We all have to brush our teeth, right? 2 to 3 times a day we are told to polish our pearly whites with fluoride toothpaste to keep our teeth strong. I totally agree with the brushing part, but what we are brushing with is a different story.
Have you ever checked the back of your toothpaste to see what’s in it? Most of us would think to flip over our breakfast cereal or yogurt before thinking to check what’s in our toothpaste, or even worse….. our kid’s toothpaste. I luckily gave my kids toddler toothpaste way beyond their toddler years. I had heard some bad things about fluoride here and there, so I held off switching to the sparkly blue toothpaste. 4 or 5 years ago I started making it.
Now I know a lot of these toothpastes are dentist recommended, but I want to expose what’s really in them and show you a healthier, better alternative.
Why are Store-Bought Toothpastes Unhealthy?
- Fluoride- I know, this is what keeps our teeth strong right? They add it to our toothpaste, drinking water, and it’s even found in some foods. They aren’t hiding the fact that it’s in our toothpaste, instead, they are advertising it like it’s a good thing! Even though there is a warning on toothpaste to call poison control if it’s swallowed! Sadly, we aren’t hearing much about the side effects- ( which make me just shake my head…..) here we go:
- Fluoride is an endocrine disruptor. If you don’t know what that is, I’m glad you’re reading this. They are found in so many things like BPA and weedkiller. According to Dr. Axe, some weedkillers turned male frogs into female frogs with viable eggs! What?? Endocrine disruptors are also found in fragrance, plastic wrap, fire retardants, (like they put on kids pajamas and furniture ) lead paints, microwave popcorn, and on and on!) Endocrine disruptors interfere with hormones, increasing or decreasing the production of certain hormones, and even turning some hormones into others. Isn’t that crazy? They can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, female reproductive disorders, learning disabilities, ADD, the feminizing of males, and the masculinizing of females. According to Dr. Mercola, 34 human studies and 100 animal studies have linked fluoride to brain damage including lower IQ in children. Fluoride is also linked with thyroid disease, increase lead absorption, arthritis, dementia, bone fractures, disrupted immune system, increase cancer rate, genetic damage, cell death, damaged sperm, increased infertility, and more!!! If that alone doesn’t make you want to toss your toothpaste…then let’s go on……
Other things that you may find
- Carrageenan- This is a high inflammatory that can cause things like bowl ulceration, ulcerative colitis, birth defects, immune suppression, and more! Also, watch for this additive in even natural toothpaste. It is also in organic and nonorganic dairy and dairy alternatives!
- Blue 1– Isn’t that blue toothpaste fun? No!! This can cause chromosomal damage, tantrums, insomnia, aggressive behavior, ADHD, cancer, asthma, and caused kidney tumors in lab mice. Don’t forget to also check your kid’s snacks, yogurts, and cereals for this among other artificial colors!!
- Think you will miss the fun bubbles toothpaste makes? Maybe… but Sodium Laureth Sulfate- mimics the hormone estrogen. This can cause a list of side effects like PMS, dropping male fertility, an increase of breast cancer, and neurotoxicity. Like fluoride, it’s an endocrine disruptor!
- Sodium Saccharin- an artificial sweetener that’s 300-400 times sweeter than sucrose. Although this sweetener is labeled as “generally recognized as safe” (which always seems a bit sketchy), in the 70’s research found that it caused bladder cancer in rats. It’s also known to cause allergic reactions, and spikes in blood sugar.
Some brands seem healthy but are they?
Even brands that “seem” healthier and more natural can contain some of these ingredients. If your thinking “well, I don’t swallow it”, remember that some of the toothpaste is getting absorbed sublingually, and we always swallow it in even small amounts. We wouldn’t let someone drop “a little” poison in our mouths, right? It’s always wise to check out the ingredient label of whatever we are putting in our bodies!
It’s the perfect time to ditch the toothpaste that’s slowly poisoning our bodies, and make something that is not only healthy for our teeth but provides health benefits too! Here are some benefits of a couple of ingredients you may wonder about.
Ingredients for Homemade Toothpaste
- Coconut oil– promotes oral health, prevents tooth decay, and kills germs that cause bad breath.
- Bentonite clay- Binds to chemicals and toxins and impurities and helps remove them and provides oral health and remineralization of teeth.
- Activated Charcoal- Cleans and whitens teeth. Prevents cavities. Also good to have around for food poisoning, and facial masks as it is a detoxifier.
For more health and wellness posts check out:
Why you should use manuka honey
Homemade Toothpaste Two Ways
Materials
Charcoal Super Whitening Toothpaste
- 4 tablespoon coconut oil refined or unrefined
- 2 teaspoon activated charcoal powder Buy activated charcoal here
- 2 teaspoon bentonite clay powder Buy Bentonite clay for internal use here
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 10-12 drops liquid stevia or Xylitol (or alter to your taste) Buy xylitol here
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil (or alter to your taste) Buy peppermint essential oil here
- Jar or reusable toothpaste tube. I don't like the idea of a jar and everyone sticking their toothbrush in it, but it can be used. Check notes for the link to re-usable tubes.
Kid-Friendly Orange/Thieves Toothpaste
- 4 Tbs coconut oil refined or unrefined
- 3 teaspoon bentonite clay
- ⅛ teaspoon pink salt optional for remineralization
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 10 drops liquid stevia or xylitol (or alter to your taste)
- 10-15 drops orange essential oil (or alter to your taste) Buy orange oil here
- 5 drops Thieves essential oil (or alter to your taste) Buy Thieves oil here
Instructions
Charcoal
- If coconut oil is solid, soften (in a pan on stovetop or microwave for just a couple seconds until it can be stirred easily, and place in a small mixing bowl.
- With a whisk, mix in the rest of the ingredients (except sweetener and oil) until completely incorporated.
- Add in sweetener and oils until desired taste.
- Transfer to a jar or reusable toothpaste tube.
Orange
- If coconut oil is solid, soften (in a pan on stovetop or microwave for just a couple seconds until it can be stirred easily, and place in a small mixing bowl.
- With a whisk, mix in the rest of the ingredients (except sweetener and oil) until completely incorporated.
- Add in sweetener and oils until desired taste.
- Transfer to a jar or reusable toothpaste tube.
*If you want a recommendation for a good toothpaste to buy, we have bought natures gate toothpaste
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GAYLE POLIS
This is amazing Elke. The products to make your own toothpaste is expensive though~ I use the one at Trade Joes (non fluoride) Think I”ve purchased Nature’s Gate but will check next trip to Earthfare~
elkeliving
Yes, I agree. Both bentonite clay and charcoal are so good to have around. I bought my clay years ago and use it for several things. Charcoal is great to have around for things like food poisoning as it pulls toxins from the body and for face masks to pull toxins from the skin. But yes, it can seem like quite a bit!
Aaron Dame
Nice recipe and for sure it is effective that everyone can follow through it. (https://gisbornefamilydental.com.au/)