A Homemade Alternative to Toothpaste

Baking soda has been used to clean teeth throughout history, and is a staple in most folk remedy books and magazines. But how does it compare to the toothpaste available at most stores? Environmental writer Naomi Szeben makes the claim that homemade baking soda toothpaste saves money, and is better for the environment, while plastic toothpaste tubes and dispensers only end up littering landfills in the long run.

So is baking soda a better alternative? A quick search on any search engine will turn out several results for making your own natural toothpaste with different combinations of baking soda and natural ingredients. freelance writer Mary Ann Romans offers a simple recipe for baking soda based homemade toothpaste that involves mixing baking soda and salt at a 3:1 ratio, plus 3 tablespoons glycerin and water as needed to produce a paste-like consistency. Natural flavorings such as peppermint oil and vanilla can be added to improve the taste as per individual preferences.

Baking soda can also cut down on the need for commercial teeth whitening products, according to eHow editor Tammy Gray-Searles in an article about natural toothpaste. She writes that baking soda often whitens teeth "without damage" for even more money savings, and can be augmented with a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide for extra whitening power. She also warns against storing plain baking soda in the bathroom, however, as it can clump together in humid environments.

But is baking soda as effective as regular commercial toothpastes? Many people are initially concerned about the lack of fluoride, which is added to store bought teeth cleaning products as a cavity preventative. Some people are actually starting to argue that fluoride is not only unnecessary for dental health, but more harmful to the human body and brain than it's worth.

Harvard-educated doctor Richard Shames (M.D.) and his wife Karilee Halo Shames, a Registered Nurse with a Ph.D. in Holistic Studies, make the claim that fluoridation of toothpaste and water is a serious threat to the human body, capable of causing common health problems such as hypothyroidism, autoimmune disorders, and even cancer. They mention the use of fluoride throughout history as a toxin, including use in wartime prison camps to subdue and sicken prisoners. To back up their claims, the doctors report that many industrialized countries have banned the practice of public fluoridation out of concern over its safety. Past research has not backed up such frightening claims, but some scientists are currently re-examining the need for fluoridation.

Of most concern to any parent is the issue that fluoride toothpaste may not be safe for young children, who often swallow it accidentally. All toothpaste labels include a warning about keeping the product away from children under 6 unless supervised, and state that a Poison Control Center should be contacted in the case of a person swallowing the product. Whether you believe that fluoride is safe or toxic, this should be evidence enough that young children might be better off with a natural, fluoride free toothpaste up until a certain age at least. Baking soda might be a good alternative.

For anybody concerned about saving money, living an environmentally friendly lifestyle, or protecting their health, homemade baking soda toothpaste might be something worth trying.

Naomi Szeben, "How to Make Your Own Toothpaste: Frugal and Enviro-Friendly Ways to Fight Tooth Decay." Suite101

Mary Ann Romans, "Make Your Own Toothpaste." Families

Tammy Grat-Searles, "How to Brush Your Teeth With Baking Soda" eHow

Richard Shames and Karilee Halo Shames, "Fluoride: A Bad Idea Whose Time Has Passed" thyroid-info