The term cinnamon toothpaste refers to toothpaste flavored with cinnamon spice to mask the taste of its cleaning agents. Cinnamon alone cannot clean teeth, so commercial cinnamon toothpastes usually contain ingredients such as fluoride, antibacterial and anti-tartar agents, and preservatives. Home-made cinnamon toothpaste, however, often focuses on more natural ingredients found around the home, such as baking soda and tea tree oil. Cinnamon toothpaste is not as common as mint-flavored toothpaste.
Some people use cinnamon toothpaste simply to stray from their usual flavor, while others prefer the taste of spicy cinnamon over cool mint. Homemade toothpaste is often considered more environmentally-friendly than commercial brands, so it is popular among people attempting to live green. Since cleaning agents alone usually have an unpleasant taste, cinnamon, vanilla, or other natural flavoring ingredients are added.
Toothpaste flavored with cinnamon is available in two types: gel and powder. Cinnamon gel toothpaste typically is sold by well-known toothpaste brands, but it is not a very popular flavor and may be difficult to find in brick-and-mortar retail stores. On the other hand, cinnamon toothpaste in powder form can be easy to make at home and well-suited for those who use fluoride-free toothpaste out of preference or for medical reasons. Some people with sensitive teeth and gums find homemade toothpaste, whether powder or gel, to be gentler than commercial brands.
Making homemade cinnamon toothpaste can be as simple as adding freshly-ground cinnamon to a small container of baking soda. Enough cinnamon should be added to mask the taste of the baking soda. Once these ingredients are thoroughly mixed, a wet toothbrush is dipped into the mixture to pick up the powder. From there, the usual brushing routine is followed to thoroughly clean the teeth. More complicated cinnamon toothpaste recipes add tea tree oil for antibacterial purposes, additional herbs for a unique flavor, or liquid such as vegetable-based glycerin to turn the powder toothpaste into a more gel-like substance.
Commercially, this type of toothpaste is available in a toothpaste pump, regular tube, and travel size toothpaste tube. Home-made toothpaste in gel form can be placed in similar containers, however. These containers can even be reused when a new batch of cinnamon toothpaste is made, which usually is not the case with commercial toothpaste containers. It is recommended, but not necessary, to always brush with both fresh baking soda and fresh cinnamon. Particularly old batches should be utilized for something else or thrown away.
