I'm trying to cut back on just about everything these days. I use baking soda instead of toothpaste and add a little water. Would it be okay to mix the baking soda with my (leftover) mouthwash, just making it moist, and calling it "toothpaste"? I'm wondering if the solution would damage teeth.
Any other ideas on making your own toothpaste appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Baking soda won't bleach your teeth, but it will help get plaque off and make them shine. Be warned that baking soda is an abrasive and if you use it too much, the enamel on your teeth can get damaged. Good luck. (04/11/2010)
My grandparents used nothing, but a basic baking soda and water paste mixed together just before each brushing and they lived until their 70s and 90s with all their teeth in tact and no enamel damage and very few cavities. And a couple of them never even used a toothbrush, but rather their forefinger! (All four were born just before or just after 1900.)
The toothpastes of today, and anything other than a soft bristle brush, are much, much more damaging to teeth and gums than a good old fashioned baking soda paste!
I don't think it's a good idea to use a mouthwash mixed in with it. I would use regular, fluoride or anti-plaque mouth wash before brushing. (04/12/2010)
By Deeli
You don't see as many toothpastes with baking soda in them any more. Dentists found they were wearing the enamel off of teeth. Just buy tooth paste. It doesn't cost that much. Most people use too much of it anyway. (04/12/2010)
By Lilac
It might be cheaper to make your own toothpaste, but in the long run it might cost you more in dental bills. Store bought toothpaste has fluoride in it which helps protect against cavities. Really, no matter how old we are, if we still have our natural teeth, we need the fluoride. I was a dental assistant for 14 years so I know what I'm talking about. Also, as someone else posted, baking soda can be very abrasive to tooth enamel. (04/12/2010)
By Louise
I have found brand name toothpaste in dollar stores. (I can't say I'd use something I'd never heard of.) Anyway, you only need a pea size dollop to brush with. You needn't cover all the bristles with paste. Cutting back on the real thing might be better in the long run. (04/13/2010)
By Beth
Beth is right about only using a small amount of toothpaste. When I do use toothpaste I use a small amount and have done so for so long that it didn't dawn on me that others might be filling up their bristles. I use about a peanut size amount, but I also run it along outside and inside teeth just as I do with baking soda paste before beginning to brush. This disperses it evenly.
I am truly not trying to be mean or rude, but those who think baking soda paste is so highly abrasive should look at their toothpaste ingredients. They nearly all contain either sodium bicarbonate (which is baking soda) and/or hydrated silica (which is an abrasive) or other abrasive ingredients.
If you are worried about fluoride there are safe fluoride mouth washes out there that you can find by checking the labels. (04/13/2010)
By Deeli
I've made my own toothpaste for over 2 years now. All I do is add 1/2 of generic Sensodyne and 1/2 regular toothpaste. I put this in a baby shampoo bottle and it makes 1/2 a bottle. I then add baking soda up to almost 3/4 bottle and almost to the top with mouthwash. Shake it well and add more toothpaste if needed. I have to use the generic Sensodyne because I've had sensitive teeth since a child. I hope this works for everyone. (04/14/2010)
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