D.I.Y. Toothpaste and The Benefits.

July 12, 2013

The origin of toothpaste can be dated back to 300/500 BC, according to a history website. It first came into existence as a dental cream as it was claimed it could cure certain types of pin in the mouth. In the attempts there was use of abrasives such as crushed egg, oyster shells as well as crushed bones. There were used to clean teeth and the first advancement to be noted was use of tooth powders. This took place in China and India as the history of tooth paste is traced back there. At some point some genius decided to “improve” toothpaste by adding poisonous chemicals like:

Formaldehyde

That same ingredient that coroners can’t live without can be found inside of your toothpaste tube. Formaldehyde kills all of those small bacteria that climb onto your teeth after eating or sleeping. If a large amount of formaldehyde is accidentally ingested, the result could be fatal. Severe formaldehyde ingestion results in jaundice, kidney damage, liver damage, and death.

Detergent

Foam, suds, activation! What would toothpaste be without that satisfying soapy feeling? Manufacturers use regular detergent in order to appease the masses that prefer bubbly toothpaste. While bubbles may be fun, be careful if you accidentally ingest a large amount of this stuff – swallowing detergent can cause digestive tract burning

Seaweed

Stretchy and slimy, seaweed holds that paste together. Without this green stuff, toothpaste would simply fall apart! The good news is that seaweed isn’t toxic. In fact, seaweed has a number of nutritional benefits, though hitting the sushi bar is a better way of gaining those benefits.

Glycol

Never heard of this ingredient before? Sure about that? Glycerin glycol is added to toothpaste in order to prevent the paste from becoming too dry – it’s also found in antifreeze. Even though glycerin is not toxic, this additive may cause nausea if swallowed.

Paraffin

As slick as the petroleum that it is derived from, paraffin creates a smooth paste that oozes onto your toothbrush. As you might imagine, paraffin wasn’t meant to be eaten. If you happen to swallow this ingredient, you may end up with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and severe constipation.

pain, nausea, vomiting, and severe constipation.

Chalk

That’s right – chalk. Thanks to the fact that chalk is made from exoskeletons, it’s hard enough to remove all of that caked on gunk from your pearly whites. Chalk dust may cause lung problems if inhaled, and swallowing a bit of chalk could cause bleeding.

Titanium Dioxide

This is another common toothpaste ingredient, though it’s usually found in white paint. When added to toothpaste, titanium dioxide has the safe effect on your teeth as it does on walls – it keeps them nice and white (for a few hours, at least!). Ingesting titanium dioxide won’t hurt you, but it isn't recommended either.

Saccharin

Something has to combat that terrible detergent taste!

Saccharin is sweet, but not too sweet – just the way that most people like their toothpaste! Saccharin has been a hot topic of debate every since Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House. The USDA tried to ban the substance in 1972, though its considered “safe” to ingest today.

Menthol

One last ingredient to add a minty note to your breath. Without menthol, toothpaste might taste like, well, chalk, glycerin, paraffin, detergent, titanium dioxide, and seaweed! Go ahead and ingest menthol if you like, but sipping some tea containing menthol is a far better idea than chewing on your tube of toothpaste.

The best thing to do these days is to make your own products. Below I will list a basic recipe for homemade toothpaste.

The Ingredients

Baking soda, Coconut oil, Peroxide , tea tree oil, neem oil, and any flavored oil you , like spearmint, cinnamon, orange, or your favorite flavor.

The Benefits of making it at home is you know the ingedients.

Baking Soda -reduces tartar, whitens teeth, stain remover, odor fighter
Coconut oil-anti bacterial, makes teeth shine
Peroxide- Powerful whitener
Tea Tree & Neem Oils-Helps fight plaque naturally,Deep cleans teeth and gums without harsh abrasives, Leaves mouth feeling clean and refreshed.

Other options of things you can add are: Aloe Vera gel- a fluoride, green tea extract-an Antiseptic, sea salt- minerals, Myrrh- promotes healthy gums.

You can use all of these ingredients together or add a few to the basic recipe..

The Recipe

2 table sp baking soda

1 + 1/2 table sp coconut oil

1 teaspoons hydrogen Peroxide

3 drops of each tea tree, and neem oils

5 packs stevia

20-30 drops of flavored essential oil

Mix everything together well to form a paste until it's the consistency you like. If it's to runny add baking soda. If it's to thick add peroxide. Add more or less sweetener and flavor. It's whatever you like.