Using over-the-counter teeth brightening creams or even getting a whitening treatment from your dentist is expensive and, honestly, scary. These bleaching treatments contain a hodgepodge of high-strength chemicals that can make teeth more sensitive and can permanently damage the tooth enamel and gum tissue if overused.
Thankfully, there are natural ways to whiten teeth, keep them healthy, and remineralized using non-toxic ingredients. Read on to learn how to make homemade teeth whitening powder.
What you’ll need:
- 4 tablespoons bentonite clay
- 3 tablespoons calcium carbonate powder
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon or more of stevia
- a few drops of peppermint or spearmint essential oil
Why we used these ingredients:
The ingredient list does seem like an odd assortment to put together to clean and whiten teeth. However, it’s nothing compared to the laundry list of chemicals that’s in conventional toothpaste.
Bentonite clay
Bacteria and toxins can quickly build up in the mouth, leading to impaired oral health, and even demineralized teeth. The demineralization of teeth is caused by a regular exposure of acids to your tooth enamel from the accumulation of bacterial plaque.
Bentonite clay is a natural, gentle cleanser, rich in minerals that can support tooth remineralization. It contains numerous nourishing elements such as calcium, magnesium, and silica that help to draw out heavy metals and toxins from the mouth.
Bentonite clay’s detoxifying properties not only reduce the level of mouth bacteria but can also help freshen breath and fight gum disease, while its absorptive benefits help remove stains from teeth over time.
Calcium carbonate
This mineral, found in various rocks such as chalk, limestone, and marble, serves to polish teeth and restore them to full vibrancy.
It works by abrasion to target each tooth individually and remove built-up stains without harming tooth enamel. Its delicate scrubbing nature removes surface plaque and safely strips teeth of any trace of food or drink.
Plus, calcium carbonate also aids in the remineralization of teeth by giving your teeth the necessary calcium they require.
Baking soda
Baking soda is one of the most common alternative toothpaste options and is even becoming popular among mainstream toothpaste producers as an added ingredient for extra whitening power.
This well-known powder works as a mild abrasive agent that gently removes plaque and creates an alkaline environment in the mouth to help eradicate bacteria.
Toothpaste that contains baking soda for buffing out surface stains has been shown to be more effective as a teeth whiteners than non-baking soda toothpaste. Keep in mind that there is no evidence to prove the veracity of baking soda on old tooth discoloration that is deeply engrained in enamel.
Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil is one of the greatest combatants of halitosis, and can almost completely eradicate bad breath in just a few uses.
This foul breath fighting power isn’t just smoke and mirrors, however. Peppermint oil actually targets the particular type of bacteria, known as anaerobic bacteria that develop in the mouth and can lead to halitosis and gum disease, cutting the problem of bad breath off at the source.
How to make teeth whitening powder
Add four tablespoons of bentonite clay powder to a 4 oz glass jar.
Typically it’s not advisable to use metal utensils when working with bentonite clay because the metals can leach from the utensil and be pulled into the clay. However, stainless steel has minimal effects on the clay. Plus, it’s not in contact with the clay for very long.
Next, add two tablespoons of calcium carbonate powder to the clay.
Then, add in one tablespoon of baking soda.
Optional: add in a tablespoon of stevia. Mix well.
Finally, add in a few drops of spearmint or peppermint essential oil. Mix well.
To use, add a little to a wet toothbrush (or dip the brush into the jar) and brush as normal. Make separate jars of tooth powder for each family member to avoid cross-contamination.