Originally published July 21 2015
History of toothpaste teaches us how to make healthy toothpaste
by Talya Dagan
(NaturalNews) Toothpaste use originates as far back as ancient Egypt and the time of Buddha. Healthy toothpaste can be made at home with recipes similar to those used before the invention of modern toothpastes. Good oral healthcare prevents tooth loss and leads to overall health, as a variety of diseases have been linked to poor oral hygiene, including cardiovascular disease. However, many of today's toothpastes today contain artificial sweeteners, fluoride, glycerin, titanium dioxide, and surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate. You can make healthy toothpaste with easy to find ingredients, such as baking soda, colloidal silver, coconut oil and sea salt.
Early history of toothpaste
The recipe for toothpaste was found on an ancient Egyptian papyrus. This toothpaste was a mixture of rock salt, dried iris flower and pepper ground up and combined together. One of the first known uses of toothpaste dates from the year 23 AD. It has been said that Buddha himself used a tooth stick to clean his teeth. As a mouthwash, people drank goat's milk. They used carbon made by burning animals to clean the gums. Animals such as mice heads, rabbit heads, ox heels, wolf heads, and goat feet were often used. To prevent toothaches, the bones from the scat of wolves were worn as neck adornments. Tooth brushing with tortoise blood also was thought to prevent toothaches. Mouthwashes were made of white wine or urine.
Toothpaste usage in the 18th and 19th centuries
In 1780 burned bread was used as toothpaste. Another toothpaste recipe used at that time was made with cinnamon, burnt alum and "dragon's blood" mixed together. "Dragon's blood" is a resin from plants that was used for coloring. This toothpaste was used every other day. Charcoal continued to be a popular tooth-cleaning ingredient, used in the 19th century with great popularity. Toothpaste at this time was mainly in the form of tooth powder. The powders caused an abrasive action to remove debris from the teeth as well as to act as a mouthwash. Strawberries were considered a natural breath freshener. In 1855, a recipe for toothpaste was printed in the Farmer's Almanac. The recipe called for myrrh, honey, and green sage. This was to be used on wet teeth each night. An alternate recipe called for cream of tartar mixed with clover oil and cuttlefish bone. Colgate began selling its peppermint toothpaste in 1873.
Toothpaste in the 20th century and beyond
By the 20th century, toothpastes and liquid tooth cleaners came along. The use of chlorophyll added breath freshening and color to the mixtures. Eucalyptus leaves brought in from South East Asia were included in some mouth freshening formulas. Then came the additions of color, flavors and detergents, to increase the foaming action of the cleansers. Fluoride was added to prevent tooth decay and humectants were included so that the products would not harden unnecessarily. Herbal toothpastes became popular and some without added fluoride were also popular. The use of peppermint oil, myrrh and strawberry extract continued in their popularity.
Healthy toothpaste
Healthy toothpastes can be made at home from simple ingredients that are easily sourced. Simply using baking soda, or a baking soda and sea salt mixture on the teeth makes a simple healthy toothpaste. Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial and antifungal. Adding peppermint oil to coconut oil creates a simple, toxin-free, healthy toothpaste. Colloidal silver is another known antibacterial agent and will kill viruses and unhealthy flora in your mouth. For the simplest solution, you can avoid toothpaste completely and brush your teeth with just a dry toothbrush.
Sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/048869_homemade_t...
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://science.naturalnews.com
http://my.clevelandclinic.org
About the author:
Talya Dagan is a health advocate and health coach, trained in nutrition and gourmet health food cuisine, writing about natural remedies for disease and nutrition and herbal medicine. You can follow her blog at www.talyadagan.com
Talya Dagan is a health advocate and health coach, trained in nutrition and gourmet health food cuisine, writing about natural remedies for disease and nutrition and herbal medicine. You can follow her blog at www.talyadagan.com
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml