Is it ok to use any toothpaste with the mouthwash?Updated 12 days ago

Many chemicals will neutralize the probiotics and interfere with the effectiveness. Make sure your toothpaste does not contain chemicals.  

Analysis of Toothpaste Ingredients and Soil-Based Probiotic Interactions

Based on current research, here's what we know about potential interactions between our soil-based probiotics and the listed toothpaste ingredients:

Ingredients of Concern:

1. Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)Sodium bicarbonate has demonstrated antimicrobial activity against various bacteria, with studies showing it can reduce bacterial counts by 10,000-fold at concentrations of 0.12M (1% w/v) and significantly inhibit bacterial growth and biofilm formation WileyFrontiers. However, no specific interactions were found between calcium carbonate and probiotic formulas in drug interaction databases Calcium carbonate and Probiotic Formula Interactions - Drugs.com, suggesting the effect may be concentration and timing dependent.

2. Eucalyptus GlobulusEucalyptus globulus essential oil has well-documented antimicrobial properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus NihNih. The oil shows minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 2.25 to 9 mg/ml for bacterial strains Antimicrobial potential and chemical composition of Eucalyptus globulus oil in liquid and vapour phase against food spoilage microorganisms - ScienceDirect, which could potentially affect probiotic viability.

3. AlcoholAlcohol is known to negatively affect gut bacteria and can kill beneficial bacteria in supplements, with research showing it can kill both good bacteria in intestines and probiotic bacteria in supplements Optibac ProbioticsKlarity. As an antimicrobial agent, alcohol's optimal bactericidal concentration is 60-90% solutions, with biocidal activity dropping sharply below 50% Alcohols for Use as an Antimicrobial Agent.

Potentially Neutral Ingredients:

Calcium Carbonate: Database searches show no documented interactions between calcium carbonate and probiotic formulas Calcium carbonate and Probiotic Formula Interactions - Drugs.com, though at neutral pH, calcium bicarbonate lacks antimicrobial effects Calcium bicarbonate as an antimicrobial, antiviral, and prion-inhibiting agent (Review) - PMC.

Aloe Barbadensis, Cocos Nucifera, Ananas Sativus, Bambusa Arundinancea: These natural plant extracts are generally considered compatible with probiotics and may even provide prebiotic benefits.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): Generally well-tolerated with probiotics and may actually support probiotic survival.

Recommendations:

1. Timing is Critical: It's recommended to take probiotics at least 4-6 hours apart from substances that might affect bacterial viability Probiotics and alcohol: can you drink alcohol with probiotics? to allow the beneficial bacteria time to establish themselves.
2. Consider Concentration: The antimicrobial effects depend heavily on concentration and contact time. In toothpaste formulations, these ingredients are typically present in lower concentrations than what's used in antimicrobial studies.
3. Individual Sensitivity: The effectiveness of probiotics may depend on overall health, diet, and individual oral microbiome composition Does Probiotic Toothpaste Work for Gut and Oral Health?.
4. Protective Formulation: Consider whether your soil-based probiotics are encapsulated or formulated with protective coatings that might help them survive brief exposure to antimicrobial compounds.

Bottom Line:

While some ingredients (particularly sodium bicarbonate, eucalyptus oil, and alcohol) have demonstrated antimicrobial properties that could theoretically affect probiotic viability, the brief contact time during toothbrushing and the specific concentrations in the toothpaste formulation may minimize these effects. However, for optimal probiotic effectiveness, I'd recommend advising customers to take their soil-based probiotics at a different time than when using this toothpaste - preferably with at least 2-4 hours separation.