Scientists believe if we do not change our habits, plastic packaging will suffocate the Earth soon. Luckily, a worldwide movement for package free shopping is becoming widely popular, urging people to stop buying packaged goods, and to produce everyday household objects like detergents, soaps and toothpaste themselves. In our article, we share a recipe for an efficient, zero waste toothpaste, which can be made in a heartbeat (article is in Hungarian).
Store-bought, pre-packaged toothpastes not only contribute to waste production, they also contain several unnecessary additives that can be harmful to our health. Any toothpaste bought in a drugstore is generally made of more than 20 ingredients. These include fragrant substances, sweeteners, colorants, emulsifiers and preservatives. Besides that, SLS, an aggressive degreasing agent is often added to toothpastes to facilitate foaming.
Easy, Natural and Environmentally Friendly
There is, however, a genuinely simple method to make toothpaste at home out of only three, widely available ingredients. Extra virgin coconut oil has anti-microbial qualities, and also reduces plaque on the teeth, preventing gum inflammation. Baking soda cleans and whitens the teeth, and by reducing tartar build-up, it also helps to keep our breath fresh. Lastly, essential peppermint oil is added for its antibacterial properties, and also for preventing halitosis thanks to its fresh and cool taste. For the desired consistency, add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 10 to 15 drops of peppermint oil. After mixing it to form a homogenous paste, store it in an airtight container, and use 1 teaspoon of the mixture for every occasion.
No Need for Additives
Some might worry that the lack of fluoride, found in practically every store-bought toothpaste, might endanger the health of their teeth. In fact, fluoride is considered a harmful substance in many Western countries, which is often highlighted in the packaging of products containing it. If we follow a healthy diet, the quantity of fluoride consumed is sufficient to maintain and protect the health of the enamel.
This natural toothpaste might be a bit strange to use at first. Baking soda has a slight salty taste, and the paste is not foaming at all. But with time, it is easy to get used to it, and in the end, considering its benefits for our environment and oral hygiene, it is totally worth it. Give this zero waste toothpaste a try, and enjoy a healthy, white smile while remaining absolutely package-free.