How to Make Toothpaste
Benefits of homemade toothpaste and recipes on how to make it
Have you ever looked at the ingredients of your toothpaste? Most toothpaste that you find at the grocery store contains carcinogenic chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan, diethanolamine, and other harmful ingredients like artificial colors and flavors. If you want to take a more natural approach to dental care, you're in luck! Making your own toothpaste is easier than you think and you probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.
- Benefits of making your own toothpaste
- Ingredients Used in Homemade Toothpaste
- Homemade Toothpaste Recipes
Benefits of making your own toothpaste
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Control over the ingredients used - Homemade toothpaste recipes contain ingredients that are safe when swallowed unlike most commercial toothpastes which contain harmful chemicals and have a warning sign on the label if the toothpaste is swallowed. Making your own toothpaste also allows you to control the flavors and sweetness of your toothpaste.
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Control fluoride intake - While topical use of fluoride has its benefits to oral health, people who live in areas with water fluoridation may decide its best to limit their exposure and use toothpaste without it. Too much fluoride can be harmful to your health. You can easily make your own fluoride free toothpaste. Read more about fluoride in our Fluoride and Your Health article.
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It saves you money - As we've mentioned, you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen like baking soda and coconut oil. Additional ingredients such as bentonite clay and essential oils go a long way in toothpaste recipes.
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It saves on waste - By making your own toothpaste you are eliminating excess packaging and landfill waste.
Ingredients Used in Homemade Toothpaste
Bentonite Clay - Used as a gentle abrasive, contains essential minerals and helps rid our bodies of toxins. Do not store near metal, only use glass bowls and wood spoons when preparing toothpaste recipes using bentonite clay.
There are various bentonite clay products out there. Redmond RealSalt Clay
Stevia - Used as a sweetener, research has shown that stevia inhibits the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay.
Xylitol - Used as a sweetener, this sugar alcohol sweetener is used as a naturally occurring sugar substitute and aids in preventing tooth decay and re-mineralizing enamel. Bacteria are unable to feed on xylitol so it does not cause dental cavities or bad breath. Xylitol can be toxic to pets, store out of reach.
Coconut Oil (unrefined) - Gives toothpaste a nice consistency and is an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal reducing bacteria in your mouth.
Baking Soda (aluminum free) - Used as a gentle abrasive. It neutralizes acids in your mouth from bacteria that cause bad breath and tooth decay. Also aids in whitening teeth.
Sea Salt (finely ground) - Used as a gentle abrasive and also neutralizes acids in your mouth from bacteria that cause bad breath and tooth decay.
Dr. Bonner's Liquid Castile Soap - Cleans teeth and removes plaque.
Filtered Water - Check out our article on fluoridated water.
Essential Oils - Besides adding a nice flavor to your toothpaste, essential oils also have antibacterial properties that will keep your breath smelling fresh and prevent dental disease by keeping your mouth clean.
Essential Oil Properties
Here are properties of various essential oils you can use.
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Peppermint: antibacterial and antiviral
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Lavender: antibacterial
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Tea Tree: antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal
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Cinnamon: antibacterial
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Lemon: antibacterial
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Clove: antibacterial and used for dental pain
Pleasant Essential Oil Combinations
Here are combinations of various essential oils that work well together.
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Cinnamon bark + Peppermint
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Lemon + Peppermint/Spearmint
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Clove + Sweet Orange
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Grapefruit + Lemon + Peppermint
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Ginger + Peppermint
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Tea Tree Oil + Fennel
Please note that not all essential oils are meant to be ingested and they should be used with caution especially if you are making toothpaste for young children. Some essential oils, such as peppermint, should not be used on children younger than six years old. Only use essential oils that are of therapeutic grade/pure oils. Please contact the supplier and/or your doctor for more information on safety especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a serious medical condition. Some people may experience allergic reactions with essential oils. Keep out of reach of children and avoid contact with eyes.
Extracts such as peppermint extract, almond extract, or orange extract are a suitable substitution in toothpaste recipes in place of essential oils. They have a lower potency than essential oils. Substitute 20 drops of essential oil with 2 teaspoons of extract, or to taste. Scale back the amount of water in each recipe to compensate for extra liquid when using extract.
List of essential oils that the FDA classify as 'Generally Recognized As Safe': http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=182.20
Homemade Toothpaste Recipes
Basic toothpaste recipe method: Mix all ingredients together until well blended and a paste is formed. When adding the essential oil and xylitol or stevia it is best to add parts of them at a time and tasting in-between so you can achieve the exact sweetness and flavor you desire.
Bentonite Clay/Sea Salt Toothpaste
Coconut Oil/Sea Salt/Baking Soda Toothpaste
Baking soda/Bentonite Clay/Coconut Oil Toothpaste
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Castile Soap/Coconut Oil Toothpaste
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All these recipes will create fluoride free toothpaste unless you use tap water that has fluoride in it.
Post below if you like a particular homemade toothpaste recipe or if you have a recipe of your own you would like to share. If you like these homemade toothpastes you should also try out our homemade mouthwash recipes. Thanks!