Toothbrushes/toothpastes/mouthrinses

[bebe luna]

Just wondering- what toothpaste does your family use??
We recently discovered Weledas salt toothpaste and are definately addicted!!!

[Jazmommie]

We use different ones for different people-I use Ecodent toothpowder with myrrh,it is nonfluoride & made for homeopathic medicine users. www.eco-dent.com
Ipsab toothpowder for times when my gums are irritated,it has prickly ash bark,salt,peppermint oil,& is nonfluoride.
We use Glycothymoline mouthwash which is also great for diaper rash(diluted with water).
My hubby only uses Crest!

[naturalmama]

We use Tom's of Maine

[happyday8598]

New SPIN BRUSHES??

Somebody wants to get Owen one of those "spin brushes" for christmas (I know, how lazy can you be? but I think it might help him ENJOY brushing his teeth?!)

However, somebody else told me that those brushes remove a layering of enamel off their teethies?

Does anybody know anything about this? Are those brushes bad for people to use??

HELP!

Emily

[Raven1]

I haven't seen any research on it, but my gut reaction is that it depends on the duration/frequency of brushing and the abrasive level of the paste used. I bought my dd one(as she was totally resistant to brushing for the first yr and a half or so, and it got her interested My son has a fancier one, an Interplak I think, and as he tends to be a sloppy brusher, I think it helps to get more done in less time. Of course, we also all have "manual" brushes, which we use off and on/parents almost always; you know how we old fogies are, lol!
I'd be interested in hearing from others on this one. I have a friend who believes strongly that brushing more than once a day in any form damages the enamel, and of course, I tend to think that in a perfect world, our diet/lifestyle would make reg. brushing obsolete. But we don't always eat only raw veggies/fruits anymore, ya know? Kim

[Raven1]

DH will only use Naturesgate peppermint. The kids and I usually use NG fennel. But sometimes Peelu, which is nonabrasive and great for plaque prevention. (but not, imo, so great on texture/taste). Oh, and Naturesgate also makes a cherry gel which the kids love. I find it a bit too slimy and sweet We've also used simple baking soda with a touch of peppermint oil in a pinch. As long as it is free of flouride and a few other ingredients, preferably contains certain minerals/nutrients, and some ingredient to balance the PH level, it'll do for us

[happyday8598]

HomeMade ToothPaste Recipe

Make your own homemade natural tooth powder does a great job of polishing my teeth and leaves my mouth feeling clean and refreshed. It doesn't have that very sweet flavor found in conventional toothpastes.

To make the tooth powder, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of fine sea salt, 1 teaspoon of myrrh powder, which is sold in natural food stores, and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil.

Baking soda whitens teeth; that's why it's included in so many commercial toothpastes. Sea salt polishes your teeth and tightens your gums. Myrrh fights the germs that causen periodontal disease, and peppermint oil refreshes.

Store the mixture in a tightly covered container. (After one month, you'll need to replenish the peppermint oil, which dissipates.)

To use, scoop about 1 teaspoon of the tooth powder into a shallow dish. Wet your toothbrush, dip it into the powder, and then brush your teeth and rinse as usual."

Worth a try?

Love,
Emily

[lilyka]

they are so fun. Evryone brushes more now that we have twirly brushes. I have no enamel on my teeth (my mom took antibiotics while she was preg.) so I guess I have nothing to worry about. As for madeline who hates brushing and Lilyka who just likes to eat the tooth paste they are a God send.

[Smilemomma]

[Yaya & Kais mom]

I use Toms of Maine peppermint, my dd uses Weleda Pink Toothpaste with Myrrh

[Parthenia]

Tom's of Maine fennel with propolis and myrrh, dessert essence with tea tree oil, or Auromere ayurvedic with neem. The latter is my fave, but dh doesn't like it, so I usually buy the others, which have a similar taste but smoother consistency (which is why dh doesn't like auromere. Too gritty to him).

DD uses Tom's silly strawberry, but she likes to refill her brush several times and she eats the toothpaste, so at the second refill she gets what we're using so as not to overdo it on the flouride.

I love listerine, too.

[Xander's Mama]

Vibrating Teeth

I've seen a few posts on using electric toothbrushes on kids. We just got a sonicare for ourselves and discovered that our 16 mos. ds actually enjoys teethbrushing if we use it. I checked with the dentist on this and was told it would be too much vibration for his little developing roots. I can understand that rationale but also think that vibrations would cause the roots to grow stronger (kind of like a tree living in windy environments has much stronger roots). Smilemomma, can you provide a second opinion?
Thanks.

Xander's Mama

[boobykinmamma]

herbs/essential oils for teeth and gums?

Well, I finally went to the dentist after 6 years---I know, I've been bad! I need a lot of work, but it wasn't as bad as I thought--I do need some crowns and possible root canals, and have periodontal disease (not severe), but I really thought I was in for worse, and it also isn't going to cost as much as I feared, thanks to a dental discount plan (which are a much better deal than dental insurance, imo). Anyway, I am going to have the work done as soon as possible (fil is helping out financially, bless him!). This includes scaling and root planing for periodontal disease, with ongoing maintainance. I'm wondering if there are any natural treatments I can do at home as part of this maintainance. I believe you've mentioned this in the past, and I'm wondering if there are any specific products you can recommend (essential oils, etc?). Also, with all that work being done on my teeth, would you recommend taking extra echinacea or any other herbs/natural treatments? I know how busy you are smilemamma, so please feel free to take your time in answering. Finally, I want to thank you so much for your kindness in taking the time to moderate this forum. I'm sure you're already busy enough!

[mtt/bc]

Dh is going in for some major dental work soon. How do you use the essential oils? I'll get him started on the multi-vite, vite C and B-complex right away.

Thanks

[boobykinmamma]

I was able to get the Dental Herb stuff from my mom's dentist. I called the company, and they said this is the only way to get it legally. There are some websites still selling it directly to consumers, but apparently there are a bunch of lawsuits pending. It sounds like a really amazing product.

[mtt/bc]

Hi Boobykinmamma. I feel like I'm butting in here - sorry about that.

Hi Smilemomma,
Dh had not been to a dentist in too many years and I finally persuaded (in a very sneaky way but w/lot's of loving intent) him to see my new dentist. Anyways, he's had a year's worth of cleanings, scaling and root planings (11 altogether). He has an appt. next month to see about wisdom teeth extraction and whatever else might need taking care of. I haven't heard anything about cavities yet. I can let you know more after his appt.

Smilemomma, you are so wonderful to be here for all of us. I have no idea how you do it. I'm a sahm to 4.5yr ds and I'm usually pretty tired by the end of the day not to mention no brain cells left! Thanks for your help.

[boobykinmamma]

mtt--You might be able to get the gum and tooth tonic from a dentist in your area. If you call the Dental Herb Company (number on their website), they will give you the names of dentists in your area who carry it. They might be willing to sell it to you even though your husband is not a patient. Good luck!

And thanks again, Smilemamma! I'll keep you updated. I start tomorrow on my dental work, and I am actually looking forward to it!

[valeria_vi]

SimleMomma, what do you think of a this toothpase?

Here are the ingridients as listed on the tube:
Stabilized Aloe Vera Gel
SorbitolHydrated Sillica
Glycerin
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Carrageenan
Flavor
Bee Propolis
Sodium Saccharin
Sodium Benzonate
Chloporyllin-Copper Complex

I know somebody who justswears by it. I gave it a try too. It does clean the teeth nicely, but what about the ingridients?
Just a note: this company has a patent how to stabilize aloe vera gel to preserve its effects. they also grow certified organic aloe vera.
Thanks for your opinion.

[Threefold]

good argument for dh about saccharin

I've been careful to only put tiny amounts of a good toothpaste (as far as I know!) on 13 mo old ds's toothbrush. Unfortunatly, dh will only use a paste that is bubble gum flavored and contains saccharin. Last night he offered it to ds. I asked him not to and he told me to "relax" ,which I DONT" FEEL LIKE DOING! I am pretty sure I am right in not wanting ds to brush with dh's paste, but can you give me some hard facts on why it is a bad idea? When I said saccharin was a known carginogen, he said, it's not like you're eating it (though ds is!) and its only a small amount. I am postive he is wrong, can you help me tell him why?

[Linda in Arizona]

spin brushes

What do you all think of spin brushes? Are they as good as the regular kind? My kids (who are 3 and 5) think they are great, so they are more willing to brush their teeth and I can brush a little longer, which seems good to me.