WHAT is dental SOAP? and Why would ANYONE use it!?
February 25, 2010 by admin
Filed under Blog, health, natural products
So, you’ve often heard me talk about chemicals in the skin-care products we love so much, but what about our teeth? Chemicals in toothpaste are definitely a concern for some, and still quit controversial for many. Some, like me, believe fluoride to be a harmful carcinogen, and others think it the best thing since sliced bread. There are, however, a few chemicals in standard toothpaste that few can argue to be good for human consumption, like Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS’s), Parabens (both of which I talk about in more detail on this blog), and Triclosan.
Triclosan is probably the most dangerous of these chemicals, mostly because recent studies have shown that when it reacts with chlorine in our tap water, it can turn into Chloroform! Chloroform is a cancer causing chemical, plain and simple. It is NOT a chemical that was ever intended to be consumed by humans, and yet we are getting it every time we brush our teeth with a toothpaste containing triclosan.
Now, the almighty Fluoride, touted for it’s teeth-saving benefits! In actuality, it’s very dangerous stuff, with the dangers outweighing the benefits. I refuse to use something in my mouth that has been used in rat poisoning! (oh yes, take a look at the ingredients on Rat poisoning – one ingredient, Sodium Fluoride.) Other countries have already figured out the danger, and stopped using it ages ago! Fluoride has been linked, by many studies, to Alzheimer’s; musculoskeletal and nervous system damage; and cancer. Not to mention, that the component in toothpaste, is sometimes not even fluoride, but fluorosilicic acid - a compound similar to fluoride that is TOXIC.
Those are just a FEW reasons why someone would choose to forsake all use of fluoride toothpastes and use an alternative. I currently use 2 alternatives. Tooth powder and Dental Soap (or you can use the bark of a flowering dogwood tree. truthfully! look it up! :-D) I prefer tooth powder to a homemade paste, because it is dry, which means it can sit for a LONG time without fear of becoming rancid or “spoiling.” However, I am perfecting a soap recipe for my recently discovered dental soap – and it is AMAZING! As soon as i perfect it, It will be added to the shop, to share with everyone. Until then, read on for more info. on tooth soap.
I discovered tooth soap through google, and began doing some research. I had no idea people were using handcrafted soap on their teeth. The benefits are:
* whiter teeth.
* a clean like you have never felt before – especially if you are a toothpaste user.
* re-mineralizing of your teeth! Yes! I said re-mineralizing! :) read on!
Dental soap contains just the right amount of glycerin (compared to tooth paste, which contains almost ALL glycerine!). Glycerine in toothpaste coats your teeth and prevents minerals from reaching them. With tooth paste, you must rinse about 20 times to get glycerine residue off of your teeth, compared to 3 or 4 rinses with dental soap for a squeeky clean. Once your teeth are clean, minerals from the food you eat can reach your teeth and help the re-building process. I personally know a few people who have experienced healed cavities, filled in chipped teeth and whiter teeth because of enamel re-growth. I have only been using dental soap for a few months, and have already experienced MUCH whiter teeth and a noticeable difference in my previously VERY think enamel. I will never go back to anything else!
BUT! my kids still use tooth powder – especially my little one, who is not old enough to NOT swallow the soap. AND tooth powder is SO easy to make at home, that if you wanted to, you could kick the toothpaste habit TONIGHT! There are a variety of toothpowder recipes – they all take some {ahem} *getting used to*, but after a while you really won’t even notice the difference in taste anymore. This is the one that seems to work the best for us:
Gabriel Family Tooth Powder
1/4 Cup baking Soda – This is all you *need*, everything else is optional! :-)
3 TBS powdered orange rind (dry organic orange- peel and powder in blender)
1 TBS Salt
1 TBS ground dried peppermint leaves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground sage
1 tsp clove powder
1 pinch nutmeg
4 drops tea tree oil
3 drops rosemary/mint essential oil (or oil of choice: peppermint, cinnamon, etc.)
I used a few drops of Stevia (an herbal sweetener) liquid (to taste)
Enjoy!
“Nichole Gabriel is Founder, and HWIC, at Fullearths, Etc., where she creates high quality, 100% natural, synthetic-free handcrafted Soap, Bath, Body products. This 7 year-old passion has led her to become an advocate for natural skin-care, as she spreads the word about dangers, that the skin-care industry won’t tell you about, through her blog. Her natural product line is available online, through the Fullearths, etc. shop.
Hi!
Just a shout to say how fantastic it is to use soap instead of toothpaste. In our family, I have “converted” my husband, daughter, and ex-husband. My mom was on the bandwagon before me and got her sister using soap, too. None of us will go back to expensive, useless toothpaste and the problems we used to have. For me, it’s not only whiter teeth, but especially that my teeth and gums are no longer sensitive to cold/hot/sweets.
I find it important to use plain baking soda every once in a while, especially if you’re a coffee- or red wine-drinker. I pay special attention to the tight space between my front teeth which will get somewhat stained if I’m not careful.
CC
Excellent!!! I love using it, something I do, every now and then also for whitening, is hydrogen peroxide rinses.. I simply use some HP, and rinse for a few minutes after brushing. I do this for about a week. It REALLY does make a difference! and I’m not even a coffee drinkier! lol But, Im getting older, and need a little help in the whitening department. This works awesomely! Glad to hear it’s working for you, CatCreek!
Nichole,
Thank you so much for this post!! Extremely informative. My mind is already turning with how soon I can change my family over to a better toothpaste alternative.
Nichole,
Thanks so much for this post! I’ll be making the powder for my family real soon!!! What is the benefit of the cinnamon and is there a possible substitute for that? Is it for “taste” only? My youngest has a mild allergy to cinnamon. That is why I ask. Also, can you use powdered stevia instead of liquid?
Thanks so much!
Jill
Hi Jill! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article.. Yes, the cinnamon is definitely optional, you can nix it all together if you’d like. If you’re using a few drops of peppermint, that’ll take care of the flavor for you.. and I think stevia powder would work fine, i used the liquid just because that’s what i had. If you think you’re family can grow accustomed to the powder without the “sweet,” you can even nix that! have fun with it.. let us know how it goes!
Definitely willing to try… hm…