The internet is swamped with guides and videos on DIY toothpaste, but most of them fail to mention the potential drawbacks of the toothpaste ingredients. Some reel out a wide variety of ingredients you can choose from and show you how to customize qualities like texture, flavor, and abrasiveness, but they ignore the side effects and deficiencies of their toothpaste formulas.
The truth is that if you’re to go by with only DIY toothpaste ingredients approved by professional bodies, you’ll be left with a smaller latitude of choices of flavor, texture and other qualities. On the other hand, commercially made toothpaste comes in varieties that provide us with just about all the qualities we might need in a toothpaste, albeit, at a relatively higher price.
The Drawbacks Of Home-Made Toothpaste
Just because your home-made toothpaste is made from all-natural ingredients doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ideal for your teeth. For starters, some natural ingredients like peroxide or vinegar can degrade your enamel and cause discoloration and gum problems. Natural ingredients like lemon juice come with acidic levels that are dangerous to the enamel, and others like baking soda are a little too abrasive for your teeth.
Besides having some undesirable qualities, homemade toothpaste also lacks some vital qualities like the presence of fluoride. Used widely in commercial toothpaste, fluoride is one of the most effective teeth preservatives. It does a great job in strengthening the enamel and reinforcing the teeth against decay and cavities.
Another drawback of homemade toothpaste is the storage. When you store it in a jar, you’ll have to scoop it out by dipping the tip of your brush into it, and that can contaminate the toothpaste. Besides, your homemade toothpaste might have a much shorter lifespan.
Want more tips on using homemade oral care products? Our expert dentists are always pleased to offer guidance for DIY oral care products.
