On the average, a person will brush his teeth three times a day. Just imagine how often you expose your teeth to harmful ingredients that are usually found in commercial toothpaste. Although ingredients such as fluoride and glycerin have been popular cleaning agents used for numerous years now, their chemical content can become health hazards.
A known cavity fighter, fluoride can also be very toxic and cause acne on areas surrounding the mouth. Glycerin, a substance that helps toothpaste retain its moisture, has also been proven to cause problems to the tooth enamel. Lastly, various forms of artificial sweeteners are put in most toothpaste to add sweetness and taste. .
Natural Toothpaste Alternatives
If you want to minimize the risk of developing health issues from these commercially made toothpaste, trying natural options is the perfect answer. Aside from using all natural ingredients, these toothpaste alternatives give the same cleaning power without the risks of chemical substances.
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is loaded with cleaning and whitening properties that are perfect for maintaining proper oral hygiene. It is also rich with antibacterial properties that help minimize tooth decay and cavity. .
To use as a teeth cleanser, directly dip your toothbrush in baking soda and brush your teeth using gentle strokes for about one minutes. To use as a mouth disinfectant, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with half a cup of lukewarm water. Mix well and gargle for about 30 seconds. Aside from whitening the teeth, this solution will also help kill bacteria in the mouth. .
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is packed with antibacterial properties that kill germs in the mouth. Mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil with 1 teaspoon baking soda. Put a few drops of water and mix well until it becomes pasty. Put a thin layer on your brush and start brushing your teeth gently. For better result, use 3 times daily after meals. .
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is a common ingredient in most commercial toothpaste due to its effective whitening effect. To remove the harmful effects of other chemical ingredients, just use hydrogen peroxide with natural ingredients such as baking soda, salt or coconut oil. Mix all these ingredients well and apply a thin layer on your toothbrush. Brush your teeth gently for about a minute. It is very important to remember not to use hydrogen peroxide daily to avoid developing allergies. .
4. Pure Water
Pure water can also be used as an effective alternative for commercial toothpaste. First thing to do is to gargle with pure water for about 30 seconds to remove leftover food particles in your mouth. After doing so, dip your toothbrush in lukewarm water and start brushing for about a minute. Brushing with pure water will remove plaque in between the teeth just like using a toothpaste. Of course, you won’t get the smell and flavors provided by commercially made toothpaste. .
5. Dry Brushing
Similar to brushing with plain water, dry brushing will also clean and remove left-over food particles and plaque in your mouth , but without the minty smell of commercially made toothpaste. After dry brushing, make sure to gargle with plain water to provide moisture in the mouth. .
6. Sesame Seed Oil
Sesame seed oil is loaded with cleaning and antibacterial properties that effectively kills bacteria inside the mouth and in between teeth. This oil also provides proper moisture to prevent mouth dryness. Before using sesame seed oil, gargle with water to remove food particles. Then, gargle with one teaspoon of sesame seed oil and let it stay in your mouth for about 1 minute. Use a clean toothbrush and start brushing your teeth. Wash your mouth and gargle with pure water to remove all remaining food particles. .
You can also apply sesame oil directly to the teeth after brushing. Dip a cotton swab in sesame seed oil and apply liberally over the teeth. .
7. Natural Soap
Aside from cleaning the whole body, soap with natural ingredients can also be used as an alternative for commercial toothpaste. The vital thing is to make sure to only use soap that is made with natural cleaning agents to avoid developing allergies because the mouth and its surrounding areas are extremely sensitive. Although using unscented soap as a toothpaste will remove the minty fresh effect, it ensures that you won’t get any harmful reaction that may be caused by chemical ingredients. Due to the demand for natural toothpaste alternatives, there are now many natural soap made specifically to clean teeth available in supermarkets.
8. Sea Salt
Sea salt has been used since ancient times as an effective cleaning agent especially for the mouth and teeth. Sea salt is loaded with antibacterial properties that kill bacteria that causes cavities and plaques. It also contains minerals that keep teeth strong and healthy.
Gii Santos
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