How To Make Your Own Natural Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

Infographic – herbshealthhappiness.com Photo sources – see foot of article

Did you know that toothpaste is actually regulated as a drug, on the basis of therapeutic claims such as tartar-fighting or swollen gum-preventing? Another thing you may not know is that the classification of toothpaste as a drug only requires its manufacturers to list the active ingredients on the package. In other words, toothpaste brands can legally bypass the requirement for a complete ingredient list – just like sunscreens, antiperspirants, and anti-bacterial cleansers.

For the consumer, this categorization poses a problem since most are simply not aware of the other ingredients found in toothpaste. How can you be expected to know if they are not listed? They are called “inactive ingredients”. Yet does this mean they have no effect whatsoever on the body? No, it merely means that they are not the ingredient responsible for the therapeutic effect that has been claimed on behalf of the product! As it turns out, some of these ingredients are highly questionable and are nothing to smile about once you are aware of the facts…

Toothpaste Ingredients You May Wish To Avoid:

1. Fluoride

Toothpaste manufacturers have long heralded fluoride as their most potent ingredient which hardens tooth enamel and maintains natural tooth protection. However, fluoride has long been implicated in various health problems. It is a toxic industrial waste product that has traces of lead, arsenic, and aluminum. A study published in the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology posited fluoride toothpaste use before the age of six and as a risk factor for dental fluorosis, a cosmetic condition caused by overexposure to fluoride. ^[1] And there are various other studies implicating fluoride in various other health problems. Further reading: Fluoride Officially Classified As A Neurotoxin In World’s Most Prestigious Medical Journal

2. Triclosan

This antibacterial chemical was approved by the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration as a potent ingredient to help fight plague and gingivitis. However, several studies have linked the chemical to endocrine disruption which promotes breast, liver, ovarian, and prostate cancers. ^[2] Further reading on Triclosan here – 5 Urgent Reasons Why You Need To Stop Using Antibacterial Soap Immediately

3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

This ingredient is a surfactant and is a common chemical in toothpaste that is responsible for the foaming action. It is also an ingredient used in industrial cleaners, body washes, and liquid hand soaps. A 1996 study reported in the journal Acta Odontologica Scandinavica showed the association between higher frequency of aphthous ulcers and use of toothpaste with SLS than products with Cocamidopropyl betaine, which is another toothpaste detergent. ^[3]

4. Aspartame

Aspartame is a perennially controversial low-calorie and artificial sweetener that is promoted by toothpaste manufacturers as effective in preventing dental caries. There is a bitter truth behind this toxic sweetener, whose carcinogenic potential was confirmed by a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. ^[4] Studies and counter-studies continue to appear, with both sides of the argument essentially accusing the other side of fraudulent behavior. Given the high level of controversy, why not simply avoid it?

5. Microbeads

These tiny pellets are not only used in toothpaste but also in body washes, facial scrubs, and other personal care products. They end up polluting the environment with plastic and end up in the food chain. In 2014, popular Procter & Gamble agreed to remove microbeads from its toothpaste brand after a Texas dental hygienist found the plastic beads trapped under her patient’s gums. ^[5] Learn more about microbeads: Concerns Over Weird New Toothpaste Ingredient – Plastic Microbeads – And How To Tell If Your Toothpaste Contains Them

How To Make All-Natural Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

The five ingredients discussed above are unquestionably problematic. However, there are plenty of natural alternatives to toxic pastes to keep your teeth clean, bacteria-free, and sparkling. It is super-easy to make your own toothpaste at home using ingredients that are natural healthy! For this article, we are presenting a natural toothpaste using coconut oil as the main ingredient.

Ingredients:

coconut oil
baking soda
stevia
peppermint or spearmint essential oil

Preparation:

Mix the coconut oil and baking soda using the 50-50 ratio. Start with a small batch and use a few tablespoons of each ingredient. You can add the peppermint or spearmint oil to flavor your toothpaste. A bit stevia will provide sugar-free sweetness. Once the mixture is complete, keep the toothpaste in a glass container with a lid. Spoon out the paste if you are going to brush your teeth. Refrigeration is not needed.

Further Reading:

How To Make Your Own Natural Toothpaste

How To Make Your Own All-Natural Herbal Tooth Whitening Powder

Concerns Over Weird New Toothpaste Ingredient – Plastic Microbeads – And How To Tell If Your Toothpaste Contains Them