Coconut Bentonite Toothpaste

This recipe combines a range of highly effective natural ingredients to create a pleasant-tasting and refreshing paste that will clean your teeth at least as thoroughly, if not more, than commercial toothpaste!

Besides coconut oil, this paste includes stevia and bentonite clay. Stevia, also known as sweetleaf, is a plant found in both North and South America, renowned for its sweet-tasting leaves. The sweetness of stevia has a faster onset and is longer-lasting than cane sugar, but most importantly it has minimal impact on blood glucose levels, making it an ideal natural alternative to sugar. Therefore, it works as a natural flavoring agent to overcome the taste of baking soda, which helps clean and whiten the teeth.

Bentonite clay is derived from volcanic ash and is rich in electrolytes. Its texture enables it to absorb and remove toxins and chemicals. As a toothpaste additive, it can even remove scraps of food from teeth, such as meat. The addition of bentonite clay also makes the texture of homemade toothpaste similar to commercial pastes.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup melted coconut oil 

2 tablespoons bentonite clay 

2 tablespoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon Stevia Peppermint oil to taste

In a mixer, blend all ingredients until well combined. If necessary, adjust the level of coconut oil or dry ingredients until you achieve your desired texture. Adjust the amount of stevia and peppermint oil to achieve your desired taste.

Coconut Oil and Dental Care

Coconut oil with its antibacterial properties is ideal for oral hygiene and tooth-whitening. Coconut oil inhibits the growth of bacteria commonly found in the mouth, particularly Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria most responsible for tooth decay.

The simplest way to incorporate coconut oil in your oral hygiene routine is by oil pulling. If you're really keen, you can make your own toothpaste!

Oil Pulling

You wouldn't know from the name, but oil pulling is actually the ancient Indian method of cleansing the mouth and teeth with virgin oil. Oil pulling dates back thousands of years as part of Ayurvedic medicinal practice. It is believed to cleanse your gums and remove toxins and harmful bacteria from your mouth, lowering the risk of tooth decay and disease.
When you swirl the oil in your mouth, all the harmful bacteria and parasites in your mouth bond with the oil, so you can eliminate them once you spit. Coconut oil is ideal for oil pulling, as it contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, so it can destroy the hostile bacteria while retaining the probiotics in your mouth. You will need:

•    1 tablespoon (10 mls) coconut oil
•    Disposable container

Swirl the coconut oil around your mouth for five to fifteen minutes. Make sure the oil coats the front and back of your teeth and gums, but keep it away from your throat. Do not gargle the oil. The parasites caught in the oil could trigger an infection in your throat.

Once you have thoroughly rinsed your mouth and teeth with coconut oil, spit the oil into a disposable cup and throw the cup away. Do not spit the coconut oil into the sink or the toilet. Oils should never enter the plumbing system as they will contaminate water. Coconut oil will also harden and may cause blockage in the drain.y