4 Best Natural Toothpaste Recipes You Can Make at Home

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Brushing our teeth regularly is the first step in maintaining good oral health. But with buzzwords like “Minty Fresh” and “Extra Whitening” plastered all over the packaging, it’s easy to forget all about taking a good look at the ingredient list to make sure our toothpaste is actually safe.

The good news is, there are a ton of DIY recipes that you can use to make your own toothpaste from scratch. They’re simple, cost-effective, and you can change the recipe to customize your toothpaste – from the texture and consistency to the flavor. As a bonus, cutting out the commercial toothpaste also reduces your consumption of plastic!

It’s important to note, however, that homemade toothpaste doesn’t contain fluoride, which helps fight off cavities – but at the same time, fluoride is also known for a ton of potential health risks. It has been linked to toxicity concerns and other complications associated with the thyroid, kidneys, and digestive system. Aside from that, commercial toothpaste is also formulated with a number of harmful chemicals and toxins that you definitely don’t want in your home – let alone, in your mouth.

Ready to make your own natural toothpaste? Here’s some useful information to guide you through the process!

Benefits of Ingredients Used in Natural Toothpaste

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a popular choice for a homemade, oil-based toothpaste. It contains antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties – all of which, are beneficial to the teeth cleaning process without disrupting the balance of bacteria in the mouth. But as we all know, the consistency of coconut oil changes with temperature. Hence, you can expect the consistency of your toothpaste to be runnier in the warmer months and thicker in colder temperatures.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a common ingredient in natural toothpaste. The alkalinity of baking soda makes it particularly useful when it comes to neutralizing the acids in the mouth that cause cavities. However, baking soda is abrasive. To reduce the risk of wearing off the top layer of enamel on your teeth, don’t use too much baking soda and always brush gently with a soft toothbrush! 

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay is loaded with minerals and it works great as a gentle, natural polisher. It’s also alkaline, which means that it helps to neutralize acids in the mouth.

Ingredients to Avoid in Toothpaste

Triclosan

Triclosan is banned by the FDA for use in soap and body wash – but it’s still found in commercial toothpaste! This pesticide is added into products as an antibacterial agent and it has been linked to a number of serious health risks, from hormone disruption to affecting proper heart function. 

Aspartame

Artificial sweeteners are usually added to toothpaste to make them taste better. Commercial toothpaste might taste minty fresh but this isn’t so great for your health.

Aspartame is a flavoring agent that has been identified as a possible carcinogen. When ingested, aspartame has been linked to problems like weakness, dizziness, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues.

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is commonly used in commercial and natural toothpaste. It’s derived from seaweed and used as a thickening agent in a bunch of products. It has been linked to inflammation in the intestine, colon ulcerations, and tumors.

Parabens

Parabens are widely used in cosmetics and other personal care products as a preservative. They have been linked to hormone disruption, developmental or reproductive problems, and they may increase the risk of cancer.

Best Recipes for Natural Toothpaste

Natural Toothpaste Recipe #1

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil (you can adjust the proportion based on your desired consistency)
• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon xylitol
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cacao (optional)
• peppermint essential oil (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix it up! Pro-tip: You may pulverize cacao nibs with a coffee grinder or you can use cocoa powder instead.
2. Bit by bit, slowly add the coconut oil into the mixture. Keep mixing until you reach your desired texture and consistency.
3. Pour your homemade toothpaste into an empty container. 

Natural Toothpaste Recipe #2

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil (certified organic)
• 3 tablespoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon xylitol, stevia, or bentonite clay (optional)
• 5 drops essential oil like peppermint or tea tree (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix it.
2. Keep mixing until the mixture forms a paste. To make things easier, you may melt the coconut oil first. 
3. Use an airtight container to store your homemade toothpaste.

Natural Toothpaste Recipe #3

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2-3 tablespoons of filtered water
• 4 tablespoons bentonite clay
• 10-15 drops peppermint essential oil
• ½ teaspoon real sea salt

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the coconut oil, clay, and salt.
2. Add one tablespoon of water to the bowl and use the back of a spoon to “cream” the mixture.
3. Keep adding in more water until it reaches your desired consistency.
4. Add the peppermint oil and keep mixing.
5. Pour your DIY toothpaste into an airtight container.

Natural Toothpaste Recipe #4

Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
• 10 drops essential oil

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients. To make things easier, you can soften up the coconut oil by warming it up first. 
2. Mix everything together.
3. Pour the mixture into an empty container and seal it tightly.

Conclusion

Give one of these recipes a try!

When it comes to finding a fun-filled DIY project, homemade toothpaste probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, natural toothpaste is easy to make, budget-friendly, and you can sleep better knowing that you’re doing everything within your power to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals or toxins – especially in your mouth!

Have you tried any natural alternatives for toothpaste? We always love hearing from you. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions for us – and of course, if you have any tips or recommendations to share with us!