Buying toothpaste seems so mundane but walking down the supermarket aisle trying to select the best toothpaste for your family can be downright challenging. From cavity protection to whitening to sensitive toothpaste, how do you know which formula is the safest one?
By far, natural ones are the best choice, especially where younger brushers and people with chemical sensitivities are involved. But even here, there is a wide variety of products. The benefit of each type varies depending upon the natural ingredients used in manufacturing them.
The question now is, what ingredients should you look for in a natural toothpaste?
To help you make sense of it all, here are eleven ingredients that you might be interested in:
- Xylitol
Xylitol is well-known for its ability to reduce cavity-causing bacteria and plaque. But as a natural sweetener derived from fruits, vegetables, trees, and corncobs, it’s the perfect option for people with diabetes.
- Activated Charcoal
Charcoal has gained a considerable amount of traction in the beauty and health department. However, added to your toothpaste, it helps remove surface stains and prevent tooth decay by increasing your mouth’s pH level.
- Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great natural way of freshening up your breath. But more importantly, their antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties help maintain optimal oral health. There is a wide variety of essential oils you can choose from, such as lemon, cinnamon, neem, clove, peppermint, spearmint, chamomile, eucalyptus, and much more.
- Coconut Oil
Besides being used for oil pulling, coconut oil can help eliminate oral bacteria and stop plaque buildup. Moreover, the lauric acid found in coconut oil can help reduce gum inflammation.
- Sage
This powerful herb can help reduce gingivitis as well as treat mouth ulcers.
- Baking Soda
Our teeth are constantly under attack from acids found in the food we eat. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, can help to neutralize these acids. It’s also a great general cleansing product, fighting plaque and removing stains, thereby giving you a much brighter smile.
- Green Tea Extract
Many people do not associate green tea with oral health. Studies show that polyphenols found in green tea effectively fight bacteria and viruses that reside in your mouth. More importantly, it’s the ideal way to prevent and clear up bad breath.
- Papain
Papain is the enzyme found inside the papaya tree. This papaya plant extract can significantly whiten your teeth by breaking down the stains caused by certain foods.
- Crushed Cacao Nibs
Chocolate flavored toothpaste! Can there be a better toothpaste? Believe it or not, compounds in cacao beans are better – and safer- than fluoride by promoting remineralization naturally. Moreover, the grainy texture of cacao nibs makes it a safe abrasive, helping to break up the biofilm in your mouth.
- Citric Acid
Orange flavored toothpaste- sounds strange, right? However, you’ll be surprised to discover that citric acid, which is abundantly found in oranges, can help break down the buildup of plaque, also known as tartar, from your teeth.
- Zinc Citrate
The buildup of plaque on teeth and gums can result in gingivitis. Zinc citrate helps reduce oral bacteria and control plaque by inhibiting bacteria’s growth that contributes to gingivitis.
Final thoughts
People are now opting for safer options as the awareness of harmful products in ordinary toothpaste increases. While natural kinds of toothpaste are a great alternative, you need to look at the ingredients to ensure you’re buying the perfect product for your teeth. After all, who doesn’t want to own a healthy set of pearly whites?