DIY: Make your own chemical-free toothpaste
The first advice we get for good dental hygiene is brushing twice a day. But what good will this be if brushing exposes us to harmful chemicals?
The majority of toothpaste that is being marketed as healthy for our teeth is infused with toxic ingredients that one definitely needs to avoid.
But,
We don’t eat toothpaste, so shall we worry?
Yes, while brushing these chemicals reach the bloodstream through saliva or salivary glands and cause serious health problems.
You need to be aware of what goes on in making your product and know if the ingredients used are not harmful to your health.
Below you can find a list of chemicals that are used in the majority of the toothpaste that needs to be avoided.
Harmful chemicals in toothpaste that you should avoid
1. SLS
Use– Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a surfactant that helps to create foam while brushing and is claimed to be a powerful cleaning agent.
Risk– If consumed in high quantity, SLS can cause canker sores and a reduction in the thickness of mucous membrane lining inside the mouth.
2. Triclosan
Use– It is an anti-microbial and anti-bacterial compound. Triclosan is also believed to increase shelf life of the product.
Risk– Various researches have shown how triclosan alters the structure of neurons which can impact your thoughts and senses. Recent studies also proved that this chemical interferes with thyroid hormone, impacting metabolism.
3. Fluoride
Use– Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance that is used to re-mineralize the tooth enamel, further preventing cavities.
Risk– Consumption of fluoride in excess quantity (≥1500 ppm) leads to fluorosis- a condition causing discolored spots on teeth. Children aged under 6 are prone to fluorosis and are advised to use toothpaste with fluoride levels of max 1000ppm only.
4. Artificial Sweeteners
Sorbitol, Saccharin, Aspartame are being used as artificial sweeteners to make toothpaste taste sweet. But these chemicals possess a great risk to health. They can impact the health of your gut and can also cause bladder cancer.
Xylitol, stevia, or honey are highly recommended replacements for these artificial sweeteners.
5. Paraben
Use– Parabens are used in a range of cosmetics and are added to increase the shelf life of the product.
Risk– Parabens can cause breast cancer and inflammation in the mouth and lips.
Like parabens, propylene glycol also contributes in increasing the shelf life of the product but causes liver and heart diseases.
Toothpaste with other harmful chemicals is also available in the market and to avoid all these chemicals you need to rely on chemical-free toothpaste.
Organic toothpaste is also available in the market but if you are willing to put in a little effort, you can easily make natural toothpaste at your home also. It will neither contribute to large plastic consumption nor will possess any threat to your health.
Required Ingredients-
- Organic Coconut Oil– It is a great ingredient for homemade toothpaste. It has anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Coconut oil helps to keep tooth decay at bay.
- Baking Soda– Neutralizes pH level of mouth, further preventing the build-up of bacteria.
- Bentonite Clay– It can help with re-mineralization of your teeth and will contribute to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Xylitol– It is a sweetener and will help to enhance the taste of your toothpaste. It also helps to prevents tooth decay.
Measurements-
Coconut Oil– 5tbsp
Baking Soda– 3tbsp
Bentonite Clay– ½ tbsp.
Xylitol– 1-½ tbsp
Peppermint oil– 10-15 Drops (Optional)
Turmeric– A pinch (Optional)
Steps-
- Melt coconut oil and transfer it to a wide-mouthed mason jar or re-use an old glass jar available at home.
- Mix baking soda, bentonite clay and xylitol to the oil. Add optional ingredients if you wish to.
- Mix the ingredients till you get a smooth and creamy consistency. (Alternate– you can adjust the quantity as per your requirement, but adding too much baking soda can make mixture taste salty).
- While brushing you can simply apply a generous amount of mixture over the bristles.
- Keep the jar covered and store it away from water and direct sunlight. This mixture has a shelf life of about 6 months.
This toothpaste will not froth as compared to its chemical counterpart but this will help you have healthier teeth without any chemical dependency.
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