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We all want a radiant smile and fresh breath, of course. That's why we brush ourselves silly with toothpastes that cause a peppermint explosion and contain the latest whitening technologies for dazzlingly white teeth.
But how natural are these toothpastes, and what effect does that have on our health? Read on to find out more, and how you can get a radiant white smile the natural way too!
We put the stuff in our mouths several times a day. Because we don't eat it, we think it can't do any harm, but inevitably we do swallow some toothpaste now and then.
Perhaps even more importantly, many substances are absorbed into our bloodstream lightning-fast through the lining of the mouth. So what you brush with does matter.
Many commercial toothpastes contain harmful substances and artificial sweeteners. There's even a warning about fluoride on the packaging: "For children aged six or under, use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Make sure they swallow as little toothpaste as possible. Consult a doctor or dentist if your child uses fluoride in another form."
Fluoride
Fluoride is used to harden the enamel and prevent cavities. However, there's growing debate about it, and some people therefore prefer fluoride-free toothpaste.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a cleansing agent used to make toothpaste so nicely foamy, but it can also be irritating and seriously disrupt the balance of your skin and mucous membranes.
Glycerine
Glycerine is basically a natural ingredient with little wrong with it, but it does leave a film over our teeth.
Alumina
Some toothpastes even use aluminium.
So not that harmless after all... Which toothpaste can you use, then? At health food stores you'll find toothpastes that are usually fluoride-free. Unfortunately, these often still contain substances such as SLS and glycerine. And these natural toothpastes are often on the pricey side (although of course we're happy to spend a bit extra on our health).
There are plenty of natural toothpastes that are good, but study the ingredient list first.
After all that, you can probably guess: I wanted a natural toothpaste. After some googling and rummaging through my kitchen cupboards, I had the perfect ingredients for a natural, healthy toothpaste. Don't have them at home yet? Then order them here and you can get started right away. With just 2 ingredients you can quickly and easily make a good toothpaste that cares for your teeth and gives you fresh breath!
5 tablespoons of organic extra virgin coconut oil
5 tablespoons of baking soda (= sodium bicarbonate)
Optionally, you can also add:
Essential oil, for example peppermint (for fresher breath)
1 tablespoon of Celtic sea salt (as a mineral boost)
A few drops of stevia extract or xylitol, for a sweet taste that won't harm your teeth
For me, this is the perfect ratio. You can experiment to find what you like best.
Melt the coconut oil in a bain-marie
Stir in the baking soda (and the peppermint essential oil and sea salt, if you're using them)
Let it set, then give it another good stir
Spoon it into a (glass) jar
Happy brushing!
Each time you brush, scoop a small teaspoon from the jar and put it on your toothbrush or straight into your mouth. After brushing, your teeth feel wonderfully clean and smooth!
Please note: don't spit the coconut oil into the sink, spit it straight into the bin. Coconut oil can harden at lower temperatures and then block the drain.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is truly a wonder product you can use for lots of things. Coconut oil cleanses and is rich in lauric acid.
Baking soda
Another product with endless uses (not to be confused with baking powder). It absorbs unpleasant odours and also has a purifying effect.
It neutralises the pH in the mouth.
Many people worry that its abrasive effect will damage the enamel. Many toothpastes, especially the whitening varieties, use (plastic) abrasives.
Research has shown that the abrasive effect of baking soda is no greater than that of 'normal' toothpastes. Baking soda is even the main ingredient of Parodontax toothpaste. Want to get even more benefits? Then try oil pulling with coconut oil!
Try brushing your teeth with activated charcoal (also known from Norit). Now I can hear you thinking, 'Erm, isn't that for..?' Yes, you might know it from the medicine cabinet, but it can also work really well as a whitener!
It helps remove stains and helps with discolouration from coffee, tea or smoking. It might look a bit scary, your whole mouth turning black, but luckily everything rinses away and your teeth are a bit whiter after brushing (your sink, unfortunately, isn't). It stains quite a bit, so brush carefully.
You can also mix a little activated charcoal into your DIY toothpaste for an extra whitening effect.
Have you ever experimented with homemade toothpaste? Tell us about your experiences below!
Author: Hannah van der Horst
