Most parents are careful about learning what's in the stuff their kids eat and drink. They avoid artificial dyes, preservatives, chemicals, and sweeteners. Yet ask just about any of those same folks if they have ever looked at what is in their toothpaste and you'll likely get blank stares.

Considering the fact that children - and adults -- ingest toothpaste twice a day every day, it's probably the most frequent thing we put in our mouths other than water or other beverages. And still, most people have never looked at what is in their toothpaste.

Dentist and national oral health care expert Harold Katz, (www.therabreath.com), suggests that needs to change. Many ingredients in some commercial toothpastes are of questionable benefit and some are just plain bad for you.

Consumers have become increasingly aware of the hidden toxins in foods, beverages and eating and drinking utensils, he says. They avoid high fat and high sodium foods, sulfates in their personal care products, aerosol sprays, and toxic chemicals in their household cleaners.

"They're taking no chances, and rightfully so. Remember the rush to replace plastic baby bottles with glass ones after the BPA scare in 2008?" he asked.

However there has been a surprising lack of attention to toothpaste, Katz says. The dentist suggests that all consumers - but especially parents - take the time to read their toothpaste tubes today. Effects of potentially unhealthy toothpaste ingredients are multiplied in the smaller bodies of children.

Here are a few ingredients to stay away from:

• FD&C blue dye No. 2: This commonly used toothpaste dye is one of several on the list of additives to avoid, maintained by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. It's said to be linked to learning, behavioral and health problems, severe allergic reactions, and headaches, among other problems.

• Sodium lauryl sulfate: The American College of Toxicology reports this ingredient in cosmetics and industrial cleaning agents can cause skin corrosion and irritation. Doses of .8 to 110 grams/kilogram in lab rats caused depression, labored breathing, diarrhea and death in 4 out of 20 animals.

• Triclosan: An anti-microbial ingredient, the federal Environmental Protection Agency lists triclosan as a pesticide and regulates its use in over-the-counter toothpastes and hand soaps. According to the agency's fact sheet, "Studies on the thyroid and estrogen effects led EPA to determine that more research on the potential health consequences of endocrine effects of triclosan is warranted. ... Because of the amount of research being planned and currently in progress, it will undertake another comprehensive review of triclosan beginning in 2013."

• Saccharin and aspartame: Both of these artificial sweeteners are on the Center for Science in the Public Interest's list of additives to avoid.

Toothpaste buyers should look for natural ingredients, such as aloe vera juice, which cleans and soothes teeth and gums and helps fight cavities, according to the May/June 2009 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's clinical, peer-reviewed journal. Aloe vera tooth gel is said to kill disease-causing bacteria in the mouth, Katz says.

Also, avoid all toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, a harsh detergent that has been linked to canker sores. Toothpastes that are free of sulfates include Weleda's Salt Toothpaste, TheraBreath and Tom's of Maine.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day and get children into the habit from a young age, Katz says. You'll have fresh breath, avoid painful dental problems, and be far more likely to have your teeth in your mouth when you go to sleep at night as you age.

Just be sure to check what's in your family's toothpaste and avoid buying anything with problematic ingredients. And when it comes to brushing kids teeth use a pea-sized drop of paste on the brush - no more - and oversee brushing to ensure young children don't swallow their toothpaste, says Dr Katz.

About Dr. Harold Katz

A school fitness and nutrition program.  A campaign to make personal care kits for families in transition out of homeless shelters.  25 handmade quilts to be sent to Ethiopian women recovering from surgery.  Packaging over 25,000 meals to feed needy children.  What do these things have in common?  They are all initiatives organized by Iowa students!

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards have named Kayla De Weerd, 14, of Hull, IA and Hannah Jorgensen, 13, of Adair, IA as State Honorees for outstanding acts of volunteerism.  Kayla, who piloted a nutrition and physical activity program at her school, and Hannah, who organized a campaign to make personal care kits for families transitioning from homeless shelters, will each receive $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.  In Washington, Kayla and Hannah will join the top two honorees from each state, ten of which will be named National Honorees.

The Quad Cities is home to two Distinguished Finalists in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards!  Pavane Gorrepati, a senior at Rivermont Collegiate in Bettendorf, and Julianne Delessio, a junior at Pleasant Valley High School, are among four students recognized as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities.

Pavane Gorrepati, 18, of Davenport, created a nonprofit organization called Warning about Warming (WaW) to educate young people about environmental issues.  Her work has included speaking at rallies and conferences, traveling to India to teach students about sustainable practices, and persuading the Rivermont Collegiate Board of Trustees to initiate a "no-idling" policy for parents dropping off and picking up students.

Julianne Delessio, 17, of Bettendorf, brings the joy of dance to those who otherwise could not participate due to illness, disability, or financial restraints with her program Dance for Me.  Julianne has provided workshops for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, children with cancer, and children from low-income families.  She is currently developing a dance workshop for children with Down syndrome.

The Quad Cities is extremely proud to be home to these outstanding young women!  "Through their selfless acts of service, these award recipients have greatly improved the lives of others," said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld.  "We hope their stories and their dedication inspire other young people to do the same."  The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represents the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service.  More than 5,000 Local Honorees were reviewed by a judging panel, which selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on personal initiative, creativity, effort, and impact.

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate, contact Brittany Marietta, Director of Admission, at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or marietta@rvmt.org.

For additional information on The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, visit www.spirit.prudential.com

Davenport- The reader's theater play "The White Rose: A True Story of Freedom in Nazi Germany" by Josephine Cripps will be performed on Saturday February 11th at 1:30pm with a second performance at 3:00pm. The play is directed by Nathan Porteshawver and has a cast of local actors who tell the tale of the White Rose, a resistance group consisting of many young university students that resisted Hitler and paid for it with their lives.

The performance will be held at the German American Heritage Center at 712 West 2nd St. Davenport, IA, in conjunction with the White Rose exhibit running through the 24th of February. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children ages 5-17. Free for members and children under age 5. Refreshments will follow the 3:00 performance. Support for the play is provided by the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, the Rock Island Community Foundation, the Doris and Victor Day Foundation, and the Rauch Family Foundation II and the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center. For more information contact Kelly Lao at GAHC, 563-322-8844 or kelly.lao@gahc.org.

RED DRESS RUN PLANNED TO RAISE AWARNESS FOR HEART DISEASE

February 8, 2012 - Since 1963, February has been celebrated as American Heart Month, urging Americans to join the battle against their No. one killer - heart disease. More than half of those directly affected with heart disease are women.  This February, the American Heart Association is calling on the Quad Cities to raise awareness about the mostly preventable disease by participating in the Red Dress Run.

Quad Citians are invited to wear a red dress on Saturday, February 11th for the 2nd Annual Red Dress Run coordinated by the Quad Cities Hash House Harriers. Runners and spectators are invited to gather in the District of Rock Island at the Daiquiri Factory at 1:00 pm for a run through the Quad Cities in red dresses- yes, men and women - in red dresses.

As a tradition of Hash runs, the route and length of the run are not announced prior to the event. Two Hash members will act as the "hares" and the runners will chase the hares.  Along the route, there will be twists and turns, challenges and chants. All runners and spectators are encouraged to make a $10 donation to the American Heart Association and will be welcome to join in live music from performer Tim Stop, beverages, snacks and fun at the Daiquiri Factory following the run.

Applestone Homes, Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS along with the Daiquiri Factory are this year's sponsor of the Red Dress Run.

About the American Heart Association 

Founded in 1924, we're the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke.  To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases ? America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers ? we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health.  To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.americanheart.org.

About the Quad Cities Hash House Harriers

Hash House Harrier roots extend back to the old English schoolboy game of "Hares and Hounds," in which some players, called "hounds," chase others, called "hares," who have left a trail of paper scraps along their route across fields, hedges, streams, bogs, and hills. One of the earliest Hares and Hounds events on record was the "Crick Run" at Rugby School in Warwickshire, England, first held in 1837.

The Quad Cities Hash House Harriers (Raccoon Chapter) describe themselves as a drinking club with a running problem.  The group hosted their first run in January 2010 and boasts over 30 members with runs on most weeks of the year. To learn more about the Quad Cities Hash House Harriers visit www.qchashrun.com or visit them on Facebook, key words:  Quad Cities Hash House Harriers - Raccoon Chapter.

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