Have you thought much about fluoride? This lovely product is added to many water supplies and toothpaste. Dentists supposedly say it prevents tooth decay. When I discovered this product has been banned from adding to water in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Austria, France and The Netherlands, I questioned why it is still being promoted as a healthy product here in the States.
Andreas Schuld describes fluoride as follows in an article on the Weston Price Foundation:
“Fluoride is any combination of elements containing the fluoride ion. In its elemental form, fluorine is a pale yellow, highly toxic and corrosive gas. In nature, fluorine is found combined with minerals as fluorides. It is the most chemically active nonmetallic element of all the elements and also has the most reactive electro-negative ion. Because of this extreme reactivity, fluorine is never found in nature as an uncombined element.”
Highly toxic? Corrosive gas? I am not sure about you, but that concerns me. These references are referring to the addition of flouride to most water systems in the US, but there is another form of flouride that is added to your average container of toothpaste.
Fluoride Deception
You might be interested in checking out these videos…
Fluoride Deception – interesting video on harm of fluoride
Cure Tooth Decay – can tooth decay be related to what kind of food you eat?
Fluoride Alert – professionals sign document to end fluoride in water due to its toxic content. Two interesting videos about flouride.
Fluoride Free Alternatives
Fluoride is added to most toothpastes you will find in the store, and although your consumption may be minimal, it is something to consider. Finding flouride-free toothpaste is a spendy pursuit, costing up to $5 per small tube. Sodium lauryl sulfate is included in most natural toothpastes, which is the foaming agent that is added to toothpaste and other bathroom products. There is much controversy whether it is safe as well, so I am seeking to avoid, if possible, and stick to the ingredients that are safe to consume, especially for the little one, as she very well may swallow it.
Here are a few alternatives:
Toothsoap – I have not tried this, but have heard many rave reviews from others. The ingredients are all natural, based upon coconut oil, olive oil and a few other products. The price might sound a bit high at first but I have been told a tube lasts three months for a family of four. Toothsoap is preferred over natural toothpastes because not only does it not contain fluoride but it also does not have sodium lauryl sulfate.
I reviewed the list of ingredients and I thought…why not? These are simple enough to combine together at home. I wanted a toothpaste with quality ingredients that I had on hand, without spending too much on a tube of toothsoap. Here is what I came up with:
Homemade Toothsoap
You can actually just us Dr. Bronner’s as a natural toothpaste, but the texture is very liquidy and very powerful in taste (soap here we come!). Definitely not something the hubby or baby would like. I tried mellowing and sweetening it a bit with these ingredients and all are quite satisfied! Still under a little experimentation. This recipe provided a nice moist but thicker consistency than Dr. Bronner’s alone.
1 Tbsp Dr. Bronners castile liquid soap - contains coconut, olive, palm oils – we use Baby Mild unscented (because it is more versatile for us, and covers multiply uses in one product) and then flavor with an essential oil or two
5 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp or more olive oil or water – to get the consistency you want – this makes it pourable to put in the soap dispenser
Essential oil (20-25 drops), I use orange and peppermint together, as peppermint alone is a little strong for me, but you can use whatever combination you like. If using Peppermint Dr Bronner’s soap, you can skip this altogether.
Stevia, to sweeten to your taste – a few dashes or so works
Warning: Do not test this product more than a few times at a time or just a dab at a time, or else you can burn your mouth (if using peppermint oil/soap), as I experienced. Best to taste by putting it on a toothbrush and brushing your teeth, as flavor is a bit different from just tasting the toothpaste directly.
I store mine in a new soap dispenser in our bathroom. No scooping it up, just pump it out right onto your toothbrush. No messes in the draw from spilled sticky toothpaste tubes either!
Check out Mountain Rose Herbs for the best quality and lowest priced coconut oil around!
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great post woman ~ as always….how ’s the kidney bean?
Dr. Bronners has glycerine in it which is supposed to be avoided for your teeth…Is it in a different form that is ok for teeth in the Dr. Bronners?
I heard this as well, but my research discovered that there is no added glycerin in Dr Bronner’s above what naturally occurs from the fat in the oils…which leads me to believe that the toothsoap linked to above also would have naturally occurring glycerin. That was my conclusion.
Thank you for all the wonderful, well-researched information!!
Wow! Thank you for this post. I have disliked paying between $3 and $5 for Tom’s of Maine fluoride free toothpaste but have not researched homemade toothpaste. I will have to give this a try!
oh this sounds so great! I’ve been making my own toothpaste with coconut oil, baking soda,stevia and essential oil and it’s a bit abrasive too me. I’ll have to give your toothsoap recipe a try.
Dear Lindsay,
Thank you so much for this post about homemade toothpaste! I will need to give it a try! As Tracy said, flouride free toothpaste from Tom’s of Maine is very expensive. Thank you again!
Megan
Lindsay,
I just want to make sure that people use “therapeutic quality” essential oils. Other stuff is not good for you or nearly as high of quality. I use Young Living oils. Here is a fact sheet from them on peppermint. Always use with caution if pregnant.
http://www.beauty-and-body.com/youngliving/2007_Articles/Powerful_Peppermint.htm
I love YL oils – since they are so concentrated, how many drops did you/would you use?
(LOVE the recipe – definitely going to make some up!)
I never count how many drops I use as it is difficult to do so, but it will be roughly 15-20 drops, I believe. I always taste it as I go till it suits my fancy. Enjoy!
Hi, Lindsey! I enjoyed the links to information about fluoride in drinking water. I was wondering if you had a good source of information regarding fluoride use in toothpastes. I’ve read one book that addressed the topic, but would like to learn more.
Your toothsoap recipe sounds delicious!
Looks good!
I use Trader Joe’s Antiplaque Toothpaste. It’s all natural and contains no fluoride, lauryl sulfates, saccharine, or propylene glycol. It tastes pretty good (kind of licorice-y; it contains fennel), and it’s pretty inexpensive for natural toothpaste…don’t hold me to it, but I think it’s $2.49 for a 6-oz. tube.
Great recipe, I have never tried making my own. We have just discovered XyliWhite by the NOW brand, I found it on iHerb. It doesn’t contain any of the junk that other and even Toms contain. It is not terribly expensive and even my husband doesnt mind it. Xylitol has been proven to fight cavities, so research shows.
We use a nateral toothpaste and find it very helpful.
I’m so glad to see someone write a post on the dangers of fluoride! I heartily agree, and have thought about writing on the topic for quite some time (now I don’t have to!
I also tried to make my own toothpaste, using coconut oil, baking soda and flavorings, but was not pleased with it, and my family didn’t like it. For now, we are back to Tom’s of Maine, but I may give your recipe to a try to see if we like it any better. $3-4 is a lot to pay for natural toothpaste!!!
Stephanie, we tried that recipe too and did not like it. I did not like the texture at all. So far no one has had any problems here with our new recipe. Have fun being creative with it! Each time it has been a little different (depending on essential oil flavor and quantities), but it is always good.
Hello passionate housewife/housewives.
I love the website which I found through a friend who opposes fluoridation in the UK and passed on the fluoride-free toothpaste ideas. I have just returned from my first trip across the Atlantic, to Toronto, where I attended two conferences, those of the International Society for Fluoride Research and Fluoride Action Network. The conferences were attended by scientists and activists from all over the world. After hearing, first-hand, from several well-qualified and wise people whose knowledge and experience leads them to oppose fluoridation, I have returned to the UK determined to continue the fight to keep it out of UK water supplies.
Some people are more susceptible than others to the toxic effects of fluoride. Foetuses and babies are at particular risk, according to Dr Vyvyan Howard, Professor of Bio-imaging at the University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland. He has, for many years, studied the effects of toxins on the foetus and the infant and warns particularly of fluoride’s neurotoxic effects. Did you know that the American Dental Association has issued ‘interim guidelines’ to its members, warning them not to recommend the use of fluoridated water for mixing infant formula?
Best wishes
Elizabeth McDonagh
Chairman of National Pure Water Association (UK)
Do Britta filters filter out fluoride?
Unfortunately, I understand that they do not filter out fluoride.
Thanks for the reply. Any good filters out there?
I also read on another blog — I won’t link just because I haven’t asked her, that they were using brita filters and her son and husband did a chemical test on it. (I’m not scientific, so I don’t know what it was) but they found out that it reduced the amount of chlorine in water, but it still had the same amount of chlorine that was in their pool. She said their pool has less chlorine than the average due to some kind of system, but still doesn’t seem worth it to buy filters that aren’t going to filter out the bad stuff.
The only filter that takes out fluoride is a reverse osmosis system. You can buy them online, or costco used to sell them to go under your sink, and you can hook them up if you’re diy-savy.
it was/is the truth for me!
I am one of those people that have a hypersensativity to fluoride and almost died of fluoride poisoning as a baby. I had been to 10 different doctors and all diagnosed me with “symptoms” and treated those. However, it wasn’t until my mom met a homeopathic doctor that I finally had a chance to live. Within three days of a fluoride detox, I was sleeping through the night and eating like a horse! I was about 18 mo and had YET to sleep through a night, because of severe nightmares, belly aches, all kinds of G.I. problems and I was covered in exhima (sp?)
Anyway, really, don’t let the dentist or FDA tell you that you can’t be allergic to fluoride, just tell them you are extrememly sensative to it and it makes you sick
I too am opposed to fluoride, and have been using a non-fluoride toothpaste since high-school, about 12 years now. My favorite is Tom’s of Maine Sensitive care SLS-free, which doesn’t contain Sodium lauryl sulfate, but I believe the source that Tom’s uses for it’s other flavors is from coconut and/or palm oil, not from sulferic acid anyway, and is therefore safe.
I’ve also been known to use plain old baking soda when in need!
My dentist says I have one of the top 10 cleanest mouths/teeth she’s ever seen. I also haven’t had a cavity since I stopped using fluoride toothpaste (and we filter it out of our water too).
Where do you buy the ingredients you used – Dr. bonnor’s stuff and the essential oils?
Thanks for this recipe. My mother-in-law uses tooth soap and I’ve tried it. It does taste a little too soapy for me, but it’s mostly the price. I get toothpaste for super, super cheap by shopping sales. So it’s hard for me to pay that much.
Thanks.
I buy Dr. Bronner’s and my essential oils through either of these two co-op’s, Azure Standard, or Frontier co-op, but they are also readily available at Fred Meyer Nutrition, as well as online. Amazon carries many Dr. Bronner’s products as well.
Hello! I absolutely LOVE Tom’s of Maine antiplaque plus whitening gel toothpaste peppermint–fluoride-free. It’s available for discounted rate of $3.67 on http://www.vitacost.com (they have many natural and organic brands for discounted prices and only $4.99 same day shipping no matter how much you buy!).
I hope this helps and I would welcome you to visit my Go Green With Celeste blog here: http://www.gogreenwithceleste.blogspot.com.
Do you have to heat the coconut oil first for the deodarant and toothpaste or do you use it as it comes in the jar
No, you want to use coconut oil in its solid form for the toothpaste and deodorant, just as it comes out of the jar.
Do you think this toothpaste would be just as good with the almond version of Dr. Bronner’s? I love the idea of a honey almond bubble bath made with this, but I know it’d take forever to go through a few different gallons of the stuff. Also, would adding just a splash of vanilla to your toothpaste recipe affect it negatively? Vanilla almond toothpaste.. yumm!!
Thanks so much!
I absolutely love your website; it’s refreshing to find other young people that are interested in getting back to a healthier way of living. I’m a 25 yo SAHM of 2 little girls. My husband and I are adamant about not letting the chaos of this world distract them from what is really important-growing to love, adore, and serve God with all their hearts! I love the health related topics to. God has given us everything necessary to be completely healthy!
Go for it! You will probably not need any other essential oils. As to adding vanilla extract, that just depends if you want to include the added alcohol from it (I believe it is 35% on most brands). I just found a alcohol free version at my local Trader Joe’s, in case you are interested…but it is totally up to you! This recipe works great for doing some experimenting!
Thanks so much. I actually found some organic, alcohol-free a few weeks ago, so I might just have to try that. I’ll let you know how it turns out if you’d like!
Hi Lindsey we tried the homemade toothsoap today and we really like it .I used vanilla and almond Dr.Bonners very good thanks Lindsey RENA in oregon city
(I know this is an old post, sorry) I don’t like the idea of flouride in my toothpaste, but after using Tom’s for at least a year, I got my first ever cavity. That worries me, I don’t want flouride, but I don’t want cavities either. This was a couple years ago and then I went back to regular toothpaste for now until I can figure out what to do. Have you read any information about anything in particular to fight cavities other than flouride? Right now we spend the money on bottled water at the health food store. We’re searching into a filter that we can use, but of course we can’t afford to filter all of our water, bathroom sinks or for showers, so I guess its going to be in our house somehow, which is frustrating. I know some people say “I’ve never had a cavity doing it without flouride”, but I wonder if there are any info/articles about the things used in natural toothpaste that would show what would help prevent the cavities. I’m not sure if that made sense, but I’ve been trying to figure this one out.
TO DEANNA, I know your question was directed toward lindsey but I thought a letter from Dr. Gerard Judd might help you. I tried to post the link but it’s getting rejected. Do a search for his name. He is a well known dentist with an anti-flouride book.
Maybe you can go back to your flouride-free toothpaste but in addition, increase your intake of calcium, phosphate and Vit C. Those are the three things Dr. Judd listed that would improve the health of teeth.
I tried this – and my tooth soap is very runny. I suppose it’s rather warm in my bathroom. Do you have suggestions on how to keep the consistency paste-y?
Have you considered adding more coconut oil? You may want to put it in the fridge every once and awhile if it is real warm in the bathroom.
Hi Lindsay,
Blessings to you for sharing your wisdom with so many. Do you put your mineral makeup right over top of the coconut oil moisturizer?
Indeed I do. It works just fine for me!
I just went to Whole foods to purchase the ingredients to make the toothsoap. However, when I asked the store associate about the essential oils, she said that if you swallow them it could have very adverse effects on your body. Do you use ‘pure’ essential oil, or something similar that’s not bad for you?
Yes, I have heard of some concerns of ingesting essential oils, although they are not well documented. We use pure essential oil, and just as with normal toothpaste, we are not swallowing it as adults. I would assume your concern is for the children and their tendencies to swallow, and my little girl does enjoy swallowing it before she learns to spit it out. In this case, the amount of oil is very minimal and the dangers of swallowing traditional toothpaste present far greater a concern to me personally than a very small amount of essential oils. You can eliminate the oils altogether. They do provide flavor which is very nice but not necessary.
Although I am an advocate of fluoride-free toothpastes for myself(they don’t cause spots to appear on my teeth), that doesn’t mean that fluoride is dangerous.
“In its elemental form, fluorine is a pale yellow, highly toxic and corrosive gas….Highly toxic? Corrosive gas? I am not sure about you, but that concerns me.”
There is a difference between elemental fluorine and the flouride that goes into water/toothpaste. I believe they use hexafluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6) or a flouride salt in products. Just because fluorine in its elemental form is toxic, doesn’t mean that flouride containing products are dangerous to consume (in moderation of course). Elemental sodium explodes violently when exposed to water, but that doesn’t mean we should totlly cut salt (NaCl)out of our diet. The floride we are consuming is not the gas or highly toxic ion Schuld is mentioning in the quote above. Just thought I’d point out a little chemistry
Each person has specific needs, but I don’t think we should scare the general public with talks of ionic flourine when thats not what they are actually consuming.
Katy — You are incorrect about the fluoride in our water supply (& toothpaste). The fluoride in our nation’s water supply comes from industrial waste. It is a cause for concern, & yes, it is dangerous to consume.
Please check out the video – ‘Fluoride Deception = Poison in Your Water’ under google videos. It is a 3 part documentary, & the run time is approx. 30 mins (approx 10 mins per video).
Here is a description of the vids: “In this video, award-winning journalist Christopher Bryson examines one of the great secret narratives of the industrial era; how a grim workplace poison and the most damaging environmental pollutant of the cold war was added to our drinking water and toothpaste.”
Jody- As a research professional I would like to inform you to be aware of the Fluoride Alert Foundation. They use outdated research and blatant misinterpretation of studies. Most of their research was not even conclusive enough to be published in reputable journals. If you know anything about clinical research you would know that these trials aren’t evidence based and totally false. I’m not sure about you but I don’t think I’ll believe the handful of journalists or lawyers over the countless medical professionals of the American Dental Association, National Research Council, the CDC, Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board, US Dept of Health, and World Health Organizations.
If you’re looking for an interesting read, I suggest reading the American Dental Association’s position on this topic: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/facts/fluoridation_facts.pdf (page 7 has a great tip sheet for how to critically review research) Please look at the scientific evidence of professional sites before succumbing to emotional story tellers on google.
Are you familiar with what the palm oil industry is doing to the orangatans? Check it out.
Thank you for the info, Gretchen. I did not realize that. I’m a big-time animal advocate — I petition my congressmen/women on a lot of issues. Thanks for the info!
Hi! I was thinking about the Dr. B soap in the toothpaste and wondered if you had ever used soapnuts. They are all natural and can be used for so many things. You may even want to think about buying those in bulk so you won’t have to buy Dr. B anymore. Just a thought…
On the topic of health…
I’ve been buying all my natural/organic products at: http://www.vitacost.com
Compare to the in store prices, you really save a lot! and they ship fast
Why not just use baking soda? Works great. Takes a bit to get used to the taste but after a few brushes your gums improve and your mouth is so fresh you will crave brushing your teeth with baking soda.
How?
Take a small container or lid and pour out some baking soda in it. Wet your tooth brush (start with a new one if you have been using fluoride toothpaste). Dip your wet toothbrush into the baking soda and brush. Get all the surfaces–teeth, tongue, roof of your mouth, sides of your mouth.
Thanks to Lindsey for this wonderful website!!!
More information on fluoride can be found at — http://www.fluoridealert.org/.
Nice recipe! What are you thoughts on adding alkaline minerals to the mix (presumably to help with remineralization)?
For instance, like this product. But it’s expensive so I’m hoping to come up with a DIY alternative, like adding some type of minerals to your recipe. Thanks!
http://www.uncleharrys.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=UHNP&Product_Code=10208&Category_Code=MP-T
I have a question. I’m living in Greece and don’t have access to either Dr.Bonners or Baby Mild and was wondering what I should look for, or ask as a replacement when attempting to make my own toothpaste. I appreciate any help you can give me… thank you in advance for your time…
Dr. Bronners is an all natural castile liquid soap, so if you can find a castile liquid soap that is made with natural ingredients (primarily coconut oil, olive oil, etc) then go with that. Ask around at any health food stores. They may be able to direct you. Hope that helps!
I tried your recipe today – I purchased a generic type liquid castille from Mountain Rose Herbs and am a little overwhelemed by the “soapy taste” even after adding additional essential oils (sweet orange and spearmint) and xylitol – any suggestions to make it less soapy tasting and more palatable ??
I haven’t made the toothpaste yet, but will try soon! Another wonderful product for teeth is xylitol. I make a mouthwash with water and a few spoonfuls of xylitol. It supposedly works against the plaque. A rather intersesting thing to research when you have a minute.
Thanks again for all the info you share! God Bless
I know very little about essential oils…should I be aware of some basic information about them and how to use them. Concerns when using them especially around children? I am also wanting to try your toothpaste recipe. I went to those websites you said you purchased through and there are a couple of options for orange and peppermint…which did you use? Thanks again for sharing!
I do not know very much about essential oils myself. Check out The Complete Book of Essential Oils for a good handy reference guide. I usually just buy the pure oils that are cheaper (not sure the brand). I don’t buy the organic brands as they are rather expensive. It is completely up to you!
I’ve noticed how expensive they are! Some are $10 a bottle! for an ounce or two it’s ridiculous!
Oil or oregano would be good to add for the essential oil, as it is antibiotic. I think I would use less than the 20-25 drops called for in the recipe, as it is very strong in flavor.
As for as Lindsay’s advice to use coconut oil in the solid form — it is only solid below 74-76 deg. F.. If it is a warm summer day, there is no way it will stay solid unless you put it in the fridge.
Whoops! I meant to type “oil OF oregano”.