My dentist said I needed to start using a very gentle toothpaste to preserve the enamel on my teeth. He recommended a specific brand which I tried for a while. However, no matter how carefully I brushed, I noticed that stains were forming on my teeth and getting worse.
Disclaimer: I am not a dentist. Proceed at your own risk.
Fortunately, my mom is into trying out natural remedies, and on one visit I noticed a jar of what looked like black mud next to the bathroom sink. This was her latest experiment: home made toothpaste. She made me a batch to take home and try (yes, she's that awesome). After about a week, I noticed that my teeth were looking great!
I used the toothpaste for several months until my next dentist appointment. I'm happy to report that my teeth are in the best shape they've ever been. I also let my dentist know about my toothpaste switch and he didn't have any concerns.
If you're interested in trying this for yourself, here are the ingredients:
- 1/2 cup calcium bentonite clay
- 3 tablespoons xylitol
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 20 drops cinnamon
- 20 drops cloves
- 30 drops minerals
- 3 tablespoons water
The goal is to combine these ingredients into a uniform mixture. I've found the easiest way to do this is to put everything but the clay and xylitol into a mason jar. Place the jar in a pot of warm water until the coconut oil melts, then slowly add the clay and xylitol and mix.
In the end you should get a grayish-black clay-like toothpaste. The texture is harder than regular toothpaste, so you might want to use a small spoon to scoop the stuff onto your toothbrush.
If you keep the mixture in an open jar, it might dry out before you finish it. Just add water and re-mix.
Enjoy!