving, and as much as we want certainty in our recommendations, intellectual honesty requires us to acknowledge when the evidence base is still developing. This realization led me to look more carefully at ingredients with longer, more established research histories—which brought me back to xylitol. What draws me to xylitol isn't just its effectiveness—it's the depth and consistency of the research supporting its use. For over four decades, studies have consistently demonstrated xylitol's unique ability to disrupt the very foundation of cavity formation. Here's what makes xylitol remarkable: it's a natural sugar alcohol that cavity-causing bacteria simply cannot process effectively. When Streptococcus mutans—the primary bacteria responsible for tooth decay—attempts to feed on xylitol, it essentially starves itself, unable to produce the acids that erode tooth enamel. But xylitol goes beyond just starving harmful bacteria. It actively disrupts biofilm—that sticky, protective layer bacteria create to shield themselves from our body's natural defenses and from toothbrushing. Think of biofilm as a fortress wall that bacteria hide behind. Xylitol helps to prevent that layer from forming properly in the first place. Research has consistently shown that regular xylitol use can reduce cavity-causing bacteria by up to 75%. Even more encouraging, longitudinal studies indicate that mothers who chew xylitol gum can delay the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria to their young children, giving those little teeth a stronger foundation from the very beginning. What I find most compelling about xylitol is its track record. Unlike newer ingredients where we're still piecing together the full picture, xylitol has decades of peer-reviewed research demonstrating its safety and effectiveness across diverse populations. The mechanism is elegant in its simplicity: xylitol satisfies our natural desire for sweetness while actively protecting our teeth. It works with our body's natural systems rather than against them, stimulating saliva production—our mouth's own natural defense system—while simultaneously disrupting the harmful bacteria that threaten our oral health. The beauty of incorporating xylitol into daily oral care routines lies in its versatility and ease of use. Whether through xylitol-sweetened gum after meals, xylitol toothpaste, or even xylitol mints, families can easily weave this protective ingredient into their existing habits without dramatic lifestyle changes. It's encouraging to see companies like Zebra recognizing the value of this established science, choosing to formulate their toothpaste with xylitol and other clean ingredients like calcium carbonate. This kind of thoughtful approach to product development—prioritizing proven ingredients over marketing buzz—gives me confidence when making recommendations to the families I educate. As dental professionals, we serve our patients best when we're honest about the limitations of our knowledge alongside the strength of our recommendations. While we continue to learn more about emerging ingredients and their long-term effects, xylitol offers us something invaluable: proven protection backed by solid, established science. The goal isn't to have all the answers immediately—it's to make the best recommendations we can based on the most reliable evidence available. Sometimes that means acknowledging uncertainty about newer approaches while confidently recommending interventions with longer, more established track records. When it comes to my own family's oral care, I choose Zebra products because I care deeply about the ingredients that go into my children's bodies while also wanting to give them the best protection against tooth decay. Sometimes the most thoughtful choice isn't the most complicated one—it's the one backed by decades of solid science.

As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I’ve spent years helping people optimize their health from the inside out. Having read Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price during my studies, I was well aware of how much oral health can be affected by diet and lifestyle. More recently, however, I had a personal experience that completely changed how I think about oral care products, especially products marketed as “remineralizing” with hydroxyapatite (HAp). My Experience with Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste My family had been using a hydroxyapatite toothpaste for several years, trusting it to remineralize my teeth. It was a well known ‘non toxic’ toothpaste that the holistic community had been excitedly sharing about as a ‘safe’ alternative to fluoride. Surprisingly, several members of my family, including myself, developed new cavities. This was a shock to me since, as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, our diet was pretty pristine. I started wondering if a few of our homemade, organic treats that we ate every so often could be the culprit but before completely ridding all forms of treats from our lifestyle I decided to do a little research on the toothpaste ingredients. After investigating, I realized that HAp, while marketed to repair enamel, creates a rigid lattice of calcium and phosphate on the tooth surface. This lattice can interfere with saliva’s natural enzymes, which are essential for maintaining pH balance and transporting minerals to enamel. In other words, the toothpaste I trusted to ‘remineralize’ my teeth was actually preventing my body from naturally restoring mineral balance, potentially leading to mineral depletion over time. Saliva: God’s Design for Oral Health Our bodies are ingeniously designed. Saliva plays a central role in oral health by: Bathing teeth in bioavailable minerals. Buffering acids produced by oral bacteria. Delivering enzymes like amylase, peroxidase, lysozyme, and carbonic anhydrase that support oral homeostasis (Dawes, 1987). Rather than relying on synthetic coatings, the goal is to work with God’s design, supporting saliva and natural remineralization. Our bodies were made to prevent cavities on its own. The Myth of Tooth Healing Many brands promise that their toothpaste can ‘heal’ or ‘regrow’ teeth. While these claims are enticing, the truth is that enamel cannot regenerate once lost. True oral health depends on preventing demineralization and supporting the body’s natural protective systems, not chasing synthetic fixes. True oral health depends on preventing demineralization and supporting the body’s natural protective systems, not chasing synthetic fixes. The Science Behind Hydroxyapatite Concerns While hydroxyapatite is widely studied and considered safe for short-term enamel applications, early stage lab research highlights potential concerns with hydroxyapatite: Oxidative stress: Animal studies show that high doses of nano-hydroxyapatite may increase oxidative stress markers in tissues (Zhang et al., 2019). Tissue calcification: Rodent studies suggest excessive synthetic calcium phosphate can contribute to ectopic calcification in soft tissues (Bhaduri et al., 2009). These studies shed light on how the calcium phosphate bond of hydroxyapatite specifically can theoretically disrupt natural mineral cycles. Snacking: An Underutilized Strategy in Cavity Prevention We’ve always heard about how certain foods can cause cavity issues. But it goes beyond just what you eat…it’s when you eat too! One of the most overlooked factors in oral health is how often we eat. Constant snacking creates a continuous acid attack on teeth, tipping the balance toward demineralization. The mouth needs time between meals to remineralize and restore mineral balance. Regular meals plus 1–2 intentional snacks per day is plenty. Continuous grazing throughout the day can overwhelm saliva’s protective system, making teeth more vulnerable to cavities. This is a simple yet powerful strategy that many people ignore. Giving your oral system time to recover naturally can make a huge difference. Why Diet and Xylitol Matter Supporting enamel is not just about toothpaste. A holistic approach includes: A nutrient-rich diet: Adequate calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K2) provide the building blocks for healthy enamel. Focus on protein, and healthy fats first, and then add in carbs like plenty of veggies and fruits. Buy as cleanly as your budget will allow: organic, wild caught, grass fed, locally sourced, etc. Xylitol toothpaste: Unlike hydroxyapatite, xylitol works by disrupting biofilm formation, reducing acid-producing bacteria, and allowing saliva to naturally remineralize teeth. Zebra’s formula contains xylitol to help support demineralization by disrupting the bio-film that leads to plaque and cavities in the first place. It also contains calcium carbonate and theobroma cacao to help maintain minerals in the teeth. This is a total balance approach without interfering with natural processes. Best Practices for Clean Oral Care Brush twice daily, and use a PFAS free/plastic free floss (like Zebra’s!) Limit over-application, more is not better. Excess product can trap bacteria and irritate tissue. Focus on diet, snacking habits/timing, and lifestyle to give your body the nutrients it needs for enamel maintenance. Conclusion Oral health is not about a miracle product; it’s about supporting your body’s natural design. By choosing non-toxic, xylitol-based toothpaste, eating nutrient-dense whole foods, and allowing your mouth time to remineralize between meals, you give your teeth and saliva the tools they need to prevent demineralization and maintain long-term strength. Oral health is not about a miracle product; it’s about supporting your body’s natural design. References Featherstone, J. D. B. (2004). The continuum of dental caries—evidence for a dynamic disease process. J Dent Res, 83(Spec No C): C39–C42. Dawes, C. (1987). Salivary flow and salivary composition in health and disease. J Dent Res, 66(Spec Issue): 142–150. Zhang, X. et al. (2019). Toxicological assessment of nano-hydroxyapatite in rats: oxidative stress and organ response. Toxicol Rep, 6: 815–822. Bhaduri, S. B. et al. (2009). Calcium phosphate nanoparticles: implications for ectopic calcification. J Biomed Mater Res A, 91A(3): 713–724.

A lot of you know that my family is pretty “crunchy“. (Someone had to explain to me what that meant at one point in my life) If being “crunchy” is wrong, then I don’t want to be right! Ha! Several years ago our family started to make little changes in our home, diet, and every day living habits. My husband actually just put four snake plants in our home because the are good for air quality -as they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. (I like that they only need to be watered once a month too!). Living in a major city like DFW, Texas will make you think about things like air quality. You see, once you start to research products and educate yourself on what is actually IN them it’s shocking!!! So, from house cleaners, shampoos, soaps, deodorants, toothpaste, and even switching all our plastic containers to glass ones….it’s been a process. A process I am grateful we started and I don’t ever see our family going back to the toxic way of living we did once upon a time. Most people have an “eye opening” experience on why they start to live like this. For our family it was a bad reaction my son had to a vaccine as a child that lead us to research what we were actually placing in our kitchen cabinets. Living a natural and wholistic lifestyle isn’t easy and it’s hard to find TRUE clean products in the grocery isle. Is it worth it to take a few extra steps to make sure I give my family the best I can? HECK YES. Are we perfect 100% of the time. HECK NO. We are thankful for the companies that are out there fighting for the best of the best to keep our families safe and healthy!!! ENTER ZEBRA. The only toothpaste you’ll ever need. As a mom, I’ve spent countless hours reading labels, worrying about what my kids put in their mouths every day. Toothpaste, deodorant, even lip gloss, it all matters. I have been on the hunt for products that are safe, effective, and free from unnecessary chemicals, but for a long time, that felt impossible. I have been on the hunt for products that are safe, effective, and free from unnecessary chemicals, but for a long time, that felt impossible. The Hidden Risks in Everyday Toothpaste I worked in a dental office for over five years. Many products marketed as “safe” or “natural” still contain ingredients that can be harmful over time. TakeSLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and other foaming agents—they may make toothpaste feel satisfying, but they can irritate gums, strip enamel, and trigger sensitivities. Even “natural” colors and flavors aren’t always safe, as they are typically petroleum derived and full of chemicals. It’s easy to overlook these tiny risks, but the truth is that these synthetic ingredients can cause harm, even in trace amounts. Over time, this exposure can impact overall health. I wanted to eliminate as many of these hidden risks as possible for myself and my family. Why Sourcing and Transparency Matter Every ingredient is carefully chosen and tested for safety. Heavy metals are held to a strict standard of .001 PPM per serving, far below industry norms. To put it in perspective, that’s the same level you’d naturally find in many fruits and vegetables. I know exactly what’s going into my kids’ mouths and onto their skin, no hidden surprises, no false promises. The Real Benefits of Switching Since switching to ZEBRA, I have peace of mind. What’s going into my kid’s bodies is the best I can provide for them. A Tip for Other Moms If you’re looking for safer, more transparent products, here’s what I recommend: Read labels carefully—avoid foaming agents, SLS, artificial colors, and flavors. Look for brands that test rigorously and share their sourcing information. Think beyond marketing claims—ingredients like hydroxyapatite may sound good, but not all forms are safe or effective. Switching to ZEBRA isn’t just about cleaner products, it’s about protecting my family’s health every single day.