Homemade toothpaste is a great alternative to store-bought versions. It’s cheap, effective and most importantly it’s safe.
The safety of toothpaste started to matter for me the most when my older kid started to brush his teeth. As kids tend to swallow some, if not all, toothpaste while using it.
Do I want my kid to ingest conventional toothpaste, especially one with fluoride? Definitely, NO!!!
With regard to fluoride in toothpaste, I’m not against it per se. There is study-based evidence about its protection against cavities and a decrease in tooth sensitivity when applied topically. But I totally oppose water fluoridation and swallowing any kind of fluoride.
That’s why I have a reverse osmosis filter in my kitchen (to remove fluoride from water) and homemade toothpaste in the bathroom.
However, the list of inedible ingredients is not limited to fluoride only, so I don’t feel comfortable about my kids swallowing them during their dental routine.
You can buy edible kids' toothpaste, but they’re relatively hard to find, pricy and don’t give you any advantages compared to homemade versions. And don’t be fooled by conventional toothpaste, which is marketed for kids. The only differences between those and adult ones are tubes with cartoon characters and candy taste.
Hopefully, by now you are convinced that homemade toothpaste is worth trying. So here’s what you need for making one.
Ingredients:
(Makes 2.5 oz of toothpaste)
- 4 Tb. sp. Calcium carbonate
- 2 Tb. sp. Baking Soda
- 3 Tb. sp. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
- 2 packet Stevia or 1 t. sp. Xylitol (both optional)
- 20-40 drops of Therapeutic grade essential oils
- 1 t. sp. Almond (or other liquid oil; this is especially important for toothpaste you use during winter months as coconut oil is too solid at 68-70F making it hard to get on the toothbrush)
Instructions:
- Mix all dry components together
- Mix in coconut oil. If it’s too hard you can melt the oil before adding it to dry ingredients
- Add essential oils
- Transfer to a storage container of your choice. Empty cream jars and baby food jars are good choices for storing toothpaste. When brushing your teeth, dip your toothbrush in the jar or use an ice cream stick to put some of your toothpaste. If you prefer the first method, be mindful of hygiene, it's better that each member of your family had his own jar.
N.b. This toothpaste formulation works the best for me and my family. It's possible that you will want to adjust this recipe to meet your needs. For example, I like to use a lot of baking soda as it gives me a sense of freshness for longer periods of time and my kid doesn't mind it. But some of you can dislike the taste, so reduce the amount you use in the recipe. Same about coconut oil; the more you will add softer the texture will be, so find your perfect spot.
Is Homemade Toothpaste Safe?
Homemade toothpaste is completely safe, and we never heard of anyone getting sick from it. All you need to do is use a decent toothpaste base and some fluoride, and you're good to go. However, if you are squeamish about using chemicals and want to avoid using harsh chemicals, making your own toothpaste will leave you feeling quite squeamish. When it comes to choosing the fluoride levels in your homemade toothpaste, the fluoride content is a closely guarded secret and every specialist seems to have his own beliefs as to how much is ideal for tooth enamel. Many dentists recommend a fluoride content of 5-10% to be safe, and more importantly, to keep tooth decay at bay.
About ingredients
In order for you to understand why I use these ingredients in my homemade toothpaste, let's discuss each of them:
Calcium carbonate – we have huge deposits of calcium carbonates on Earth, most of them from the shells of sea creatures. It’s the same type of Calcium, that is used as an antacid and as a Calcium supplement. It’s totally safe and makes a nice base for toothpaste. Most commercial toothpaste contains Calcium carbonate as the base too.
Baking Soda – helps to whiten your teeth and to keep germs’ growth in your mouth under check by normalizing pH balance.
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil – helps to soften the texture of toothpaste, so it’s not very abrasive. In commercial toothpaste, glycerin is often used for this purpose. But many dental health advocates are against the use of glycerin as it can form a film on your teeth, which interfere with the natural re-mineralization of them. Plus virgin coconut oil has antibacterial properties so it also helps to control bacterial growth in your mouth.
Stevia and Xylitol – are added solemnly for taste purposes, and are totally optional.
Essential Oils – I highly recommend using therapeutic-grade essential oils, as they are free of fillers and 100% pure. Good choices are Mint, Fennel, Cinnamon, Lemon, Lavender, and other essential oils derived from plants that are used in food. Some oils with antibacterial properties like oregano and tea tree oils are also excellent for this recipe.
Bottom line: After you try this recipe, you will never go back to conventional toothpaste.
And what kind of toothpaste do you use, have you ever tried to make your own? Share below…
