Where Did You Get That Dazzling Smile?
All of us have seen the ads for the dental products that promise “clean, fresh breath” and “bright, white teeth instantly!” Sure, we can spend our time and energy on these expensive (and messy) products, or we can use the products in our own home to achieve the same, dazzling effect.
I have made my own toothpaste for years, and it’s a lot cheaper than buying commercial toothpaste, many of which include harsh detergents. What’s my secret to clean teeth? Well, there’s nothing new under the sun–it’s the same concoction our grandparents used back in the day.
Tooth Powder
Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
few drops pure peppermint essential oil
1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger (optional-Ginger is a good astrigent for the teeth).
Mix all the ingredients in a container and apply a dab of the powder on your toothbrush. I make my batch by the week. If you prefer a paste, you can add a few drops of water for each individual use.
Natural Breath Fresheners
Growing up, when I wanted that minty clean feeling, I took a swig of Scope or Listerine. Sure, it gave me fresh breath temporarily, but oh, how it burned!!! Luckily, I now use fresheners that are a little more simple…and less caustic.
- Eat an apple after your meal. An apple a day keeps the doctor AND foul odors away.
- Chew on a sprig of parsley. Yes, that green stuff that’s on your plate at restaurants does have a purpose. It is an instant breath freshener!
Sparkling White Teeth
Don’t waste your money on those expensive bleaching kits or treatments. Did you know that most of the chemicals in the bleaching products actually strip the enamel from your teeth? Ironic, isn’t it? There are more gentler, inexpensive ways to naturally whiten your teeth. You can find both of these right in your home.
Cut a fresh strawberry in half and rub against the front of your teeth. (Yes, your teeth will temporarily be red…Do not be alarmed!) Rinse your mouth out. Strawberries are very effective at removing stains from the teeth. You will notice the positive results over time. (Did I mention that strawberries are also a delightful summer treat!)
A mix of hydrogen peroxide and water is also a potent teeth whitener. (Swig, don’t swallow!) Check out this post from Natural & Organic Body Care for a hydrogen peroxide rinse.
Of course, your mother was right. For optimal dental health, brush your tongue and gums, floss daily….and don’t forget to smile! 
What are your tips for natural dental care?
April 14th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
I’ve been working on a homemade toothpaste and mouthwash recently. For the toothpaste the goal is to make sure its the right flavor. I’ll post the recipes when I get it perfected.
April 15th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Yes, please share with us Sly. Thanks so much!
April 15th, 2010 at 10:51 am
I thought you were supposed to eat fruit on an empty stomach? I hear green tea is an effective breath freshener. I like lavender and/or rosemary in mine. A few pieces of fennel will do the trick too. Also, a habit I have long formed is to swish my beverages in my mouth a few times, before swallowing/finishing it, and after I eat. I have never had a cavity in my life!
April 15th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Hey ADN,
These are excellent tips!! I’m going to try the strawberries. I swish around a little peroxide as a teeth whitener. It’s very foamy and taste weird but it works.
April 18th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
@FairLady: Yes, I have heard that about the fruit before. Perhaps waiting until a half hour after the meal would be best. Never heard of using green tea and fennel before. What awesome tips! Thanks!
@ConsciousChick: Thanks! Let me know how the strawberries work. Peroxide is excellent, but you’re right, the taste is not, lol.
April 20th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Fennel seeds are also great to chew on after meals to freshen breath
April 21st, 2010 at 8:28 am
Thanks for the tip, Shelley!
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:37 am
After I’m done online, I’m going off to try that strawberry technique. Simple, natural, and oh so naturally healthy. I love that. Thank you for your post (and the shout out
)
My best, Lynn
April 25th, 2010 at 8:16 am
You’re so welcome, Lynn!
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
yes, i agree with the post about eatting the fruit on an empty stomach. reason being is that fruit takes very little time to digest in the system, so it should be eatten alone or with other raw foods to complement it. that info can be found out by researching food combining. eatting fruit after consumeing a meal will only cause the food(fruit included) to stay in your system longer than digestion time. causing the food to putrefy and cause other problems in the body also. a good thing to do for cleansing the mouth after a meal along with the other suggestions is to simply rinse your mouth out with water. it works to rid mouth and teeth of trapped food, thereby making the breath smell better. rinse as many times as you like, but i dont suggest using tap water!!!! just my personal preference.