I’m chronically tired (Dr. Axe, I wish you were my doctor :) ), and frequently washing out my sink is not my first priority, but are the health benefits worth it? More peppermint oil for example? You may be surprised to learn that you can brush your teeth without any toothpaste at all. Plus it has a lot of nasty side effects. This way you can scoop it out when very firm or dip your brush in it if it liquefies (and re-mix it if it separates). Not to be confused with cocoa (a chemically-treated product), cacao is raw chocolate and it is loaded with nutrients and trace minerals. But whether he likes it or not, we’re going to keep doing it (he hates going to the dentist, too) and I will just do my best to modify the taste for him. Which one do you recommend? Thanks! If you care about your health and that of your family, then you are really careful about what you put on the table and what they put in their mouths. Kim—I'm glad I could meet you for lunch today. How can I make this without the coconut oil? I really hope this stuff works!! Coconut oil has one odd characteristic: it melts at about 76 degrees Fahrenheit, which means your toothpaste will be very stiff in cool conditions and runny and prone to separating if it gets warmer than 75 F. This changeability doesn’t affect how well your toothpaste works. Cacao nibs (or powder). Kim: And remember, you do not have to put up with mouth sores and throat pain. Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing. But feel free to experiment with different combinations and proportions until you get a toothpaste that works for you and your family. It'll help your mouth stay clean and feel better. . Also, it’s hard to get it to stay on your brush. Sea salt. (Type: MP3 | Time: 3:26 | Size: 3.2MB)View Transcript. Just mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. I really have a tough time with my teeth and have to get one pulled tomorrow. Is is just for the taste? This finely powdered product is a mild abrasive, alkaline so it helps neutralize excess acid in the mouth, full of trace minerals, and helps draw toxins out of the body. You can use less coconut oil if you are worried about it making a mess but it shouldn’t be a problem in your sink because you are using a very small amount of the mixture on your toothbrush. It also has the advantage of remaining liquid down to 32 F. So once you mix up a paste, it is going to stay the same firmness regardless of changes in room temperature. Baking soda has many uses. are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies. Propylene glycol. If you want tooth-friendly sweetness, stevia is a good choice. But, being a sugar alcohol, it has a unique quality that may make it a good sweetener for toothpaste. It is probably reasonably safe to consume, but it may interfere with tooth mineralization. Thanks!!! When mixed with liquid, this natural product creates a gluey substance that helps thicken toothpaste and keep it from separating. I mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. But this is by far the easiest recipe and the ingredients are handy. Keep it up. Drugs used to treat cancer and certain bone problems may also cause oral problems. Yes, you can add in more peppermint essential oil to better the taste. Gina: Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) I’ve tried the thieves oil and that didn’t work either. Ahhhhh…. But no one is going to rave about the flavor (salty) or mouthfeel (mildly gritty) of brushing with plain baking soda. Otherwise, by itself, guar gum powder is hard to mix with water without making lumps. I’ve read on other sites where people have complained of the mess that the coconut oil leaves in their sinks, so I leave it out and moisten my paste with water. How long might they last? Is this harmful for her? An antimicrobial chemical linked to numerous health and environmental problems. I love to use peppermint in my toothpaste as well! How to Work With Your Health Insurance Plan, Questions to Ask about Treatment Clinical Trials, Drugs Approved for Different Types of Cancer, Drugs Approved for Conditions Related to Cancer, Listen to tips on how to manage mouth or throat pain caused by cancer treatments such as radiation therapy, Relieving Mouth Sores from Cancer Treatment: The Discovery of Palifermin, Oral Complications of Chemotherapy and Head/Neck Radiation (PDQ®)–Patient Version, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hydrogen Peroxide. Making foods soft and moist is a good idea. are clickable links to these studies. Is this a safe way to go or is this toxic? Who cares what color your toothpaste is, anyway? Recent studies have linked it to poor gut health. If foods taste salty, bitter, or acidic, try sweetening them. Try rinsing with the baking soda and salt mixture Gina found so helpful. It’s important to call your doctor or nurse if you have pain in your mouth, lips, or throat that makes it difficult to eat, drink, or sleep or if you have a fever of 100.5 °F (38 °C) or higher. And don't have sour drinks like orange, lemon, or grapefruit juice if they hurt your mouth or throat. We’d rather stick with natural flavor, thank you. And I think I'll stay away from salty, sugary or spicy foods, and sour drinks. Mouth pain is no fun. Then I swish it around in my mouth and spit it out. Sugar alcohols are attractive to bacteria. So we all know or have heard of somebody with chronic kidney diseases, leading to dialysis or even transplants, etc. What is the benefit of the xylitol powder? I don’t recommend using products with fluoride. It’s a natural, gentle, healing combination that is great for a variety of issues.