You probably don’t know that you can make your own toothpaste at home. Most toothpastes are made from ingredients like salt and baking soda that don’t damage the teeth. But some ingredients can damage the enamel of the teeth, like some types of bleach.
Using a homemade toothpaste made from a paste of salt and baking soda can actually wear away the enamel of the teeth, making them look like they have rotted, according to the American Dental Association. That’s why some dentists suggest keeping toothpaste out of reach of small children.
Some people swear by the power of charcoal to reduce Charcoal toothpaste plaque. It’s a myth, however. The ADA says there isn’t enough evidence to prove that it reduces plaque.
People who use charcoal toothpaste also say they have to brush harder to remove stains. But, that doesn’t mean your teeth need to get damaged.
Many people who don’t want to buy toothpaste have been known to use salt or baking soda instead, says dentist Dr. Bruce Ebel, chairman of the ADA’s board of trustees. And toothpaste doesn’t replace the importance of flossing, brushing and dental visits.
You can also use the old-fashioned method to make your own toothpaste.