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Many commercial toothpastes are full of chemicals and ingredients that can actually be harmful to our bodies particularly over the longer term. Yes, it is true that you can purchase ‘natural toothpaste’ but even with some of these it is worth checking out the ingredients just to make sure that the substitutes they have made are an improvement on what you are replacing.
In short, whilst it is true that there are exceptions when it comes to commercially available natural toothpastes the word ‘natural’ does not necessarily mean that it is better for you. A little like some diet foods that may be reduced in fat but contain increased salt to improve the flavour.
Luckily, there are a few truly natural alternatives to commercial toothpastes that you might want to experiment with to see if they suit you or not. Some of these may not be particularly pleasant but could be better for your overall health in the longer term. Why not at least give them a go?
Baking Soda is a great natural toothpaste with very few side effects or health implications. It is relatively cheap and easily available in your local supermarket or store. By mixing it with some natural peppermint oil and a little water until it forms a paste you have a cheap, effective and most importantly natural toothpaste. Baking soda can be found as an active ingredient in certain toothpastes and is well known for its benefits in terms of helping to whiten your teeth.
If you are feeling brave then sea salt dissolved in water is a great natural toothpaste solution. It is not particularly advisable to add peppermint oil if for no other reason than the taste combination is not great but feel free to experiment if you want to do so. Sea salt is readily available but it does take a little commitment to stick with the taste unless it is naturally to your preferences.
The most surprising natural toothpaste on our list is Coconut Oil. It has naturally occurring anti-bacterial properties and is a sweeter alternative (actually more like the polar opposite taste) of its sea salt alternative. If you are looking for the ultimate natural combination then you can do a lot worse than combining baking soda, a couple of drops of peppermint oil and some coconut oil into a paste and using that mixture for brushing your teeth on a regular basis.