Salt can help your teeth and gums in a few ways. First, salt helps stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth. As the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research notes, saliva contains several minerals that help strengthen the enamel on the teeth, including phosphate and calcium. The increased flow of saliva can help protect the teeth from acids and bacteria that cause decay. Salt can also help reduce inflammation and swelling in the gums, thus minimising gingivitis symptoms. Brushing with Salt vs. Using Toothpaste Using Toothpaste So, I’m a dentist. I have no problem with homemade toothpaste, largely to avoid detergents and preservatives, or oxide salts that are too abrasive to the gums. That being said, avoiding fluoride — not so fast. An adult in the United States, ya, you’ll probably be fine. When we originally fluoridated water, it was a brilliant move — it reduced cavities in kids by 36% nationally and is largely the reason people have all their teeth as adults now. Losing teeth means a considerably hit to your quality of life and systemic health (poor nutrition). Furthermore, cavities are an infection which can spread to the venous plexus of the head and kill you — yes, you can die from a tooth ache, it happens. Logically, fluoride in the water saved lives. First, let’s look at some of the questionable ingredients that are often found in commercial toothpastes (some are probably dangerous; others are just unnecessary), which you can avoid by making your own homemade baking soda toothpaste:

Dental health is more than just the toothpaste you use. There is evidence that heredity plays a big part in getting cavities. A good, healthy, low-sugar diet (includeing cokes, soft drinks, etc), along with regular flossing and dental visits will help keep cavities at bay. I can thank this recipe for all the cavities I had when I was a kid. My parents kept me on a strict no-sugar diet, and made sure I brushed my teeth every day with this same home-made toothpaste (I wasn’t allowed regular toothpaste as a child, just this homemade stuff). I had TONS of cavities growing up. Then, when I was a teenager, I finally got to switch to REAL toothpaste, the kind with fluoride in it, and the cavities tapered off and I stopped getting so many (even though I started eating things with sugar in them!) Many salt toothpaste brands do not include fluoride. Fluoride also represents a type of salt, helping you prevent cavities. This mineral helps you regenerate enamel and strengthen your teeth. When using a salt toothpaste, you will brush your teeth a little bit different. Firstly, the brush needs to be dry when you apply the toothpaste. Anywho… a lot of powders… what happens is the powders separate to some degree, then the oil floats on top… but the powders are still wet and become almost solid. Maybe Im using too much oil? There are different types of fluoride, but stannous fluoride and sodium fluoride are most commonly used in toothpaste. Stannous fluoride acts as an antibacterial agent, which can help eliminate bad breath and plaque buildup. It can also help reduce tooth hypersensitivity when brushing. Sodium fluoride strengthens teeth and helps protect them from decay and cavities.

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Baking soda is an alkaline mineral helps to alkalise your saliva. Nevertheless, fluoride toothpaste is very useful in healing cavities. Experts recommend that we should use only sea salt that contains all the trace elements and minerals, without additives. However, salt is corrosive and should not be used to clean teeth with metal fillings or crowns. Brushing with salt promotes overall oral health, and the iodine present in the salt neutralizes the acid in your mouth. Salt is also high in anti-bacterial property that helps in preventing bacterial growth in your mouth. Brushing your teeth with salt also triggers saliva production in your mouth, which is essential to keep your mouth moist and clean. The iron and magnesium present in the salt help in preventing any dental disease. Disadvantages of Brushing Your Teeth with Salt Propylene glycol. Used to give a smooth mouthfeel, this fossil fuel processing byproduct is also used to make antifreeze. It doesn’t belong in your mouth. In a container of your choosing close to your toothbrush. We prefer to use essential oils in our toothpaste, which should be stored in glass. We use a small glass jar and store it out of heat and light so oils don’t degrade. Should we each have our own container, or can we share it with others? Yes, salt can be used to brush your teeth as it helps maintain good oral health. Brushing teeth with salt may help to remove stains from the teeth and strengthen your teeth. If you want to disinfect your teeth or cure any toothache, you can use salt to brush your teeth. What Happens if You Brush Your Teeth with Salt?

I would probably mix spearmint and peppermint extract, as they both have some anti-microbial activity. You could also look in olive leaf extract and oregano for the same reason. I would vary the extracts for the sake of promoting a diversified anti-biotic mechanism. On the other hand, I don’t think it is absolutely necessary to have it in toothpaste since there are a multitude of factors that lead to healthy teeth, including diet, mineral deficiencies, eating habits, flossing etc. Hydrogen Peroxide. This has a reputation for whitening teeth. But it takes a long time to have that effect (much longer than a typical brushing session). Plus it can be harsh on the soft tissue of your mouth. tsp peppermint extract or 10-15 drops peppermint essential oil (or add your favorite flavor – spearmint, orange, etc.) You can find a good basic homemade baking soda toothpaste recipe at the end of this article. But feel free to experiment with different combinations and proportions until you get a toothpaste that works for you and your family.

Triclosan. An antimicrobial chemical linked to numerous health and environmental problems. Don’t even think about using a toothpaste (or anything else) with triclosan in it. Meet Our Experts: Bobbi Stanley, DDS, a dentist and owner of Stanley Dentistry in Cary, North Carolina , Lata Stefano, DDS, a dentist and owner of Stefano Dental in Sandusky, Ohio, Colby Broadbent, DDS, chief of clinical affairs at Summer Dental Diatomaceous earth (DE). These sharp bits of silicon are the remains of the shells of tiny aquatic animals called diatoms. It is a mild abrasive and contains trace minerals.

Titanium dioxide. This white powder is used to make toothpaste bright white. Recent studies have linked it to poor gut health. Off-white toothpaste is just fine with us, thanks. Dentist Samantha Jugdev recommends the Weleda range to patients that appreciate a more holistic approach to oral care. Salt Toothpaste is one of her favourites: There are no guidelines as to what’s actually "natural," so read each tube carefully, says Dr. Stanley. Just because something says it’s "natural" doesn’t mean there are no man-made preservatives hidden on the ingredients list. And even if there are, that doesn't necessarily mean they're bad for you.Toothpaste has come a long way since its early days, when it was made from materials, such as powdered ox hooves and crushed oyster shells. If you wander down the toothpaste aisle at your local store, you'll see lots of options on the shelves, from anti-cavity fluoride toothpaste to whitening toothpaste and from sensitive teeth toothpaste to all-natural salt toothpaste. Call me what you like, but I brushed my teeth once a week with water only and did not see a dentist for nine years and had no cavities or even signs of them. Prior to that, I had only four major staining teeth with the same brushing habits and had not seen a dentist for fourteen years (at fourteen years of age). I did not eat meat or dairy or white flour or white sugar, no refined foods, no alcohol. Then I had children, my diet changed, my brushing habits “improved” (a lot more frequent brushing out of necessity!), and now I have a ceramic filling and several “watched” teeth. I have found that Philips Sonicare toothbrush line gets your teeth very clean with no toothpaste and since using it my gums no longer bleed (the bleeding started with the new, refined foods diet and children). It tastes good to use toothpaste and of course I would not buy one with flouride and it makes sense to make my own, which is why I am here, obviously. I wanted to know what other people are doing and what everyone thinks. I will say though that I don’t think it is necessary for every day situations to polish your teeth with abrasives. Eat well, chew your food thoroughly, rinse with water, brush gently when you need to, and take care of your special situations in the gentlest manner possible, and be blessed. But if it tastes better, make a healthy toothpaste and use a small amount and don’t worry so much. Even the purest of water can kill you, if you ingest too much. We have so much to be thankful for! It's important to never use anything harsh that could scratch the soleplate as this will result in rusting or staining which is irreversible to the iron,' says Lara Brittain, Kitchen Expert, Currys. The recipe below will work at least as well as a standard commercial toothpaste. You may already have all the ingredients in your pantry. Plus whipping up a batch will cost you a lot less than buying a tube of natural toothpaste at your local health food store. Commercial Toothpaste Ingredients to Avoid