Toothpaste

Toothpaste

11 Comments , Edit

Thanks for all the support and commiseration on my Armpit Woes.  I was so inspired after sharing it with you all that I decided to experiment more with personal products... and share them with you!

Next up?:  Toothpaste

Why, you ask?  Why not?  I don't have really strong feelings either way towards commercial toothpaste.  I do have strong feelings towards putting things into my body with tons of unnecessary ingredients that were created in a lab.  

Here is a list of ingredients from the toothpaste in my bathroom. 
Active ingredient: sodium monofluorophosphate
Inactive ingredients: 
  • glycerin
  • hydrated silica
  • propylene glycol
  • water
  • sodium bicarbonate
  • pentasodium triphosphate
  • tetrasodium pryophosphate
  • sodium lauryl sulfate
  • flavor
  • sodium hydroxide
  • sodium saccharin
  • carageenan
  • cellulose gum
  • calcium peroxide
  • titanium dioxide
  • FD&C blue no.1
  • D&C yellow no.10
WHEW! 

Okay, so opinions on those ingredients?  First of all, flouride is the only active ingredient.  I'm not sold on the importance of flouride.  I know, I know... dentists say we need it to keep our teeth healthy.  Well, doctors and other experts have been telling us to do things for generations and then we find out that it's not so great after all.  So... there's that.

Secondly, that is an awfully long list of "inactive" ingredients.  If they aren't active, why are they there?  To carry the active ingredient, and maybe to make it taste better, since it is going in your mouth?  I'm okay with those reasons, but I find it hard to believe there is a need for THAT many.  I don't really like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate...and saccharin?!  I refuse to eat that in my foods, why would I rub it all over my teeth daily!?

Sigh.  I started searching for a toothpaste recipe that contained ingredients I had on hand.  I settled on this one.  Here's how I made it. 

Ingredients:  Coconut Oil, baking soda, and peppermint essential oil.  
Mixed...
... Used!
The verdict?  A little salty, a little minty, overall a win.  I've only used it twice so far, but I like the way it makes my mouth feel.  I'll keep you posted as I use it more. 

The biggest problem I am having now is that the coconut oil is solid.  This is easily resolved by brushing my teeth after I take a hot shower, but what if I want to brush at another time?  Any suggestions? 

This post was featured on Simple Lives Thursday at GNOWFGLINS!

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11 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 7, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Wow! Glad you posted this...might have to give it a try. :)

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  2. LauraMarch 7, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    Have you ever tried Tom's of Main toothpaste? Their fluoride free, Clean and Gentle is fluoride and SLS free. They sell it all over too.... just an FYI if you didn't want to have to make it all the time. I use it and love it and all of the ingredients are natural and they even list on their website where each ingredient comes from and what it is used for.

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  3. Belinda @zomppaMarch 7, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    You're brilliant! I think with Coconut oil, I'd want to eat it....

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  4. Jackie @ Crest Cottage CreationsMarch 7, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    @LauraHi Laura! I looked into getting a different type of toothpaste, and decided against it. I like the idea of being able to make things myself. Now, when I have kids and WAY less time, I may be reconsidering that!

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  5. LauraMarch 9, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    @Jackie @ Crest Cottage Creations

    I love the idea of making my own stuff too. But definitely with a little one you have to pick and choose your battles. Maybe you can just make some for me and ship it?? LOL

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  6. Jackie @ Crest Cottage CreationsMarch 11, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    @Laura LOL I'd love to :) You're little girl seems like a sweetie, though, so hopefully the battles are few and far between!

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  7. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Looks like a great, simple recipe! I've been wanting to try making some homemade toothpaste since I read TRICLOSAN on the ingredients in our previous toothpaste. I wish I were joking. Luckily I have all the needed ingredients on hand...even down to the brands you used. :)

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  8. JudyApril 11, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    I use this minus the peppermint oil...I'm a believer.

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  9. AnonymousApril 13, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    i just wanted to say that i am LOVING using this in place of store bought toothpaste (and i already was using all natural brands, like burts bees and toms). i totally notice a difference in the way my teeth feel in that absense of glycerin coating. i keep mine in a small glass jar, and when it is cold, just put the jar in the sink while i wash my face so that the hot water runs over it. that softens it enough for spreading. also, i snagged a little wooden stirrer from my local coffee shop, and keep it with my jar and use it to scoop out the paste onto my toothbrush, so i'm not dipping my toothbrush into the jar directly :)

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  10. LauraMay 23, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    I have been adding a couple of tsp of vegetable glycerin to this recipe and the consistency is so much better! I also add a tiny bit of pure stevia extract powder to help the flavor. It's fantastic :) Just thought I'd share incase you were still working on something to keep it from becoming so solid.

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  11. Patsy DupreJuly 14, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Homemade toothpaste! You're such a resourceful girl! I love it! Are they as effective as typical toothpastes? Well, I can make one of those, just in case we ran out of toothpaste at home! Hihi!

    ReplyDelete

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