Health-conscious people are usually looking over every ingredient and nutritional information of the food items they buy. But do you do that for your personal care products such as toothpaste as well? Probably not!

Your toothpaste might be causing you more harm than good as many of them contain artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin, sorbitol, etc.) as well as dangerous chemicals like sodium Laureth sulfate glycerin, triclosan, etc. These ingredients in your toothpaste can break down the outer protective layer of your teeth, leading to harmful effects on your teeth.

So you can see there are enough reasons to get rid of such toothpaste and explore the umpteen alternatives you have that are safer, healthier, and give you the same results as toothpaste.

So What Do We Use If Not Toothpaste?

Now that you have decided to switch your toothpaste with natural alternatives, we have collated a list of products that can give you the same toothpaste-like effects, if not better.

• Baking soda – Many kinds of toothpaste have baking soda and are a common material used for teeth cleaning and whitening. You can dip your wet toothbrush in baking soda and brush your teeth like usual. Baking soda has an adequate cleaning capacity. If you find the taste of baking soda a bit overbearing, then you may also add your favorite mint oil to it to get that minty fresh feeling.
• Sea Salt – This is another great alternative for toothpaste and can clean all parts of your mouth effectively while removing every trace of harmful bacteria. Dilute sea salt with water since it has abrasive properties and can harm the outer layer of your teeth.
• Herbal powders – There are many herbal powders available in the market that are good at fighting infections, alleviating pain, and reducing inflammation. These may prove to be a good alternative to modern-day toothpaste available in the market.
• Coconut oil – It works like a miracle and has properties that can hydrate your skin, nourish your hair, and also provide other health benefits. It is also a perfect product as a teeth cleanser as it has antibacterial and antifungal properties too. If you mix baking soda and coconut oil as a toothpaste, it makes a powerhouse tooth-cleaning agent.
• Peroxide – Peroxides have exceptional bacteria-killing properties and act as an impeccable substitute for toothpaste. But peroxides need a lot of caution to apply and must be diluted with water so that they are not very strong. If not diluted enough, they can burn your gums. One thing to note is that peroxides should not be used if you have dental fillings.
• Essential oils – Essential oils are beneficial in multiple ways. The power of their scent can soothe nerves, relax your muscles, and give you a good sleep. Some of the examples like peppermint, eucalyptus, and cinnamon are fantastic for your oral health. Mix just a few drops of any of these oils in water to clean your mouth, and you are sure to observe shinier and healthier teeth.

If you choose any of the above alternatives, treat them exactly like toothpaste, i.e., do not swallow them and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after using them. You should consult your dentist before choosing any toothpaste alternatives as he would be able to tell you which alternative can work for your specific oral needs.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!