Most of us don’t think too long or too hard about our oral care products – we brush our teeth and move on with our day. However, biohackers concerned with optimizing their health must take a deeper dive into the contents of the oral care products they use. Many of the standard toothpaste products you’ll find on a grocery store shelf contain synthetic ingredients, leading to the question of their safety.
Luckily, there are several natural oral care products available that are just as effective as chemical toothpaste. Using natural ingredients that work similarly to the chemical agents in oral care products can leave you with that fresh feeling, without exposure to questionable ingredients. Let’s dive in.
Ingredients in Natural Toothpaste Products
Understanding the ingredients that make up natural toothpaste products can help you make the best choice when shopping for toothpaste. Many natural toothpastes contain xylitol, a plant-based sweetener that makes the toothpaste palatable but also may help to reduce tooth decay. Xylitol is thought to impact tooth decay by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria that can cause us to get cavities.
Baking soda is another natural ingredient you may find, which is added to provide abrasive effects to remove surface stains from your teeth. Calcium carbonate is also sometimes used for this purpose. This is why many toothpastes that are “whitening” use baking soda as a primary ingredient. Essential oils, such as peppermint oil, may also be used to add a minty freshness and provide antibacterial properties to keep your mouth healthy.
Coconut oil is another great natural ingredient that works well in natural toothpaste. This is because coconut oil can effectively reduce tooth discoloration by attacking oral bacteria. How cool is that?
Whitening Your Teeth with Natural Products
We all want that beautiful super white smile! But you don’t have to use products with chemicals to achieve your dream smile. Natural teeth whitening products may be better suited for those with sensitive teeth, offering a safer alternative to getting white teeth. In whitening products beyond toothpaste, such as gels or strips, you may also find baking soda is used alongside other ingredients to help reduce surface stains from the teeth.
Hydrogen peroxide is also used in natural whitening products, as it acts as a bleaching agent to help accelerate teeth whitening. This can be safe when used moderately, although too much hydrogen peroxide can be damaging to the enamel of your teeth. You might also see “black” products made from activated charcoal, a substance that has been found to effectively absorb stains from teeth to provide a whiter appearance. Apple cider vinegar is another natural ingredient that is used in toothpaste and teeth-whitening products but must be used sparingly due to its acidity.
Flouride in Toothpaste
Some natural toothpastes contain fluoride whereas other products will be labeled as fluoride-free. The debate among biohackers on the safety of fluoride is up for discussion, leaving the choice up to personal preference. While some believe fluoride to be an essential component to keeping our mouths healthy, others have concerns regarding the potential side effects of fluoride exposure.
Biohacking your dental routine can help biohackers minimize exposure to potentially harmful ingredients with a few simple swaps. With natural toothpaste products becoming more readily available at nationwide natural food stores like Whole Foods, it’s pretty simple to revamp your oral care routine for improved health. Achieving a beautiful smile and adopting healthy oral practices can set your health up for success. Discover more ways to biohack your smile and support your well-being with a healthy grin.
- Kanouté, A., Dieng, S. I. M., Diop, M., Dieng, A., Sene, A. K., Diouf, M., Lo, C. M. M., Faye, D., & Carrouel, F. (2022). Chemical vs. natural toothpaste: which formulas for which properties? A scoping review. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2022.1945
- Vranić, E., Lacević, A., Mehmedagić, A., & Uzunović, A. (2004). Formulation ingredients for toothpastes and mouthwashes. Bosnian journal of basic medical sciences, 4(4), 51–58. https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2004.3362
- Woolley, J., Gibbons, T., Patel, K., & Sacco, R. (2020). The effect of oil pulling with coconut oil to improve dental hygiene and oral health: A systematic review. Heliyon, 6(8), e04789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04789
