Have you ever read the ingredients list of a standard toothpaste or mouthwash? Commercial oral care products are loaded with ingredients and chemicals that you definitely wouldn’t want near your mouth or in your body. It is much safer (and cheaper!) to make your own natural toothpaste and mouthwash.
The Dangers Lurking In Your Toothpaste
You will find a number of questionable ingredients in your store-bought toothpaste and mouthwash. The first and most important is fluoride. Though the FDA has long asserted that fluoride prevents cavities, it has continually been linked to concerning side effects including neurological development problems, infertility, thyroid problems, cancer, and early puberty.
Triclosan is another chemical commonly used in oral care products and antibacterial soaps because it is a “super chemical” designed to fight the spread of germs. However, it has done quite the opposite and contributed to antibiotic resistance and issues like allergies, hormone imbalances, and cancer. Triclosan is also known by names like biofresh, microban, irgasan, lexol, ster-zac, and cloxifenolum, so don’t be fooled!
Other unsavory ingredients found in traditional toothpaste and mouthwash products include artificial flavorings, artificial colorings, artificial sweeteners, and sodium lauryl sulfate. When it comes to the products used to clean your teeth and protect your oral health, natural is best.
Homemade Natural Toothpaste
Toothpaste should help to clean and remineralize your teeth, and it only takes a few natural ingredients to create a recipe that can protect your oral health even better than commercial brands. A mild abrasive like baking soda lends a gentle grit to brush away plaque, coconut oil provides antimicrobial benefits and holds the baking soda together, and essential oils like peppermint or cinnamon bark help the combination taste nice while also providing powerful anti inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Try this recipe:
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon xylitol powder (optional, for sweetness)
- 20 drops cinnamon essential oil and/or 20 drops peppermint essential oil
- Small glass jar to mix and store ingredients
You can also add 5 parts calcium powder and 1 part diatomaceous earth to this recipe to more effectively remineralize your teeth and balance the pH of your saliva.
Homemade Mouthwash
The best mouthwashes are gently minty, subtly sweet, and capable of remineralizing, whitening, and protecting your teeth. Though commercial brands claim to do everything listed above, they are often harsh and cause more damage than good. Fortunately, it’s simple to make your own natural mouthwash that does genuinely improve your oral health:
- 2 teaspoons calcium carbonate powder
- 10 drops concentrated trace minerals liquid
- 10 drops liquid stevia (or less, for sweetness)
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil, 5 drops lemon oil, 5 drops spearmint oil
- 2 cups filtered water
- Glass bottle for mixing and storage
Ask Your Dentist For Advice
Be sure to double check with your holistic dentist to ensure that your natural toothpaste and mouthwash recipes are suitable for your unique oral health needs. Chances are your dentist will be able to see a positive difference at your next checkup.
At Natural and Cosmetic Dentistry in Clearwater, Florida, Dr. Beata A. Carlson and Associates can give you the holistic advice you need to care for your teeth and gums naturally and effectively. Call 727-888-6523 to make your appointment today.
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