Triclosan is not only found in antibacterial soaps. It is also found in Colgate's regular and whitening toothpaste (this might be specific to Canada), where it comes into contact with your gastrointestinal tract.
Not in the US it isn't. Not sure about elsewhere. Crest even uses "triclosan free" in some of its advertising.
Triclosan also has to be declared as an active ingredient in toothpaste, so it's not exactly hidden. Just spend 5 minutes reading some labels at the store.
Care to share your findings? I've already stopped using Listerine (which ended up being the right decision) and I'm growing skeptical even of "hippie" toothpastes. Thinking about moving to just baking soda paste.
I'll raise a weak [citation needed] on the efficacy claim and argue that even generic Listerine tastes far better than salt water (either warm or cold).
I haven't used toothpaste regularly for about 8 years. I've never told my dentists. I have had 3 fillings but I'm not sure if not using toothpaste was a contributor (I used to be really lazy with flossing. I think that's more likely).
Whats your diet? I'm not trying to ignite the traditional HN flamewar about the evils of a science based paleo diet, but I have had a similar experience where not eating grains or sugar none the less results in a relatively tartar free mouth per my dentist. Even though I hate waiting and am impatient and do not visit every 3 months or whatever often its supposed to be.
Archeologically, before people started eating grains and processed "psuedo-food" we mostly died with good teeth and its a stereotypical observation that you can tell when grain agriculture sets in with a people when their teeth start rotting out at a young age.
The average life expectancy for those times factors in infant mortality and severe injury. If you survived your first few years and never got mortally wounded, you could still expect to live to 60-70.
My understanding from what dentists have said to me in the past is that ordinary toothpaste in the abstract is of limited value, especially if you brush often, but it's a useful vehicle for fluoride.
I make my own soaps at home with only organic oils and lye, and I'll be happy to sell you some! :)
Off the shelf at a regular store though, it's hard to find soaps (and toothpastes) without these ingredients. Just one more reason to DIY, especially with things that are going in/on your body.