Written by Courtney, Contributing Writer
Several years ago, I started to question some of the ingredients in commercial toothpastes as well as the approach of modern dentistry in general. I view some modern dentistry practices as appropriate and beneficial. Yet, the foundation of today’s dental philosophy is similar to the mainstream medical model in that it focuses on treatment and not prevention.
I believe the focus of dentistry (like medicine) should be prevention of decay and disease through sound nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
This begins in utero (even pre-conception), when the teeth and jaw structure are formed, is well established through breastfeeding, and must be adhered to for one’s lifetime. Avoiding dental decay and disease through diet is challenging, as it means one must stray far from the standard American diet.
Remineralization
When most dentists detect a cavity, they suggest filling it, usually without thinking twice. However, what if teeth could be remineralized through a proper diet and oral hygiene routine? I believe they can.
Once drilled and filled, teeth are weakened and susceptible to further decay, but I believe that if we focus on prevention, we can avoid most cavities and subsequent oral health decline as a result of filling cavities.
Most of my teeth were drilled and filled in childhood and young adulthood, but I don’t want my children to go down the same path and struggle with susceptibility to decay for a lifetime because of it. I’m trying to learn more about prevention and remineralization so that my children can reap the benefits of a healthy mouth, which contributes to overall health.
Image by makelessnoise
There are several factors involved in tooth remineralization, mainly diet, Ph of saliva, and oral hygiene practices. Diet and saliva are inter-related and quite complex, I encourage you to dig deeply into the link between nutrition and oral health and possibly re-examine your own assumptions there. I hope you will take a closer look at your own oral hygiene routine as well, as what I’m sharing with you today is based solely on my research and conclusions as a mom. I am not a dentist!
Toothpaste cleans teeth and remove plaque, which is beneficial, but if your goal is to maintain healthy teeth through a proper diet, mainstream toothpastes will work against your efforts. Furthermore, they contain questionable ingredients that may do more harm than good.
Glycerin – Certainly not bad in and of itself if properly sourced, but its use in toothpaste may not be ideal. Some suggest it may leave a layer of film on the teeth that prevents remineralization. It can also be dangerous to our health if processed with dangerous chemicals, and I assume most toothpastes contain the cheapest possible source.
Sodium Laurel Sulfate – SLS is a known carcinogen. Some natural companies still stand behind it’s use and claim it is safe, but I prefer to stay on the safe side here.
Saccharin – This was the first ingredient I questioned when I started to re-think my approach to dental health and toothpaste several years ago. I avoid artificial sweeteners like the plague, as most of them are proven carcinogens, several contribute to obesity and other health problems, and some are excitotoxins, meaning they cause rapid firing and death of brain cells. And yet, we see the artificial sweetener, saccharin, in our toothpaste.
Fluoride - You knew I’d get to this one. I don’t claim to be an expert on fluoride, but from my basic understanding, fluoride is highly toxic in the form found in toothpaste and never found in nature in this state. If you’re trying to rebuild tooth enamel, just like with glycerin, a “protective” layer of fluoride is not ideal. It is also suggested that the layer it forms on teeth is much thinner than originally thought and is useless against protecting teeth from decay anyway.
A Safer Alternative
If you’re looking for a safe alternative to the common toothpastes, there are many options, from the more expensive natural toothpastes (be careful-- some contain some of these questionable ingredients) to simple recipes you can make at home.
I’ve been experimenting with my own homemade toothpaste recipe for a while now, after I realized how easy it is to make on my own and that I don’t need to spend a fortune on store-bought brands.
The most basic toothpaste alternative is a simple tooth powder. You can use baking soda alone or combine it with salt for a gentle yet abrasive clean, or you can use a mineral powder such as calcium and/or magnesium. I use Natural Calm brand. Some prefer to add hydrogen peroxide to their tooth powder right before use. I rinse with hydrogen peroxide, so I don’t add it to my powder or paste.
I began to add coconut oil to my recipe to form a paste (and for its beneficial antibacterial properties) and essential oils for flavor. For a while, my recipe included coconut oil, baking soda, a dash of salt, and essential oil.
I’ve since been searching for a solution to the salty taste of the baking soda and salt, which my children aren’t crazy about, and have recently decided to add xylitol to help combat the saltiness. I’m new to the use of xylitol, but it does appear to be safe and even looks promising for cavity prevention. I also recently added trace mineral drops to my paste. I use these to add minerals back into our reverse osmosis filtered water when making water kefir and I thought it would be a great addition to our toothpaste as well.
Homemade Toothpaste
2 Tbsp. coconut oil 2 Tbps. baking soda 2 Tbsp. calcium magnesium powder 2 Tbps. xylitol or green stevia powder 2 tsp. real sea salt 20 drops essential oil (I use peppermint.) 10 drops trace minerals
My style recipe would simply read: equal parts coconut oil, baking soda, calcium/magnesium powder, xylitol with a dash of salt, a few drops trace minerals, and essential oils to taste.
This toothpaste is a great follow up to oil pulling. Have you looked into oil pulling? Both oil pulling and a natural toothpaste like this one, in addition to flossing, can keep your teeth clean and healthy. With a proper diet that supports the necessary minerals for re-mineralization of teeth, I believe teeth can be healthier and whiter.
From what I understand, yellow teeth can be the result of reduced/demineralized enamel that allows the dentin beneath to show through. By strengthening that enamel through re-mineralization, teeth are not only healthier and free of cavities but also naturally whiter.
Stephanie's note: For more on the importance of diet for both preventing and reversing tooth decay, and the process of remineralizing teeth, I would highly recommend the book Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel. I'm currently reading it and even though I had learned some of these things previously (through Weston Price, etc.) I wish that I had looked more specifically into this topic long ago!
I have to disagree with Lexi. I've never had a cavity in my life, yet I received four drills and amalgam fillings in my brand new molars as a child, because the dentist said the grooves in my teeth were "too deep." I've since learned this was standard practice in the eighties, to pad the dentists' pockets. So if they will drill healthy teeth, they will drill a tooth that can remineralize.
Also, my toddler has clearly visible dentin on a front canine, yet that tooth is remineralizing through the use of cod liver oil, butter oil, a grain free diet, and brushing with virgin coconut oil. I have photographed the healing process weekly, and I can tell you, the enamel is "growing" back. (How he got the cavity is no mystery to me. I'm sure he is intolerant to grains. His apraxia is completely "cured" in a matter of months, and all signs of autism are gone. Grains are poison to some folks.)
Google "how to heal dental caries" and "how to remineralize teeth." You'll find published research stating it can be done and how.
I am a Registered Dental Hygienist, and I have access to and read many dental related EVIDENCE based research papers and find this article grossly inaccurate. The only helpful piece of information in this article is oil pulling as it has been shown to have great benefits in clinical trials. Baking soda and salt should NOT be used as a toothpaste as it is far too abrasive and leads to increased enamel wear and gingival recession which increases your risk not only to cavities, but to root caries as well, which decay much faster and often result in the tooth having to be extracted if it has moved below the gumline. SLS is a detergent and is found in many other products around the home I don't advocate for it as quite a few people have allergies to it, but if you're going to speak against it you should be mentioning all the products that contain it as well if it's in the interest of public awareness. As for fluoride, when it was first introduced into the drinking water system caries rates decreased by 53%... that's massive! Fluoride is toxic if taken in large amounts, but you'd have to drink about 4 litres of it. That's why you're not supposed to swallow toothpaste and kid's toothpaste does not contain fluoride as they don't have as much bodily control. Furthermore most big cities and many towns have a government regulated fluoride limit in their drinking water which must be kept between 0.7 and 1.2 ppm, which is even more than contained in your toothpaste which is usually around 0.02%. Fluoride helps to remineralize your teeth by drawing minerals- mainly calcium from your saliva and diet back to the tooth surface, helping to strengthen enamel and prevent sensitivity. There are oodles of trials and research supporting this! As a dental hygienist MY ENTIRE JOB is PREVENTION!!! That's what we do, unless you are the perfect brusher and flosser, which even I am not, and all your teeth are perfectly aligned, you will always develop a calculus buildup and no amount of brushing will ever take that off- professional care is required. Also, your insinuation that dentists will just fill any lesion is inaccurate and goes against their professional code of ethics. An incipient lesion (one that is not through the enamel, also the type that CAN be remineralized) will not be filled- this article explains nothing about this, and any cavities already having reached the underlying dentin will only get worse and by discouraging a visit to the dentist you are encouraging poor oral health which is directly linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and the list goes on! Also having a filling does NOT put you at an increased risk to more cavities... breakdown of the filling over many years combined with poor oral hygiene may lead to recurrent decay around the filling but that is in no way caused by the filling. I would expect the author of an article like this to have significantly better research skills- AND REFERENCES and to present the facts, not a one-sided personal opinion as it may have the ability to seriously affect someone's health.
Obviously prevention is super important but I'd like to know what these dental "experts" would recommend for those of us who can't afford to go to the dentist at this point or have insurance at a new job which won't start for some time but are worried about tooth decay? Obviously getting treatment from a dentist would be good but what can we do at home.
I am a dental hygiene student in my senior year now and we have had our brain pounded about this stuff. I am very proud of all the hygienists for sticking with their guns and continuing to educate those not in heir office. Fluoride is very very very important! It not only helps your teeth develops but gives your teeth the chance to remineralize by slowing or stoping the pregression of plaque buildup. Also, a dentists whole job is based on treatment. That is what they are there for. If you are visiting your dental hygienist every 6 months to 1 year, you should know this is her job. If you visit and still don't know this, get a new hygienist. She is there to educate you on prevention. Yes the dentist should let you know this too but it is not his job. That is why he hires a RDH. People just need to start caring and realize that their mouth is connected to the rest of their body and can help or hurt many diseases in the body.
I can't use coconut oil.. What could I replace that with?
Doesn't Baking Soda strip the enamel off your teeth?
I couldn't help but notice there aren't any references to back up all the "evidence" you presented in your post. I don't think I'm the only one who is interested in where you got your "facts". A lot of comments sound like a similar scenario of having a broken leg and praying it will heal itself because you heard that doctors are bad people who only went into their profession for money. As a Registered Dental Hygienist my job is to educate my patients and ensure they go home with correct knowledge on how they can prevent cavities. Notice I'm placing the responsibility on each and every one of my patients because I'm not at their house every day to brush and floss their teeth for them. I commend people who stand up for what they believe in, but I think it's unfair and cruel of you to let your readers believe things based on your personal opinion when their overall health and well-being are at stake...
Thank you for your comment here Jen. I too, am a Registered Dental Hygienist and completely agree with your statement. I am offended by the statement that "the foundation of today’s dental philosophy is similar to the mainstream medical model in that it focuses on treatment and not prevention." I dedicate a HUGE portion of my time teaching my patients how to care for their mouths and better their overall health through good oral health. Dentistry is one of the only professions which consistently works to put itself out of business (by trying to teach people how to PREVENT cavities!) I understand your concern over what you put into you body, but please do not suggest that dental professionals are concerned about our patients and their overall health.
I have found a dentist that focuses on remineralization and has a specific program to follow that she has done a lot of research on and has used on her own family. Your teeth feel wonderful and what she says makes a lot of sense. You might want to check out her website and blogspot where she will answer your questions. http://www.drellie.com and askdrellie.blogspot.com
I would add bentonite clay in there as well. :)
Natural calm gives me horrible nightmares.
Can you use magnesium powder in place of calcium magnesium powder?
The susceptibility to decay is not caused by the drilling and restoration. The drilling removes all of the decay and the restoration simply fills the hole. Once a person has bacteria that causes decay in their oral environment it wont go away.
Prevention is the best way to prevent decay. MI paste is a fluoride free calcium based recalcifying paste. The home made toothpaste seems like a good recipe I suggest adding some tea tree oil as it has bactericidal properties.
This all sounds great...the dental people know their stuff....but I just want to caution you people on one thing....DO NOT LET YOUR DOG GET A HOLD OF ANYTHING WITH Xylitol IN IT. XYLITOL CAN KILL YOUR DOG REALLY FAST. Xylitol is found in just about every kid of chewing gum. If you use it in your toothpaste make sure your dog don't get into it.
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp
Xylitol is actually found in few types of chewing gum since it is expensive. It has been proven to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans which is a key player in caries development. Thus, if a type of gum has it, companies make sure you know it's in there by saying so on the label. I don't know whether or not it's toxic to dogs, but if you're worried you can know that it's not in most types of gum and it's easy to find out if it has it.
Perhaps I am the only one that noticed this, but it jumped out at me and made me question the validity of the rest of your article.
Para 3: This begins in utero (even pre-conception),when the teeth and jaw structure are formed,
Um you do know what conception means right? And what pre means? I would like to know how you plan to prevent cavities pre-conception...
I think the sentence was just worded in a confusing way. She means that this begins in utero, while the teeth and jaw are being formed, and can also be prevented pre-conception due to the mom having excellent nutrient stores (particularly minerals) that ensure sufficient nutrients right in the very early stages of pregnancy before you even know that you are pregnant. Pre-conception preparation does make a difference, because some nutrients are stored by the body, and many women struggle to get in solid nutrition in the early weeks and months. If the nutrients were already there, baby is much more likely to get what it needs for excellent health.
Any suggestions for where I can find trace mineral drops? Also can I just grind up calcium magnesium tablets to get the powder needed for the recipe? Thanks?
you can get ConcenTrace trace mineral drops for a great price at Viatcost.com
Great post!! I agree with it all. As far as what the "dental pros" posted, I absolutely agree about the elimination of soft drinks- I think they should be banned since they do no one ANY good except for the manufacturers. My kids have never had them and when I see a mom putting coke in a sippy cup at the store, I just want to scream!!
On the other hand, I do find it very strange that the pros recommend eating dairy after eating a meal - which is so un-natural to our bodies. Dairy products are taxing on our digestive system as well as others systems in our body. Fruits and veggies contain all the "calcium-rich" foods anyone could ever need.
Thanks for the informational post, I will definitely be trying this toothpaste recipe.
Wow, you want to band pop? Who made you the freedom police? Why is it your business if I have a pop. Would you enjoy it if I came over & told you that you shouldn't be able to use things you like but I don't? Or if I told you how to practice your religion? Hands off my pop. Grow up & get a clue.
*ban
I found this to be way too salty. Will try again with less salt.
This was very interesting and I want to try it. My only concern is the rinsing with hydrogen proxcide. This is very strong to be using on your teeth. Long term daily use, it can do more harm than good to your gums and teeth. You should look into it
I have read that you should dilute the peroxide with water, half and half. I have been rinsing with this for a few months now and I love it . It leaves your mouth feeling clean without any flavor. My teeth feel clean and are shiny!
Amazing info and natural toothpaste recipe, i never would have thought to use calcium magnesium powder mixed with the baking soda, i must try. T hank u so much for your knowledge on this matter as im very concerned with my oral health.
Courtney,
As a licensed dental hygienist, I absolutely agree with you that prevention is a much better tool than waiting to fox problems after the fact. And certainly, better oral health makes for better overall health. However, cavities cannot simply be remineralized with new toothpastes and changes in diet. If a carious lesion (cavity) progresses to the point where it is able to "break" through the enamel, it needs to be treated in a dentist's office, as home treatments will no longer be sufficient.
If you really want to help your kids avoid fillings, I would, as dental auxiliary, advise the following:
- Ban soda from your house. soda, energy drinks, and sugary beverages are the number 1 bane of children's teeth. When I see what we refer to as "rampant ECC" (tons of decay in kids), carbonated sugary drinks are usually involved.
- Make sure your children are eating calcium-rich foods alongside vitamin D for the best mineral uptake.
- Give your kids some kind of dairy after each meal. Eating creates a more acidic oral environment, and dairy is basic, so it helps neutralize acid
- Switch over to xylitol as much as you can. Xylitol is a sugar that the bacteria in the mouth can't digest, so by starving them, it prevents decay from forming.
Fluoride - my mother feels the same way you do. However, when fluoride interacts with enamel, it created a very hard crystal that is difficult for bacteria to penetrate, called fluorapatite. I understand eliminating fluoride from drinking water over concerns of interaction with the digestive tract, but I advise a fluoride mouthrinse, or a fluoridated toothpaste.
Finally, if you must use homemade toothpaste, I would strongly suggest putting it through the spice grinder before you use it. Large particles are very abrasive, and can wear away protective enamel, which puts teeth at risk for caries. Smaller particles clean but do not cause damage.
Amen!!!! That was perfectly said. I am a recent graduate from dental hygiene and just took my state exam a few weeks ago and I am
So glad you addressed this post Jessica. Well said. :)
As a practicing dentist who sees primarily growing children, I wholeheartedly agree with Jessica. She states this wonderfully!
I am currently a dental student and I couldn't agree more with your post, Jessica! This is very well-written, nice work!
I have actually remineralized my daughters cavity. She had one on her front tooth, so I immediately stopped using commercial toothpaste since the glycerine in it prevents remineralization. I made my own and used it twice a day while also giving her cod liver oil and butter oil supplements and it healed itself in a month. There are many stories like mine, the key is that it takes up to 21 brushings to remove the glycerine from the teeth so it can take some patience!
Hi there! I have been using coconut oil and sometime a little oil of oregano for over two years. I love it. My dentist laughs at me but says whatever I am doing...keep doing it! I have very little plaque and my teeth are in great shape! two years ago, I had periodontal disease and they wanted to do some kind of antibiotic injections...so I found oil pulling and while I was not successful with it...it totally freaked me out..but now I am a pulling pro...I thought I could start with brushing my teeth and build up! Try it a few times before giving up!!
So you just brush with coconut oil and the Oreg. Oil? Or in conjunction with toothpaste?
My husband is a pediatric dentist and he tries to focus on prevention but the truth is, there are so many parents (& kids) who just don't care. BRUSH YOUR TEETH. FLOSS. It doesn't get any simpler. Of course genetics play a role and diet too, but of you're brushing for 2 mins twice a day, you can counteract a lot of the diet effects. No dentist I know pushes for treatment over prevention, but the people who don't care about taking care of their or their kids' teeth don't come in til they're in pain and it's too late for any other option. It's really sad to see 5-yr-olds who need teeth pulled bc their parents didn't care about prevention. It's not all on the dentist, ya know.
I wanted to add a comment. Im a dental hygienist- you say dentists should focus on preventions. THATS MY WHOLE JOB! The problem- people don't listen. I whip out the tooth brush show brushing technique, show flossing technique, discuss diet and cutting out sugar and acid. I bet 1 out of 100 people actually listening to everything we tell them too. You dont even have to change your diet. If you get a good electric TB (Like a sonicare) with a timer on it- brush with that for 2-4 minutes at least 2 x daily and floss at least 1 x daily you are going to keep the bacteria off your teeth. You can brush with just straight baking soda to remove plaque. Clean teeth with no plaque equals no cavities. But you are correct in that prevention is key. And to add to another comment dentists do not fill incipient decay- it has to be broken through the layer of enamel. Once the decay breaks through the enamel layer and is into the dentin layer it can spread quick. This is due to the fact that dentin is less dense than enamel.
The dentist i work for is anti-fluoride. I'd like to try out this toothpaste you made.
is there a substitute for coconut oil im allergic
you could use sesame seed oil for oil pulling, and castor oil works great to for brush your teeth with.
This post really concerns me! I'm a hygienist, and I would NEVER consider using something like this on my own teeth. First of all, you mentioned rinsing with hydrogen peroxide. While it does have it's purpose used orally, in a very limited way, it can be very damaging if used on a regular basis. Fluoride is not toxic in regular toothpaste, otherwise MOST children would be hospitalized from ingesting the fluoride. Someone would have to ingest several tubes of fluoridated toothpaste in order to have any type of toxicity from it. Fluoride, also, does not inhibit remineralization if it's in a thin layer on the tooth surface. That's what you want! Fluoride is what remineralizes the tooth surface, unless you get into some of the stronger remineralizing pastes (MI paste) that contain other remineralizing agents other than fluoride. While xylitol is a great supplement for aiding in cavity prevention, it does not remineralize the tooth structure. It has an effect on the metabolism of the bacteria causing tooth decay. In your toothpaste recipe, there is nothing in it to remineralize the actual tooth structure. Not to mention, the ingredients in the paste are extremely abrasive. Most adults have some form of sensitivity or recession, and those abrasive agents will only make it worse, wearing away either the actual enamel (the hardest outermost layer of the tooth) in combination w/ the mechanical action of toothbrushing, or it will damage and cause abrasion to any exposed root surfaces caused by recession.
The slimy layer that's always on your tooth is called biofilm. Unfortunately there is no way to remove it from your mouth. Your mouth will never be plaque free. Studies have shown that the biofilm layer does not inhibit remineralization, so really, what is the need to scrub your teeth on a daily basis w/ pumice paste? Would you also recommend a hard bristle toothbrush as well?
If you are worried about decay in your children, focus on their diets and making sure they get the gunk off their teeth. It takes saliva in your mouth 20 minutes to neutralize the acid caused by drinking any liquid(other than water) and 40 minutes to neutralize any food. Don't let them snack continuously, and limit their sugary drinks. Also, fluoride varnish provided by the dentist has been proven to be one of the greatest preventive strategies against tooth decay. If you belong to a dental practice that you feel isn't very conservative, ask the dentist to show you on an xray where the decay has invaded your tooth, or switch dentists to one who is more conservative.
I am a hygienist and we learned in school that it would take something like 32 gallons of fluoride to cause toxicity... Agree w everything u said!
I use xylitol..... I've done research in it and I recommend reading Dr. Ellie Phillips blog...http://askdrellie.blogspot.com/ I use the system she recommends and have used it for about a year now. It's a great system and my teeth are no longer as sensitive to cold. The xylitol actually rebuilt some beginning cavities in my back teeth.... and some small cavities as well.
I agree with a lot of your post. I have been a dental assistant for 8 years. The things that I do worry about in your post is that on pinterest it is being hailed as a "cure for cavities" and that you can "heal your cavities instead of having them drilled and filled" It is true that VERY small cavities and spots of demineralization can remineralize, however how it is coming across sounds as if you can heal a present cavity. I am hoping that everyone who reads this will take with a grain of salt and implement some of it if they wish, but I know that some out there will think that by doing these things their cavities will be healed, when in reality if the cavity has broken through the enamel and is into the dentin it will just progress into a worse cavity. The people who keep thinking their cavities might just be healing will end up with root canals if they let them go to long. Also you need to be very careful with using abrasive things in your mouth such as baking soda, They are just to abrasive and can cause gum recession. Even if you use store bought toothpaste you really shouldn't buy tatar control or whitening toothpaste, they are abrassive, and whitening toothpaste will only whiten your teeth if you have stains from smoking or drinking coffee. And lastly if you feel like your dentist (or doctor) isn't suggesting preventative measures and just wants to take all your money by fixing anything they can find, find a new dentist. It is not bad to "doctor shop". At our office we will watch cavities for 5+ years and only fill them when it becomes necessary, suggesting that the patient take preventative measures to keep those area's super clean in hopes that we could put off placing a filling for as long as possible!
Thanks! That's just my 2 cents!
I was on board till you stated xylitol. In your research you didn't see all the problems it cancer cause? Really? Good luck when your kids get diarrhea from it.
As a Registered Dental Hygienist I couldn't help but read this. As a dental health care professional I cannot help but caution those interested in preventing decay to consult their dentist or hygienist before "buying" into this approach to dental decay prevention. We as dental health care providers strive to educate our patients that prevention is at the top of our concerns for our patients. Decay is treated by "drilling and filling," only when decay has reached the dentin layer of the tooth. When decay is in the enamel layer it is possible to "reverse decay," or remineralize tooth structure. Again I stress to ask your dental health care provider before considering this approach. I also have concerns with the ingredients of day to day products and their long term effects on the body, but I also know that fluoride is a naturally occurring element and it has been a huge asset in helping patients maintain their oral health.
where do you find ingredients 3, 4, 6, 10? also the coconut oil is that the cooking coconut oil?
A tooth can only remineralize if the decay hasn't gone through the enamel. No competent dentist would fill a cavity that could remineralize. They're called incipient cavities. The moment the decay gets through the enamel, no home remedy is going to fix it.
Fluoride is actually a key component in tooth enamel. Fluoride also fights sensitivity and indirectly kills bacteria. As a dental professional, I can tell who grew up using fluoride and who didn't. I know fluoride is controversial. Please remember that in regards to fluoride, anyone can find any study to back up his/her opinion (whether for or against).
I use natural products as often as possible and I am a DIY-er. I wouldn't mind using my own toothpaste, but I would follow it up by using a fluoride product (either prescription gel or fluoride mouthwash). And I would not let my kids go without fluoride in some form.
Also, xylitol also kills cavity causing bacteria when used within a certain protocol. Unless I already had stevia only available, I would use xylitol instead of stevia for this purpose.
Where can you find/get ingredients #3,4 & 7?
I've read that the best oils to use are refined sunflower oil or sesame oil and that other oils have been found to be less effective and thus were not recommended.
Perhaps this is why the coconut oil didn't yield great results? Very curious to see someone try them.
Courtney, I found your article so interesting. I tried a natural toothpaste (Toms) with no flouride in it. After 2 weeks of using it, I had extreme sensitivity in my teeth, with some pain in a couple of areas. I went to the dentist and she told me that I needed to start using flouride again as I had some small cracks in some of my teeth. Once I started using the flouride again, my teeth stopped hurting. I would prefer to not use flouride and start with your recipe, but not sure if I should now. Any thoughts/advice? Thanks!
Start using more xylitol. I also use calcium bentonite clay to help remineralize
Belinda I am a dental hygienist and I would guess that you probably are experiencing most of your sensitivity from recession (areas of your tooth where the gums have receded and your root of your tooth is now showing). Fluoride is so so so important when you have roots of your teeth showing. The root of your tooth has no enamel on it so cavities spread like wildfire on your roots, and fluoride is so important to prevent the cavities and to help with sensitivity. There are little canals in your teeth on the roots that go from the outside to the nerve inside, and causing you sensitivity. When you use a sensitivity toothpaste it helps to block these canals so a pain isn't sent to the nerve causing you sensitivity.