All-natural Recipe for Toothpaste and Mouthwash

Making your own homemade toothpaste and mouthwash is a fun and easy way to ensure your family takes care of their teeth in a safe and natural way. By making your own oral care products you have complete control over what goes into the product and you can eliminate toxic ingredients such as fluoride. The ingredients are simple and easily found in your grocery store and are inexpensive. Many health food stores sell fluoride-free, natural toothpaste and mouthwashes as well.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride was first added to water supplies and oral care products in the 40s and 50s. It was thought and believed that fluoride was good for our teeth and safe for small amounts of consumption. More recent studies have shown that may not be the case. Fluoride is a hazardous waste by-product from various industries such as aluminum manufacturers. It is added to a number of household cleaners, glass etching solutions, mood altering medications, rat poison, pesticides, and toothpaste and mouthwashes. It is also the active ingredient for sarin nerve gas.

What Does Fluoride Do?

According to David R. Hill, the idea that fluoride is good for our teeth was based on studies conducted on children during the late 80s. The test was conducted on children living in fluoridated area and children who weren’t. The number once stated that children in fluoridated areas had 75 percent less tooth decay compared to children who didn’t. The results were later re-analysed and the numbers were found to be wrong; it was closer to a 25 percent difference. Careful re-analysis by John A. Yiamouyiannis, Ph.D in 1990 found that was not the truth. In fact, he found that there was no significant difference between children living in fluoridated areas and those living in non-fluoridated areas in the level of tooth decay and missing teeth.

The consumption of fluoride can cause serious health complications. It has been linked to brittle bones, shortened life span, certain cancers, and reduced sperm counts. It has been shown to lower intelligent levels and to make people docile and subservient. Fluoride has also been linked to sterility in women.

Possible Symptoms of Fluoride Poisoning

These are not all symptoms of fluoride poisoning, but most have been linked to overexposure to fluoride and fluoride products. For more information read at Fluoride Toxicity Research Collaborative.

• arthritis
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• white or brown spots on teeth (dental fluorosis)
• gum disease
• teeth weakness and problems
• thyroid diseases
• gastrointestinal problems
• fibromyalgia

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have fluoride poisoning. To be diagnosed see your doctor.

According to Fluoride Action Network, there is enough fluoride in one tube of toothpaste to kill a child.

All-Natural Fluoride Free Toothpaste and Mouthwash Recipes

Old Fashioned Tooth Powder

• 2 tablespoons dried lemon, orange or grapefruit peel
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 2 teaspoons sea salt

With a mortar or food processor grind the peels into a fine powder. Add the baking soda and salt and grind until you get a fine powder. Store your powder in an air tight container. Dip moistened toothbrush in the powder and brush as usual.

Basic Toothpaste Recipe

• 1 teaspoon old fashion tooth powder
• ¼ teaspoon hydrogen peroxide
• 1-2 drops of flavoring extract (optional)

Mix into a paste and brush as usual. Some flavoring you can add are vanilla, almond, lemon, peppermint, spearmint, and cinnamon.

Natural Fluoride-free Toothpaste for Kids

• 4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon of flavoring extract (Vanilla, almond, and spearmint are good choices)

Mix everything together and store in an air tight container. Make sure the lid goes back on tightly after each use or it will dry out.

Rosemary Mouthwash

I got this recipe when I was studying with Susun Weed:

• 1 ounce (a little more than half a cup) dried rosemary
• 1 quart jar with lid
• boiling water

Put the rosemary in your jar. Pour the boiling water into the jar until it is almost full. Gently stir to get all the rosemary wet. Top up the water level until the jar is full, leaving one inch headspace in the jar. Cap the jar and let it infuse for at least four hours to over night. Strain the plant matter off and store in a jar in the bathroom. Rinse your mouth as usual.

Fresh Strawberry Juice

Fresh strawberry juice will help remove tartar and whiten your teeth. Just hold some in your mouth and swish around like you would a mouthwash for a few minutes. Spit out and rinse your teeth with warm water. Add a little baking soda to make it more effective.

Sources:

• Fluoride: risks and benefits?
• Toxicity, Fluoride from EMedicine from WebMD
• How to make homemade toothpaste and tooth cleansers?
• Kershaw, Linda, Edible& Medicinal Plants of the Rockies, Lone Pine Publishing