Keeping your gums and teeth healthy needs time, right tools, and commitment. Properly brushing your teeth, cutting down on sugar intake, flossing is essential for oral health and hygiene.
However, a large number of hygiene products such as toothpaste consist of various harmful ingredients like artificial sweetener, sodium lauryl sulfate, and titanium dioxide.
That’s the reason numerous individuals are nowadays looking for different natural substitutes to toothpaste. Also, there are several inexpensive and straightforward natural products you can use as an alternative to toothpaste.
Here’s a list of Top 10 Natural Alternatives to Toothpaste
1. Baking Soda
The widely-used baking soda is an excellent alternative to toothpaste that you can utilize for cleaning your teeth daily. Also, a large number of toothpaste brands consist of baking soda in the form of a primary ingredient.
Typically, baking soda acts as a potent abrasive and helps brighten as well as whiten your teeth to get a pearly smile. Baking soda also aids in neutralizing different acids in your mouth that helps in reducing the odds of foul smell.
A study published in the2008 edition of the Journal of Clinical Dentistry revealed that the regular baking soda proves extremely beneficial in removing plaque and cleaning teeth to combat tooth decay and all the associated symptoms.
How to prepare: Mix water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda to create a paste-like consistency. In case you want, you can also add a few drops of peppermint to water for getting a fresh feel.
2. Indian Lilac Powder
Also known as margosa or neem, Indian lilac is an excellent toothpaste alternative around. Its antiseptic and antibacterial properties help destroy the bacteria responsible for causing gingivitis, cavities, plaque, and several other oral diseases. It also helps you in having a long-lasting fresh breath.
A study reported in the 2008 edition of the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research revealed that neem exhibits miraculous properties in terms of curing gingivitis.
Extract the neem juice by crushing its leaves. Now rub the neem juice gently on the teeth and leave it there for nearly 2 minutes. Brush your teeth properly with a soft brush and rinse off with lukewarm water.
You may even use soft neem stick for gently brushing your teeth. Chew on the broken end of the stick till it gets soft and gentle enough for brushing your teeth without scratching or bruising your gums.
Also, eucalyptus twigs, lime tree, and orange can be utilized as a chew stick for brushing your teeth safely and naturally.
3. Turmeric
This yellow spice supports and maintains excellent oral health. Since the ancient age, the medicinal traits of turmeric(1) such as its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties are well known. You can easily use it for brushing your teeth frequently.
Its antiplaque, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties help avoid several dental problems like gingivitis, bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis.
A study released in the 2012 edition of the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology revealed the effectiveness of turmeric mouthwash in preventing gingivitis and controlling plaque.
How to use: add ¼ of a teaspoon of this yellow powder to 4 – 5 drops of mustard oil. Use a soft toothbrush to apply and rub the turmeric powder on your teeth. Ensure you rinse thoroughly afterward.
[Read: Benefits of Turmeric for weight loss]
4. Coconut Oil
Another effective natural alternative to modern-day commercial toothpaste is coconut oil (extra-virgin). It comes in handy for cleaning your teeth and mouth safely and naturally, thanks to its powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties.
This coconut oil helps in reducing plaque along with preventing other oral issues such as gum diseases, bad breath, as well as toothaches.
In a study cited in the 2014 edition of the Journal of the Indian Society of Periodontology, the researchers revealed that this coconut oil might also be utilized as a useful preventive ingredient for improving and maintaining your oral health.
[Read: Benefits of Coconut Oil for Acne]
How to use:
- Place 1 tablespoon of this coconut oil in your mouth
- Now swish it gently in your mouth for nearly 15 minutes till it turns milky white and foamy
- Rinse gently but thoroughly with water
- Lastly, use a wet toothbrush to scrub your teeth gently
- Activated Charcoal
5. Charcoal
It is another excellent alternative to commercial toothpaste and comes handy in reducing plaque and stains deposited on the teeth. Also, microporous charcoal helps in removing plaque and several other matters that lead to staining of your teeth. Also, it helps to improve pH balance, fight foul breath, and remove harmful toxins from your teeth.
How to use:
- Dampen the toothbrush and apply some activated charcoal(2) onto it
- Brush gently
- Lastly, rinse properly with water till the entire blackness disappears from your mouth
6. Bentonite Clay
Next on our list is Bentonite Clay, an outstanding natural ingredient that can be used for brushing your teeth. It supports the mineralization of your teeth, thanks to its diverse and dense composition featuring the right combination of minerals and several other nutrients. Also, it has exceptional detoxifying capabilities that help combat a wide range of gum disease along with freshening your breath.
How to use:
- Add 1 tablespoon of the clay to a bowl
- Put a small quantity of baking powder in it
- Now properly blend the content by adding 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- Next, add some drops of the peppermint extract
- Also, you can include a little artificial sweetener such as stevia for a pleasant taste
- Gently brush the teeth with the mixture once daily for great results
You can even add a wide range of other ingredients such as cinnamon powder, clove powder, or eggshell powder to your homemade tooth powder for combating tooth decay along with maintaining oral hygiene.
7. Salt
Sea salt or table salt can serve as an alternative to toothpaste. As such, salt is an essential ingredient in commercial toothpaste available in the market.
Salt also comes handy in replenishing the lost minerals. It also works well to destroy the bacteria thriving in your mouth, thereby preventing bad breath.
How to use:
- Dampen the toothbrush and put some sea salt or table salt on it, then gently brush the teeth using the salt. Use twice daily for best results.
- You may add an equal quantity of baking soda or activated charcoal to the salt and brush the teeth gently with it.
8. Root of Licorice
In general, the licorice root is known to boost oral health and is also used as a substitute for your commercial toothpaste.
Its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties can avoid plaque formation on your teeth. Also, it is scientifically proven to inhibit the growth and progression of bacteria to keep your gums and teeth healthy.
A study featured in the 2012 edition of the Journal of Natural Products revealed several useful health advantages of this root for your teeth and gums, thanks to the powerful compound licorisoflavan and licoricidin that are significant constituents of the licorice root.
Use dry licorice powder for brushing your teeth regularly.
9. Hydrogen Peroxide
Next on our list is hydrogen peroxide, a spectacular liquid known to boost your oral health along with making your teeth white and clean. As such, hydrogen peroxide can be used as a natural and safe alternative to commercial toothpaste.
It features a bleaching effect that comes in handy to make your teeth pearly teeth by removing the deposited plaque and stains. Also, it exhibits excellent antibacterial properties that help fight bacteria.
How to use:
- Start by mixing 1 teaspoon baking soda along with a good amount of food-grade H2O2 (i.e., hydrogen peroxide).
- Apply it on your teeth and brush gently.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Don’t use this liquid in case you have amalgam fillings since it can lead to leaching of mercury out of your fillings. Also, make sure not to use a regular variety of hydrogen peroxide.
10. Orange Peels
Orange peels can also remove stains and plaque from the teeth along with keeping it shiny and white.
The limonene in orange peel dissolves the plaque. A study released in the 2008 edition of the American Journal of Dentistry revealed that toothpaste having d-limonene proved extremely useful in decreasing stains caused by smoking. D-limonene proved beneficial in inhibiting the progression of smoking stains.
Also, orange peels in vitamin C help in preventing the progression of microorganisms in the mouth that leads to tooth decay and bad breath along with several other health issues.
Rub the inner side of the fresh peel on your gums and teeth directly. Wait for 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Also, you can dip your damp toothbrush in dry powder and brush the teeth properly with it.
While the majority of commercial kinds of toothpaste have numerous harmful chemical compounds, the natural alternatives discussed in this post not just help you improve your overall oral health but they also fend off various diseases that can arise due to a lack of proper oral hygiene.
