Originally published March 19 2015
How to make all-natural herbal toothpaste and toothpowder
by Julie Wilson staff writer
(NaturalNews) Keeping a clean mouth isn't just important for pleasant-smelling breath but also increases your chance of maintaining overall good health. Many studies have linked oral health to a variety of diseases and conditions, some of which include endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart), cardiovascular disease, pregnancy and birth complications, diabetes, osteoporosis and even Alzheimer's.
Our mouths are full of different types of bacteria, most of them harmless; however, if not properly maintained, these bacteria can grow out of control, contributing to some pretty serious illnesses.
Luckily, practicing proper oral hygiene isn't that difficult; it simply requires dedication, a good routine and an even better toothpaste or powder.
Do you know what's in your conventional toothpaste?
Conventional toothpastes aren't the greatest. Somewhere down the line, flavor and shelf life became more important than safety and effectiveness. In addition to artificial sweeteners, traditional toothpastes contain harsh chemicals, preservatives and fluoride, which is continuously being unveiled as toxic and detrimental to our health.
Below are a few chemicals commonly found in conventional toothpaste:
- Triclosan - Incorporated into many consumer products for 30+ years, this antimicrobial agent has been banned in several states, as it's been linked to thyroid dysfunction as well as liver and inhalation toxicity.
- Methlyparaben - Used as a preservative, this chemical is quickly absorbed by the skin and can act as a hormone mimicker, disrupting the endocrine system. It also has suspected links to breast cancer.
- Propylene glycol - Linked to non-reproductive organ toxicity, this liquid alcohol is also used in antifreeze. It's listed as a suspected neurotoxicant, respiratory toxicant and immunotoxicant.
- Sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate (SLS) - Also used as a pesticide and herbicide, this chemical is a known skin and eye irritant. When heated, it releases toxic fumes and becomes volatile in heat released from mouth tissues.
- Butylated hydroxytuolene (BHT) - Used to mask taste and smell of other undesirable agents, according to its Materials Safety Data Sheet, if ingested, may cause abdominal pain, confusion dizziness, nausea and vomiting. It's also combustible and extremely harmful to the environment.
As demonstrated, conventional toothpastes contain some pretty nasty stuff. But don't fret, because making your own toothpowder is super easy and pretty inexpensive, especially with these tips from GNOWFGLINS.com.
Quick and easy recipes for creating your own toothpowder
Before making your own toothpowder, you must choose from the following for your base ingredients: baking soda, bentonite clay and finely ground calcium powder. You can choose one, two or all three.
Baking soda helps whiten teeth and remove plaque, while bentonite clay cleanses, polishes and is full of minerals; it also makes an excellent face mask when combined with apple cider vinegar.
The following additions are optional:
- finely ground sea salt (whitens and is antibacterial)
- spirulina (add by the 1/4 teaspoon)
- finely ground sage, peppermint, cloves and cinnamon (for flavor and other healing properties)
- neem (a large evergreen tree that's been used medicinally for centuries due to its cleansing and antibacterial properties)
- stevia (for added sweetness)
After choosing your base and optional add-ons, the rest is easy. Simply mix your ingredients together and store in a glass container with a shaker lid. Spice jars work perfectly for this. Another great thing about toothpowders is that, because there are no wet ingredients, they don't expire.
Provided by GNOWFGLINS.com, the recipe below is considered a favorite:
- 1 tablespoon calcium
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon neem
- 1 teaspoon peppermint
- 1/4 teaspoon spirulina
Another favorite includes:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons clay
- 1/2 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon sage
- 1 teaspoon peppermint
Additional sources:
http://gnowfglins.com
http://www.drugs.com
http://www.toxipedia.org
http://www.mayoclinic.org
http://fluoridealert.org
http://paleoleap.com
http://www.desmoinesregister.com
http://www.cnn.com
http://www.medscape.com
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