Wash That Dirty Mouth!

I'm slowly replacing all of my personal hygiene products into natural and environmentally-friendly alternatives. This will take awhile as it is NOT sustainable to just throw everything out and start fresh. It's better to use what you have and replace the products as you need.

The first segment will be on oral hygiene.

I've been doing research regarding fluoride in our drinking water and toothpaste. I must say that the data on both sides of the debate are based on unsupported claims and much more research is needed for me to make an educated decision. However, I don't support the government tampering with my drinking water and adding fluoride even if there are supposed health benefits. Who are they to decide what I should or shouldn't consume or how I should take care of my own health? I'm skeptical of the FDA and went vegetarian the day the FDA decided cloned animal meat didn't need to be labeled on packaging. This being said, I am testing some alternative and all-natural dental products in lieu of the chemical-filled brands such as Colgate, Rembrandt, Crest, and even Tom's of Maine (while T.O.M is a good brand in comparison to the others, I'm still weary of some of the chemical components, like the Breyer's Ice Cream commercials, if I can't pronounce it, I don't want to eat it).

Product: IPSAB Tooth Powder

Ingredients: pure salt, baking soda, prickly ash bark, flavored with peppermint powder

Directions: The bottle just says to brush with a soft bristled toothbrush and rinse with warm water. My own experience says to wet the brush first, then pour the powder on. Some people say to dip the wet brush into the powder. To me, this seems counter intuitive, putting your bacteria filled brush into the powder is bound to contaminate it. Just wet the brush first, it works fine.

Consistency: There are no "sudsing" agents in this powder, for a newcomer as myself, this is a unsettling feeling. For some reason I relate the sudsing to cleansing even though this is not the case. Don't be afraid to add more powder.

Taste: YUCK-"pure salt" indeed, I tasted nothing other than salt. It may smell pepperminty but it sure as heck doesn't taste it. While my teeth may have been clean after using this, they didn't feel clean.

Initial Opinion: Initially, I am not thrilled with this product. The mouthwash of the same brand takes away the overwhelming feeling that I just coated my teeth with salt, but I'm not as thrilled with the ingredients. The ingredients of the powder however are all natural and preservative free, proven to remove plaque and are a healthy dental alternative. Therefore, if you are not as picky as myself, I would recommend it solely on the ingredients. I have read the reviews and many people say that "It takes a while to get used to, but then I loved it". I'll try this product for a few more days and let you know how I feel.

Overall Opinion: After using this a couple of more times, I did eventually get used to the taste. My teeth felt really smooth and my mouth felt cleansed. However, I found the salt to be too harsh and almost painful and had to follow up with a healthy dose of Chapstick every time I brushed. While I don't expect to be using this on a daily basis, I will continue to keep it in my travel bag since it doesn't count as a liquid (and the 3oz rule won't apply).

Product: Grandpa's Baking Powder Soap

Ingredients: Coconut oil, palm oil, purified water, vegetable glycerin, baking soda

Directions: Obviously, the directions on the box don't apply to you. I wet my toothbrush and rubbed it into the soap.

Consistency: Finally! That wonderful sudsy feeling that I missed so much!

Taste: Contrary to the impression you get when you hear "washing your mouth out with soap" , the glycerin was only mildly offensive and easily ignored. Honestly, it wasn't bad-there was barely any taste at all.

Initial Opinion: This is a great alternative to toothpaste with all natural ingredients and a very mild taste. Also, the bar of soap will definitely last a lot longer than a tube of toothpaste, and it is easily transportable.

Product: Make your own toothpaste

Ingredients: 3 parts baking soda : 1 part salt, mix in water or glycerine to desired texture, flavoring if wanted (make sure that with the flavor, you use something that is

edible, I've heard of people using 'essential oils' like lavender, chamomile, etc. that were meant to be burned not eaten. I don't know what happens if you do this, but common sense says go to the baking aisle and get something meant to be ingested - I got natural spearmint oil. Also, if you have an herb garden, don't waste your money on the oils, just crush some of your own herb's into the mixture).

Directions: I have separated two bags: one with baking soda and the other with salt. I put three spoonfuls of baking soda and one spoonful of salt into a small dish, and then, depending on what I feel like, I either add a Rosewater & Glycerin mixture (Heritage Brand) or some water and mint oil. I don't add much liquid, just enough to make it into a paste. Then brush for 2-4 minutes.

Consistency: You control the consistency; if you prefer powders, don't add water, glycerin, or oil, if you prefer a paste, add one or all of the above. If you add hydrogen peroxide to the mixture, you will get the 'sudsing' feeling.

Taste: Again, you control the taste with the type of oil you decide to use (or don't use). There is still a taste of salt, but not as overpowering or severe as the IPSAB powder.

Overall Opinion ( of all methods):

I will continue to use the 'make your own' method for the time being. Not only do I prefer the taste, but I have control over the ingredients in my toothpaste, which is the most comforting aspect of all. As far as conveniency, every morning I now have to make my toothpaste instead of walking half asleep into the bathroom and grabbing something ready-made (if you know me, you know I'm NOT a morning person). Yet, it takes mere minutes to make the paste and the three spoonfuls are enough to last me the whole day, so after lunch and dinner I don't have to make more. If making your own doesn't seem desirable, then I would definitely suggest the baking soda soap as an alternative. Both of these techniques are inexpensive and healthy alternatives.