SENSIBLE DENTAL CARE

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Angelica is an herb belonging to a group of bitters widely used in European medicine. If you are not in the mood to cultivate it in your garden (it grows well in virtually any climate), the seeds can be obtained from a local health food store. To obtain an effective mouthwash, pour one cup of boiling water over two tablespoons of angelica seeds. Add a dash of peppermint oil, or a little lemon verbena or caraway. Cover the mixture and steep it until it is cool. Strain the pulp out using a cheesecloth and store in a tightly closed container.

If you prefer a slightly spicier exisstence, place three drops of cinnamon oil, two drops of clove oil, two teaspoons of sugar and X teaspoon of boric acid solution in a container with a tight lid, shake well, and watch the fireworks.

You can prepare the last of my favorites by mixing one teaspoon of sugar, two drops of peppermint oil, 1/2 teaspoon of boric acid solution in two cups of water. Some people have difficulty with this one because it is clear, and many assume that their mouthwash must be a vivid color to work well. Trust me, but add a couple of drops of food coloring if you must.

A Toothpaste with Bite Every toothpaste needs five basic ingredients: 1) a cleaning substance; 2) an abrasive; 3) an emulsifier; 4) a sweetening agent; and 5) a flavoring agent, although the last ingredient is optional. The cleaning substance does just that and is usually a soapy material; the abrasive loosens plaque; the emulsifier helps all the ingredients to mix well; the sweetening agent makes it palatable; and the flavoring agent is strictly for promotion. Instead of adding to the pockets of the cotton-candy flavor, multicolor paste manufacturers, make your own. Here's how.

Mix 1/2 teaspoon glycerin, 1/8 teaspoon mild neutral soap powder, a tablespoon of calcium carbonate (often called chalk of Paris White), 1/2 teaspoon gum arabic (available at health food stores) and a couple of drops of peppermint oil. To this mixture add 1/8 cup of water. Heat and stir for five minutes until the mix has achieved a pastelike appearance. By the way, the glycerin is the sweetener; the soap powder the cleanser; calcium carbonate the abrasive; gum arabic the emulsifier, and you might imagine what the peppermint is for. You'll then be able to make a year's supply of paste for about a tenth of what you'd pay for a market brand.

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