I had a funny memory the other day of this red, white and green toothpaste I used to use as a child. TRUE STORY! I couldn’t for the life of me remember the name of it but I clearly remembered the upright – pump style, hard plastic tube thingy it came in AND then it came to me – Aquafresh! A quick google search and I had found it, even the upright tube thing looked similar! ah nostalgia!
The reason I had no idea if Aquafresh even existed anymore is because I never buy toothpaste! I make a homemade Peppermint Toothpaste, but in the name of nostalgia (ok. not really), I couldn’t resist sneaking a little peak at the ingredients:
Sodium Monofluorophosphate (0.15% W/V of Fluoride Ion). Inactive Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Carrageenan, Cellulose Gum, D&c Red 30 Lake, Fd&c Blue 1 Lake, Flavor, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Peg-8, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Saccharin, Sorbitol, Titanium Dioxide, Water
OMG! I dunno if the ingredients were like this in the 80s but blech, let’s take a closer look at a few of these bad boys!
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Carrageenan
is a derivative of seaweed that is extracted chemically. It is highly inflammatory and is known to cause gastrointestinal inflammation, malignant tumors and colon cancer. The body considers it an invader and creates an inflammatory response. It is found in everything from ice cream (dairy and non dairy), chocolate milk, deli meats, canned soup, frozen prepared foods and baby formula! *used as a thickener in toothpaste*
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Peg-8 (AKA polyethylene glycol)
is used as a humectant to prevent water loss and is primarily used in plastic containers, packaging and grocery bags – This is plastic folks! If that weren’t bad enough, the little blue Peg-8 beads commonly found in toothpaste can get wedged in between teeth and cause gum problems.
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AND last but not least…Sodium Monofluorophosphate (AKA Fluoride)
There has been controversy around fluoride since governments decided to add it to drinking water in the 1950s. Perhaps some of this concern came from the fact that fluoride is used widely as a pest control agent against insects and rats as well as a fertilizer. This definitely requires a post to itself, so for now I will say only this: our family has chosen not to use fluoridated toothpaste. It isn’t lost on us that toothpaste tubes include a warning which says “don’t swallow” because it is now known that fluoride ingested in unsafe levels is toxic to humans.
**Important also important to note that toothpaste is not considered ‘food’ so it goes through less scrutiny than food, even though a good part of it is consumed with each brushing.
SO…If you want to maintain a healthy mouth (of course diet play a huge role in that too), skip the store bought and make your own! I’ve been making this toothpaste for years and it is used by everyone in our family. The main ingredient in this homemade peppermint toothpaste is….(drumroll)….. Diatomaceous Earth! (applause).
If you’ve never heard of diatomaceous earth you’re in for a treat. This food grade supplement is made of the fossilized remains of microscopic organisms called Diatoms. It is high in Silica and is very effective in removing toxins, heavy metals, parasites as well as rebuild tissue and fortify bones – so if you happen to swallow some it’s all good! 🙂
*I often get asked where I get the cute little refillable toothpaste tubes because they really are pretty fabulous! I really love these Go Toobs that I order form Amazon.
- 6 tbsp *food grade* Diatomaceous Earth
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 2-3 tbsp H2O
- 2 drops *food grade* Peppermint essential oil
- Optional: a smidge of stevia (powdered) (~1/8 tsp)
- Mix the dry ingredients together.
- Add the water 1/2 tbsp at a time stirring in between. You want the consistency of a squeezable paste 🙂
- Add the Peppermint essential oil and continue to stir
- Scoop into tube and voila!
- Like any clay/earth, the toothpaste will begin to dry out if left for too long. Simply add a drop or two of water and shake to refresh its consistency.
