Make Your Own Homemade Toothpaste

It’s an easy task to remove the toxins found in commercial toothpaste from your family’s life. Homemade toothpaste is the answer! I want to share our favorite recipes for homemade toothpaste with you. I’ve even got one for man’s best friend! Let’s get brushing!

We began removing GMOs and toxins from our home and bodies several years ago.  Finding replacements for personal care products was a challenge. We’ve made mistakes, which taught us valuable lessons and put in many hours of research. It was certainly worth the gain of being able to make homemade products that work as well as those commercially made, I think better.

Why Make Homemade Toothpaste

There are several ingredients found in almost every toothpaste I don’t want my family to have in their bodies.

The first one is SLS – sodium laurel sulfate. SLS irritates the eyes and skin. It’s toxic to our organs, neurological system, and endocrine system. SLS is used in soaps, toothpaste, and many other products as a foaming agent. This toxin irritates the skin and eyes. It causes diarrhea and an upset stomach.

Since it changes the pH in your mouth, it allows bacteria to grow. This environmental change allows mouth ulcers and bad breath to wreak havoc.

Fluoride is usually the first toxin you think of concerning toothpaste. During World War II, Hitler’s Germany used fluoride to poison groups of people they considered unwanted. Fluoride is known to cause developmental issues, and reproductive, and brain disorders. It is particularly associated with damage to the endocrine system. Fluoride isn’t necessary for cavity prevention.

The xylitol from GMO corn and soy lecithin from GMO soybeans are ingredients that cause us great concern. Soy lecithin is the waste remaining in the bottom of the vat once soy oil has been “degummed.”  As the waste, it contains the solvents and pesticides not carried over to the oil. Before it is used in our products, it goes through a bleaching process. 

Xylitol is a sweetener alternative shown to cause diarrhea, elevated blood sugars, and allergic reactions. These reactions range from rashes to difficulty breathing and chest pains.

Glycerin prevents the remineralization of teeth by coating them. If we read the labels, we’d discover it is in practically every toothpaste.  Glycerin isn’t toxic and is used in other beauty aids. I simply don’t want my teeth damaged by the coating. 

These aren’t the only ingredients raising my eyebrows in concern, but they’ve received the most notoriety in the toxic world of toothpaste. There is also the price to contemplate. Toothpaste prices have risen astronomically over the years. 

Buying the ingredients for the recipe you choose may be more upfront cost. However, when you compare the amount of homemade toothpaste you can make from these ingredients to the cost of a tube of toothpaste, the cost of homemade toothpaste is cheaper per oz.

I’ve included links at the bottom of the post for where I buy my products to make these. Please be aware they are affiliate links. This means I make a small commission on any purchase you make at NO extra cost to you.

TFL’s Homemade baking soda toothpaste

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon fine real salt
• 2/3 cup baking soda
• 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil or your favorite flavor

Instructions

This recipe produces the equivalent of a 5.8 ounce tube.

1. In a jelly jar or a bowl, mix the real salt and baking soda.
2. Add peppermint oil and mix well.
3. Wet your toothbrush when you are ready to clean your teeth, scoop out the amount you need, and brush.

Using natural toothpaste will not feel the same the first week or so. Once you have used to them for a few days, you’ll appreciate the clean feeling in your mouth and your improved oral health.

*When buying essential oils for beauty and health aids, you must buy therapeutic-grade oils. Essential oils for uses that are aromatic will not be equivalent to healing level oils.* I believe it is crucial that you use natural baking soda.

Homemade Earthy Paste 

Ingredients

• 2 Tbs bentonite clay (draws toxins from the body through the mucous membranes)
• 2 – 4 Tbs distilled water 
• 3 drops tea tree oil
• 10-15 drops peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, or whatever flavor you like
• 1/8 teaspoon of real salt
• 4-6 drops of liquid stevia (optional – I don’t use it)

Instructions

1. Begin by mixing the clay in a glass or ceramic bowl with 2 Tbs of water. Blend well using a plastic or wooden spoon.
2. Add tea tree oil, stevia, and peppermint essential oil mixing well.
3. Add salt, blending well again, and taste. Adjust the flavor by adding water, essential oils, or Stevia one drop at a time. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take back what you add.
4. Let the mixture sit for at least 48-72 hours. This allows the flavors to set well. I wait until this resting period has passed before I adjust the flavor.
5. Store your homemade toothpaste in a glass jar with a lid.
6. Be sure your lid is on tightly because the toothpaste will dry out. If you do accidentally let it dry out, you can rehydrate it by adding 1 teaspoon of water, and mixing well, until you get your desired consistency.
7. When you’re ready to brush, wet your toothbrush and dip it into the jar. Brush as usual.

If you don’t want everyone sharing the same jar, you can always divide it into individual containers so everyone has their own. This will be an entirely different experience from commercial toothpaste. It’s one of our family favorites.

Homemade Coconut Oil Toothpaste

Ingredients

• 6 Tablespoons coconut oil
• 6 Tablespoons of baking soda
• 20-30 drops of essential oil of choice – we like the fresh feel of peppermint

Instructions

1. Combine baking soda, Coconut oil, and essential oil blending well.
2. I use a small jelly jar to store it in. 
   • Remember, coconut oil liquefies at 75 degrees F and above. It re-solidifies at temperatures below 75 degrees F.
3. Make sure you mix well before each use if it has melted causing the oil and baking soda to separate.
4. Just dip and brush.

You may want everyone to have their own jars, especially your children. My husband and I share a jar.

Canine Toothpaste

You know me, I can’t leave out The Pack. Human toothpaste is toxic to dogs because of fluoride and other toxins. You could use any of these homemade toothpaste recipes, just be sure they have their own jar! 

Ingredients

• 1Tbsp beef or chicken broth.
  • You can use bouillon or homemade stock, this is just to make it tempting.
• 2 Tbs baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup coconut oil

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a small bowl and blend well.
2. Dip your dog’s toothbrush and clean its teeth as usual.

This is easier said than done! For many, it can be challenging. Since the toothpaste smells like a treat I think it makes the chore easier on them and me. I’m told vets say you should brush your dog’s teeth daily. I must say we certainly don’t do that.

Do you have a favorite homemade toothpaste recipe? Share it with us!

As always, we’re here to help.