Most of us were taught from childhood that brushing twice a day with toothpaste is the gold standard for healthy teeth.
But few people stop to ask: what exactly is toothpaste supposed to do? Does the kind we use really matter?
The short answer is this: toothpaste isn’t magic. But the environment inside your mouth is what enables your teeth and gums to heal. The health of your teeth and gums affects your whole body, and keeping the mouth in a balanced, non-acidic state is one of the most powerful ways to prevent decay and disease.
A Brief History of Toothpaste
Toothpaste, in some form, has existed for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used mixtures of crushed eggshells, ashes, and herbs to clean their teeth. The Greeks and Romans used powders made from charcoal, bones, and oyster shells. These early formulas were not about “killing germs” but about gently cleaning the teeth and keeping the mouth fresh.
Modern toothpaste, as we know it today, emerged in the 1800s and early 1900s alongside industrialization and mass production. As sugar consumption increased, cavities became more common, and dentistry began searching for ways to protect teeth from decay. Fluoride was later added because of its cited ability to harden enamel and make teeth more resistant to acid damage.
But somewhere along the way, toothpaste went from being a simple cleaning aid to being marketed as the thing that “prevents cavities.” In reality, toothpaste supports oral health, but it doesn’t replace the importance of saliva, mineral balance, and pH.
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is a naturally occurring mineral clay formed from volcanic ash. It has been used for centuries in traditional healing because of its unique ability to bind toxins, heavy metals, and impurities.
In the mouth, bentonite clay can:
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Gently polish and clean teeth
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Bind and remove harmful bacteria and acids
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Support a more neutral, balanced pH
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Deliver trace minerals that support enamel
Unlike harsh abrasives or strong chemical foaming agents, bentonite clay works with the mouth’s natural processes instead of disrupting them. It helps create an environment where beneficial bacteria can thrive, and harmful bacteria have less opportunity to cause damage.
MamaMadeCo natural bentonite clay toothpaste is an excellent option if you are looking to promote your oral health. Shop Mama Made Toothpaste
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This is not medical advice.
References
American Dental Association. (n.d.). Saliva: Its role in oral health.
https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/saliva
American Dental Association. (n.d.). Fluoride and dental caries.
https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/fluoride
American Dental Association. (n.d.). Toothpaste.
https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/toothpastes
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Plaque and tartar.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10953-plaque-and-tartar
Featherstone, J. D. B. (2000). The caries balance: Contributing factors and early detection. Journal of the American Dental Association, 131(7), 887–899.
https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)60121-0/fulltext
Limeback, H. (2012). A re-examination of the pre-eruptive and post-eruptive effects of fluoride. Journal of the Canadian Dental Association, 78, c69.
https://jcda.ca/article/c69
Murray, H. H. (2007). Applied clay mineralogy: Occurrences, processing, and applications of kaolins, bentonites, palygorskite–sepiolite, and common clays. Elsevier.
Newbrun, E. (1982). Sugar and dental caries: A review of human studies. Science, 217(4558), 418–423. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.7046055
Touger-Decker, R., & van Loveren, C. (2003). Sugars and dental caries. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 78(4), 881S–892S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/78.4.881S
