Homemade Toothpaste.

I hope my Mom doesn't hurt me for writing this post.

I haven't cleared it's contents with her...and well, you know how Moms can be about things like toothpaste.

Especially when your Mom is a Dental Hygienist.

Sorry, Mom.  Please forgive me.

I was so encouraged last week when my Mom sent us a box of toothbrushes and floss though, I found it impossible not to share for any longer.

You see, believe it or not, I usually like to test and try what I blog about.  For example, if I'm going to write a post on face cream, than it better be a face cream I actually use and love - right?

Well, we're not talking homemade face cream today, people.  We're talking homemade toothpaste.

I don't know what it is about homemade goodness like this - I just find such freedom in being able to walk past aisle upon aisle at the grocery store and know that we are free of having to choose between the 6,294 different brands out there.  Plus, it's wonderful to avoid the chemicals and additives that are in all of that stuff.

Now...

I know that store bought toothpaste tastes good.  Like a mint explosion in your mouth!

I know that it foams and has a pretty blue sparkly stripe down the middle when you squirt it onto your brush.

I know that they sweeten it so that we keep coming back for more, more, more...

But there are two convictions (for lack of a better word) that led me to begin making my own:
1.  I didn't want to spent $4 on a tube of toothpaste if I didn't have to (y'all think I'm joking about this budget thing...but I mean serious business here)
2.  Even 'natural' and 'organic' brands have additives, sweeteners, and a plethora of unknowns

Now, I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on sodium laurel sulfate or blue #40 or fluoride.  Because I'm not.  But I know enough about additives and chemicals and certain forms of fluoride to know that if I can avoid having to ingest them, I will.  And if I don't have to spend money on toothpaste to do it, all the better in my opinion.

So, what the heck.  I thought I'd just see how good homemade toothpaste could really be.

It's been about two weeks now since I've stopped using commercial toothpaste - and wouldn't ya know, I still have all my teeth!

But it's even better than that.

My mouth feels fantastic.

Long-gone is the slimy coating that once inhabited my mouth.  Long-gone is the plaque that I really, really had to brush hard to fight.  

I've been enjoying these smooth pearly whites in all their naked glory - free of all sorts of disgusting things I don't want to think about (personally, I don't see how my Mom can stand to work with peoples mouths...there is something about plaque that really grosses me out - and not a lot grosses me out).

Homemade Toothpaste

 

 - 1/2 cup baking soda
 - 2-10 drops peppermint essential oil (read about the brand I recommend HERE)
 - 1/4 cup peroxide
 - 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (optional)

I simply mixed this together in a container with a lid and add a bit to my toothbrush each morning and night. Afterwords, I floss or rinse with a little extra peroxide (using it just like a mouthwash...it helps whiten, too!) to really get 'em clean.

If you're not into mixing, simply dip a damp toothbrush into a container of baking soda and brush. Then, floss and gargle some peroxide. Batta bing. Batta boom.

Here is my one disclaimer: don't brush too hard with the baking soda. It's gritty, after all, and you don't want to reek havoc on your gums and enamel. Take it easy, man.

Actually, I do have another disclaimer too: It's important to remember that at the foundation level of a healthy mouth is a healthy diet. Avoid sodas and refined sugars at all costs! Build strong teeth with optimal nutrition - lots and lots of good food! Side-note: Did you know that Weston Price (founder of the Weston A. Price Foundation and who's research sparked the dietary 'laws' of books like Nourishing Traditions) was a dentist? It's true. What inspired him to research further on nutrition was how there were particular cultures that had almost no dental problems what-so-ever. How could this be when their countries didn't even have dentists? Research it....it's incredibly fascinating what he found through his extensive work.

Some people need to add a sweetener to their toothpaste, but I haven't really found this to be necessary. The first week I had to adjust to the naturally salty taste of baking soda, but now that I'm used to it, I really don't even notice.

My husband does.

He's still finishing out our old bottle of toothpaste. But once it's gone...muah haha....ha....

I'm sure he'll get used to it in no time, too.

I suppose he'll have to. Because girlfriends not spending another $4 on toothpaste. Not when I've got a twelve pound bag of baking soda in my cabinet.

It's like having a million dollars. You feel like you can take on the world - just you and your baking soda!

Well, at least you can take on a dirty mouth. And smelly laundry. And shampoo. And dishwashing detergent. And toilet scrub. And bee stings.

Enjoy!