Natural Toothpaste and Toothpaste Alternatives
Having a healthy, clean mouth is so important for your health. Natural toothpaste and toothpaste alternatives (such as Tooth Soap) are a much healthier choice than commercial brands.
Toothpaste Ingredients:
What's in Your Toothpaste?
Have you ever stopped to read the list of ingredients on your tube of toothpaste?
You may be surprised to find out just how many harmful and toxic chemicals you are putting into your mouth every time you brush your teeth!
Here are some common toothpaste ingredients you will find in regular (commercial) brands:
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) - SLS is used to create the foaming action you may expect when brushing your teeth. You'll find it in other cosmetic products (e.g., shampoo, body washes, etc) as well. SLS is a problem because it can damage your cells. It can leave you with canker sores and other skin problems.
Sodium laureth sulfate - This ingredient is known to be an irritant.
Fluoride - This ingredient may be linked to cancer. Some scientists think that it can actually be damaging to your teeth over time.
Petroleum dyes such as FD & C Blue No. 1 - This artificial dye may cause allergic reactions and possibly tumors
Common toothpaste ingredients also include artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives.
The purpose of toothpaste is to clean your teeth and help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. You don't need to rely on commercial brands to do that.
There are a lot of great natural alternatives available. Here are some natural choices.
Natural Toothpaste
Natural toothpaste is a much better (although not perfect) alternative to commercial drugstore brands of toothpaste.
The good thing about natural toothpastes is that they are made with much safer ingredients. They also taste a whole lot better!
The very first brand of natural toothpaste I ever tried was Tom's of Maine Natural Toothpaste
Seriously, it tasted that good! My friend Andrea and I used to laugh about it because she experienced the same thing when she first tried it.
Later, I sampled a friends regular toothpaste just to see if I noticed a difference. It tasted absolutely disgusting! Since then, I could never bring myself back to using regular brands of toothpaste again.
An Even BETTER Option than Natural Toothpaste
Even though natural toothpastes are a whole lot better than regular toothpaste, they are not the most ideal solution. Here's why:
Most brands of toothpaste (natural and otherwise) contain glycerin. The problem with having glycerin in your toothpaste is that it coats your teeth. The glycerin coating is a huge problem because it prevents calcium and other essential minerals from getting to your teeth.
Current research shows that your teeth can regenerate. If your teeth are coated with glycerin though, they won't be able to remineralize and regenerate. (See research by Dr. Gerard F. Judd, PhD).
Do you want your teeth to fully benefit from eating a nutrient dense diet? Then you need to make sure your teeth are completely clean and free from a glycerin coating on a daily basis.
Toothpaste Alternatives That Don't Coat Your Teeth
Food grade hydrogen peroxide (3 % solution) - will help to whiten your teeth. It will also help to keep your mouth fresh, clean, and healthy.
Add a few drops to your toothbrush before brushing your teeth. Use only a 3% solution or weaker.
Hydrogen peroxide is effective but it may irritate your mouth over time. It's also not very practical for traveling. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent, so you definitely wouldn't want a bottle of it spilling in your luggage! I say it's best to use it once in a while if you want to whiten your teeth a little.
Baking soda - helps to whiten your teeth and freshen your mouth. Your teeth will feel really clean after you use it the fist couple of times. When I use baking soda too often (e.g., every day), it tends to irritate my mouth and gums. So, I use it only once in a while to exfoliate my teeth.
Tooth Soap - this is the best alternative to commercial toothpastes that I have tried so far. Tooth Soap is a natural soap that is made specifically for your teeth. It's made with simple ingredients and contains essential oils that promote healthy gums. It doesn't contain fluoride or SLS.
And it doesn't coat your teeth, so your teeth will be able to remineralize more easily.
Tooth Soap comes in either a liquid formula or flakes in a jar. I went with the liquid because I'm all about keeping things simple. The liquid is so much simpler and easier to use.
I like peppermint a lot, so naturally I opted to try that flavor out first. Unlike a bar of soap (yes, I actually brushed my teeth with a bar of soap while I was waiting for my order to arrive - I'm brave like that), Tooth Soap doesn't leave any soapy taste whatsoever in your mouth. The peppermint flavor is rather refreshing.
You won't get a huge amount of foam in your mouth like you get with regular toothpaste, but it sure gets the job done well. I really like how it but it leaves my mouth feeling super clean and fresh!
My gums used to bleed once in a while, even while using natural toothpaste. That problem is gone! I haven't had any more bleeding gums since I started using Tooth Soap. A definite bonus!
Update June/July 2010: From time to time Tooth Soap goes on SALE. When I hear about it, I'll make a post about it on my blog page.
So be sure to subscribe to my RSS feed so that you don't miss out.Update October 2010: The makers of Tooth Soap have a new product out called Tooth Soap Peppermint Whip.
I've been using the Whip for the past month or so and I really, really like it. I didn't realize just how abrasive regular toothpaste is until I tried the old stuff again (had one last tube to use up). With the Peppermint Whip, my mouth feels really clean. And, I don't feel like I'm brushing away my enamel or gums either. I give it 5 stars for sure!
Tips for a Healthier Mouth
- Bush and floss your teeth after each meal (or at the very least, be sure to rinse out your mouth with water afterwards)
- Avoid snacking between meals
- Consume mineral-dense foods such as green leafy vegetables and green drinks
- Eat calcium rich foods (almonds, sesame seeds, figs, etc)
- Brush your teeth with a product that does not have any glycerin added to it (e.g., Tooth Soap). That way, your teeth will have a chance to remineralize themselves.
- Because Tooth Soap doesn't contain any harsh abrasives, you will need to exfoliate your teeth twice a week. The makers of Tooth Soap also make a product called Tooth Brightener. It's got whole food calcium and magnesium which will help your teeth to remineralize. A definite plus if you've got weak teeth that are prone to cavities.
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