Paste, Powder, & Pearly Whites

For the past two weeks I've been miserably consumed by the banal efforts to recover from dental surgery.  In all my years I've never spent so much time thinking about, let alone coddling, my mouth.  I went in for a routine appointment to remove my two lower wisdom teeth.  I came out with a golf ball in one cheek, a chunk missing from my jawbone, and bruising that a prizefighter would be proud of.  After nearly fourteen days of mushy foods and lethargic couch conquering, I’m finally feeling like myself again (despite the creepy stitches and cavernous divots in the back of my mouth).  It seems only right that after all this oral pontificating, I launch back into the blogosphere with a post about an old school dental product that’s making a comeback with homemade health nuts like me: Tooth Powder!  You may wonder why in the world I’d go to the effort to make my own tooth powder when convenient tubes of paste line the shelves of any grocery.  What on Earth could be so bad about the minty goop that advertisements promise will kill germs, fight plaque, and blindingly whiten my chompers?  Later in the post, I’ll get into why I've chosen to ditch conventional toothpaste (even natural varieties can be questionable).  For now, let’s take a look at how a few inexpensive ingredients and less than five minutes of effort can boost oral hygiene to a sparkling level.

Natural Tooth Powder

This simple recipe is a combination of others I have found in my research. Brushing and flossing at least twice daily make a brilliant regimen.  The mechanical key to maintaining those pearly whites (and healthy gums) is to brush gently in short, vibrating strokes making sure the bristles get into the space between the gums and teeth.  It's best to use a soft toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.  The ingredients do the work, not the scrubbing.  Handy Note: I preferred a powder because it is shelf stable.  If desired, each person in the household can have their own batch of tooth powder to dip their toothbrush into.  A little goes a long way with this stuff!

4 Tablespoons Bentonite Clay

1 Tablespoon Baking Soda (natural, additive free)

1 Tablespoon Celtic, Himalayan, or Real Salt 

20-30 drops Essential Oil of Peppermint, Spearmint, Cloves, Cinnamon, or Sage (or a combination to taste)

To Make:  Mix all the dry ingredients in a small bowl.  Add the essential oil. Cover the bowl and shake gently to mix thoroughly.  Store in an airtight container -- small mason jars or the like work well.  

To Use:  Simply dip a damp toothbrush into the powder -- remember, a little goes a long way.  Brush.  Swallow or spit.  Rinse the mouth well to expel any plaque or bacteria that has been dislodged while brushing.

Bentonite Clay – Valued for centuries as a detoxifying agent, this clay is a toxin absorbent, mild abrasive, and excellent mineral source.  The compounds in the clay absorb and eliminate toxins in the mouth and gut while depositing a myriad of minerals for the body to utilize. 

Baking Soda – A familiar kitchen staple, baking soda is an excellent neutralizer of the mouth’s pH and a mild abrasive for brushing away buildup.  Just be sure to use a brand without aluminum & chemical additives – Bob’s Red Mill is what I used.

Celtic,  Himalayan, or Real Salt* (ONLY Fine or Extra Fine grain) – These varieties of salt have not been stripped of their minerals and are therefore excellent for restoring the minerals required for healthy teeth and gums.  Salt is also time-honored for its healing properties.  *Real Salt is the brand of salt I use -- it is available online at realsalt.com.  

Essential Oil of peppermint, spearmint, cloves, cinnamon, or sage – There is no coincidence that these are common flavors in modern toothpaste.  Historically, these plants (and their oils) were known to promote oral health.  Science now reveals that they are antiseptic and antibacterial, alleviate oral pain and inflammation, foster tissue health, and promote fresh breath.  Sadly, in most modern toothpaste these healthful powerhouses have been reduced to chemical flavorings.   

What about Whitening? 

We've heard it our whole lives -- coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, tobacco, medication, sugar, and poor oral hygiene are the main culprits for stained teeth. A healthful, balanced diet and good oral hygiene will keep teeth clean and white, but the following can be used to give a whitening boost.  

Activated Charcoal (AC) – Commonly used as emergency first aid for poison ingestion, activated charcoal is similar to bentonite clay in that it absorbs and eliminates toxins from the body.  It's handy to have in the home medicine cabinet for that reason alone, but for centuries this ebony powder has also been used by traditional cultures for whitening teeth. When gently brushed on the teeth, it removes stains and eliminates bad breath. Granted, it looks a little scary to see an inky black smile while brushing, but don't worry, it will rinse off. In addition to its whitening powers, AC creates an alkaline environment leaving an inhospitable environment for harmful bacteria.  When swallowed, it will cleanse the digestive tract as well as the mouth.  Don't go fetching for charred sticks from the campfire, it's best to purchase certified activated charcoal. Thankfully, it is easily found online at a very reasonable price.  Note: It is not recommended that charcoal be used daily.  Overuse can cause constipation.  Ironically, though it whitens the teeth it stains everything else -- be sure to keep it from tile, grout, clothing, etc. 

Hydrogen Peroxide* – an excellent oxygenator with cleaning power.  Oxygen-rich environments in the mouth are inhospitable to harmful bacteria.  *Important Safety Note:  Those with amalgam fillings should NOT use hydrogen peroxide because it interacts with the metals in the fillings causing toxic mercurial vapors to increase.  

The Bad News -- What’s wrong with my toothpaste?

Fluoride – Ever read the caution on a tube of toothpaste?  It warns not to swallow the paste.  Why?  Fluoride is a known toxin -- a hazardous waste byproduct of making phosphate fertilizer.  Since the 1950s, the industry has gladly turned over its toxic leftovers to be put into public drinking water and dental products.  Supporters of flouride (in dental products and water) say that its merits to deter tooth decay outweigh the potential detriments to the body's gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, excretory, and endocrine systems. I’m not sold…and neither are a host of researchers, consumers, and countries around the world that have banned it.  This is also why there’s a strong backlash against water fluoridation – forced mass medication with serious health risks.  Fluoride remains an extremely controversial topic for health professionals.  In my opinion, fluoride doesn't belong in water or dental products.  I’d rather find a chemical-free, holistic means to keep my teeth from decay.

Glycerin – For whatever cultural and historical reasons, it is no longer common knowledge that our teeth were designed to re-mineralize themselves.  Cavities can be reversed without fillings!  (Already battling cavities or gum disease? Perhaps the book Cure Tooth Decay can help!)  Though glycerin is great for herbal tinctures and body products, it’s counterproductive in dental hygiene for one very simple reason -- its gelatinous qualities actually coat the teeth like a glove.  This "covering" impedes the natural mineralization process like a raincoat repels rain.  Unfortunately, even natural toothpastes often have glycerin.  I'm really pleased to have a hardworking alternative that I can make at home on the cheap!  However, if you're desperate for a paste or simply prefer a purchased product to a homemade version, Earthpaste is an excellent example of a bare bones natural paste.  

Chemical Additives – I want my hygiene products to be like my food -- the list of ingredients is short and recognizable.  There’s no reason for 25-letter chemical compounds to be on my toothbrush or in my mouth.  

More Good News 

For those of us striving for a diversified, well-mineralized whole food diet, it should come as no surprise that nutrition is fundamental to dental health. According to the Weston A. Price Foundation, foods that promote dental health include mineral-rich bone broths (bring on the soups and stews!), all-grass dairy (yogurt, cheese, ice cream, anyone?), and fermented cod liver oil (hmmm...not quite as inherently appealing, but a necessary superfood none-the-less).  Just think, all that foodie energy I'm already expending is being put to another great use!  I can smile about that.