Maintaining healthy teeth is a very important factor to avoid various oral diseases and infections, help you to chew food better, and maintain a beautiful smile. Without regular cleaning, bacteria and germs can accumulate on the walls of the mouth and teeth, and trigger the formation of plaque that is at risk of causing gum disease and tooth decay. So what if the artificial ingredients in various toothpaste products sold on the market make you worry? Don't worry, you're not alone because the truth is, most toothpastes sold in the market focus on fluoride, a chemical found in many natural and manufactured ingredients. Fortunately, people who are aware of the importance of maintaining healthy teeth have managed to find several natural ingredients that are as effective as fluoride-based toothpaste for whitening teeth. Interested in making it yourself? Read this article to find natural toothpaste “recipes” as well as tips for changing your daily cleaning routine.
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Method 1 of 4: Cleaning Teeth with Natural Ingredients
Step 1. Make toothpaste from strawberries
The malic acid in strawberries is a natural emulsifier that can help remove stains and plaque on the surface of your teeth. To make a whitening paste from strawberries, you just need to mash 2-3 strawberries in a bowl, and add 1/2 tsp. (3 grams) of baking soda into it. Stir the paste until smooth, then use it to brush your teeth several times a week to get maximum results with regular use. Since the malic acid and citric acid in strawberries can erode enamel, make sure you use them together with toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Don't forget to floss afterward, especially since strawberries contain lots of tiny seeds that can easily get trapped between your teeth and gums
Step 2. Use bananas to whiten teeth naturally
The content of potassium, magnesium, and manganese in ripe bananas is proven to be able to erode stains on teeth and clean them more optimally. To make it, you only need to peel one banana, take some of the skin, then rub it on the surface of your teeth for 2 minutes every day. After that, make sure you keep brushing your teeth as usual.
Step 3. Use apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the home ingredients that contains various benefits, and one of them is to whiten teeth naturally. Although the results are not instant, at least using a toothpaste made of apple cider vinegar and baking soda can help remove the stains on your teeth and gradually whiten them. To make it, you just need to mix 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar with 1/2 tsp. (3 grams) of baking soda, and use it to brush your teeth several times a week. If you want, you can also use 30 ml of apple cider vinegar to rinse your mouth for 2-3 minutes after eating, in addition to other oral treatments.
Step 4. Use coconut oil
Coconut oil is a natural emulsifier that can help clean teeth, reduce stains on teeth, and fight the growth of bacteria that cause plaque and cavities on the teeth. To use it, you only need to mix about 1-2 grams of ground peppermint or spearmint leaves with 2-3 tbsp. coconut oil, then use it as a mouthwash or toothpaste as usual. The addition of peppermint leaves is useful for maintaining the freshness of your breath throughout the day. In addition, because coconut oil is very gentle and non-abrasive, even those of you with very sensitive teeth and gums can use it every day.
Step 5. Use table salt
Instead of toothpaste, try dipping the bristles in a sea salt solution made from a 1/2 tsp mixture. (5 grams) of salt with 30 ml of water for 3-5 minutes, then brush your teeth as usual afterward. Because salt can temporarily increase the pH balance in the mouth, bacteria and germs can't live in this highly acidic environment. To apply it, try gargling with a salt water solution after eating to keep your mouth and throat clean, as well as soothe and heal sores in your mouth.
Step 6. Try chewing on a neem twig
Neem twigs and miswak are two natural ingredients commonly used in various cultures to clean teeth. After the twig is finished chewing, you can rub the loose wood fibers against your teeth as you would brushing your teeth with a regular brush. In addition, the act of chewing and sucking twigs is also claimed to help clean your mouth.
Method 2 of 4: Cleaning Teeth with Mouthwash
Step 1. Immediately rinse with water after eating
Gargling is a very powerful method of removing food residue or other residue from your teeth after eating. As a result, the risk of stained or decayed teeth will be significantly reduced. This very simple method and often not recognized for its effectiveness is actually a very good thing to do if you are outside the house and have trouble brushing your teeth properly. Therefore, from now on get used to drinking water throughout the day and gargling with clean water after eating, yes!
Don't brush your teeth right away after eating highly acidic foods, as this process can weaken your enamel. Instead, rinse your mouth with water first
Step 2. Use a waterpik to clean the teeth with a stream of water
Waterpik can help remove food debris that is attached to the surface of the teeth and tucked in the cavity between the teeth and gums. This is the perfect and healthy option for you to clean your mouth after eating!
Step 3. Try the oil pulling technique
Oil pulling is actually an Ayurvedic treatment method that recommends gargling with oil to kill bacteria and bad germs in the mouth. In particular, vegetable oil contains lipids that can bind to toxins in saliva while preventing cavities-causing bacteria from adhering to the walls of your teeth.
- Gargle with a spoonful of oil for 1 minute to maximize its benefits. If you want, you can also rinse your mouth for a longer time, about 15-20 minutes. In order for the oil to bind to the maximum amount of toxins and neutralize as many bacteria as possible, it is best to do this process on an empty stomach.
- Spit out the mouthwash when you're done using it, then rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to clean your mouth.
- Buy organic oils that are cold-pressed. Although you can also use sesame oil and olive oil, coconut oil is actually the most popular option because it has the most neutral taste and is very high in antioxidants and vitamins (such as vitamin E).
Method 3 of 4: Making Toothpaste from Natural Ingredients
Step 1. Brush your teeth with baking soda
Baking soda is one of the natural ingredients that can help whiten teeth and take care of overall oral health. To make it, you just need to mix 1 tsp. (5 grams) baking soda with 2 tsp. water until it has a paste-like consistency. Use baking soda paste to brush your teeth several times a week, and make sure you always use a new baking soda paste with each use. Want to use baking soda as a mouthwash after meals? Try dissolving 1 tsp. (5 grams) baking soda in 240 ml of water, then use it as a mouthwash for 2-3 minutes.
- If you wish, you can add a drop of peppermint extract and 1/2 tsp. sea salt to enhance the flavor of the baking soda paste.
- After adding all the desired ingredients, pour a small amount of the paste onto the bristles and use it to brush your teeth as usual.
Step 2. Make a toothpaste for vegans
Did you know that most toothpastes sold in the market contain glycerol? Since glycerol can be considered a derivative of animal products, chances are that the toothpaste you are using is not vegan-friendly, unless the glycerol content in it is plant-based or synthetic. If you want to make a vegan toothpaste, just mix 4 tbsp. baking soda, 8 tbsp. water, 2 tsp. vegetable glycerol, 1/2 tsp. guar gum to thicken the texture of toothpaste, and 5 drops of peppermint extract.
Heat the mixture of all ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly for 5 minutes, or until the consistency resembles toothpaste
Step 3. Use diluted soap
Soaps made from natural ingredients and oils, such as Dr. Bronner, which is known to be organic, is actually a good option to replace your toothpaste, you know! To use it, you just need to mix 1 tsp. soap with enough water, then dip the toothbrush bristles in the solution. While most people prefer peppermint-scented soap, feel free to experiment with other scents, such as tea tree, almond, rose, etc.
Some countries sell soap for cleaning teeth that tastes good, and is made without fluoride or other ingredients whose safety is still questionable
Method 4 of 4: Knowing the Right Time to Have a Medical Checkup
Step 1. Perform regular dental check-ups and cleanings at the dental clinic
Regular dental check-ups with the doctor is a very important factor for maintaining oral health. Not only can dentists help keep your teeth clean, but they can also identify symptoms of tooth decay and treat them before they get worse. Don't forget to consult the doctor about the most appropriate frequency of dental check-ups and cleanings, OK!
- Some doctors advise their patients to have a check-up every 6 months. However, there are also doctors who actually recommend an annual checkup. Of course, the frequency will increase if you are proven to have problems with dental and oral health.
- The doctor may perform an X-ray examination to detect the presence or absence of hidden cavities in the teeth and other problems that are difficult to identify through visual examination alone.
Step 2. Call your doctor right away if you experience tooth pain or other bothersome symptoms
Remember, untreated dental problems are at risk of triggering tooth decay and other health problems. Therefore, if the tooth feels pain, immediately make an appointment with the nearest dentist to get the right diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Also call your doctor if you have symptoms such as:
- Bleeding, swelling, or redness in the gum area
- Gum shrinkage
- Permanent teeth or adult teeth feel loose
- Pain in the teeth when chewing or consuming hot or cold food and drinks
- Bad breath smell or bad taste in the mouth
Step 3. See a doctor immediately if you have a broken tooth or a serious infection
Understand that a broken or missing adult tooth can be categorized as an emergency medical disorder. That is why, you should immediately contact the nearest doctor or dental clinic if you experience it, even if there is a serious infection such as:
- Swelling in the jaw area or under the tongue
- Difficulty swallowing
- Tooth pain that is so severe that you keep waking up at night, and it doesn't go away even after taking painkillers
