Yup – topic for today. We all know the routine. Brush twice a day, floss daily. Don’t eat after brushing. Twice-yearly dental cleanings. But what is really going on in our mouths? What do we need to brush with? Why?
The basic rundown is this – as food, specifically sugars, are sitting on your teeth, they feed bacteria. Don’t think “eww – I don’t have bacteria in my mouth” because puleese, you do. We all do. This is why we brush after we eat, to remove the sugar so we don’t feed the bacteria. Regular saliva production also helps to remove bacteria, so people who have “dry mouth” tend to have more dental issues. Very few people brush after a snack, or after lunch, so there are times when the bacteria will have a buffet. As they are eating, they are growing, and then they secrete a plaque around themselves. This plaque (technically called a biofilm) helps to protect the bacteria (from you) and helps them attach to your teeth. While attaching to your teeth, the acids produced also eat away at your enamel. This is called demineralization and can result in sensitivity and cavities. If plaque is not removed with daily brushing/flossing, the plaques can harden into tarter, which can only be removed by the dreaded scraping of the hygienist.
So, what can you do?
That’s where remineralization comes in. If you can balance the demineralization caused by the plaque formation with remineralization, you can have have stronger, healthier teeth. Calcium, phosphate, and fluoride (all found in saliva) can help remineralize teeth. Fluoride is found in many toothpastes, and most towns add it to their water supplies. It is naturally occurring, found in foods and many natural water supplies, and can be dangerous if taken in too large of quantity, which is why you spit out the fluoride treatment at the dentist and kids under 6 are advised to not use fluoride toothpaste.
Many people are starting to look at ways to remineralize teeth without adding all sorts of nasty ingredients. Take a look at your toothpaste –
- Triclosan. …
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) …
- Artificial Sweeteners. …
- Fluoride. …
- Propylene Glycol. …
- Diethanolamine (DEA) …
- Microbeads
yeah – no. Check this link if you want more info on why you DON’T want these things.
What do you want? Plaque removal, whitening, breath freshening, and removal of bacteria that can cause gingivitis, right? If you can get that good stuff, without any of that bad stuff, why not?
Toothpowders contain:
Xylitol – a sugar alcohol from birch wood – will not raise blood sugar levels and is used to remedy dry mouth and inhibit bacterial growth
Bentonite Clay – as it becomes hydrated it absorbs toxins and impurities – literally sucking the stains and impurities out of your teeth. It also contains several minerals that are good for teeth (there’s that remineralization!)
Calcium Carbonate and Baking soda – additional minerals and gentle abrasion to clean and strengthen teeth
Clove and cinnamon powder – both are anti-bacterial and taste great. Clove has long been used to heal dental issues – going back 100’s of years!
Peppermint leaf powder – that minty freshness we all want.
How do you do it?
Simply wet the toothbrush, dip it into the jar of powder, and brush away. Spit out as normal, rinse, and voila! Your teeth will feel clean and smooth, without any of THOSE things we don’t want. It is recommended that each person have their own jar, and/or that your tap some powder into a dish or even the lid before dipping the brush, just to avoid passing any germs. You can purchase one big jar and divide it yourself (I sell it in an 8 oz ball jar), or you can buy small containers for individuals. Whatever you do – don’t store it in metal – ingredients may react with the metal. Plastic or glass is fine.
Please note – this contains no flouride. Anybody can use this, and many people who have switched to recipes like this have seen improvement in their teeth – stronger teeth, less issues, happy people. Some people still want that flouride, and in that case, there are close-to-natural toothpastes out there that contain flouride that you can use. Just watch out for those added ingredients!
Red Barn Herbals 