Tooth care

Almond Thompson wrote:Have you tried the turmeric...? I feel like that would dye your skin...talk about a glow haha

That is a good suggestion.

I tried turmeric on my teeth and I thought it added color to them rather than whitening them.  I used turmeric to reduce the presence of bacteria that causes cavities.  I decided that one time was enough.

Carla Burke wrote:Coconut oil is comedigenic (sp?), meaning it will clog pores. So, if your skin is sensitive to it, like mine, I'd advise against that one, for the face. I do, however use it in my homemade body soaps and shampoo, with great results.

The egg whites can work well, but they're a temporary lift, and if not rinsed well, will leave a shiny finish on your skin that can crack, and add years to your look, until it's washed off. I've found a light swipe across my face with the cut portion of a cucumber does the same job, without the cracking, shiny finish.

Turmeric or strawberries are supposed to whiten teeth, too. I love edible beauty & hygiene products!

Very interesting about the coconut oil! I have been using it on my face for about six months, as regular soap irritates it to no end, but I have to feel like I washed it. I have noticed more clogged pores on my forehead that I'd never had before, but I figured it was just some chemistry changes. I may experiment with that. I used to use coconut oil in a toothpaste recipe but just cut it out after awhile because it was too much extra work lol. I just read that it makes a film on your teeth that traps bacteria? Or is that glycerine?

I believe that's the glycerine, commonly found in commercial toothpastes. I have several different ways of making cleansers for my teeth, one of which includes coconut oil, and I've never experienced that film, but one of the many reasons I make my own is the glycerine issue. Oil pulling is also often done with coconut oil. While trying that, I never had an issue with a film, but simply trying to hold oil in my mouth triggered my gag reflex so badly, it wasn't an option I was willing to pursue, though millions of folks around the world do it, to cleanse their mouths, and pull out bad bacteria.

For what it’s worth:
I got some remineralizing toothpaste from risewell, and saw they used glycerin in it.

I contacted them to find out about it.

They said they had looked in to the stories about glycerin creating a film, etc.

They concluded that all the reports came from one source that thousands of others quoted.  And, not meaning to slander anyone, the risewell people didn’t feel that one source was anything they wanted to rely on in formulating their products.

I like their toothpaste, I use it in between uses of “shine” a remineralization tooth powder.  Both contain hydroxyapatite— what our teeth and bones are primarily made of.  My hollow tooth (where filling fell out) is less sensitive than last winter, which means to me that the glycerin is not adversely affecting my teeth.

On the skin, glycerin acts as a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin.  (Honey does this too).  Glycerin is a product of the molecular reaction of strong base with fat molecules and so is present in all hot or cold process soap.  The translucent “glycerin soap” may or may not have additional glycerin, but it isn’t the glycerin content that makes it “clear”.  It has something to do with adding alcohol to the soap putting a cover on it and allowing time for another molecular reaction to occur.

Now back on topic, I have cancer prone skin, are there any masks for that?

Thekla, there *may* be some help for skin cancer in frankinsense. Thus far, actual tests in vitro are promising, but there are no human studies finished. I'm not even sure they've begun them.

BUT! Frankinsense does rapidly increase cell regeneration, so it's good in cleansers, masks, moisturizing creams, lotions, etc., as well as in first aid/ healing salves. I add it to all of my homemade stuff, for hygiene & healing. It's also antimicrobial, antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial, so it's great for acne, nail fungus, cuts & scrapes, and I also put it in my tooth cleansers and mouth wash. Since I started using it as a mouth wash, my frequent cuts inside my mouth (from broken & big teeth) heal MUCH faster.

Thanks Carla,

I have a bag of frankincense tears.  I’ll grind them up and mix up some anti cancer goodness!  

And in the meantime, I have some essential oil I can put on my most troubling spot.