Did you know that your regular toothpaste may be doing you more harm than good?
Most regular toothpastes have a lot of potentially harmful ingredients, but mostly, there is one ingredient that you should you start avoiding or at least minimizing – which is FLUORIDE. Fluoride is in both your water and your toothpaste - so you want to be filtering your water, and using a toothpaste that is fluoride-free.
Why is fluoride bad? Studies show that it can be toxic particularly to your endocrine system (aka hormones), affecting your thyroid gland, pineal gland, bones, brain, kidneys, blood sugar, and can even be harmful for fertility. Worst of all, it’s a myth that you need it in your toothpaste! (see more at FluorideAlert.org)
Other ingredients to AVOID in toothpaste include:
- Triclosan, a pesticide that can disrupt your hormone and even your heart function.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which gives toothpaste foam and lather, has been shown to cause mouth ulcers and canker sores for many people.
- Artificial colorings, which have been linked to ADHD and hyperactivity in children, among other things. (Your toothpaste does not need to be blue!)
- Glycerin, which isn’t necessarily toxic, but many argue it doesn't belong in the mouth as it can strip your mouth’s natural mucosa, and leave a film on your teeth which can prevent your teeth from absorbing beneficial minerals from your saliva.
On the flipside, what ingredients are BENEFICIAL for your oral health (to use in your homemade toothpaste)?
- Coconut oil has natural antibacterial & antifungal properties that can help destroy the bacteria that can cause tooth decay. Plus it helps boost your gut microbiome which is completely linked to health of your entire body including your mouth!
- Baking soda is a mild abrasive which aids in cleaning and whitening teeth. Plus, its alkaline nature is key for restoring proper pH balance in the mouth. This encourages the right bacteria to flourish and protects the enamel from decay.
OTHERS:
- Trace minerals drops are great to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Especially if you drink purified or filtered water (which removes the bad stuff from the water, but generally removes lots of the good minerals), you'll benefit from adding much needed minerals to your toothpaste (and water!)
- Bentonite clay is alkaline, so it helps reduce acidity in the mouth; it’s a natural “polisher” (will help polish your teeth) without being too abrasive; and it's rich in beneficial minerals.
- Peppermint essential oil – has antimicrobial properties that helps freshen breath and even helps with cavities. I love doTerra oils.
- Xylitol or Stevia –have shown to help reduce cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth, and they help with taste. Just don’t add too much since they're sweeteners and too much of any sweetener can reprogram your taste buds to crave sweetness.
The good news is that it's really easy to make your own homemade toothpaste! WATCH MY QUICK VIDEO ABOVE!
My favorite BASIC TOOTHPASTE RECIPE is below, from which you can create a few different versions. Alternatively, you can now find many flouride-free toothpastes at most health markets or online.
If you don’t want to make your own, here are a few recommended brands:
Dessert Essential Natural toothpaste
JASON flouride-free toothpaste
Redmond Earthpaste Natural Non-Flouride Toothpaste
Dr. Bronner's Peppermint toothpaste
KEY TAKEAWAY? Good oral health is about achieving a balanced ecosystem of bacteria in your mouth, which protects you from illness and promotes tooth remineralization. So avoiding toxic ingredients (like fluoride, SLS, artificial colors, etc.), and instead, adding naturally alkaline and antimicrobial agents such as coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint, as well as supplementing with more minerals (from trace minerals or clay), is a great way to go about getting a healthy mouth and teeth!
So try out my recipe, and use it to replace your usual toothpaste at least once or twice a day. And don’t forget to floss and scrape your tongue every day!
Love and Oral Health,
Mariana