As a mother, I try very hard to teach my children about everything-diet, water, chemicals...
There are chemicals in everything-good ones, bad ones. I know that they roll there eys again when Mommy says, "but, it has bad chemicals in it, so you shouldn't eat it, or shouldn't use it". This came up the other day for the millionth time when my daughter wanted to buy a cartoon character mouth wash and toothpaste. it struck me suddenly that the proof was right there. So, I turned the tube over and let her read for herself: "If swallowed accidentally, call poison control center....". My daughter's face turned white and she asked, "but, why Mommy would they put poison in something they are going to give to children?" To that I responded, "sweetheart, not everything that people do is wise/" This is a lessen hard learned at such a tender age, but, this really is a very small example of a sea of important issues in the world of what is out there that is not good for you. LEt's not even talk about the food coloring in some of these toothpastes (and other food products: http://www.squidoo.com/DieDye)

Anyway, for those of you looking for more info on toothpastes, I thought this was a great article. 
http://www.smartahealth.com/toothpastes.html 

Dr. M