We are living in the age of “do-it-yourself” or DIY, and this no longer only applies to crafts and homemaking—many people love trying home remedies, and DIY heath therapies in order to save money and take a more natural approach to health. While this can be a good approach in many cases, it is often unclear whether a DIY solution is truly effective, or just a popular trend. One popular trend that has developed is to make your own toothpaste at home. While many believe this is a great way to save money and avoid mysterious ingredients from entering your body, it can be tough to know if this is truly effective. Keep reading to learn about the latest DIY trend of homemade toothpaste, and whether it holds any weight, or should be left only the extreme DIY-ers.
Fluoride
The most common concern involves Sodium Fluoride, as it is the most popular ingredient in store-bought toothpaste. It’s generally assumed that Fluoride strengthens teeth and is a necessary component of proper care, an assumption supported by a plethora of mainstream publications, but it’s also a toxic waste material that may cause fluorosis, a condition that can permanently damage teeth by depleting calcium due to too much fluoride exposure.
Other Dangers
Store-bought toothpastes often contain other dangerous chemicals, making health-conscious consumers think twice before purchasing these products. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, DEA, Propylene Glycol and Triclosan can be found in popular toothpaste brands, ingredients that can cause hormone disruption, eye damage, skin irritation, difficulty breathing and even cancer. To avoid these carcinogens, some folks have made the choice to “do it themselves” and create their own toothpastes at home.
Do It Yourself
Healthy homemade toothpaste can be made many different ways. Some recipes consist of Stevia, Bentonite clay, baking soda, essential oil and coconut oil, while others add olive oil, honey and baking soda. There are plenty of easy recipes online that offer detailed instructions on how to make natural paste, which is helping the trend to catch on even more, as it grows in popularity every day.
Cons of DIY Toothpaste
While the fear of too much fluoride exposure, or a distrust in commercial products might inspire you to make your own toothpaste, as with any trend, it has its pitfalls. According to Dr. David K. Skeels, a dentist in Rochester, NY there isn’t much official data on the actual health benefits of making your own toothpaste. While many DIY-ers are convinced of its effectiveness, many are still waiting for solid proof or studies to emerge in order to truly confirm that this method is in fact, effective.
Homemade toothpaste is a practical solution for anyone concerned about the health risks of store-bought brands, not just extreme “do it yourself” types. It’s cheap, easy to make and a good way to avoid dangerous chemicals. While it comes down to personal preference, it is always best to discuss any change in your oral care with your dentist to ensure that you aren’t endangering your future health. As fads and trends come and go, always seek out expert dentistry and medical help in order to avoid dangerous or ridiculous health trends that don’t hold any weight.
