People ask me for natural product suggestions pretty often, so I figured I was due for some product related posts! Back in the day, if you were to look in my bathroom you would find TONS OF PRODUCTS. The little rack in my shower would be loaded with various bottles, probably 2 or 3 different brands for every type of product I could possibly use! I’d then have another stash in the cabinet under the sink with products I rejected or just got bored with.
Once I started paying attention to the ingredients I was putting on my body, my bathroom de-cluttered pretty quickly. I suddenly became LOW MAINTENANCE…. and trust me, Mr. Betty DID NOT complain! Natural products might cost a bit more (some of them anyway), but I know we save money considering there aren’t a ton of options. I’m less likely to go on a random product buying binge!
Part one of this little series focused on HAIR, part two focused on the BODY. Today I’m going to give you some ideas for your MOUTH.
Prior to switching to natural products I never even glanced at the list of ingredients on the packaging. I just assumed it would be safe if a store was selling it. It should be, right? Well, it’s usually not. Most conventional toothpastes are made up of a laundry list of toxic chemicals and artificial additives. My number one tip is to find a fluoride free toothpaste. For more information on why fluoride is a bad idea, check out this post on Chris Beat Cancer (he is awesome by the way).
Earthpaste: This is the toothpaste I currently use. I’ve tried all 5 flavors (peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, lemon, cinnamon), but feel wintergreen and/or spearmint do the best job of delivering a fresh tasting mouth! This toothpaste is made of clay, salt, and essential oils. Even my dentist commented that my teeth looked healthier since using this toothpaste. My bacteria decreased as well. (He checks this on a slide at every cleaning!) (Amazon, Whole Foods)
***I see a mercury/fluoride free dentist!
Poofy Organics Happy Teeth: I have not tried this yet, but the ingredients are good. If I could get this at the store I would probably give it a try, but this is online only, unless you live near the store in New Jersey!
Weleda Children’s Tooth Gel: This is what we use on the baby bettys. A lot of kid toothpastes contain similar chemicals found in adult toothpastes, as well as artificial colors and flavors. This does the job well. (Amazon, Whole Foods, Wegmans)
Weleda: For adults, they make 3 varieties (Plant Gel, Salt, and Ratanhia). I have tried the Plant and Salt. I didn’t like the Plant at all, but the Salt worked well and left my mouth feeling minty. (Amazon, Whole Foods, Wegmans)
Burt’s Bees: This toothpaste has been discontinued, but I LOVED it. I have seen it randomly from time to time still at stores. If you ever see it- grab it and give it a try! This is comparable to a conventional toothpaste in look and texture. I’m bitter that they no longer make it.
***If you aren’t ready to take the plunge with a truly natural toothpaste, a better choice than conventional toothpaste would be from brands such as Kiss My Face, Tom’s, or Jason.
A lot of toothbrush handles contain BPA, PVC, and Phthalates. Next time you purchase a new toothbrush, consider opting for one that is better for you and the planet.
Preserve: These toothbrushes are made out of recycled yogurt cups, which is #5 plastic with nylon bristles. They also make razors! (Amazon or Whole Foods)
Fuchs: Pronounced “Fewks” (a German word meaning fox), I believe… ;) These brushes are made with the choice of sterilized natural boar bristles, or rounded nylon to prevent damage to the gums. The handle is BPA-free. (Amazon or Whole Foods)
Radius: These toothbrushes are usually hit or miss. Some people love the giant brush size and feel it give the gums a good massage, but others, like me just couldn’t handle something so large and in charge. The bristles and handle and made of non-petroleum materials. They also have a toothbrush called Source that uses 93%a recycled materials for the handle and vegetable based nylon bristles. This brush is BPA, Latex, and Phthalates free. (Amazon or Whole Foods)
Most people don’t put much thought into dental floss. It’s just DENTAL FLOSS, ya know? BUT.. dental floss is usually made of nylon, which is a petroleum based product. It is then coated with teflon (think non-stick cookware- yeah, GROSS!) or a petroleum based wax. These things can be highly toxic to the human body. A better choice would be a natural dental floss that uses safer materials.
Radius: This dental floss rocks and come in mint (vegan), cranberry (vegan), and original. It is made of organic silk and coated in natural plant wax. By far, my favorite dental floss. (Amazon or Whole Foods)
Desert Essence: This floss is naturally waxed and does not contain alcohol, artificial detergents, colors, or synthetic perfumes. They do not test on animals. (Amazon or Whole Foods)
Tom’s of Maine: A nylon floss coated in natural wax. No artificial flavors. I’ve used this and it works well, but it is not my number one choice since it is nylon. (Amazon, Whole Foods, Bed Bath Beyond, etc.)
I do not use a mouthwash. Instead, I oil pull from time to time. Really, I should do this every day. Oil pulling detoxes the body through the mouth. Awesome, right?
Basically all you need to do is put about 1TB of unrefined coconut oil (sunflower or sesame works too) in your mouth. Swish it around for about 10-20 minutes, then spit it out (into the trash can, as coconut oil can harden and clog your pipes!). Rinse out your mouth and then brush your teeth as usual. Some of the benefits from oil pulling include detoxification, whiter teeth, healthier gums, fresher breath, clearer skin, fewer headaches, better sleep, clearer sinuses, and increased energy! BOOM!! You must give this a try!
*** This was one natural step I hesitated on for a long time, but when Asheley told me she started doing it, I felt like a real wimp and had to start! If WE can do it, YOU can do it!
ENCORE:
If you give any of these products a try, let me know… or just SMILE at me!
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