Does Crest Toothpaste Contain Xylitol?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Does Crest Toothpaste Contain Xylitol?“.

One of the leading brands of oral hygiene products in America is Crest toothpaste.

In addition to their amazing whitening properties Crest products clearly benefit human teeth.

However human toothpaste particularly those containing Xylitol is less beneficial to dogs. Your pets could suffer serious consequences!

The sugar alcohol xylitol is often used as a sugar substitute in gum toothpaste and mints but it can cause serious health problems for your dog.

In spite of the fact that Crest products generally do not contain this ingredient this research discusses the dangers of consuming Xylitol for dogs and how you can keep their teeth clean using alternatives to human toothpaste.

Why Do Dogs Need Their Teeth Cleaned?

It is very important to keep your dogs teeth clean in order to keep them in good health. Dentistry is the second most common problem in dog health showing the importance of taking care of their teeth.

Plaque build-up can lead to disease-ridden teeth and a variety of painful problems for dogs even though they are not prone to cavities like humans. 

Teeth may need to be removed as a result and even cause permanent damage to the bone beneath. Therefore its important to keep your dogs teeth clean to avoid any pain as well as to reduce your vet bills. 

Additionally owners often complain about their dogs bad breath. You and your dog can both benefit from brushing their teeth to solve this issue and it does not take much effort on your part. 

The majority of people assume that using human toothpaste on dogs is the same as using dog-specific toothpaste.

It is not the case and you should always conduct research on dog-specific care before even buying a dog in order to ensure that the animal is cared for properly. 

Why Is Xylitol Used in Human Toothpaste?

Sweeteners like Xylitol are artificial sweeteners. Since it has a variety of health benefits for our teeth and is safe for human consumption it is used in many kinds of toothpaste.

Sugar alcohol boosts saliva production which prevents bacteria from adhering to teeth.

By using Xylitol products plaque can be reduced over time.

Furthermore it boosts the immune system proteins which prevent bacteria from forming in the first place.

Xylitol isnot converted to acids within the mouth which is also helpful as acids are known to erode tooth enamel eventually causing the teeth to decay.

The amount of Xylitol we consume as humans is very small especially because we do not swallow our toothpaste after brushing. However excessive consumption of Xylitol can cause health problems like diarrhea and cramps. 

How Is Xylitol Poisonous to Dogs?

Xylitol on the other hand makes dogs very ill.

Therefore it is not safe to use human toothpaste on dogs or to keep them in places where your dog can access them.

For your animals wellbeing you should always check the ingredients list before purchasing toothpaste. 

Humans cannot release insulin from the pancreas when they consume xylitol.

However it releases massive amounts of insulin in dogs causing their blood sugar levels to rapidly fall. Hypoglycemia is the result. 

These symptoms include vomiting muscle spasms seizures weakness loss of appetite and often death. Therefore you need to ensure that any products containing Xylitol are kept out of reach of your pets.

What Should You Do if Your Dog Ate Some Toothpaste With Xylitol in it?

It is imperative that you act quickly. You should contact your vet if you suspect your dog has eaten toothpaste that contains Xylitol.

Due to Xylitols rapid absorption into the blood symptoms can appear within a half-hour of consumption but they may take up to 12 hours to manifest.

When you do this quickly your dog is more likely to survive than if you wait. 

Antidotes do not exist for Xylitol poisoning.

Vets can provide you with quick advice to bring your dog back to its normal self however.

As a general rule you should bring your dog to the clinic so that it can be induced to vomit so that the product can be removed as quickly as possible. 

You may need to keep your dog at the vet for a few nights to be closely monitored as well as put on a sugar drip to get their sugar levels back to normal.

In the case of comas or liver failure your dog has a very poor prognosis and may need life-saving procedures. 

Do Any Types of Crest Toothpaste Contain Xylitol?

There does not appear to be any Crest toothpaste containing Xylitol at the moment. In other words any dogs eating Crest toothpaste should be fine! Its a good idea to take them to the vet if they have consumed a lot of Crest toothpaste just in case as this could still have harmful effects and make them ill. 

Fluoride is the main ingredient in the majority of Crest products. Fluoride overexposure (which can be caused by brushing your teeth with toothpaste) can weaken bones cause gastrointestinal problems and cause abnormal bone growth in dogs. 

Dogs unlike humans swallow their toothpaste as opposed to spitting it out after brushing. Thus dogs become highly exposed to such chemicals. It is possible to cause adverse effects even when brushing your dogs teeth once with human toothpaste. 

Note: According to one of our readers comments Yes!!! There is xylitol in some Crest brand toothpaste!!! READ the ingredient labels!

How Does Dog Toothpaste Compare With Human Toothpaste? 

Since dogs cannot understand the concept of spitting out the toothpaste dog-specific toothpaste is okay to swallow and would not upset their stomachs.

In general these contain ingredients such as baking soda and non-foaming products which help remove debris from your dogs teeth without causing them distress by filling their mouths. 

In addition dog toothpaste generally does not taste like strong mint. Canines dislike a pungent flavor because it is extremely repulsive.

In addition to tasting like poultry beef or vanilla they have a minty scent so your dogs breath will smell much better without causing upset. 

Do Any Types of Colgate Toothpaste Contain Xylitol?

The US brand Colgate is another top seller. The ingredients of Colgates ‘Smile for Good’ whitening toothpaste ‘Kids Toothpaste 3-5 Years’ and ‘Baby Toothpaste 0-2 Years’ include Xylitol.

Therefore it is important to check where you store these Colgate toothpaste and to keep them out of reach of your children.

Your best bet is to use high cabinets or drawers.  

What Other Best-selling Brands of Toothpaste Contain Xylitol?

While famous brands like Colgate and Crest do not use this chemical in their products its still important to research the toothpaste you’re using to ensure that your dog would not be harmed if it ingests it. 

Xylitol is also found in many other top-selling human toothpaste brands including Epic Dental 31% Cali White SPLAT Biomed Aloe Dent Lavera Marvis and Spry.

Some of these ingredients are also potentially harmful to dogs such as Sorbitol Glycerol and Fluorides which are much more common ingredients in toothpaste. 

What Are The Leading Brands of Dog Toothpaste?

Currently there are countless kinds of dog toothpaste on the market so you need not use human toothpaste on your dog.

Your dog will not find any of this offensive and they all have their own helpful properties.

The following are a few you could try out to see which one your dog prefers. The Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste available for around $10 on Amazon comes in a tasty chicken flavor that your dog is sure to enjoy.

Despite its brown color this may stain white fur which is an important point to keep in mind. 

Nylabones Advanced Oral Care Puppy Dental Kit is an excellent choice.

It also includes a finger toothbrush for easier access into your dogs mouth and for reaching all of the teeth without too much difficulty. 

There are a number of refreshing flavors available in Arm & Hammer Enzymatic Dog toothpaste including vanilla and ginger. There are countless other options to choose from both at the vets office and online so you can try new products until you find the one thats right for your pup. 

Conclusion

In order to ensure the health of your pet you should never use human toothpaste on your dog.

Although they are obviously harmless to humans and may not kill your dog immediately why take the risk when you can easily buy dog-specific toothpaste? 

In the short and long run using human toothpaste on dogs can lead to a number of health problems.

Other household products containing Xylitol are candies jams syrups protein bars chocolate and nut butter.

Its therefore important to be aware that there are many everyday products in your home that could be harmful to your dog. Please let us know in the comments which brand of dog toothpaste works best for you!

If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

Does Crest Toothpaste Contain Xylitol? (Watch Video)