Taking care of your dental hygiene prevents serious dental issues like cavities and gum disease. You’re likely to just reach for your average toothpaste when brushing your teeth. However, there are several toothpaste alternatives that don’t include all the dyes, chemicals, and sweeteners included in ordinary toothpaste.
Sea Salt
One option to consider when trying alternatives to toothpaste is sea salt. You can use sea salt on its own or dissolve it in lukewarm water first. Sea salt is beneficial because it is an abrasive material that can help you thoroughly scrub your teeth free of plaque and bacteria.
Additionally, it reduces the acidity in your mouth, which usually occurs because of sugar, and this helps to prevent tooth decay. Sea salt contains many important minerals that benefit both your teeth and gums. Lastly, sea salt helps to fight inflammation. This can help if you have a toothache or are experiencing gum pain.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is perhaps one of the most well-known alternatives to toothpaste. You simply make a paste with baking soda and water, dip your toothbrush in it and brush your teeth. Like sea salt, baking soda has abrasive properties that are good for scrubbing your teeth. However, baking soda is also widely used for whitening teeth.
You can even take things a step further. Brushing your teeth with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can help remove stains. You’ll end up with clean, white teeth when you use baking soda. The only downside is the taste is not to everyone’s liking. To address this, you can add drops of mint oil or other flavorings. Just make sure it’s safe for consumption.
Coconut Oil
Many people have made coconut oil a house staple because it has a variety of uses. It can be used in cooking, as a moisturizer, as a massage oil, and even to brush your teeth. Coconut oil contains antibacterial properties which makes it ideal for use on your teeth. Bacteria is one of the leading contributors to gum disease, cavities, and other dental issues. Using coconut oil can help you remove the bacteria and keep your mouth clean. To take things up a notch, you can combine coconut oil with baking soda.
There are a variety of natural ingredients out there that you can use to clean your teeth. You can use these ingredients regularly as an alternative to store bought toothpaste or use them occasionally for their specific benefits. Try a variety of alternatives to see what you like the most.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more: How to Do a More Thorough Job When Cleaning Your Teeth
