In the old days the people in India did not use neem toothpaste. They used neem toothbrushes instead.
Chewing on a neem twig has for many centuries been the commonly preferred way to prevent gum disease and maintain healthy teeth.
These rural people had never used a "real" toothbrush, didn't know Crest or Colgate, yet they had perfect teeth. A perfect natural solution.
Researchers believe the tradition of using neem twigs for dental care has helped Indian villagers to avoid cavities and tooth loss, although they have no access to modern dental care facilities or products.
And where did the controversial fluoride get us? Holes everywhere...
And then the other evil: plaque, tartar, gingivitis, periodontitis... You heard all about it. Gum disease is a recognized public health problem in the western world. The widespread chronic infection of gums (gingivitis) is even believed to contribute to heart disease.
But can we believe the tales from India? What does modern research say about toothpaste with neem?
The studies agree with the anecdotal evidence and thousands of years of traditional use. Neem can...
Considering that the use of neem in tooth care has shown no side effects whatsoever, whereas fluoride is now highly controversial, wouldn't you want to switch?
The researchers used mainly neem leaf powders and extracts in their research. Interestingly the neem leaf is not even the most effective neem product for dental care purposes, it's the neem bark (hence the chewing of neem twigs).
But manufacturers don't want to use bark in a toothpaste, because that would make it brown. And the public isn't educated enough to accept such a product. It needs to look right, too...
If you do have a serious problem with gum disease, it may pay to look around for neem products containing the bark. Some toothpastes do contain bark extracts. Neem mouth wash often uses neem bark as well as leaf extract. Neem tooth powder can contain dried leaf but also neem bark and neem seed.
You can also buy straight neem bark powder. Just dip your loaded toothbrush into it before brushing your teeth!
Check the ingredients list of any neem toothpaste. Not every toothpaste with neem is a totally natural toothpaste. You can find many neem toothpastes that have all the conventional ingredients and just use neem as an additional ingredient.
I am not saying they are bad. They are great for oral care as they do offer all the neem benefits. But if your main concern is avoiding SLS, fluoride and similar chemicals, then read the label carefully.
Buy neem products from a reliable, quality manufacturer. A while back there was also a neem toothpaste health scare: one brand of neem toothpaste (Neem Active Toothpaste with Calcium), at the time made by by Calcutta Chemical Co. Ltd. in India, was found to be contaminated with the toxic Diethylene Glycol (DEG). It also contained harmful levels of bacteria.
Note that the company in Calcutta has since been bought out by Henkel. It was only the older toothpaste from Calcutta that was contaminated. Neem Active Toothpaste is totally safe. But this just goes to show how important it is to only buy neem products from reliable, quality manufacturers.
Herbal neem toothpaste is NOT neem oil toothpaste. There is no neem oil toothpaste.
Readers keep sending in questions about using neem oil for teeth. One reader even wanted to smear neem oil on his baby son's gums on a regular basis!
Neem oil is for external use only!!! To battle insects, pests and parasites, and for skin and hair care. Neem oil is NOT safe to take internally, ESPECIALLY for children!
Neem toothpaste is made with neem leaf and neem bark. Don't make toothpaste or oral care products with neem oil.
By the way, if you live in a tropical area, you can make your own neem toothbrush. If not, then luckily you can buy neem toothpaste...