It’s starting to sound like you might brush your teeth with just about anything these days.
But do these alt-oral care products actually clean your teeth and preventcavities?
Here’s what they had to say.
But thats not all.
Cavities occur when certain bacteria in the mouth overgrow and utilize sugar from our food to create acid.
This acid is what causes tooth decay over time.
Charcoal helps raise the pH in your mouth, Graves says, which helps neutralize these acids.
Who shouldnt use charcoal-based toothpaste?
Steer clear of them if you have crowns or veneers, because it can stain them.
The small particles of charcoal can work their way into porcelain, Graves cautions.
Why would anyone brush their teeth with dirt, of all things?
Is that enough to make it worth $30 for a six-month supply?
There aren’t any good studies to back up this claim, though.
Cinnamon is known to be anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory and its possible your grandmother used it as a toothache remedy.
Its used in many mainstream toothpastes, but is also an ingredient in many DIY toothpastes.
Ill occasionally see a patient with a condition called cinnamon-induced oral mucosal contact reaction," explains Graves.
If this happens to you, youll need to stop using cinnamon-flavored products, including toothpastes and gum.
Coconut oil has been shown to help prevent andtreat oral candida infections(better known as thrush).
However, whether it will reduce cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth is still in question, Graves says.
Sodium is another one of those ingredients that defies logic.
Isnt too much salt a bad thing?
Not when it comes to brushing your teeth.
Thats why its also a top ingredient in homemade toothpastes.
You’ll also find it inWeledas Salt Toothpaste.
Look for it in the newLush Ultrablast Tooth Powder.
Your saliva does contain simple sugars that bacteria need to grow and multiply, Graves says.
A better idea is to dip a clean teaspoon into the powder and apply that to your toothbrush.
If an alt toothpaste doesn’t have that seal, it doesn’t mean it’s bad.
It does mean that the research behind the ingredients is probably a bit lacking.
