Did you know that most commercial toothpastes are toxic? Ever notice that little warning label on the tube? The one that says in bold letters, “DO NOT SWALLOW” and “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN”? How about, “CONTACT POISON CONTROL”? Poison…think about that for a moment. This is not acceptable!
Despite what the advertisements tell you on a daily basis, fluoride is also a poison. It is harmful and completely unnecessary for healthy teeth. And no, it does not belong in our drinking water either.
Many toothpastes even contain sugar. Yes, sugar. If you read down the ingredients list, you will likely find artificial dyes and sodium lauryl sulfates—a foaming agent also used in shampoos and soaps. No wonder we’re warned to call poison control if swallowed!
How do we avoid fluoride and other toxic chemicals in our toothpaste? By using this simple, three-ingredient homemade toothpaste. It’s inexpensive and easy to make, too.
You will need
- A small glass jar (we get ours from Amazon but any glass container will do)
- Coconut oil
- Baking Soda
- Essential oil (peppermint, cinnamon, orange…whatever flavor you like)
What to do
- Place equal parts coconut oil and baking soda into a mixing bowl. I recommend starting with a quarter cup of each if you have a 4-8 ounce container.
- Add 25-30 drops of essential oil (we like Now Brand Essential Oils)
- Mix all ingredients with a fork, whisk or a stick blender until combined. We love using our stick blender to make really creamy, smooth toothpaste.
- Store in your glass jar and dip your dry toothbrush each time. You will only need a small amount. Consider making each family member their own jar for sanitary reasons.
You may have a hard time switching the kids over to this at first if they are used to sweeter commercial toothpastes. If this is the case, try adding a drop or two of liquid stevia (an herbal sweetener) until they get used to the new paste. I highly recommend avoiding this unless absolutely necessary as we don’t want to increase our children’s dependence on overly sweet tastes.
Should you swallow homemade toothpaste? No. But if you do, at least you won’t need to call poison control. This is part of the reason we discourage making the toothpaste overly sweet—you want your kids to enjoy brushing their teeth, but there are many more nutritional foods they need to swallow!
If you would like to learn more about the dangers of fluoride, read The Fluoride Deception by Christopher Bryson. Top Documentary Films has a 30 minute video explaining the dangers of fluoride, and Dr. Mercola has written several articles on the topic of fluoride and its detrimental effects on the body.
Healthy teeth are part of a healthy body, and a healthy body starts with what you put inside. Our bodies need fresh foods and good fats to build healthy teeth and prevent cavities. Dr. Weston A. Price conducted an amazing study about how nutrition affects dental health and development. His legacy continues today.
We hope you enjoy your new, crazy fun toothpaste as much as we do. To take your dental health up a notch, also see our posts on DIY Mouthwash and the ancient art of Oil Pulling. Your whole family will enjoy the healthiest, whitest teeth and freshest breath in town!
