Homemade Tooth Powder & Mouthwash Recipe

A couple of years ago my sister told me that she had successfully healed her receding gums by switching toothpaste.  I was very intrigued, because I too have suffered from receding gums.  She told me she had done some research and had learned that sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) damages gum tissue.  Until then, I had assumed my issue was caused by brushing too hard.  But what she said made sense, since the dangers of SLS were already on my radar.  According to the Environmental Working Group, SLS is linked to everything from skin irritation to cancer and infertility.  I’d already given up shampoos and soaps that contain SLS, but it hadn’t yet come to my attention that toothpaste is an issue (in hindsight, it’s obvious- SLS is a surfactant, and additive that makes products foam).  Upon further digging, I found that SLS is known to be corrosive!  It can cause canker sores, can cause a burning sensation, and can even lead to nausea and diarrhea because of its laxative properties!  Turns out the warning label on your tube of toothpaste isn’t there simply because of the added fluoride!

Which leads to my next point.  Fluoride is no bueno.  You’ve likely had it drilled into you that fluoride is necessary for healthy teeth, that it prevents cavities and that’s why it is added to our public drinking water.  Yeah…no.  Many, many studies have been done to determine the validity of the argument that fluoride preserves dental health.  The evidence simply isn’t there.  Not only that, but fluoride is a well- known toxin.  It’s an accumulative toxin, meaning it accumulates in body tissues over time and wreaks havoc on your health.  The warning label on toothpaste tubes is there because swallowing a small amount of fluoride can be devastating.  Yet, depending on where you live, one glass of water can contain the same amount of fluoride you’re warned against swallowing in toothpaste.  Fluoride isn’t good for us- it’s an industrial waste product that’s sneakily dumped into the water supply under the guise of protecting the masses.  Fluoride is found not only in tap water, but also in bottled waters at unknown levels.  How does fluoride hurt us?  It causes tooth discoloration (which is really just visible evidence of what’s happening inside the body), thyroid disease, cancer, immune disfunction, and brain damage including lowered IQ.  Yep, your toothpaste is making you stupid.

So, for the last couple of years, I’ve made my way through all the store bought toothpastes I can find that contain no SLS or fluoride.  The brand I love the most is Earth Paste- it’s what my children use.  I’ve also ventured into making my own toothpaste, which I really like, but tends to cause my sink to drain slowly because it includes coconut oil.  So, we’ve finally arrived at homemade tooth powder.  My husband (yes, the one who adores homemade deodorant) raised his eyebrows at me when I asked him to try this recipe.  He didn’t comment at all until he’d used it a few times, then his review was positive and confident.  ”It has a weird texture, but my teeth have never felt this clean with any toothpaste I’ve used.”  I’ll take it!  He says in combination with flossing and my homemade mouthwash, his mouth has never felt and stayed fresher.  And I concur.  I find him increasingly kissable.  :)

I’ve never been a fan of mouthwash- I despise artificial flavoring and sweeteners and the nasty aftertaste they leave in my mouth.  But, if you’re a mouthwash user you’ll want to begin to make your own.  This one is naturally whitening, can heal mouth sores, and contains no drying alcohol, no weird chemicals, and is super inexpensive to make!  I use this mouthwash every night now, and absolutely love it.