12 Natural, Better Alternatives To Toothpaste

Feeling good about the toothpaste you’re using? You might want to take a second look. If you take a look at the ingredients list, in all likelihood your toothpaste contains a bunch of highly questionable chemicals. You put these synthetic ingredients into your mouth twice a day without giving it a second, though!

You’re familiar with fluoride, so you probably trust it. After all, for years we’ve been told this is an essential ingredient for preventing cavities and keeping your teeth healthy. But in reality, it isn’t really as effective as you might think. Not to mention that fluoride in large quantities can be toxic. Titanium dioxide and sodium lauryl sulfate are a couple of other common ingredients that have been linked to cancer. The purpose of the latter is to give toothpaste its foamy consistency, which gives the illusion that it’s cleaning your teeth, but it actually serves no purpose.

Glycerin is a component you’ll find in both major brands and smaller companies that produce “natural” kinds of toothpaste. Although the purpose of glycerin is to keep toothpaste from drying out, unfortunately, it can also coat your teeth and inhibit them from remineralizing naturally. Let’s also not forget that toothpastes often contain saccharin, an artificial sweetener that has been linked to a whole array of health problems.

Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives that you can make on your own. Check these out:

1. Turmeric

You might enjoy this spice as part of traditional Indian cuisine, but it also makes a suitable toothpaste, due to its antiplaque, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Mix ¼ teaspoon with mustard oil, and you’ve got yourself a paste! Just make sure to rinse well when you’re finished. You can also make a mouthwash combining turmeric powder with a cup of warm, filtered water. Swish it around for about a minute and spit it out.