DIY Toothpaste

DIY Toothpaste

Nobody I know loves going to the dentist. But if I told you it would help your heart, would you be more inclined to go?  We should go for our bi-yearly cleanings and make sure all is healthy and if not, address it. For a tooth infection can disrupt the whole gut flora system.  Mouth to anus is one long tube so a tooth infection can drip down and give stomach aches, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, etc.  Teeth infections can also cause headaches and it can also cause heart disease.

There’s a BIG link between oral health and heart health.

And if your oral health isn’t in tip-top shape…your gut and heart health could be at major risk.

And according to Harvard Medical School and The Mayo Clinic — swallowing too many of these “bad bacteria” can harm your blood vessels, increase blood pressure and put you at major risk of heart disease and stroke.
(https://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/heart-disease-oral-health
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/heart-disease-prevention/faq-20057986)

People think brushing their teeth more could help but it turns out brushing could actually be making the problem worse if you're using the wrong toothpaste.

Many toothpastes contain chemicals like:

• Triclosan, a pesticide and hormone disruptor.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) which causes canker sores for many people.
• Artificial colorings, which are linked to ADHD and hyperactivity in children. Toothpaste does not need to be blue!
• Fluoride, which can be toxic if swallowed and doesn’t even work in toothpaste.
• Titanium dioxide, which is added to make a toothpaste white. Most of the data shows it’s safe and is not absorbed by the skin, but I have yet to find a study done to measure absorption by oral tissues. The EWG has a good list of safety concerns around titanium dioxide, but the take-home message: it can cause cancer.
• Glycerin, which isn’t toxic, but has no place in the mouth as it’s a soap that strips your body’s natural oral mucosa and leaves a film. This film could coat the teeth, messing with the structure of the biofilm which could alter the microbiome in the mouth and impact the natural remineralization process — your body’s natural cavity-fighting mechanism.
• Highly abrasive ingredients, which damage enamel, making teeth sensitive and more prone to gum recession and cavities. Toothpaste should be only a little bit abrasive — this graininess aids the brushing motion to remove the biofilm of the tooth.

These nasty toothpaste toxins do a number on your oral health… and over time, may INCREASE bad bacteria in your mouth. If you aren't sure of the ingredients of your current toothpaste, it's on the box that you threw out when you bought it.  So google the ingredients and  you can also look it up on ewg.org which gives it a health rating to help you figure out if it's healthy enough to use.

If your mouth has bad bacteria it means every time you swallow, you could be putting your body at risk.  To help kill the bad bacteria finding the RIGHT toothpaste is part of it.

The best ingredients to find in a toothpaste

• Coconut oil, which can help boost the microbiome in your gut (remember, the gut begins in the mouth!) and naturally prevent candida in the mouth. 
• Trace minerals drops, especially if you drink reverse osmosis water, which removes bad stuff from the water but also removes the good minerals too. I use ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops. 
• Crushed cacao nibs. Believe it or not, the ideal toothpaste would be a chocolate toothpaste, since compounds in cacao beans promote remineralization better than fluoride (and of course, much more safe). Crush the cacao nibs to a small size and it will  be a safe abrasive to break up the mouth's biofilm.
• Bentonite clay, which is a natural polisher rich in minerals that isn’t too abrasive. It’s also alkaline, so it helps reduce acidity in the mouth. Don’t be afraid of putting “dirt” in your mouth.  Great dental health is actually about achieving a balanced ecosystem of bacteria in your mouth, which protects us from illness and promotes tooth remineralization. 
• Xylitol for its abilities to reduce cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. Just don’t add too much since it’s a sweetener — too much can reprogram your taste buds to crave too much sweetness.
• Baking soda, for its alkalinity. Our teeth and mouths are constantly under attack by acids thanks to the foods we eat. Neutralizing these acids with vegetables and water is essential to maintaining proper pH in the mouth to encourage the right bacteria as well as protect enamel from decay. Baking soda has a pH of 9 to 11 (alkaline), so it helps to neutralize acids while not being too abrasive to teeth. You could also buy and drink 16 ounces of alkaline water a day.  

Here are two toothpastes I have made in the past that I like. The first one is easy but I feel like the second one does a better job.
#1
Ingredients:
 

• ½ cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 2 individual packets of stevia
• 15-20 drops of peppermint essential oil

To make it, stir all the ingredients together in a bowl or Pyrex container until consistent. Then just put a little bit on your toothbrush, and you’re ready to go!

I love this toothpaste because it takes just a few minutes to make.  It’s extra powerful so I only have to put a tiny amount on my toothbrush — so it lasts a long time.

#2

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons Cold-pressed Organic Coconut Oil
• 4 tablespoons Food Grade Bentonite Clay
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 2 tablespoons Xylitol
• 4 capsules Probiotics 
• 1/2 teaspoons Cacao Powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Ginger Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
• 4 tablespoons distilled or filtered water (divided)

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, heat coconut oil over low heat until melted, about 1 – 2 minutes.
2. Add bentonite clay, baking soda, xylitol, probiotic, cacao, ginger and cinnamon to a food processor or high speed blender and blend for 10-15 seconds until all powders are evenly combined, tapping sides and top of blender so powder will fall to the bottom.
3. Wait a couple of minutes before opening to allow powders to settle, then pour one tablespoon of coconut oil into the blender. Blend for 10-15 seconds; mixture will be crumbly. Take the small end of a wooden spoon (a chopstick or small spatula will also work) and run it along the inside edge of the blender, making sure to combine all the powder with the oil.
4. Add the vitamin E and remaining coconut oil, and blend another 10 – 15 seconds. A this point, the mixture will be runny. Again, run the wooden spoon end along the edge of the blender to make sure all the powder is incorporated. Blend again if necessary to create a smooth and creamy texture.
5. With the blender running, slowly add the water and blend for at least 30 seconds, or until it is thoroughly mixed.
6. Transfer to a glass container with a plastic lid.

Storage tips & how to use

Dip a clean spoon into the toothpaste and apply to your toothbrush. Store half at room temperature and use toothpaste within 7-10 days. Store the rest in the refrigerator for later use. Alternatively, fill a refillable squeeze tube with your toothpaste and squeeze about a quarter teaspoon onto your toothbrush twice daily for best oral hygiene. Store in your refrigerator for extended freshness.