No need to brush your teeth with harsh chemicals and questionable ingredients. Try this simple combination of sea salt and baking soda!
I have not used toothpaste for years. I oil pull regularly, rinse with myrrh and clove oils, and use the following recipe to help keep my gums and teeth clean.
The recipe is based on the advice of controversial dentist, Dr. Hal Huggins, a leading proponent of the mercury-free movement, who states in his Client Education Packet:
Salt and soda will improve the health of almost anyone’s gum with 2 or 3 days use, then continue to use as long as you want healthy teeth and gums.
About 20% salt, 80% baking soda. Some like 50/50, some 10/90. The more salt the better for your gum. It feels like brushing your teeth with sand, yet is less abrasive than any tooth paste.
As a side note, Dr. Huggins recommends rinsing with a specific type of vitamin C.
I have seen amazing results in 48 hours from rinsing with vitamin C, believe it or not. But a specific type. Use only the sodium ascorbate powder. Not ascorbic acid. The acid form might dissolve your teeth off the gumline. One quarter of a tsp will dissolve in 4 ounces of water, and rinse with a hard flushing action, pulling the water in between your teeth.
Recently I’ve started incorporating non-GMO xylitol into my tooth powder recipe, not only for flavor, but for added benefit.
Why Add Xylitol?
According to the California Dental Association:
Xylitol inhibits the growth of the bacteria that cause cavities. It does this because these bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) cannot utilize xylitol to grow.
Over time with xylitol use, the quality of the bacteria in the mouth changes and fewer and fewer decay-causing bacteria survive on tooth surfaces. Less plaque forms and the level of acids attacking the tooth surface is lowered.
Xylitol is often derived from genetically-modified corn. I stick with non-GMO xylitol derived from birch. (Sources here.)
This simple recipe offers a gentle way to clean your gums and teeth.
Save Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sea salt
- 3/4 cup baking soda
- 1 teaspoon non-GMO xylitol
- 1/2 teaspoon bentonite clay
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 5-10 drops peppermint or wintergreen essential oil
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in glass bowl.
- Stir by hand. (Or use food processor if doubling or tripling the recipe.)
- Pour into small mason jars and distribute among family members.
In addition to my tooth powder and oil pulling regimen, I frequently apply a turmeric powder paste to help whiten my teeth. I use a miswak, an age-old natural alternative to the modern toothbrush. It’s a twig made from the Salvadora persica tree, and has a long history of use dating back 7,000 years. I buy mine here. (I use the miswak to stimulate my gums as well.)
(Not all of my kids have embraced the tooth powder. For them I buy Dr. Jaikaran’s Herbodent toothpaste found here.)
Thankfully, there are a myriad of options when it comes to natural dental care. Why take a chance on common toothpaste ingredients like propylene glycol, titanium dioxide, and sodium lauryl sufate? For now, I’ll “stick” with my miswak and homemade tooth powder.
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Is this safe for babies?
That’s a great question! I’m not sure what is best for babies honestly. I know that less would be more in terms of any product. Knowing what I know about a miswak I would probably use that on an infant.
Could you use the tumeric powder as part of the toth powder ingredience and could one use Himalayen salt instead any sea salt? How much clove and myrrh (eo ?) do you use for rinsing?
Himalayan sea salt is perfect for the recipe. I wouldn’t hesitate to add turmeric! 2-3 drops in a cup of water. The blend lasts for several days. I hope that helps, Ellie.
My mother used to keep a ”””’sweet-
My mother used to carry or keep a ‘sweet gum’ twig with her all the time and rub her teeth with that real often and her teeth were beautiful! I do remember sometimes she would rub something on it but I don’t remember what it was. I really need something to get the yellow from my gum-lines !! Any suggestions?
I use the miswak and a water pik to help this. I also rub the tooth powder on my gums. There are lots of suggestions to help with this naturally – keep trying to till you find something that works for you, Wanda!
Thanks for posting this, Andrea. I priced a tooth power at an organic food store and it was prohibitively expensive. Do you have to use the bentonite clay and the oils in the recipe? Also, I have heard about oil pulling but it sounds unappealing to me. How do you do it and do you use organic coconut oil?
One more question – are you going to have a special on the Christmas balm this year? It’s great.
You definitely can skip the clay. It’s basically the baking soda and salt that are important here. I go for a walk and oil pull. About a teaspoon of oil and swish it around for 15 minutes or so. I don’t find it unappealing anymore, but I’m used to it. I do use organic coconut oil, but you can also use sesame oil. I’ll be thinking about the special on the Balm. That’s a great idea. I’m glad you like it.