So the craze for coconut oil has spilled over into oral hygiene. Have you heard of oil pulling? You swirl oil around in your mouth for as long as you can (up to 20 minutes) and apparently the toxins collect and are ejected when you spit it out. Coconut oil is recommended for this ancient Ayurvedic dental technique.
Scientists are now suggesting that using enzyme-modified coconut oil in dental hygiene products is a great alternative to chemical additives, particularly as it works at relatively low concentrations. Also, with increasing antibiotic resistance, we need to be looking for new ways to combat microbial infection.
Using a more natural solution for toothpaste is a great choice for anyone trying to avoid harmful chemicals. Toothpaste often contains triclosan (basically a pesticide), sodium laurel sulfate (can irritate some folks’ skin and gums), fluoride (not good if you have thyroid issues and probably not good for any of us), and artificial sweeteners like aspartame or xylitol (which are just disgusting, in my opinion!).
Basic toothpaste
So here goes with a very basic toothpaste. Just mix equal quantities of baking soda and extra virgin coconut oil. It’s that simple. If you search for other recipes on the web there are tons. You can add flavors like mint (avoid essential oils taken orally), sweeteners (why?), and even fluoride if you’re crazy enough.
Got any left over? Use it to cleanse your face. The Baking Soda pH level chills out acne and bacteria.
Mixing a big batch? Throw in some Arrowroot starch and you can make your own deodorant. Check out the video below.
Deodorant
Squirrel Tip: This is probably a great way to clean your dog’s teeth, too.