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One of the most pleasant surprises since adopting a Paleo diet has been the “all clear” at the dentist every 6 months. That may not sound like a big deal to some of you but this girl had cavities every. single. time! I attribute that to years of a low fat vegetarian diets. For healthy teeth, weneednutrient dense foods such grass fed meat, especially liver!, bone broth, pastured egg yolks, and healthy fats. Dr. Weston A. Price, a dentist in the thirties, studied traditional cultures and wrote extensively in his book Nutrition and Physical Degenerationabout the detrimental effects on health of foods such as refined flour, sugar and vegetable oils.
Its not uncommon for people who adopt a Paleo, Primal or Weston A Price type diet to reverse cavities. Bet you haven’t heard a PSA on TV withthatinfo, have you!? Instead what we do get is one commercial after another of why this homemade toothpaste is better than that, or why we need this mouthwash in addition to brushing.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not telling you to stop brushing your teeth! Although I will confess that it no longer freaks me out when the kids conk out for the evening having not brushed since all they had for dinner was grass-fed meat and a bunch of veg slathered in coconut oil or pastured bacon fat. (Their dental health is amazing!)
Back to the common store bought toothpaste available (yes, even at the pricey health food store)…. Here’s the thing, if you wouldn’t eat it, or worse, if it says on the package to call poison control if swallowed, you probably shouldn’t be brushing your teeth with it, right?
Ingredients for this easy homemade toothpaste:
- 3 Tbsp of coconut oil (where to buy coconut oil)
- 3 Tbsp of baking soda (where to buy baking soda)
- 8-15drops of essential oil (optional, I love peppermint) (where to buy essential oil)
Directions for making your own toothpaste:
Mix the coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint oil. Once it is well mixed put into a small glass jar with a lid. We like to use a baby food jar. In order to mix in the winter (under 76 degrees) you may have to warm up the coconut oil on the stove over low heat to bring it to a liquid state. In warm weather the oil and baking soda may separate, so mixing before using might be necessary. You can make a separate one for each family member to avoid sharing germs or simply use a small spoon to apply some “paste” to your brush.
If you think we’ve gone cray crazy and just want to know where you can buy some decent toothpaste that won’t be poisonous, this is an alternative I have tried and liked: An essential oil blend by OraWellness that leaves your mouth clean and minty fresh. Another crazy suggestion, which I often do when I don’t get around to making the above is use a small amount of castile soap. Yes, its a bit soapy but it gets the job done and its great for sensitive teeth. That’s one of the 18 uses they advertise.
For more amazing ideas for tooth care I highly recommend Liz Wolfe’s Skintervention Guide. Click here to learn more.
While we are on the topic of homemade toiletries, check out my recipe for homemade deodorant for sensitive skin.
Looking for more recipes to ditch the chemicals in your beauty products? Check out Mommypotamus’s book with over 50 DIY beauty recipes. You can find it here.
Don’t Have Time to Make Your Own Toothpaste?
I hear you! It’s great to have a store-brand option for when you don’t have time to DIY. Just be careful when choosing “natural” toothpaste brands because many of them actually have toxic ingredients.
I recently learned about a brand of toothpaste called Avistar from a friend. The thing that sets Avistar apart from other natural toothpaste brands is that it is made from high quality ingredients with a smooth feel. Baking soda in Avistar natural toothpaste also helps whiten and remove stains from coffee, tea, and wine.
You can buy Avistar toothpaste HERE.
What is your favorite way to get your teeth clean? Have you seen an improvement in your dental health after adopting a paleo diet?
