It is interesting that we worry so much about the food we eat and the products that we put are happy to paste our brushes with shiny commercial toothpastes to put in our mouths.
However, there is a growing concern about some of the chemicals contained on toothpaste that we are exposing ourselves and our children to and natural toothpastes free of fluoride are growing on popularity.
Another option is to make your own home made toothpaste where you can be absolutely certain that you are putting the right things into your mouth each day.
Why go DIY?
There are plenty of good reasons to consider making your own toothpaste at home. The vast majority of people are aware that toothpaste contains fluoride which may actually be toxic but how many other ingredients are people familiar with?
Popular commercial toothpastes contain many of the following potentially harmful ingredients:
- Sodium lauryl sulfate may cause canker sores in some users.
- Triclosan is a pesticide which is known to disrupt hormones. It is also common in antibacterial hand soaps–and just recently was banned by the FDA for doing “more harm than good”.
- Artificial coloring has been linked to hyperactivity and ADHD in children. There is absolutely no reason for toothpaste to be blue or green in order to be effective.
- Titanium dioxide is used by manufacturers to give toothpaste its white appearance. While most of the research suggests that it is safe when used on the skin there is no evidence regarding its absorption by oral tissue. It might well be safe but since its only purpose is to make your toothpaste white, then it is pretty much useless so why risk it?
- Fluoride is a known neurotoxin and recent studies into the use of fluoride in drinking water have linked it to a range of neural disorders including ADHD and developmental issues. Many experts also argue that fluoride is ineffective when used in toothpaste.
- Glycerin is not toxic but is not the best thing to put in your mouth. It is basically a soap that strips away essential oral mucosa. It also leaves a type of film on the teeth which can interfere with the natural biofilm in the mouth. This might affect the body’s natural ability to fight cavities.
- Other abrasive substances are often found in toothpastes. These substances may damage the enamel on your teeth making them more sensitive and prone to gum disease and cavities.
Good toothpaste does not need to be overly abrasive in order to be effective.
What Ingredients to Use in your Homemade Toothpaste
A cursory Internet search will reveal a giddying array of homemade toothpaste recipes but many of them rely on some key ingredients such as coconut oil. There are plenty of tweaks that you can make to these basic recipes in order to find the best toothpaste for you and your family.
If you are worried about your usual toothpaste and are thinking about giving it a go, the following list of ingredients are considered to be safe and effective:
Coconut Oil
The majority of homemade toothpaste recipes include coconut oil as a major ingredient and there is very good reason for this. Even though there is no scientific evidence that coconut oil can prevent cavities, it has powerful antibacterial qualities which may help destroy the bacteria that causes cavities and gum disease.
It is also anti-fungal and may also help reduce the risk of candida developing in the mouth. It is purely natural and you can happily add it to your toothpaste recipes without worrying about the effects of harmful chemicals in commercial toothpastes.
Trace Minerals
Trace minerals can be added to your toothpaste recipes and many of the popular recipes online make use of trace mineral drops.
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is another popular ingredient for your homemade toothpaste. It is alkaline which can help reduce the acidity in the mouth and is rich in various healthy minerals.
If you are concerned about putting dirty clay in your mouth, fear not. Experts say that good oral health depends on creating a balanced bacterial environment in the mouth to promote re-mineralization of the teeth and protect you from illness.
Bentonite clay can help you achieve these goals, it is not overly abrasive and is even used to polish expensive automobiles without damaging their attractive finish.
Baking Soda
I am a big fan of using baking soda on the teeth. Since I started using it, I have noticed that my teeth are considerably whiter and stronger than they were before. You can of course use baking soda on its own or you might choose to add it to your DIY toothpaste recipe.
Baking soda is not as abrasive as many people believe and it also encourages the right type of bacteria by maintaining a healthy alkaline pH level in your mouth.
Essential Oils
Certain essential oils are highly antibacterial and anti-fungal and can be safely added to your toothpaste recipe.
Popular essential oils to add to your toothpaste include peppermint, clove and lemon but there are many more to choose from. Not only will they help protect you against gum disease and infection but they also keep your breath smelling great and feeling fresh.
Probiotics
Many homemade toothpaste recipes also add live probiotics from the capsules. Probiotics are also included as an ingredient in many new commercial toothpaste brands. Experts believe that probiotics used in toothpaste may help guard your teeth against cavities and your mouth from halitosis and oral candida.
Xylitol
Xylitol is another popular ingredient in many toothpaste recipes because of its ability to reduce the harmful oral bacteria that can lead to cavities. It is best not to add too much xylitol to your toothpaste because it is a sweetener that may increase your cravings for sweet treats.
Some Great Homemade Toothpaste Recipes
So now that you are aware of the potential dangers of chemically laden commercial brands and are considering making your own healthy toothpaste, what do you do next. There are any number of potential recipes that you may like to try and here are some of our favorites.
1. DIY Probiotic Toothpaste Recipe
What you will need
- A quarter cup of coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons of bentonite clay
- 8 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 live probiotic capsules
An empty toothpaste tube or glass container.
What to do
- Mix the ingredients together thoroughly.
- Put it into a toothpaste tube or a sealed glass jar.
Store in a cool place and brush each day as normal.
2. Homemade Toothpaste Recipe with Baking Soda
What you will need
- A quarter cup of coconut oil
- 2 live probiotic capsules
- 25 drops of trace minerals
- 15 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 15 drops of clove essential oil
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- a toothpaste tube or glass container
What to do
- Combine all of your ingredients in a bowl and mix them well.
- Place the finished paste in a glass container or empty tube.
- Store in a cool place and brush as normal.
Final Thoughts
So say goodbye to fluoride!
Most of the ingredients you will need to make your own healthy toothpaste at home are easy enough to come by. Once you have all our ingredients, there is nothing difficult about making your own toothpaste that both you and your children can enjoy.
It is certainly worth the little bit of extra effort to ensure that you and your loved ones are protecting your teeth by using the best, most natural ingredients possible.
If you have your own favorite homemade toothpaste recipe that you would like to share with us, please let us know about it.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.