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Meet the Experts
Can You DIY Your Own Toothpaste?
When it comes to the efficacy of a DIY toothpaste, we have a split verdict.
Stocksy/Design by Cristina Cianci
Two of the dentists we spoke to (Raimondi and Sclafani) didn’t recommend it.
He did, however,caution against using certain common DIY toothpaste ingredients, as detailed below.
So, ultimately, the choice is yours.
Let’s start with the naysayers.
“We do not recommend DIY toothpastes in our practice to our patients,” said Raimondi and Sclafani.
Denniston, on the other hand, advocates for toothpastes of the natural variety, especially thosewithoutfluoride.
“Typically we think of external products when it comes to healthy teeth and gums,” she says.
“However what we consume internally is really important as well.
She also recommends tea tree oil for its antimicrobial activity.
Butfor a DIY toothpaste, using activated charcoal is just not deemed safe.
The Recipe
Instructions
Mixing baking soda into the formula can help brighten your smile.
“A lot of natural toothpastes have baking soda in it for itswhitening properties,” notes Fung.
However, don’t get carried away and apply baking soda directly to your teeth or gums.
It’s not harmful, but it’s not effective, either.
“There’s no chemical reaction [because of the baking soda].
The whitening effect actually comes from the polishing action,” he says.
Instead, he suggests rinsing with a diluted version.
However, Fung advises keeping your batch in an “airtight container away from heat or direct sunlight.”
you could always make the recipe in smaller batches to avoid spoilage or wasting ingredients.
Use a clean spoon to scoop out DIY toothpaste and apply to your toothbrush.
Never dip your toothbrush directly into the jar of DIY toothpaste.
Aim to brush, says Fung, “at least twice a day for two minutes.”
He adds: “Some people like to brush after eating lunch.
If youre not brushing after meals, you should floss.”
You could consider using a commercial baking soda toothpaste with fluoride or a fluoride mouth rinse.
Avoid using activated charcoal in homemade toothpaste.
2014;9(3):e92940.
The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology.
2016.Clinical Use of Calcium Bentonite Clay (CBC) in Dentistry and Natural Medicine.
(n.d.)Toothpastes.
