In recent years, people have become more aware of what is in everyday household products and many families are making the switch to natural alternatives. Commercial toothpastes tend to be laden with chemicals and fluoride, which some people have decided to avoid due to concerns over its safety.

Sodium lauryl sulphate is found in most commercial toothpastes and has been linked to neurotoxicity and cancer. Glycerine is another popular ingredient, but it prevents remineralisation by sticking to your teeth and creating a barrier. Most people now know that parabens have been linked to cancer and hormone disruption, but it's regularly added to toothpaste as a cheap preservative.

In response to changing consumer attitudes you can now buy a number of natural toothpastes, but they can be quite a bit more expensive than regular brands. One alternative is to make your own toothpaste. Here's how:

Natural Toothpaste Recipe

This natural toothpaste recipe is fluoride-free, but if you want to incorporate fluoride into your oral hygiene routine you can take fluoride drops each day. Local clinics like The Happy Tooth Muswellbrook can recommend a brand of fluoride drops and explain how to use them effectively. This recipe is suitable for the whole family.

Ingredients

• 100g virgin coconut oil
• 150g bicarbonate of soda
• 12-15 drops antibacterial essential oil
• 1 teaspoon xylitol powder

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients together until they are well combined.
2. Scoop the mixture into a small jar with a lid and store at room temperature.
3. To use, spoon a little of the mixture onto your toothbrush as brush as normal.

Virgin coconut oil has potent antimicrobial properties, and bicarbonate of soda has stain removing properties. Xylitol powder is a natural sweetener, but dentists also recommend it as a chemical-free and effective way of protecting your mouth from acid erosion. Xylitol prevents bacteria, which produces acid as a waste product, from thriving and can neutralise your saliva.

You can opt for any antibacterial essential oils you like. If you want your toothpaste to have the minty flavour you're used to, try peppermint essential oil. Opt for eucalyptus oil for a cooling, fresh sensation, or grapefruit seed oil if you like citrusy flavours.

When switching to a natural toothpaste brand or making your own at home, make your dentist aware of the changes to your oral hygiene routine. They can discuss the pros and cons of your choices and monitor the effectiveness of your new routine over the course of several check-ups.