If you look on the back of your toothpaste container you will more likely than not find a long list of indistinguishable ingredients and a formidable warning: do not swallow. When you take a closer look, It's inevitable to come to the common conclusion that the toothpastes we buy in convenience stores are toxic.
Sodium fluoride, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, propylene glycol, and DEA are all found in leading brands of toothpaste. According to Livestrong, sodium fluoride is found in rat poisoning and pesticides. Triclosan is also another base found in pesticides and a probable cause of cancer. Sodium lauryl sulfate and propylene glycol are additionally found in pesticides, causing a wide range of health irritations to your skin, eyes and more. This leaves us with DEA which interrupts hormone production and leads to cancer.
To top it all off, a 7-ounce tube of potentially-cancer-causing-but-undeniably-health-damaging toothpaste ranging from $3-$7.
Not only is the following recipe a natural alternative, but it will save you money you'd much rather be spending on something else. Simply put: it's dirt cheap and will leave you feeling better than Martha Stewart.
Finished product bottled up in a small jam jar. You can put your homemade toothpaste into whatever container of your choosing! Photo credit: Jessica ObertIngredients needed:
1. Baking soda — a natural whitener
2. Coconut oil — anti-bacterial, anti-fungal
3. Essential oil — of your choosing
4. Stevia, optional
Step 1: Gather the ingredients
You will be surprised to find that all you need are a few staples from your pantry: baking soda, coconut oil, and an essential oil; peppermint and orange are a few examples of some good flavor options. A natural sweetener like Stevia is optional based on preference.
All of the ingredients needed to make your own toothpaste: an essential oil of choice, baking soda, coconut oil and a container. Photo credit: Jessica ObertYou can get as creative as you like with any container of your choosing to house your freshly made toothpaste.
Step 2: Measure out your ingredients
Measure out the coconut oil and baking soda. The measurements will depend on how much you intend to make. I used 3/4 cup of baking soda and 3/4 cup of coconut oil.
After gathering all of your ingredients, measure out equal parts baking soda and coconut oil. Photo credit: Jessica ObertStep 3: Combine your ingredients
In your container, combine the baking soda and coconut oil. Add a bit of either or to reach your desired consistency. I like mine a bit creamy so equal parts should do the trick. But be warned: consistency will change a bit over time with different room temperatures.
Mix together baking soda and coconut oil until they are at a desired consistency. Photo credit: Jessica ObertStep 4: Add your essential oil
Be careful here. A drop or two is all that is needed. Any more will make it too strong. So do a taste test.
If using an essential oil to add flavor you only need a drop or two as it is strong. Photo credit: Jessica ObertStep 5: Mix and you are finished
That's it! You are done. Now, your friends will commence with the compliments on some gorgeous looking teeth.
Reach the writer at jessica.obert@asu.edu or via Twitter @jessicaobert.
