(How) Make Your Own Toothpaste

Toothpaste has various uses such as: B. to freshen up the breath, to prevent oral problems such as bad breath, to whiten the teeth and for general teeth cleaning. What is interesting, however, is that it can be easily made at home using simple ingredients and a simple process.

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How was toothpaste made in the past?

According to ancient records, the first toothpaste was made by the ancient Egyptians (approx. 3,000–5,000 BC) from the ashes of burned ox hooves or egg shells. The ashes were converted into powder form and then combined with pumice stone.

This combination was primarily intended to remove the accumulated debris from the surface of the teeth. It is believed that water was added to this mixture prior to use to form a paste.

Skip to the homemade toothpaste instructions.

What are the ingredients of toothpaste?

Toothpaste currently fulfills two basic functions – therapeutic and preventive. Generally, an American Dental Association-approved toothpaste contains fluoride and other active ingredients that serve certain functions such as teeth whitening, removing plaque, minimizing gingivitis, and preventing bad breath (halitosis) and tooth erosion.

The active ingredients usually found in licensed toothpaste brands include:

  • Anti-caries agents (e.g. fluoride) that improve the remineralization process of teeth and help repair early tooth decay,
  • Antihypersensitivity agents – including potassium salts, stannous fluoride, amorphous calcium phosphate, casein phosphopeptide, and calcium sodium phosphosilicate – that help minimize tooth sensitivity,
  • Antimicrobial agents like stannous fluoride, triclosan, and zinc citrate that help prevent plaque buildup.

Other ingredients are:

  • Abrasives such as silica abrasives or enzymes to remove tooth stains
  • Detergents such as sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate, which contribute to better foam formation and have a cleaning effect on plaque and other mouth deposits
  • Flavoring substances, in particular sugar-free substances such as saccharin, in order to make the toothpaste palatable or even attractive for the user
  • Humectants such as glycerine to protect toothpaste from water loss
  • Binders such as mineral colloids, natural rubber, algae colloids or synthetic cellulose give the toothpaste fullness and stretch the toothpaste longer
  • Peroxides such as hydrogen and carbamide peroxides to prevent tooth stains from remaining

Are any of these ingredients toxic?

While traditional toothpaste is generally safe, overdosing on some of these ingredients can be fatal. Toxic ingredients in toothpaste can be sodium fluoride and triclosan. Overdosing can lead to stomach pain or an obstruction of the intestines. If an overdose of conventional toothpaste is suspected, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Which ingredients should be avoided in homemade (natural) toothpaste?

Given the above toxicity potential, many consumers are turning to a natural toothpaste. Natural home-made toothpaste is free from side effects, but offers both preventive and therapeutic benefits to help maintain good oral health.

When making your own toothpaste at home, the following ingredients are best avoided due to their side effects:

  • Glycerin – although safe to use, it is believed to form a thin layer on the surface of tooth enamel that can prevent the process of remineralization
  • Saccharin – is often viewed as an artificial sweetener; can have carcinogenic properties
  • Fluoride – inhibits tooth decay, but can be toxic in larger quantities
  • Propylene glycol – acts as an emulsifier; can cause skin, eye or lung irritation as well as organ toxicity
  • Triclosan – can cause antibiotic resistance and endocrine disorders; also has carcinogenic properties
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) – highly addictive and can cause canker sores; can also lead to a change in taste
  • Hydrogen peroxide – can damage the tissues of the gums and mouth
  • Artificial ingredients like added colorings – can cause neurological problems in the long run

What ingredients should a homemade toothpaste contain?

There are some natural substitutes for the above ingredients that can be used to make toothpaste at home. Not only do these natural ingredients provide oral health benefits like traditional toothpaste, but they also have no side effects. They include:

Coconut oil

Coconut oil, which has natural antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. Coconut oil fights the fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. It also protects teeth from tooth decay and is readily available. Coconut oil (76 oC) forms the basis of many homemade toothpastes.

baking powder

The alkaline nature of baking soda neutralizes the pH of the oral cavity. This chemical also has mild abrasive properties to help remove stains from teeth.

sea-salt

The alkaline nature of sea salt makes it a good ingredient in natural toothpaste.

Guar gum

Guar gum is a pea plant that comes in powder form and acts as a thickener. It also keeps the other ingredients in the toothpaste stable.

Safe whiteners for homemade toothpaste

  • Turmeric, which has teeth whitening properties and also contributes to the remineralization process; it helps fight gum problems
  • Diatomaceous earth, which acts as an abrasive and also promotes the remineralization process

Remineralizing agents

  • Chocolate that has certain antibacterial properties that are effective in removing plaque. Researchers consider the remineralization properties of chocolate to be higher than those of fluoride.
  • Bentonite clay, which is rich in minerals and has alkaline properties that help balance the acidic pH in the mouth.
  • Calcium and magnesium powders that improve the remineralization process.

Flavorings such as stevia, xylitol, spices such as mint, cloves and cinnamon, and essential oils can also be used.

There are three ways to make homemade toothpaste.

1. Toothpaste with baking soda and water

  • Take a teaspoon of baking soda
  • Add a drop of an essential oil (s) to it
  • Add a few drops of water

2. Toothpaste with baking soda, salt and water

  • Take a tablespoon of baking soda
  • Add a tablespoon of natural salt
  • Add three drops of an essential oil
  • Add a few drops of water

3. Toothpaste with baking soda and coconut oil

  • Add two tablespoons of baking soda
  • Add two tablespoons of coconut oil
  • Add ten drops of essential oil

Mix all ingredients well to get a smooth texture. This preparation forms a basic toothpaste; To make a whitening toothpaste, however, whitening ingredients (e.g. turmeric) must be added in tiny proportions. The proportion of abrasive agents (e.g. soda or kieselguhr) must also be kept low in order to avoid damage to the tooth enamel.

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