Brushing
Toothpaste
- Basic mixture: Combine two tablespoons each of bicarb and coconut oil by mashing them together in a small bowl.
- Add ten drops of peppermint or other essential oil of your choice (optional). Try mint, orange, grapefruit, cinnamon, clove, or a mixture of peppermint and orange.
- Add one tablespoon of xylitol (optional, use less or more depending on how sweet you want it to be).
- Add one tablespoon powdered calcium complex powder (optional).
- If necessary, add more coconut oil to return the mixture to a smooth paste.
- Spoon the mixture into a wide-mouthed jar.
- To use, dip a clean toothbrush into the mixture, or use a clean finger or small implement to scoop some out and onto your brush.
- Store in a cool place.
- For those who dislike the salty taste of bicarb and crave something much sweeter, you can halve the amount of bicarb and double the xylitol. (Xylitol is beneficial to teeth and helps prevent and fight cavities.)
Tooth Powder
- To make a simple tooth powder, mix bicarb and xylitol together in equal quantities.
- Add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil if you like (e.g. mint, cinnamon).
- Store in a sealed glass jar.
- To use, add a little to a wet toothbrush and brush as normal.
Toothpaste alternatives
Take your pick from these options, or give them all a try.
- Sprinkle some bicarb on a wet toothbrush and brush.
- Put a little bicarb on your brush, add one drop of lemon juice, and brush.
- Dip or spray your toothbrush with 3% (10 volume) hydrogen peroxide, dust with a little bicarb and brush.
- Or, make a paste by mixing a little bicarb and 3% (10 volume) hydrogen peroxide.
- Or, make a paste with salt (or bicarb), water and a little apple cider (or any) vinegar and brush with this.
- All the above will clean and whiten teeth, and fight both tooth decay and gum disease by killing bacteria.
- Soak your toothbrush in 3% (10 volume) hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice between brushings to keep it free of bacteria.
Mouthwash
- Add half a teaspoon of salt and / or bicarb and a tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup of warm water. Use as a mouthwash and throat gargle. (This will also treat and prevent sore throats.)
- Or, use a teaspoon of 3% (10 volume) hydrogen peroxide diluted in a little water to rinse your mouth before brushing with bicarb. Your teeth will be pearly white and your mouth free of sores.
- Rinse your mouth with a teaspoon of apple cider (or other) vinegar in a small glass of water.
False teeth and dentures
Once again, here are a few options to try. They all work well.
- Soak dentures in a mixture of half a cup of warm water and and half a cup of lemon juice for half an hour.
- Soak in a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of vinegar for half an hour or overnight.
- Soak in a cup of warm water and two teaspoons bicarb (stir to dissolve) for 45 minutes or overnight.
- Soak in a weak 3% (10 volume) hydrogen peroxide solution for half an hour or overnight.
- Scrub dentures with a toothbrush dipped in a little bicarb to get rid of stubborn marks.