Baking soda in toothpaste – concerns and benefits

We are happy with public interest and questions regarding the post about natural toothpaste previously published. In this post, we'll further discuss the use of baking soda in toothpaste.

There is, indeed, a wave of teeth whitening products that uses mainly sodium bicarbonate combined with bleach, which led to arguing about the use of bleaching acids without dentist's supervision and its contraindications to tooth enamel.

Sodium bicarbonate is a weak alkaline compound used in food preparation and it has excellent oral qualities. It cleans, fights heavy breath, remove plaques that contribute to tooth decay and contributes to the overall oral health. In small amounts, it can even be ingested by children since it isn't toxic.

The disadvantage is that, when used repeatedly, in large quantities over time is slightly abrasive to the enamel of teeth ¹. However, the abrasive effect is attenuated if used in small quantities (2 mm balls), light stroking (to brush without too much pressure against the teeth) and / or increasing the amount of herbs in the recipe.

On the other hand, there are so many chemicals in commercial toothpastes and some of them are proved to be carcinogenic such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sucrose, for example. In this regard, the natural toothpaste is a safer and healthier alternative.

As stated above, increasing the amount of herbs is a way of reducing the amount of bicarbonate in each brushing. We've already tested with up to 4 parts of herbs for 1 part of baking and it worked fine (see recipe below). Moreover, there are many other natural recipes of toothpaste without bicarbonate, using specific types of clay as a base, for instance.

Anyway, we always recommend research in many different sources, observing the effects on your body as well as trying and regularly switch your toothpaste recipes.

Pure and healthy breath for all:)

¹ http :/ / www.md-health.com/Brushing-Teeth-With-Baking-Soda.html

² http :/ / www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/10/homemade-clay-toothpaste.html

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SIMPLE RECIPE OF NATURAL TOOTHPASTE

1 part of sea salt (a tablespoon makes a nice amount for a first try)

1 part of sodium bicarbonate

1 part of water and;

1 part of herbs (herbs options: crushed clove, mint, peppermint, fennel, sage, chamomile, fennel, rosemary or myrrh).

Crush the ingredients in a mortar til a creamy texture is reached.

How to use: Brush with a small amount of the paste (2mm pellet) on a regular toothbrush. Stoking lightly works well.

Tip: To increase the herbal sensation and fit to your taste, I suggest using a mixture of herbs. In this case, go up to 4 parts of herbs for 1 part of others (sea salt, baking soda and water). Enjoy the benefits!

BRAZIL in the Anti-Corruption WORLD CUP - Forget soccer

Right now, throughout our country, something unique is being happening and we believe it is, somehow, the birth of a new Human Conscience, more connected to true cooperation and away of greed, what had impregnated humankind for thousands of years.

Altogether, millions of ordinary people are demonstrating for real changes. Likely, our country has finally aroused against corruption, without any party flag, free of any bias leadership. That is the first time it happens since the Great Invasion, in 1500.

Thousands occupy Brasilian Congress  - Image from Internet

Although the demonstrations sometimes turn into riots, we believe the majority of people in Brazil are align with what we have being trying to spread, through this Donwshifter's blog: positivism and optimism around the great and peaceful alternatives for life such consumption reduction, materialism detachment, sustainability, PERMACULTURE, etc.

Among others, the sparks for the protests are being the expenditures and the shameful corruption spread around the World Cup and Olympic Games events which are - indeed- disgraces to Brazil's greed-free population. The pride we use to have on our national soccer is completely shadowed and, to be honest, irrelevant now.

Alongside, everything else coming from greed-based-elites such as banks, corporations, governments, politicians are not slightly better. While most of the world (reasonably humanized/non-blind nations) is aware of the already reached "peak oil" and have started to search for energy alternatives, promote resource-based lifestyles, these Brazilian elites are celebrating the "conquer" of the extremely risky, inefficient and over-polluting deep sea oil drilling and, not surprisingly, have started to auction these reserves overseas. MORE BLACK SMOKE TO ALL OF US.

Corporations such as Monsanto, Shell, Santander, etc are having a blast in Brazil. Consumerism is sky-rocketing like in China. Brazil had become an environmental tic-tac bomb alike.

Within this scenario, we'd like to share with all our friends to whom we had committed on hosting for the World Cup and Olympic Games:

We keep our commitment and welcome everyone to our diverse and colorful country, but in a very different way. We'll be so glad to find volunteering projects (many friends can receive foreigners) - maybe in our own - to host you. There are vast opportunities to get in contact with a culture and people you'll never see on the mass media.

All this is - from now on - expressly disconnected of the FIFA's World Cup and Olympic Games, which had clearly shown to be as corrupted as local governments and corporations. Help us to sweep corruption out of this Country, of this Planet. 

If you'd came to Brazil, try avoid flying. Plan ahead and come sailing, is great! (findacrew.com can help you!). 

Wherever you are, don't forget to divorce your car and TV (if you haven't yet).

We respectfully ask all friends, also committed with non-corruption, respect to Human Rights and with a New Era of COOPERATION to support non-greedy Brazilians in this moment as well as we want to endorse all peoples of the Earth in their genuine marches against cultural laceration, neo-colonialism, modern-slavery, corruption, consumerism, tirany, discrimination, waste, etc.

Peacefully, let's weaken the Empire of Greed and free the Earth!

Gaia Acknowledges!