Those who are interested in healthy living probably are familiar with the dangers of store-bought shampoos and soaps. But not many people are aware of the chemicals hiding in their favorite minty-fresh toothpaste!

Dangers of Fluoride Toothpaste

The biggest toothpaste no-no is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), said Dr. Steve Lin, an experienced dentist. It is added as a foaming agent to toothpaste and other soaps, but according to Dr. Lin it is not beneficial to your oral health and oral health is all about habits!

With this being said, you don’t need to change your dental routine, instead of that try out a natural alternative each night. Leave the brand name products for the morning when you are short on time. When your regular tube runs out, make a full switch over and start using your favorite natural option regularly.

Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening

The big difference between activated charcoal and ordinary charcoal is the surface of the material. Activated charcoal is generally composed of carbon atoms and has a very fine porous structure on a particle scale. So, a small amount of activated charcoal has a massive surface area and that means that is able to bond with all kinds of substances and molecules that you’ve ingested.

Activated charcoal is great for detoxing your body and we recommend you to try this charcoal lemonade recipe.

Ingredients:

  •  16 oz of spring water,
  •  1 organic lemon,
  •  1-2 Tbsp Maple Syrup,
  •  1-2 capsules of activated charcoal,
  •  1 pinch of Himalayan salt,
  •  Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil.

Preparation:

Squeeze the lemon in the spring water, then add the Himalayan salt and Maple Syrup. Mix everything together and pour ¾ of it into a tall glass with ice. Mix the activated charcoal with the remaining lemonade. Finally, add your fresh herbs of choice. Enjoy!

Other Alternatives

Dr. Lin believes that the food we eat has more influence on tooth health than brushing. Therefore, you must avoid processed sugars. Get plenty of dietary fiber from vegetables and fruits; apples and carrots are great for physically rubbing the plaque. Try out turmeric toothpaste if you struggle with gum inflammation!

Disclaimer:  With any questions about your oral health or medical condition always seek the advice of your dentist. You must have in mind that this information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.