The Toothpaste Problem

[pomegranate_harmony]

I like to imagine a self-sustained community… It’s a fun day-dream.

There’s just one road-block that I just can’t find a way around: how the heck do you make toothpaste?!

There’s a company in Maine, called “Tom’s of Maine” that makes natural tooth-paste, but the ingredients they use seem pretty hard to get.

Has anyone already figured this out?

[Xunzian]

I used baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for toothpaste growing up. While making hydrogen peroxide isn’t easy on an individual level, it is readily available.

[Anthem]

There’s a bunch of plants used for toothbrushes that also have chemicals to help with oral hygiene.

applam.com/My_Homepage_Files/Page13.html

Sassafras
twigs used as chew sticks revive the mouth and massage the gums; they also make delicious toothbrushes.

pfaf.org/database/plants.php … +bidentata

The stem of the plant is used as a toothbrush that is said to be good for the teeth and is also a treatment for pyorrhoea.

serengeti.org/plantlife.html

Toothbrush tree (Salvadora persica)
The toothbrush tree is a low bush with characteristic long, arching shoots. These shoots, when green, are cut by locals and used as toothbrushes. First, they chew on the end until it resembles a normal toothbrush, and then they brush their teeth with it, spitting out the fragments of wood all the while. It may sound unpleasant, but their smiles tell of a job well done.

[Rejected_Theory]

Cut out those carbs and there’s no need to brush your teeth

[Faust]

Yeah, baking soda works just fine.

So there you have it. You’ve solved the whole self-sufficiency dilemma.

Speaking of Maine, it’s a good place to learn about self-sufficiency. The real trick is to grow enough weed in a short season to have enough to keep you through the winter, and not get caught or have it stolen. The latter risk is greater than the former, by the way.