I love the feeling of a fresh clean just-brushed mouth. Until I learned more about what exactly was in the toothpaste I was using to get it!
Most of the toothpaste brands I used regularly got a score of 5 or 6 out of 10 in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. And the Sodium Flouride contained in most of them is rated at a hazard of 9 out of 10! http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient/706065/SODIUM_FLUORIDE/
In fact, if you click on Sodium Flouride (NaF) in the database (the link above), you'll find all sorts of scary information. Including that the European Union Considers NaF: "Toxic, Irritant (eyes, skin or lungs), and contact with acids liberates very toxic gas." Canada has restricted its use in cosmetics. But our American FDA? It's listed as a Food Additive. But your flouride toothpaste has to have a warning on the back, telling you to contact a Poison Control Center if you swallow it. Wow. Here is a video about flouride toxicity that you might find interesting: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2886269353175462948#
I won't go on a rant here, because you can find a lot of other information about the risks vs. benefits of flouride on the internet. What I will say, is that I'm not using the stuff anymore.
In addition to the Flouride (NaF and other compounds), I found scary things like Aluminum, Triclosan, and PEG copolymers listed as ingredients in the popular toothpaste brands I searched. Ick.
So I'm going to make safe toothpaste myself. So far, I've tried two recipes:
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/?s=toothpaste (Toothpaste Recipe #2)
1/4 Cup Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Vegetable Glycerine
1 Tablespoon Liquid Castille Soap (I used peppermint flavor)
A few drops Peppermint Essential Oil (optional)
Dash of powdered Stevia or Xylitol (I used Stevia)
* Combine ingredients and mix by hand or with a hand mixer.
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil (I heated for a few secs in the microwave to soften)
3 Tablespoons Baking Soda
1/2 packet of Stevia (I used Truvia)
20-25 drops peppermint oil (I used 12 drops Peppermint Essential Oil)
*Mix all ingredients in small bowl with fork
The first recipe (with the Castille Soap) definitely worked and "foamed" like normal toothpaste. My mouth felt clean after brushing. However, I really did not like the aftertaste (I think it was the soap).
The second recipe (with the Coconut Oil) does not "foam," but I liked the taste much better and it left my mouth feeling very fresh and clean. I've been using this one for a few weeks now.
I should point out, that because of the ingredients, these recipes were a little "firmer" than the storebought toothpaste I was used to. Both websites referenced above give "dispening" tips. I just kept it in a small, lidded container, and scooped then spread a pea-sized amount on my toothbrush with a tiny little case knife I have. A popscicle stick would work too.
I plan to try a few other recipes soon, and will post my thoughts on them when I write "Homemade Toothpaste, Part 2."
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