Homemade Toothpaste
I used the last of my toothpaste yesterday morning. Nooooo!!!!!Why am I sad? Since toothpaste is only available in plastic tubes, I now have to figure out a way to make my own.
To prevent myself from going to go to bed with a dirty mouth, I scoured the internet last night to find information on the subject. I had a hard time locating a definitive source of recipes, but I came up with the following concoction based on what I found.
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Cinnamon Toothpaste- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- 3 teaspoons of vodka
- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
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I brushed with my new toothpaste last night, and it was simply...okay. To be honest, I found it pretty salty, actually, but I think it's something I can get used to.
In terms of whether or not it's good for my teeth, I think I'll ask my dentist what she thinks when I go visit her next month. Heck, maybe she'll have a good recipe.
Comments
A Kenyan friend just uses a stick from a bush to rub his teeth (no paste, no brush) and has the most perfect teeth ever... (This authoratively said from a dentist who took a look into his mouth).
I forget the brand (Eco-something? not that that narrows it down.) but there is a floss that comes in a cardboard box.
Also, what species of toothbrush are you using? Plastic or non?
I’m brushing my teeth this morning and my mind turns to your quest to rid your life of plastics and suddenly I realize that I am scrapping and rubbing this soft plastic stick all over the hardest and sharpest part of my body which also happens to be surrounded by highly porous mucus membranes!
What are we suppose to do? Here are some potential options if we look to the history of dental hygiene for our answers:
vulture quill
porcupine quill (Pliny the Younger)
a thin linen towel, which is somewhat rough (Aristotle)
bone and bristles
hand-cut and polished cattle thigh bones made excellent toothbrush handles while long-haired hog bristles
see:
http://www.toothbrushblog.com/toothbrush/on-the-search-of-history-of-the-toothbrush/
for more ideas.
It's because of food intolerances. I can't use any of the commercial toothpastes.
It comes in a plastic container. But possibly, you might get them to send it in a tin.
Laura
I tried 'just salt' yesterday & it was weird, very salty, and odd taste in the morning.. (?) which I usually don't get otherwise..
I was also wondering what a dentist might say...
Also, would that Kenyan bush grow in Northern hemisphere? (Europe)?
Awesome blog, found you via MyZerowaste.com!
The recipe he gave me is
1/2 cup baking soda
pinch salt
pinch myrrh
pinch xylitol
pinch sage or cinnamon or mint (for flavoring)
Be sure to mix it in 1/2 cup batches so that everything is distributed evenly. Also, don't put too much cinnamon in the recipe it will make your teeth yellow in larger quantities.
I use the kind of floss that comes in the cardboard containers and a toothbrush from recycline (100% recycled and certified BPA free).
2 T. coconut oil
3 T. baking soda
5 drops pepermint oil
5 drops spearmint oil
a pinch of stevia powder
I'm not sure about those specific twigs, but I know that native americans used pine twigs or yucca hearts. If you are in a desert area, yucca root has the added bonus of being a natural soap/shampoo/detergent. Peel off the exterior, rinse off, place in a pantyhose or cheese cloth, and use as normal.
You can use the twigs of any plant that is non-poisonous (do some research) and fairly woody (but soft enough that when you chew it, it will break into 'bristles'). You usually use a new one every day but I guess you can experiment with re-use.
Pioneers and Natives both brushed with a cross-section of horsetail (found in marshy places)...it breaks into 'bristles,' and the plant grows in bamboo-like segments.