Toothpaste | Ingredients With George Zaidan (Episode 1)

Ancient toothpaste used stuff like rocks and bones -- and modern toothpaste isn’t all that different. Watch as chemist George Zaidan tries to create his own homemade toothpaste.
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UPDATE: Since we filmed this video, the FDA has banned triclosan and 18 other ingredients from “consumer antiseptic wash products” (aka soap). You can read the details below, but the FDA is basically saying that none of these ingredients clean your hands any better than plain old soap and water. The FDA did not ban triclosan from toothpaste, but you can easily check whether your toothpaste has it by checking the ingredients label. Triclosan would be listed under “Active Ingredients” in the “Drug Facts” box on the back of the package. Most toothpastes don’t have triclosan, so you can choose to brush without it if you’d like.
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About Ingredients:
Join MIT-trained chemist and science educator George Zaidan as he tries to recreate everyday household products like toothpaste, lipstick, or shaving cream using only natural ingredients… and no recipe! He’ll have to decode long lists of intimidating chemical names, figure out what they all do, try and find natural substitutes, and then cook up the do-it-yourself versions in his chemistry lab (kitchen). While George may or may not succeed, we'll all learn something new and surprising about the products we take for granted every day.
Find George Zaidan on
Twitter: bit.ly/GeorgeZa...
CNBC: bit.ly/MakeMeAM...
About National Geographic:
National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible.
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Copyright 2016 Free Energy Productions LLC. Produced in partnership with National Geographic.
Credits:
Special thanks: H. Elaine Cheong, DDS
Editor: Daniel Carbone
Graphics and animations: Per Hoel
Illustrator: Brett Paci
Overlays: Ceri Riley
Director of photography: Adam Morrell and Emily Wathen
Theme music: Pickup Stix
Additional music: Cyborg Ninja (Kevin MacLeod)
Created and executive produced by: George Zaidan and Elizabeth Choe
For National Geographic:
VP, Digital Video: James Williams
Executive Producer: Danielle Steinberg
Producer: Will Halicks
Associate Producer: Milaena Hamilton
Associate Producer: Lindsay Benson
Special thanks to Stephanie Atlas, Lisa Covi, Dan Steinmetz, Rebekah Barlas, Nicola Overstreet, Anna Kukelhaus, Kelsey Taylor, Gabe Bullard, Becky Little
Toothpaste | Ingredients With George Zaidan (Episode 1)
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books.google.c...

[@PakistanZindabad953]

One natural replacement for tooth brush and tooth paste is "meswak". It is like a stick but soaking one end in water make it like a brush. I was looking fo natural source for cleaning my teeth I am loving it. You can find it in Islamic books/clothing stores. You can google " Meswak" to find out more.

[@jackielinde7568]

+National Geographic Have you thought about what goes into dry and wet dog and cat foods?I don't know if they could be fit into one episode, but definitely worth the look. Maybe one episode looking at dry kibble, seeing all the claims about perishable items in a food that is not perishable. (Meat based claims especially for cat food.)

[@georgezaidan]

Thanks, great idea!

[@pawsitivelycosmo]

Greatly entertaining and interesting. Keep these coming! One thing that I would like to suggest is to heighten the content regarding where some of these ingredients come from--petroleum, conflict areas--and how much is left, etc., because I care so much about my footprint, I just want to be informed. Did gum Arabic influence Darfur? How are the world's reserves of titanium holding up? You get the point, thanks!

[@marial6000]

Why am I watching a video about toothpaste, I'm supposed to study for a final

[@CoolestThing]

Great video George! Very clear, fun and informative.

[@georgezaidan]

thanks!!

[@kimberleyhutson3906]

Very Cool. I will stay tuned to see what I can direct my students to.

[@KTFRabbit]

In other countries, there is something called a RDA number on the toothpaste tube which tells the user how abrasive the product is. You can do a search for this information. A few websites have lists of popular toothpaste, their RDA numbers and where the "safe zone" is. You can probably tweak your homemade concoction as a dog toothpaste with the addition of coconut oil and minus the xylitol, which can cause deadly hypoglycemia in dogs.

[@georgezaidan]

Cool thanks, will look into it

[@MusicInMae]

lmfao this was a good video you guys should do more

[@endoflighttv]

Earth Paste is good !!

[@koraysuna2125]

This is great video. Perfect. I watched from TURKEY :) Then, this is chanel. I recommed my friends :)

[@jayarengasamy5568]

Thats a good name

[@Spezies]

definitively more chocolat needed in that toothpaste :)

[@chrisgates7664]

great video. very well done. I think you could go a little more in depth about each ingredient. I find it fascinating. well done

[@xalachxanh9459]

Coconut oil + baking soda + tea tree oil + a little bit of salt = my toothpaste

[@ktimo100]

I made mine only with coconut oil and baking soda, may i ask what the salt and tea tree oil add to the paste?

[@xalachxanh9459]

I use powder of Himalayan pink salt because it's rich in minerals, and tea tree oil for infection. Near my house there is a store that sell only the organic products, i can find there all the ingredients i need.

[@luigiasmr3665]

Sorry I'm late but coconut oil is antifungal too!

[@sonyaisbell537]

I bet you have summer teeth some are brown some are yellow some are missing they are also probably brittle because you don't get no flouride wich strengthens and whitens your teeth

[@gameprecise]

Sonya, you might want to do some more research on fluoride. Deeper research. Just sayin.

[@luckyduckie2000]

Nice...I'm going to like this series

[@ruudiluca]

This is a great idea for a series! Maybe try facial scrubs (the ones with microbeads).

[@artfx9]

micro-beads are a major pollutant!

[@ruudiluca]

That's why I said that they should talk about microbeads.

[@georgezaidan]

Good idea, I'll add it to the list!

[@CassidyHolbrook]

I use coconut oil, baking soda, and cacao powder in my tooth paste!

[@ktimo100]

Cool, why do you add the cacao powder?

[@cookiecakez1316]

Timo Kroeze to make it taste good

[@1312KW]

More of these please!

[@jayit6851]

Seems weird to throw Sodium Floride into the other category as it's probably one of the most important ingredients in a toothpaste

[@TupacShakurr]

Because they don’t really want to educate us on what really matters.

[@ash2lar]

You might consider using eggshells. I boil mine for 10 minutes, then bake in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes. Pulverize in a coffee grinder. I also use this for my calcium supplement. 1/2 tsp. has about 400 mg. calcium carbonate. It's slightly gritty, but surprisingly has almost a floral flavor. Might try this for toothpaste, with a touch of baking soda.

[@georgezaidan]

Ooh interesting idea. I was thinking about trying crushed oyster shells but that seemed like it would be rough on the gums. Your way sounds better.

[@DebbonnaireKovacs]

Great vid--very amusing as well as educational. Personally, all I do is put a couple of drops of peppermint oil into a little baking soda, use the water in my wet brush to make a paste of that, and voila! Toothpaste!

[@firesoul453]

I miss this series

[@Anathen91]

I need more info about the homemade toothpaste he makes! How would you store it and how long does it keep?

[@GianlucaAiello]

Veeeery interesting show and veeeery well done. Kudos. Thanks!

[@eth6706]

Just use baking soda. The end.

[@MargaritaMagdalena]

Why?

[@FedJimSmith]

just new to this channel, and I like your style

[@TheInternetDentist]

Excellent way of presenting, loved it 😊

[@Larou6]

Can you give the proportions of each ingredients so it would be possible to make it?

[@georgezaidan]

It's a bit of trial and error. Start with 3:1 ratio of water:glycerin and add chalk until you get the consistency you want!

[@SagesMomandDad]

Great show! Thanks!

[@douglaslaplante4323]

This video was so good!!! Please do more

[@elizabethdecosta9324]

Allot of people looking for a more holistic option for toothpaste use coconut oil, treatments of activated charcoal and the oil cleaning method as additions to natural tooth brushing.

[@Mayeldarwishgmailcom]

AWESOME!!Really informative, entertaining and funny. Thanks George!!!!!!hugs,May (from Geneva...)

[@georgezaidan]

HI May! Thanks!!! :)

[@YogeshSharma-wn9du]

I am using patanjali toothpaste.. So what r u thinking about it..?

[@samthistleton]

good video very entertaining while also educational :)

[@MotaMuhBadiBaat]

amazing show

[@jennd8685]

Been waiting for the ingredients list in toothpaste, since the Slurm episode on Futurama.

[@kalindpathak]

Very informative video. Nicely done. Regarding suggestions for a new episode, have always wondered about the ingredients in fancy detergents vis a vis regular detergents? There are also specialised detergents for washing machines and cleaning utensils. Would like to know about their ingredients. Thanks

[@zameershah5171]

Great video!

[@moss8448]

a good home made toothpaste is 50% salt 50% baking soda..natural abrasive and natural acid neutralizer...not to mention slight astringent. that can be used in conjunction with your normal toothpaste or stand alone...it also removes stains over time naturally..

[@faithfull9179]

Love ittttttttttttttt. Do a video with moisturiser😍😍

[@VermaSK]

good presentation

[@arlene6605]

Could I make this at home and use it regularly? Would it affect my teeth negatively in any way with continuous usage?

[@shovel4prez492]

This is great! It's funny, educational, and interesting all in one! I'll definitely be watching more of this! Also.. Can you do Chapstick or is that too close to the lipstick one? If it is, then can you do hair conditioner or body wash?

[@georgezaidan]

Hair conditioner is coming up next week!

[@shovel4prez492]

Thank you for looking into it and being so helpful and kind to all of the commenters!

[@georgezaidan]

Avery Carreno thank YOU for watching!!

[@shovel4prez492]

Aw shucks, no need to thank me, seriously! You're just too kind! By the way, you looked nice in the lipstick you wore in the other episode! The colour suits you, no joke

[@blueanthill]

Why didn't you talk about the triclosan? It's in a lot of cleaning products and the FDA is phasing it out.

[@georgezaidan]

We updated the description with a discussion of triclosan: "Since we filmed this video, the FDA has banned triclosan and 18 other ingredients from “consumer antiseptic wash products” (aka soap). You can read the details below, but the FDA is basically saying that none of these ingredients clean your hands any better than plain old soap and water. The FDA did not ban triclosan from toothpaste, but you can easily check whether your toothpaste has it by checking the ingredients label. Triclosan would be listed under “Active Ingredients” in the “Drug Facts” box on the back of the package. Most toothpastes don’t have triclosan, so you can choose to brush without it if you’d like. www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroo... www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Consu... www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/wel...

[@zephel4316]

Hi, great video.

[@mysticalbeing4406]

Can i grind the chalk and use it for the mixture?

[@paytonG-H]

My toothpaste: calcium carbonate, Redmond clay, xylitol, cinnamon, clove, frankincense, a bit of baking soda, coconut oil (melted to mix the ingredients) some ground Himalayan salt and a bit of water. Just some facts: calcium carbonate actually feeds your teeth to make them stronger, xylitol reduces plaque and whitens. You don't really need the glycerin, all it does is coats your teeth and prevents remineralizing. Natural toothpaste without fluoride does prevent cavities, especially when you add multiple essential oils and the clay. The coconut oil will give it a paste texture while also being a natural cleaner and providing nutrients. I got cavities using colgate, but I no longer use them since they are not cruelty free. Now, my teeth look good, no cavities, white and I can make multiple batches at home.

[@chandan05]

Can u share proportions

[@Nimbleful]

"Toothpaste abrasives make up anything for 30-60% of toothpastes" George's toothpaste: 90% chalk :D

[@eathetichomo5081]

Thanks for making this video .I just start making my own toothpaste

[@jestempies]

Maybe add some guar gum, or some other edible thickener?

[@akterparvej3100]

it's totally awesome to know that.Now I khow what I am brushing with . Yea it's toothpaste but now I know what it made with

[@IR0NIK_]

Me:Brush my teeth in the morning Then drink orange juice. The mint: I am about to end this man's career

[@kaushiksuvarna8569]

like how would be it combining natural ingredients instead of chemicals can u say me about preservative which can be used and its shelf life

[@chris7toronto]

Nice video!

[@elenamoncada-ibarra8803]

do an episode for hair gel. I've always wo dered what it is I put in my haor every morning.

[@marwamimouful]

it's so interesting. thank you

[@nulenix]

Sodium floride is the most important thing and you put it in (other) category !!!

[@kkoun]

"It tastes like earth not dirt, Minerals!" Lol. Nice video. More as such please!

[@sushilbarua8862]

A paste in head when fever temperature it controls and cOlgate.ayrbad with neem leaf or any leaf

[@CastOnCalamity]

I'm loving these videos.

[@georgezaidan]

thanks!!

[@MarshmallowMadnesss]

Please talk more about where the Fluoride comes from and why is it also deposited into our drinking water.

[@bartwilson2513]

What category does triclosan fit into?

[@cimiv]

antibiotic & antifungal, recently banned from consumer soaps in the US.

[@RD-hv2hp]

Antibacterial used for Anti-gingivitis and anti-plaque.

[@raghvendrapathak6592]

nicely made video. will try it for sure :)

[@combos16]

Wow, really cool, you guys should post more vids on how to make everyday products at home using all natural ingredients!

[@8fternoon]

This is fun!

[@catgrin]

"...it'd be like a dull grey, and no one wants that." Well, actually, I (for one) don't mind. Several years ago, many of my teeth were micro fractured when I was injured in a car accident. For years, at my dentist's recommendation, I used a toothpaste for people with sensitive teeth. Unfortunately, I'm a also person who reacts to most artificial sweeteners, and in recent years I'd noticed my gums weakening. So, I looked around for a toothpaste that was either unsweetened or sweetened only with Xylitol (which I don't react to and helps maintain a neutral pH in your mouth). A few months ago, I found one I like. (Not trying to buzz market, and I don't work for these guys.) Anyway, I'm now using Earthpaste, which you can find online for a price comparable to most "sensitive teeth" toothpastes. The ingredients are simple: water, clay, Xylitol, salt, and some essential oils (they even make cinnamon and lemon if you don't like mints). Fair warning, the paste doesn't foam and it is grey. It also has the "earthy" taste that George commented on, so it takes a bit to get used to. However, these days my gums are much better, and my teeth aren't sensitive at all. I also still drink tap water daily, so I'm getting some fluoride, which isn't what I was trying to omit. Unfortunately, it's actually harder to find an unsweetened toothpaste than to find one without fluoride in it! My best option was a fluoride-free paste using Xylitol only. Irritation caused by a sweetened paste caused me to brush less frequently which is worse for your teeth than using a toothpaste with no fluoride in it!

[@georgezaidan]

Good point! The color doesn't really matter.

[@catgrin]

Thanks! The product change really has been positive. More on the opposition to a grey paste: whites and blue tones used in most brands of toothpaste are really just a marketing tool. People associate them with the colors they want for their mouths (falsely believing premises like, "a bluish polish will cancel out my yellow staining" or "this clean looking thing will clean me better"). We are, unfortunately and regularly, victims of advertising. In reality, strong teeth are actually more likely to be slightly yellow. That's because dentin contained under your enamel is yellowish, and a thicker layer of dentin does equal stronger teeth!

[@georgesf7100]

Do a video on soap or chocolate pastes.

[@georgezaidan]

Soap is on the list. Any particular chocolate paste you want me to look into?

[@shygirlel7506]

I love this! Can you guys do deodorant next?

[@georgezaidan]

It's on the list! Probably for season 2 though

[@shygirlel7506]

Awesome! I can't wait 😊

[@ericbickelhaupt236]

When is season 2?

[@Xackery]

Need to split this into it's own channel

[@simasimo9796]

what about SEWAK ?!

[@richardhussong7232]

Some toothpaste, especially in Japan, contains nano-hydroxyapatite instead of sodium fluoride. Do you have any comments on the similarities and differences between those two ingredients?

[@Draggstar_Evan04]

thats means its very small amounts of hydroxypatite and it has water

[@imtired2983]

Getting some powerful Blues Clues vibe. 😊

[@mudbutt225]

Nothing was said about Diatoms. These crunchy algae have what can only be described as "glassy" outer shells. These little algae are rounded up and put into toothpaste where its used as an abrasive. Still used today. Have Fun!

[@alejandroochoaromero1400]

good information bud keep it up

[@RohitMathur910]

good video, can you make a natural shampoo or soap

[@georgezaidan]

Yup! On the list for season 2

[@sophiavechnyak6763]

+George Zaidan I know you've don lipstick but mascara would be fascinating

[@DrakeMagnum]

You have earned one more subscriber. This video was great!

[@hannahtuck3052]

why do some people use baking soda?

[@girdrache]

add honey charcoal and clove oil to toothpaste

[@wijkherres6055]

Good vic bud, keep it up!

[@malak_19]

ليش ما تخلون ترجمه للعربي

[@xmadlen]

Maybe try adding actual teeth brushing powder. Its dry and doesn't make the foam but is not that pleasant to use as a toothpaste. Its usually cheap and you can find it in a drugstore. And it has a minty taste.

[@makingitpurple]

Obviously a big improvement would be to actually include Sodium Fluoride in the recipe, or what's the point of a toothpaste that doesn't fight cavities? 😁 This is an awesome series, I really enjoyed this video!!

[@georgezaidan]

Thanks!!

[@TupacShakurr]

Lol

[@sushilbarua8862]

Actually i was in fever temperature and something is getting out from my head but it is temperature then i fill and well

[@aliya7067]

The smell of toothpaste makes me gag. I hate the smell and I can’t go into my washroom until the smell is gone or I have to hold my breath. I don’t know why I hate it, but I do and i’ve never met anyone like me.

[@jaidynjohnson2192]

Weird how you didn’t mention triclosan while explaining the ingredients. As it should be banned everywhere, but yet it is in toothpaste

[@nou4349]

I want MORE! MORE I say! :33 I love this :3 keep up the good work :3

[@pcb5358]

Sir please do a video on soap, bath and laundry Soap and bar please...

[@Guilleskater23]

Mustard ingredients? Ill love it.

[@switchhazel3517]

Why chalk?? Why didn't you use baking soda?

[@vaingloryplayer4001]

"your teeth are stronger than steel or iron" Me:*Bites towel* *starts pulling towel away* *teeth pops out* Me:.........you said teeth was stronger then iron........😐

[@chanakyasinha8046]

Teeth was harder not gums

[@robertocuevas5431]

it'll be cool if you make some super glue

[@av8480]

Triclosan in toothpaste is baned by FDA or not

[@angelinaz6414]

try making hand cream

[@archiegaming525]

loved your video! i have been trying to duplicate a real toothpaste minus sodium fluoride. there is a japanese toothpaste that contain nano-hydroxyapatite and no u.s. toothpastes exist with this ingredient..could be wrong. anyway, im including calcium hydroxyapatite instead of calcium carbonate. thoughts?

[@naveenpp231]

Why toothpaste react with hcl

[@JoeMotionVideos82]

Put a little bit of sodium bicarb in it, maybe that will punch it up a bit.

[@kaktees]

what about miswak? that's like an all-in-one toothbrush and toothpaste.

[@georgezaidan]

I have one sitting in my bathroom drawer! Haven't tried it yet, though. Will look into it if we do toothpaste part II

[@kaktees]

Yay! There are tutorials on how to trim and use miswak. Maybe you can have a live demo for part two :)

[@WelcometotheMuseum]

Is mascara on the list already?

[@antifascistadesdecriancinha]

This serie is really nice and funny, but I would like to see some criticism about some ingredients used by the industry, like microbeads, for exemplo, that cause harm to aquatic life and their ecosystems after being washed down the drain.

[@javeriayounus8611]

Purpose of toothpaste to prevent us from getting carries for which flouride is responsible How can you remove it?

[@JionniCastillo]

I am loving these videos. So informative and entertaining