The American Hygienists’ Association claims that about 75% of adults over the age of 35 in the United States have gum disease. Tooth loss, heart attacks, respiratory issues, and even strokes are linked to poor gum health. Not good.
With oodles of oral hygiene products on the market today, we have access to flossing devices, water picks, bleaching kits, sonic toothbrushes, tongue scrapers, hundreds of mouth rinses—you name it. It can be daunting, and many over-the-counter oral care products are not necessarily good for you. Laden with artificial sweeteners, dyes, fragrance, and fillers, they sometimes cause more harm than good. Enter simple, old-school Ayurvedic oral care.
Table of Contents
What is Ayurveda?
Also known as the sister science to yoga, Ayurveda is an ancient system that is based on restoring and then maintaining optimum mental and physical health by focusing on balance. When you’re stressed and run down, illnesses arise and your spirit vibrates on a low frequency. Ayurveda guides us back into a harmonious, healthy place via herbs, dietary guides, yoga, meditation, and even sleep pattern guidance.
Why DIY Ayurvedic toothpaste?
First off, it’s easy and extremely cost-effective to make your own toothpaste. I’ve used the recipe I’m about to share for 10 years now, and people always ask which oral care line I use. It’s just a few simple pantry items and a good soft toothbrush that does the trick!
How do I make it?
It’s safe and sanitary to mix up one batch per brushing session, but most of us like having our health and beauty aids premixed and at the ready.
Clove toothpaste
Mix together 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of sea salt, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, and 20 drops of food-grade clove essential oil. Store in a dark blue or amber airtight container.
Use a Q-tip to dispense the toothpaste, so as to avoid contamination and keep moisture out of the jar. Brushing gently (using a soft toothbrush) is always best, and don’t forget to floss.
Feel free to swap out the coconut oil for neem, which is used in more traditional Ayurvedic toothpaste. Additionally, peppermint, tea tree, or cinnamon essential oils may be swapped out for the clove oil. It’s truly a personal preference, and great fun to mix things up—so experiment with a few different flavors until you find one you like best.
You need not spend a ton of money at the health food store in order to have access to timeless, tried, and true Ayurvedic oral care. Slow down, try your hand at this recipe, and your pearly whites will be even pearlier in no time at all!
