I first learned of the dangers of fluoride several years ago. Due to the fact it is a known neurotoxin, I decided to stop using products that contain fluoride. I have tried several brands of toothpaste over the years, but most have inactive ingredients I am not comfortable using. I have been making my own homemade toothpaste for the past three years. I have used a variety of different ingredients in the batches I have made over the past few years. You can choose to mix and use the dry ingredients as a tooth powder or add coconut oil and or other liquid ingredients for a toothpaste.
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"In 2016, NTP completed a systematic review of the published animal literature looking at neurobehavioral effects of exposure to fluoride during development and adulthood in rats and mice. The assessment found a low to moderate level of evidence that supports adverse effects on learning and memory in animals exposed to fluoride in the diet or drinking water. The evidence was strongest in animals exposed as adults and weaker in animals exposed during development" (14).
I will briefly review the evidence supporting the use of a variety of ingredients to aid in oral health.
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium Carbonate is the main ingredient in most store-bought toothpaste. Calcium is needed to build strong bones and is necessary for overall homeostasis. Calcium carbonate has been shown to whiten teeth (9). It may also help prevent sensitivity when used alongside the amino acid L-arginine (11). You can use cleaned powdered eggshells as an alternative if you choose.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is used in many commercial and homemade oral hygiene products. Studies show baking soda can reduce oral malodor and has antibiotic properties, helping to decrease levels of S mutans in saliva and plaque (2 & 4). A 2008 study found that “baking soda dentifrices enhanced plaque removal effectiveness of tooth brushing to a significantly greater extent than the non-baking soda dentifrice products”(12). Baking soda is necessary as an abrasive to help remove plaque, diatomaceous earth can be used as a substitute.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) contains trace minerals, including silica. “There is no question that silicon appears to have a beneficial role in bone formation and in bone health. Silica may also be essential for normal growth and development in higher animals, including humans, primarily in the formation of bone and connective tissue” (7). Please ensure to use FOOD GRADE DE only. DE is an optional ingredient. It can be abrasive and is not necessary if using baking soda.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a cheap and effective way to prevent infection and manage oral health that has been used for decades around the world. Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy that can be used in preventative regimes to improve oral health and dental hygiene (15). A 2015 study indicated that “oil pulling using coconut oil could be an effective adjuvant procedure in decreasing plaque formation and plaque-induced gingivitis” (10). You can find bulk organic Coconut Oil from Mountain Rose Herbs. iHerb also has a great selection of Organic Coconut oil if you do not desire to buy in bulk
Fulvic/Humic Acid
A 2013 study indicated fulvic acid was “highly active against all of the oral bacteria tested, including gingivitis. Several oral diseases, including periodontitis, derive from microbial biofilms and are associated with increased antimicrobial resistance. Fulvic acid is shown to possess broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, with a supplementary function of being able to down-regulate inflammation” (13). The addition of fulvic and humic acid can be beneficial to add to any toothpaste or powder but is optional. If you do not have fulvic acid, the addition of DE and or trace minerals can be beneficial.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral properties. A 2011 study found cinnamon oil to be more effective than clove oil, “exhibiting a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity inhibiting all the ten test bacterial species involved in dental caries” (5). Cinnamon oil was found to be effective against Streptococcus mutans, which is a major cause of bacteria of dental plaque. There are a few different types of cinnamon, including sweet cinnamon, cassia cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon, etc, but I will not go into details about each type in this article. You can add Cinnamon powder to your toothpaste or powder. If you are making a paste, cinnamon essential oil can be used. If you do not have any type of cinnamon, feel free to leave it out.
Clove
Clove oil is well known for its ability to help with toothaches. Clove is known to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antiseptic, antifungal, and anticancer properties, amongst others (8). Clove powder and essential oil have similar benefits and have been used in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine to treat oral infections for centuries. The addition of clove is beneficial to any toothpaste or powder but is optional.
Ormus
Monoatomic gold is a trace element that has been shown to significantly improve I.Q scores after only one month of administration and to help with rheumatoid arthritis by reducing joint tenderness, swelling, and fatigue (1). There are some reports colloidal gold, also known as Ormus, can aid in the remineralization of the teeth; however, they are not currently supported by clinical studies.
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite Clay is used in many tooth powders and pastes available on the market. Most bentonite clay is intended for external use only, so I have never included it in any of my personal recipes.
Activated Charcoal
There are many products on the market that contain Activated Charcoal and claim to help whiten teeth. However, there are no adequate clinical studies to support those claims currently. I have not included activated charcoal in my recipe, but you may choose to include it in your own recipe if you wish.
Trace Minerals
The addition of Trace Minerals can be beneficial to help with the remineralization of the teeth and should be included especially if you do not have Fulvic acid or DE.
Essential Oils
Cinnamon Oil
Many Essential Oils (EOs) have oral health benefits. The benefits of clove oil are similar to the benefits mentioned above related to clove powder. Cinnamon oil also retains the same beneficial properties as mentioned above. DO NOT USE undiluted EOs directly on the skin or in the mouth. Please ensure to dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil prior to use on the skin or mucous membranes.
Myrrh Oil
Myrrh has antibacterial, antiparasitic, analgesic, antimicrobial, astringent, antifungal, antiseptic, immune-boosting, and anti-inflammatory properties, among others. A 2020 study “revealed that Myrrh oil is effective on both S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp. Therefore, myrrh oil is a potential antibacterial product of interest in dental caries" (6).
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is one of the most popular and widely used EOs on the market. There are other forms of mint oils available including but not limited to spearmint oil and other mint oil blends. Peppermint oil is known to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibiofilm properties (3).
Lemon Oil
Lemon oil has antiseptic, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. A 2015 study indicated lemon oil has antifungal potential against three species of Candida (C. Albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata); therefore, it may be an effective remedy against candidiasis (3). The addition of lemon oil or any other EOs is optional.
Keep in mind that this is a homemade product and a personal recipe. It has not been clinically tested and, therefore, does not have any FDA-confirmed benefits. Information and studies related to the ingredients are for anecdotal purposes only.
Ingredients
5 Tsp Calcium Carbonate
2 Tsp Baking Soda
1 Tsp Diatomaceous Earth
½ Tsp Fulvic/humic Acid
½ Tsp Cinnamon
¼ Tsp Clove
¼ Tsp Monoatomic Gold
3-5 TBS Coconut Oil
Xylitol powder (optional, helps with taste)
Trace minerals are optional if fulvic/humic or diatomaceous earth is unavailable.
Instructions
Mix together calcium powder, DE, baking soda, monoatomic gold/Ormus, fulvic powder, cinnamon, clove, and optional xylitol in a small to medium-sized bowl.
If you wish to make tooth powder you are done and can place it in a small container to store. If you desire toothpaste, follow the additional steps listed below.
Add coconut oil 1 TBS at a time until the desired consistency or amount is reached.
Add trace minerals, liquid monoatomic gold, and or any essential oils desired.
Store in a container of your choice.
To use, dip a clean toothbrush into the powder/paste, or scoop the powder with a small spoon or popsicle stick and apply it directly to the toothbrush.
If you just aren’t up to making your own toothpowder or paste, you can find high-quality toothpowder at Mountain Rose Herbs and a wide variety of fluoride-free toothpaste online through iHerb.
References
1.) Abraham, G., McReynolds, S., & Dill, J. (2021). Effect of Colloidal Metallic Gold on Cognitive Functions: A Pilot Study. Retrieved from Purest Colloids: https://www.purestcolloids.com/colloidal-gold-studies.php
2.) Brunette, D. (1996). Effects of baking-soda-containing dentifrices on oral malodor. Compend Contin Educ Dent Suppl, 17(19). 22-32. PMID: 11524864.
3.) Dagli, N., Dagli, R., Mahmoud, R. S., & Baroudi, K. (2015). Essential oils, their therapeutic properties, and implication in dentistry: A review. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry, 5(5), 335–340.
4.) Drake, D. (1997). Antibacterial activity of baking soda. Compend Contin Educ Dent Suppl., 18(21). 17-21. PMID: 12017929.
5.) Gupta, C., Kumari, A., Garg, A., Et. Al. (2011 ). Comparative study of cinnamon oil and clove oil on some oral microbiota. Acta Biomed, 82(3). 197-9. PMID: 22783715.
6.) Izzeldien, R., Abdulaziz, S., Et. Al. (2020). Impact of Commiphora myrrha on bacteria (Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species) related to dental caries. Retrieved from BioRxiv preprint: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.15.341180v1.full.pdf
7.) Jugdaohsingh, R. (2007). Silicon and bone health. The journal of nutrition, health & aging, 11(2), 99–110.
8.) Kamatou, G., Vermaak, I., & Viljoen, A. (2012). Eugenol—From the Remote Maluku Islands to The International Market Place: A Review of a Remarkable and Versatile Molecule. Molecules, 17(6):6953-6981.
9.) Matheson, J, Cox, T, Baylor, Et. Al. (2004). Effect of toothpaste with natural calcium carbonate/perlite on extrinsic tooth stain. Int Dent J, 54(5 Suppl 1):321-5.
10.) Peedikayil, F. C., Sreenivasan, P., & Narayanan, A. (2015). Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis - A preliminary report. Nigerian medical journal: journal of the Nigeria Medical Association, 56(2), 143–147.
11.) Petrou, I., Heu, R., Stranick, M., Et. Al. (2009). A breakthrough therapy for dentin hypersensitivity: how dental products containing 8% arginine and calcium carbonate work to deliver effective relief of sensitive teeth. J Clin Dent, 20(1):23-31. PMID: 19489189.
12.) Putt, M., Milleman, K., Ghassemi, A., & Al., E. (2008). Enhancement of plaque removal efficacy by tooth brushing with baking soda dentifrices: results of five clinical studies. J Clin Dent., 19(4). 111-9.
13.) Sherry, L., Millhouse, E., Lappin, D., Et. Al. (2013). Investigating the biological properties of carbohydrate derived fulvic acid (CHD-FA) as a potential novel therapy for the management of oral biofilm infections. BMC Oral Health.
14.) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Fluoride: Potential Developmental Neurotoxicity. Retrieved from National Toxicology Program. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/noncancer/completed/fluoride/index.html
15.) Woolley, J., Gibbons, T., Patel, K., & Sacco, R. (2020). The effect of oil pulling with coconut oil to improve dental hygiene and oral health: A systematic review. Heliyon, 6(8), e04789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04789.
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