HEALTH REPORT
Q&A: Georgia Geminder founder and CEO of Gem Oral Care Hullo Georgia – please tell us a little about yourself I’m the founder of Gem and I’m unnaturally obsessed with natural products, haha! After spending years immersed in beauty products (I was once a model) and going deep on microbiome health (I once launched a Kombucha), I learned about the power of forming healthy habits, natural ingredients and the microbiome. Why the particular interest in oral care? The more I learned, the more I started questioning the daily-use type of products that actually compromise our health standards. I was particularly struck by toothpaste – why do we use organic moisturiser on our face, then fill our mouths with the same toxins found in rat poison and toilet cleaner? My questioning inspired Gem, a line of toxin-free oral care products, including toothpaste, breath spray, whitening pen, mouthwash, floss and even sustainable toothpaste bites that help you to take better care of your mouth. How are GEM products different? Gem is here to stop you nuking your mouth and to help you upgrade your oral care routine instead. Our products are free from the bad stuff, like parabens, triclosan, SLS, aspartame, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and artificial colouring, flavouring or sweeteners, and full of the good stuff, like probiotics, earth minerals and natural oils. And of course, Gem does all the things you would expect your oral care products to do, like freshen, brighten and protect your mouth and teeth.
Toxins in toothpaste Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS): SLS irritates the mouth, which can lead
C onventional oral care products can contain risky ingredients. Here’s how to take better care of your mouth. Toothpaste and mouthwash get tossed into the supermarket trolley every week. However, there is compelling evidence that some brands contain toxic ingredients. Here are the worst offenders: Fluoride: Fluoride, a chemical commonly added to toothpaste to prevent tooth decay; it has never been approved as safe by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Fluoride is a known endocrine disrupter, affecting the bones, brain, thyroid, pineal gland, hormones and blood sugar levels. Triclosan: This pesticide has been banned by the FDA. It destroys both beneficial and bad bacteria in your mouth, and upsets the mouth’s natural flora balance.
to canker sores, irritation and organ toxicity. Almost 16,000 studies have exposed the toxic nature of this chemical. Titanium dioxide: Evidence suggests that nanoparticles in titanium dioxide induce toxic effects in the brain and cause nerve damage. Some are even carcinogenic. Propylene glycol: A synthetic chemical used as a surfactant, it’s also found in antifreeze and paint. Highly toxic to humans, it irritates the skin, eyes, lungs and mucous membranes. DEA: Shown to cause eye and skin irritation and has even been linked to liver cancer in mice. Parabens: These preservatives disrupt hormonal function and are associated with a range of development and reproductive problems.
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ISSUE 61 • 2021
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