{Photo Credit}When our family transitioned from “conventional” hygiene products to more natural ones years ago, I was surprised to see the prices on simple tubes of toothpaste (often ranging from $5-$7). I had been purchasing the conventional toothpastes with coupons and sales, so I would only have to spend 25-50 cents per tube. But when looking at the chemical/sweetener-filled ingredients, I cringed at the thought of it in my children’s mouths (and, they likely swallow some of it, too!).
So, a couple years ago, I decided to make our own toothpaste!
I purchased the basic ingredients in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs, to keep costs affordable, and most of them are something I keep on hand in my pantry or natural medicine kit anyway.
I adapted a recipe found on another blog (which is no longer available), although I’ve since seen a somewhat similar recipe that contains salt in the Reader’s Digest book Home Made Best Made, recommended by Tsh in her book Organized Simplicity.
Donielle also has a good recipe/tutorial that includes castile soap. After Stephanie talked about her family’s routine/natural products, I thought I’d actually share this here, since I’ve received a few emails lately requesting the recipe.
Homemade Toothpaste
2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil (softened or liquified)
3 Tablespoons of Baking Soda
10 drops of Essential Oil (use a combination of Peppermint & Spearmint, Tea Tree, Cinnamon, or another of your choice) or 1/2 tsp. Natural Mint (or other) Flavoring Extract (such as for baking)
A pinch of Stevia Powder*
1 tsp. Myrrh Powder (optional)Combine all ingredients in a small container. Spoon out a little bit onto a toothbrush to use. Cost per batch to make seems to be approximately 50 cents for me.
*Yes, the unrefined stevia is green, and will make your toothpaste green. My daughter thinks this is hilariously fun. It’s more of an adjustment for those of us accustomed to white or “fun-colored” toothpaste.
Note: Sometimes we’ve skipped the baking soda, and just brushed with coconut oil, too.
Our dentist/physicians have always been impressed by our daughter’s teeth, and encouraged us to “keep doing whatever we’re doing” when we mention our homemade toothpaste.
 |
I don’t suppose there’s any way to make this in a way that also contains fluoride?
[Reply]
monique Reply:
May 18th, 2011 at 5:47 am
The most recent batch I made was also greenish, but I got nervous that my teeth would get stained, so I stopped using it.
[Reply]
monique Reply:
May 18th, 2011 at 5:48 am
Melanie – most people make their own to avoid fluoride. I suppose you could use a fluoride rinse…
[Reply]
Melanie Reply:
May 18th, 2011 at 8:21 am
@monique,
Bah, my interest is in avoiding sodium lauryl sulfate, which eats annoying little holes in my gums.
[Reply]
Linda Reply:
May 18th, 2011 at 11:58 am
You could add a little fluoride water that you can buy at Walmart or the grocery store. They call it nursery water for some reason.
Linda
Michele Reply:
May 18th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@Melanie, Our family feels it is best for us not to use fluoride, so we don’t add it. Here is one good post with info about the subject: http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/01/fluoride-safety.html.
Blessings,
Michele
[Reply]
This sounds good. Sometimes we just plain baking soda sometimes warm water. Have you seen research on just baking soda? Also, I have heard Xylitol is good for your teeth. You could use this instead of stevia.
[Reply]
Thanks for the timely post! I just tried my hand at making toothsoap this past week, but it is burning my tongue (mine is the castille soap version).
I will try this today!
[Reply]
i would be cautious of using too much baking soda, especially for children. baking soda is abrasive and can scrape off the enamel from the teeth. just coconut oil, or another high quality organic oil is all you need. the oil will actually help pull toxins from your mouth!
[Reply]
Michele Reply:
May 18th, 2011 at 8:54 am
@M`Corn, Yes, that’s exactly why we often avoid the baking soda & just use the coconut oil these days- especially for our little ones.
[Reply]
Crystal Reply:
April 1st, 2013 at 5:15 pm
@M`Corn, I just made some.I didn’t put much baking soda b/c I can’t get past the taste and it’s super hard to cover up. Yuck! I think the next batch I make, I will leave out the baking soda all together. Thanks for the tip!
[Reply]
samantha Reply:
April 16th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
@M`Corn, You can also sub the baking soda for calcium bentonite clay or Kaolin Clay. I currently use coconut oil, calcium bentonite clay and xylitol along with essential oils and other ground herbs that are good for dental hygiene.
[Reply]
What’s the purpose for the Myrrh Powder? I have everything else in my home right now.
I’ve been using “Green Beaver” Green Apple toothpaste for my son as he was having a reaction to standard toothpaste. If I can make it myself, that would be great. Thanks for the post!
[Reply]
Michele Reply:
May 18th, 2011 at 11:41 am
@Velma Gallant, Myrrh powder can be very healing for gum/tooth issues, as well as helping any toothaches. It’s optional. But if you’re purchasing special toothpastes for those concerns, it’s something to try.
Blessings,
Michele
[Reply]
[...] since we’ve made our own toothpaste, might as well make our own deodorant, [...]
[...] Passionate Homemaking, Frugal Granola, Naturally Knocked [...]
I have a question. The peppermint essential oil I have says not for internal use. Is it ok to use it for the toothpaste?
[Reply]
monique Reply:
May 23rd, 2011 at 11:58 am
Linda – I would say yes. You’re not swallowing it, but it will get on your gums. Peppermint oil is spicy hot, and may irritate your membranes. If you’re uncomfortable, you can replace it with another oil. But since it will be diluted, I wouldn’t be too concerned about it. But that’s just me.
[Reply]
Linda Reply:
May 23rd, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Thank you!
[Reply]
My family absolutely loves this toothpaste! I have two questions, 1. My toothpaste isn’t green, I use Stevia bought from the health food store. It doesn’t state “unrefined” is my stevia just as good?? And second, my paste keeps melting!! Ugh! We keep it in the medicine cabinet and during these summer months and it gets pretty warm in there. I know I can keep it in the kitchen but hubby leaves quite early for work so he needs things convenient. Make sense?? Anyway, are there any suggestions to avoiding this?? When the paste turns to liquid oil and seperates it’s a real hassle. Any input is appreciated as I have no intention of going back to commercially made pastes.
[Reply]
Cyndel Jones Reply:
December 30th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
@Tina, I, personally, plan on keeping a popcycle stick or something similar with the tooth paste to mix it when it seperates and easily apply to the tooth brush without contaminating the batch. I haven’t made this yet but am excited too within the next week…I just need to buy Stevia next shopping day. I hope this helps.
[Reply]
hi,
I have menthol crystals, can i use this instead of the mint?
[Reply]
[...] mixed up a batch of Homemade Toothpaste. We surmised that a cinnamon flavoring might have been a fun choice, too, instead of the [...]
Hi. I am curious what the stevia does for the toothpaste? Does it have to be included? Thanks!
[Reply]
Michele Reply:
April 1st, 2013 at 6:59 pm
It makes it taste much better, but you could leave it out.
[Reply]