This has been on my to do list for years, but I'm finally implementing it.
Whilst listening to Dr. Scott Johnson's weekly news updates this was brought to the forefront of my mind again.
In an effort to cut the exposure to these mostly undesirable ingredients, I did some web searching and came up with this concoction with the stuff I have here on hand:
I've been using it myself for about five or six days. I haven't noticed any difference in my teeth cleanliness-wise. It isn't sweet like toothpaste and it reminds me of the stuff they use to clean your teeth at the dentist's office. My mouth does seem to feel cleaner longer. The Mr. was in an adventurous mood so he's on board and the little 'uns don't have a choice. There was some complaining the first couple of times, but they are getting used to it.
My hubby did burst my "sticking it to the man" bubble when he reminded me that I still have to purchase all the ingredients, but at least I know what's in it...and what's not:
Okay, all paranoid alarmist stuff aside, I do think that it would behoove us to stop and think about what we are using everyday and if these things are necessary and if they could be potentially harmful. At least we could save a little money.
I have already tackled a couple of other personal care items around here and will get to them later.
So try it if you dare! Report back and let me know what works for you.
* After doing more tooth research, it seems that glycerin is perhaps not such a good thing for your teeth, so I'm now leaving it out. This also makes the recipe cheaper(wink.)I just use water to make the paste instead.
***Update..brushing with baking soda on a daily basis can be (and in our experience was) too abrasive. Check out the latest here.
Whilst listening to Dr. Scott Johnson's weekly news updates this was brought to the forefront of my mind again.
Toothpaste:
Sodium fluoride (0.24%)
sorbitol, water, hydrated silica, PEG-32, sodium laurlyl sulfate, SD alcohol 38-B, flavor, sodium bicarbonate, cellulose gum, sodium saccharin, blue 1, yellow -10
In an effort to cut the exposure to these mostly undesirable ingredients, I did some web searching and came up with this concoction with the stuff I have here on hand:
- Baking soda
- Glycerin *
- Peppermint oil
I've been using it myself for about five or six days. I haven't noticed any difference in my teeth cleanliness-wise. It isn't sweet like toothpaste and it reminds me of the stuff they use to clean your teeth at the dentist's office. My mouth does seem to feel cleaner longer. The Mr. was in an adventurous mood so he's on board and the little 'uns don't have a choice. There was some complaining the first couple of times, but they are getting used to it.
(Here's the finished product.)
My hubby did burst my "sticking it to the man" bubble when he reminded me that I still have to purchase all the ingredients, but at least I know what's in it...and what's not:
Okay, all paranoid alarmist stuff aside, I do think that it would behoove us to stop and think about what we are using everyday and if these things are necessary and if they could be potentially harmful. At least we could save a little money.
I have already tackled a couple of other personal care items around here and will get to them later.
So try it if you dare! Report back and let me know what works for you.
* After doing more tooth research, it seems that glycerin is perhaps not such a good thing for your teeth, so I'm now leaving it out. This also makes the recipe cheaper(wink.)I just use water to make the paste instead.
***Update..brushing with baking soda on a daily basis can be (and in our experience was) too abrasive. Check out the latest here.
Hi Ma,
ReplyDeleteI haven't given up toothpaste completely yet (I should but I hate throwing stuff out, and still have a tube) but mostly I brush my teeth with hydrogen pyroxide. I put a capfull of HO in a glass with equal part water and swish it in my mouth for about 15 seconds and then brush with the mix still in my mouth. My teeth feel clean, and I haven't had any tooth infections (like before).
I'm using the baking soda and apple cider vinegar for my hair, and it works great! My hair is softer and very clean. I love it!
I thought about using peroxide as well. Do you use food grade or just the regular grocery store kind?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the hair thing is working for you:)
Just the regular drugstore kind. I spit it all out and rinse my mouth afterward. It works great! But I still use the paste once in a while...once I run out I plan to go to the baking soda.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these great and natural solutions!
Ma,
ReplyDeleteI admire you. I know how busy life is with your precious blessings, and then to make homemade toothpaste. :) I make my own dishwashing detergent, and I've made laundry detergent before, too, but never toothpaste.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Shamar,
ReplyDeleteI do think there are instructions on the back of my peroxide bottle to use as a mouthwash...Dr. Johnson said only to use food grade, though..I guess just to be safe. I wouldn't do the peroxide with the kids, but I may just try it!
I have found that toothpaste makes a good cleaner..squirt some in the sink and scrub with it, it's basically soap with some abrasives...but then it's going into the water supply! AAAHHH :P
Hi Trisha,
I've done the dishwasher detergent and I do use a homemade laundry solution, too. Toothpaste..piece of cake to make..convincing the kids that it is not THAT bad is the hard part!
You have a great weekend, too.
What have we become when dangerous chemicals in our diet become common place for convenience sake and pleasing looks? Home recipes may be the ticket out of poisoning ourselves to death. God help us Ma!
ReplyDeleteSaw this today, you prolly already know all these, but maybe others that read these comments (I can't be the only nerd that reads the comments, lol) will get use out of these helpful hints:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rd.com/video/5-extraordinary-uses-for-baking-soda/video186463.html
Thanks Shamar,
ReplyDeleteI didn't know some of those. cool;)
I agree Brain, we are poisoning ourselves for the sake of convenience.
Shamar, I wanted to let you know that I've been doing the peroxide thing, too. I am certain my teeth were actually literally "squeaky clean" the other morning! Brilliant;)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I could use a few drops o' peppermint in that too?
Well, Ma, I just added your blog to the ones I follow, and love what you're sharing, along with your commenters helpful ideas. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHello Kay,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! It really is a potpourri here, so I hope there will be something useful to read now and again:)
I'm glad you are spreading the word about the dangers of fluoride. I am currently researching the best method to remove fluoride (and the radioactive material that comes with it) and chloramine (Minn uses this in place of chlorine) from our water, I'll post about that soon. We are however using up our supply of toothpaste currently that does have fluoride. I'm too cheap too get rid of it so I have been using just a tiny amount and washing my mouth out like crazy afterwards. After our supply is out we need to figure out do we buy fluoride free or make our own. This helps thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI found that topically, fluoride isn't as bad for you as in the water supply and such. I understand being too cheap to throw it out:)