Green Toothpaste?!

Like every other person, I care about the hygiene of my teeth. I'm proud to say that I have no...what are they called? Oh, right! Cavities! Those detestable things.

Anyway, I follow the daily regimen of brushing my teeth morning and night. I live in a dorm on campus, so I clearly have to share the bathroom with about 15 other girls (our dorm is technically co-ed, but there are only two boys on the floor!).

So I go in, toothbrush and facewash in hand, and start my morning routine. And then I get the looks. The looks that say, "I'm trying to discreetly look at you." Which they never really are.

But I guess I deserve the looks. You see, my toothpaste is green and is 'packaged' in a Gerber baby food container (due to the fact that a have a nephew with a voracious appetite, these are readily available-for free!). The first I was living at school, one girl blatantly stared at me and asked if I had a special facial regimen in the container.

So, like Lucy, I usually have a lot of 'splainin' to do: I use my own homemade toothpaste! It's really very simple, and rather effective thus far. I found the recipe in a craftbook and followed it, rather loosely, to create my great baking soda toothpaste. It's really very simple and economic and, like many crafty projects, uses things which you might already have (or your mom probably has, so go raid her pantry.). Here's what I used to make my toothpaste:

• baking soda
• lime zest (this is the rind of the lime: just grate it with a cheese grater so it's pretty fine)
• mint extract
• olive oil (to make everything stick together)

I think, for my next batch, I need to modify a few things. First and foremost, I'm going to use mint oil instead of extract, because I think it might have more profume and will definitely make the baking oil into a better consistency. I believe, in turn, that this will dimish the need for olive oil to a certain degree. Also, I haven't been entirely thrilled with getting little pieces of lime zest left in my mouth. So I think I will cut out the lime zest, seeing as it doesn't add too much flavor.

As far as storage goes: I would recommend keeping it in the fridge most of the time. That's why it's convenient as a college student: I have to walk by our mini-fridge in order to get to the bathroom. I can see how it would be less convenient if not living in this environment. I think it would be okay if it wasn't in a fridge, but I can't be sure how long it would last with the lime zest in it. Also, be prepared for the toothpaste to taste like salt. It's not a bad taste, but it might take some time until you are entirely comfortable with it.

I'll be the first one to admit that my toothpaste is not perfect (what a great line. I think I'll use that when I write my first novel). It doesn't give you that overwhelmingly minty after taste which makes you confident and awake. It doesn't create the foam in your mouth which makes you feel efficient. But it is cheap, easily organic, and makes for a good story (and some strange glances!).