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Brush and protect your teeth naturally with these homemade toothpaste recipes and tips for optimal dental hygiene from a dentist.
Table of contents
- The importance of brushing your teeth
- The purpose of toothpaste
- Active ingredients in toothpaste
- Other Problematic Ingredients
- Video
- Formulating a natural homemade toothpaste
- Oil-Based Homemade Natural Toothpaste
- Water-Based Toothpaste Recipe
- How to Use Your Homemade Toothpaste
- Other Oral Hygiene Related Posts
One thing that doesn’t come up much on this blog is my pre-blogging career. If you’ve read my bio under the post or my “more about me” page, you may already know that I’m a dentist. I earned my D.D.S. degree over 10 years ago from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
When I came to Spain, I wasn’t able to validate my degree. With too many dentists here already, they have recently made it mostly impossible for anybody who has studied outside the European Union (in some cases, outside of Spain) to legally practice here.
Rather than do as many foreign dentists and practice illegally under other dentists (for cheap), I began looking for other work and eventually ended up starting my blog. It’s something I absolutely love and now I don’t think I could ever go back.
While I am not currently practicing, I do happen to know a lot about teeth and dental hygiene.
While I’ve avoided writing about dental health up until now, I’ve decided that it’s about time that I help you understand certain things about oral health. I want you to understand why and how we get cavities and gingivitis in the hopes that you can prevent them and take back your dental health.
Disclaimer
This post is meant to be informative only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition. While I use these homemade toothpaste recipes myself, I also recognize that there are many dentists who will only approve of fluoridated toothpaste with the ADA seal. (The ADA will only place their seal on toothpaste with fluoride in it.) Keep that in mind when choosing what toothpaste you choose to use.
The importance of brushing your teeth
Brushing your teeth, as you probably know, is very important for your oral hygiene, and serves several important functions.
Remove debris and dental plaque
First, brushing your teeth helps remove food debris and plaque. Dental plaque is a buildup of bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums. Some of these bacteria, mainly streptococcus mutans and other lactobacillus types, metabolize sugars and produce acids that form cavities.
What about cavities?
Normally, your saliva helps buffer the pH and there is an equilibrium between the ions in the hydroxyapatite crystals of your tooth enamel and those floating around in your saliva. In an acidic environment, though, your teeth begin to demineralize.
In other words, in the acidic environment caused by the bacteria, some of the ions dissolve from the enamel crystals leading to what we know as cavities.
When brushing your teeth and removing plaque, you can help prevent that demineralization from happening. You may also use a toothpaste which helps raise the pH and counteracts the acid from the bacteria.
Prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease
Brushing isn’t only about preventing cavities, though. Dental plaque can also harden into what is known as tartar which can lead to gingivitis (inflamed gums) and periodontal disease (bone loss around your teeth).
Removing the plaque, then, is important for both preventing cavities and for preventing gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Gingivitis & Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis, or gum disease, when left untreated can progress to become periodontal disease that affects the bone structure holding your teeth in place.
Maintaining healthy gums
Apart from removing the plaque from your teeth, brushing your teeth also helps massage your gums, stimulating better circulation for healthier gums.
Even those without teeth should brush their gums regularly to help improve circulation and ensure healthier tissues!
What about toothpaste, though?
The purpose of toothpaste
Toothpaste is normally formed of abrasives, active ingredients, and flavorings. It is intended to help remove plaque and freshen your mouth. At the same time, it can also deliver active ingredients meant to help protect against caries (aka. cavities).
Fighting plaque?
Many people think of toothpaste as being the important part of your dental hygiene routine. They think that something magical in the toothpaste will help eliminate plaque and keep you from getting cavities. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
In fact, if you’re using toothpaste mainly as a means of removing plaque, you may be surprised to find that a review study done recently found that using a toothpaste when brushing didn’t provide any extra plaque removing abilities.
So, brushing your teeth, even without any toothpaste at all, already does a pretty good job of removing plaque and helping in the fight for optimal dental health.
But does toothpaste serve another purpose?
Active ingredients in toothpaste
Most commercial toothpastes have additives meant to help prevent cavities in other ways.
Fluoride
Fluoride is the most popular active ingredient added to toothpaste.
How does fluoride prevent dental cavities?
Fluoride is added to toothpaste in an effort to remineralize teeth that have been demineralized by the bacterial plaque. Under the right conditions, the fluoride ion can substitute part of the missing crystalline structure of the enamel.
Enamel is mostly formed of what it called hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2), but fluoride ions can become incorporated into the enamel structure forming what is known as fluorapatite (Ca10(PO4)6F2).
In the presence of fluoride, remineralization takes place more quickly. The newly formed fluorapatite is also said to be less soluble than hydroxyapatite. That means that it is less likely to demineralize again if and when the acidic conditions return.
The problem with fluoridated toothpaste
While adding fluoride to toothpaste can help prevent cavities, it also brings with it toxicity concerns. At high doses, fluoride may affect bone formation, cause digestive issues, kidney problems, or suppress the thyroid.
At lower doses it can cause cosmetic issues like fluorosis of the teeth, something I know from experience, as I have mild dental fluorosis myself.
To prevent having toxic amounts of fluoride in the toothpaste, in case young children were to ingest an entire tube of toothpaste, the levels of fluoride in toothpaste are pretty low for a topical application.
Is fluoridate toothpaste effective?
When you think about it, the method of trying to incorporate fluoride into the tooth structure through toothpaste doesn’t sound that effective.
Most people are brushing for only a minute or two at best, simultaneously removing the layer of plaque while trying to topically deliver a dose of fluoride to the teeth. In order to incorporate the fluoride ion into the enamel structure, you need an ideal environment with a high pH.
To make up for the non-ideal method of giving your teeth their fluoride dose, they tell you that you shouldn’t be rinsing after you brush to help keep the fluoride in contact with your teeth for longer. (Of course, that also means that you have the fluoride in your mouth for longer and are involuntarily swallowing small amounts of it during that time.)
Toothpastes with a higher concentration of fluoride are available with a prescription, but should be used with caution.
Each person has to weigh out the potential benefits and risks of using a fluoridated toothpaste. While fluoride may help in the fight against cavities, relying on fluoride toothpaste to keep cavities away isn’t your best bet.
Cleaning up your diet, and removing cavity-causing foods, is not only a healthier way of keeping cavities at bay but it also a lot more effective. (If there’s enough interest, I can give my tips for keeping cavities away some other day!)
Plus, there are other less toxic substances that can help with remineralization instead…
Other Problematic Ingredients
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
The main ingredient I wanted to avoid, found in most commercial toothpaste, is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Both my husband and I used to get canker sores quite often, and SLS in toothpaste has been linked to an increased recurrence of canker sores.
SLS is a surfactant that helps give toothpaste its foaming quality. In exchange, it can irritate the mucosa of your mouth. If I wanted a foamy toothpaste (which I don’t), I’d probably just follow Dr. Bronner’s advice and use liquid Castile soap instead. (For the DIY-ers who want to try it, I have several liquid Castile soap recipes up on the blog).
Ditching the SLS has been enough to keep our canker sores away for years now. I can’t remember the last time I got one.
Triclosan
Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that remains in your mouth for hours after having brushed your teeth. It is added to prevent bacterial plaque from forming, thereby preventing cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis. It has been removed from most brands due to safety concerns, but Colgate still uses it in its Colgate Total® toothpaste. While their studies conclude that the benefits outweigh the risks, there isn’t really a lot of nonpartial data to study.
Triclosan has been banned from hand soaps because it was shown that antibacterial soaps weren’t more effective than using plain soap. Also, using antibacterial agents like Triclosan risked the creation of antibacterial resistant bacteria. It was allowed to remain in toothpaste, though, because Colgate convinced the government of the increased potential benefit.
I have several problems with it.
One, Triclosan has been shown to be a hormone disruptor.
Two, just as taking antibiotics every day isn’t the best way to keep yourself disease-free, I can’t imagine using antibiotics in your mouth is the best way to keep your mouth disease-free.
Our digestive system has a delicate balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria. Taking antibiotics constantly can wreak havoc on our digestive system by killing off the good bacteria along with the bad. I’d imagine that our mouths, the beginning of the digestive system, is the same way.
Without knowing more, I don’t like the idea of risking throwing off the balance of bacteria in my mouth, especially not as a preventative measure.
If you were dealing with a period of rampant cavities or have severe gingivitis and/or periodontitis, using a topical antibacterial agent may be helpful to control the disease for a short time, just as you’d use an antibiotic for a short period of time to deal with other diseases.
In this hypothetical situation, though, it would really be a lot more effective, and healthier, to find and remove the cause of the rampant caries instead. (Perhaps someone was sucking on cough drops all day to deal with a sore throat and cough, not realizing that the habit was also causing multiple cavities. Rather than use an antibacterial agent against the cavities, it would be more helpful to identify the cough drops as the culprit and either stop using them or limit the way they were used.)
Video
Formulating a natural homemade toothpaste
Today, I’m going to share with you several different methods of making homemade toothpaste.
Oil-Based vs. Water-Based
In the interest of avoiding the need for preservatives, many (most) recipes for a natural, homemade toothpaste are oil-based.
Most commercial toothpaste, on the other hand, is water-based. Once you add water to a homemade natural product recipe, though, you are also introducing a source for bacterial growth to form. That is why many prefer using either an oil-based toothpaste or a homemade tooth powder.
So, if we want to make a water-based natural homemade toothpaste, we’ll need to choose ingredients that make the toothpaste not very hospitable for bacterial growth. Several ingredients in the toothpaste will help keep the toothpaste safe to use for longer.
Ingredients
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a commonly chosen oil for oil-based toothpaste because it has some antibacterial and antifungal properties. The antimicrobial qualities of coconut oil aren’t enough to wreak havoc on the balance of bacteria in your mouth.
Because coconut oil is solid at colder room temperatures, you can use that to make a thicker, more consistent toothpaste. The disadvantage of relying on its solid consistency is that it is temperature-dependant. The texture of your recipe will change from season to season, giving you a thinner toothpaste in the summer, and possibly a hard-to-use, almost solid toothpaste in the winter.
I’ll be sharing an oil-based toothpaste recipe using coconut oil, but you can adjust the amount of oil used to adjust the consistency as needed.
This recipe can also be made with fractionated coconut oil (which doesn’t solidify at 76ºF), or a different liquid oil, if you find that it’s too hard to use it in winter. (I like using a silicone travel tube for dispensing my toothpaste, but in the winter, if the toothpaste solidifies, it can be difficult to dispense the toothpaste from those dispensers.)
Want to use a different oil?
Olive oil would be another good choice for making a homemade oil-based toothpaste as it also has anti-inflammatory properties and can benefit endothelial function.
Salt
Just as salt helps preserve foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, salt cured olives, and homemade anchovy fillets, adding salt to the toothpaste will help inhibit the formation of dangerous bacteria. It may have other beneficial properties.
If you are using a mineral-rich salt, like pink Himalayan salt, these minerals may aid in the remineralization of your teeth. Apart from that, salt can help stimulate saliva formation, which, in itself, can help keep cavities away. Saliva helps buffer the pH, so the acid from the bacteria in plaque doesn’t eat away at your tooth enamel. (That’s why having a dry mouth can be a major factor in cavity formation.)
Baking soda
Baking soda can be found in a lot of toothpastes. It’s a different sort of salt that helps raise the pH of your toothpaste. The alkalinity of the baking soda can help neutralize the acids in your mouth, which can help fight cavities. (Remember: it’s the acids from the bacteria that lead to cavities in the first place.)
The high pH of the baking soda (around pH=9) also helps preserve the toothpaste in a way. Most bacteria prefer a pH near neutral (pH=7). While there are some microbes, called alkaliphiles, that can survive in alkaline environments of 8.5-11, most won’t cause us issues at high pH’s for homemade cosmetics.
Warning
In combination with the salt, raising the pH of the toothpaste with baking soda helps create a not-so-hospitable environment for bacteria and mold. That’s what is preserving our toothpaste.
We should still be cautious and make small batches of water-based toothpaste, just in case, since most of us won’t be doing periodic microbial testing.
It’s also especially important not to contaminate a homemade water-based toothpaste by dipping your toothbrush into it. Either use a clean spoon to remove a small portion of the toothpaste from a jar or dispense it from a tube. Either will minimize contamination with bacteria.
Is Baking Soda too Abrasive?
Some people are concerned about the abrasiveness of baking soda.
Baking soda has a rating of 2.5 on Mohs Hardness scale and a rating of 7 on the RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasivity) scale.
Tooth enamel falls at a 5 on the hardness scale. Baking soda, in itself, will not harm it. (That’s assuming you are brushing gently with a soft toothbrush as you should be. Otherwise, you can do damage with or without the baking soda!)
The rating of 7 on the RDA scale is lower than any other dental product. The only thing written lower on the scale is brushing with only water.
Remember, having some abrasion is good as it help to polish tooth surfaces.
Advice
If you have sensitive teeth, be especially careful when brushing under the gumline. It’s important to brush there, as that is where a lot of plaque accumulates and can cause problems. That said, dentin is softer than tooth enamel and doesn’t hold up as well to abrasives.
Brush that area thoroughly, yet gently!
Bentonite clay
Bentonite clay is a great addition to homemade toothpaste because it helps give your toothpaste consistency. Here in Spain bentonite clay isn’t as commonly found, and homemade toothpaste recipes usually call for white clays like kaolin clay instead.
While either is fine, I tend to prefer bentonite clay for several reasons. Bentonite clay has a high pH, (pH=8-9.7), which, once again, helps to combat cavities.
Bentonite is also said to bind to toxins and impurities to help remove them. Whether or not that is true and helpful in the context of a homemade toothpaste (I wasn’t able to find any studies to support or oppose that idea), it is a clay that can be easily found food-grade, and one that is extremely useful to have on hand anyway. I use it often in my activated charcoal facial mask, and it works wonders on my oily, acne-prone skin.
Warning
Clays are notoriously difficult to preserve because they tend to absorb any preservatives added to them. That can inhibit the function of those preservatives in a mixed product.
I had considered trying to add a food-safe preservative like sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate to extend the shelf life of the water-based toothpaste. Both of those preservatives, though, have lower pH’s and only are effective at lower pH’s. So, I doubt they would provide any benefit. Adding them might actually make the toothpaste more prone to bacterial growth by lowering the pH.
This toothpaste is very similar to Earthpaste, a popular clay-based toothpaste without preservatives. They have answered questions about preservatives by saying that the salt acts as a preservative in their product.
I’m assuming they’ve done their due diligence and have done microbial testing on their product to ensure it’s safe. That, however, is something most MIY-ers (make-it-yoursef-ers) aren’t going to do.
So, keep that in mind when making the water-based toothpaste. Be careful about substitutions to the recipe which may make it more prone to microbial growth. Also, be careful about not contaminating your toothpaste with each use. Try to keep the water content low by not making your toothpaste too thin. Lastly, it’s always a good idea to make smaller batches so as not to keep it around too long.
Without microbial testing, I can’t ensure how long, exactly, it will keep.
Xylitol
Xylitol is an interesting sweetener because not only does it NOT cause cavities, it may actually help reduce them.
When I was in dental school, prescriptions for a xylitol gum were sometimes given to patients with a tendency towards cavities. These gums work in several ways. The act of chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which helps keep saliva in contact with the teeth to help buffer the acids that can damage your teeth. If you are using a gum with sugar, though, you’re causing more harm than good.
Xylitol on the other hand seems to discourage the formation of cavities by helping to raise the pH of saliva in the mouth. While some modern studies are calling into doubt just how much of a help it really is, it is still a sweetener that is safe for your teeth and is great for homemade toothpastes.
Xylitol Warning
While xylitol is the perfect choice for sweetening homemade toothpaste and tooth powder for humans, it is toxic to dogs and cats. (And, perhaps, some other animals.)
Do not use it on your pets and keep it out of their reach!
If you’d like to make a homemade toothpaste for your pet, there is no need to add any sweetener. I’d also avoid essential oils as they aren’t necessary and some may be problematic for animals.
Perhaps a homemade tooth powder (minus the essential oils) would be a better option for pets!
Cacao
Cacao is a fun addition to your natural homemade toothpaste that may make it a lot more appealing to kids. Theobromine, one of the components of cacao, has shown promise in the remineralization of teeth. In fact, some have said that theobromine may be a safer, better alternative to fluoride in toothpaste.
I came across its beneficial effects on teeth by accident when I saw people raving about a chocolate toothpaste in an online forum. I was tempted to buy it and test it out, but there were a few things I didn’t like about that particular toothpaste.
Apart from being quite expensive, it seems to be glycerine-based. I haven’t found any studies to back up the popular idea that glycerin inhibits the remineralization of teeth, but like to avoid it here just to err on the side of caution.
Does cacao stain your teeth?
I’ve been using homemade toothpastes with cacao in various forms on and off for almost 2 years now with no signs of staining. I’ve also read mixed things about whether or not it “should” stain your teeth.
Some hypothesize that because the theobromine helps strengthen teeth, cacao could help prevent any staining. In the end, I have to admit that I’m not sure, but can only state that I haven’t noticed any staining after years of using it.
Note-
Cacao will leave dark marks on your sink if you don’t rinse well after spitting it out. While it doesn’t normally stain the sink, it can make for a messy looking sink. If that will bother you, leave the cacao out!
You can use ground cacao nibs or cocoa powder, but I’ve found that even when grinding up the nibs finely in a coffee grinder that little bits stay behind and get stuck between your teeth. While that’s a great incentive to floss, it’s likely off-putting to most.
Oil-Based Homemade Natural Toothpaste
Oil Based Homemade Toothpaste
Makes around one liquid ounce- can double or triple the recipe as needed to fill your particular tube.
Materials
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil more or less, depending on the desired consistency (can use other oils)
- 1 Tbsp. bentonite clay
- 2 tsp. cacao unsweetened, optional
- 1 tsp. xylitol
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- peppermint essential oil optional, for taste
Instructions
- Mix together all of the dry ingredients. If you are using cacao nibs, or you find that the ingredients are too abrasive for you because you have sensitive teeth or gums, you can pulverize them in a coffee grinder. (I normally use cocoa powder, and don’t grind the ingredients further, but it is an option.)
- Add coconut oil, little by little, until you reach the desired consistency. If using a silicone travel tube for storage, you may want to add a bit more to make it flow easily when dispensing. In the winter, you may use fractionated coconut oil or a different liquid oil to keep the toothpaste from solidifying.
- Fill your silicone tube or storage containers with the toothpaste. It’s now ready to use!
Notes
Water-Based Toothpaste Recipe
Water Based Homemade Toothpaste Recipe
Makes around 1 liquid ounce.
Materials
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 Tbsp. bentonite clay
- 2 tsp. distilled water
- 1 tsp. xylitol
- 2 tsp. cacao optional- unsweetened cocoa powder or finely ground cacao nibs
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil optional, for flavor
Instructions
- Mix together all of the dry ingredients. If you are using cacao nibs or find that the ingredients are too abrasive for your sensitive teeth as is, you can grind them in a coffee grinder before adding in the water.
- Add distilled water until you get the desired consistency. mix thoroughly.
- Add a few drops of an essential oil like peppermint or clove oil, if desired, for flavor.
- Fill your silicone travel tube, or other storage container, with your toothpaste. You are now ready to use it!
Notes
How to Use Your Homemade Toothpaste
Use this toothpaste as you would any other store-bought toothpaste. You don’t need to use much.
To prevent the toothpaste from spoiling, be careful not to contaminate it with bacteria. To avoid contaminating it, don’t dip your wet toothbrush into a jar of homemade toothpaste. Instead, use a tube dispenser to dispense a small amount onto your toothbrush. You can also use a clean spoon or another utensil to scoop out a small amount to add to the brush.
Technique
In my opinion, your technique for brushing is probably more important than the toothpaste you use (and if you use toothpaste or not).
(That, of course, is assuming you aren’t brushing your teeth with a sugar-based toothpaste, a acidic one, or something harmful to them.)
Choosing a Toothbrush
We all use electric toothbrushes in our home because I find that the rotating action of the toothbrush allows for proper technique without doing a lot of work. This is especially helpful for young children, older people, and those who don’t have good control using their hands.
If you are good with your hands, you can be just as efficient with a “normal” toothbrush. I like those that have irregular lengths of bristles because they can reach into small spaces better. I also love that there are now more options for toothbrushes made with sustainable materials.
Whichever type you choose, make sure you are using soft bristles. Hard bristles, or brushing too hard, can damage both teeth and gums. It can lead to recession of the gums (possibly exposing the roots of the teeth) and/or eat away at the tooth enamel and the protective layer on the roots of teeth.
When to Brush
While it is normally suggested that you brush your teeth multiple times a day, I think the most important thing is to have at least one thorough brushing session each day, preferably right before you go to bed.
It’s great (and preferable) if you can get in a quick brush after your meals. Doing so helps clean off remaining food debris and can also help raise the pH after having ingested acidic foods. That said, don’t let the fact that you’ve done a quick brush after your meals keep you from getting in your thorough brushing session at night before you go to sleep!
My favorite periodontal instructor in dental school always told us that one good, thorough cleaning session is preferable to several super-quick sweeps of a toothbrush, and it’s stuck with me ever since. I have a hard time going to sleep without getting in that all-important, thorough brushing session at night.
(While those who claim to brush frequently tend to have fewer cavities than those who don’t, they haven’t found a significant difference in the number of cavities dependent on how many times one brushes per day.)
How to Brush Thoroughly
When doing a thorough brushing session, you want to make sure that you brush each tooth surface completely.
Angle the toothbrush at 45º to help gently clean under the gumline. Use small, circular motions following the contour of your gums. Gently guiding an electric toothbrush along the gum line can perfectly gently massage your teeth and gums without too much effort.
Brush for at least 2 minutes, spending around 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth. The alarm on many electric toothbrushes normally sounds at 2 minutes for a reason. It’s been shown that brushing for 2 minutes removes almost twice as much plaque as brushing for only a minute.
Flossing
After that thorough brushing session, it’s the ideal time to floss between all teeth. Make sure to also floss behind the last teeth in your mouth. You want to gently bring the floss down along the side of each tooth, gently pushing down past the gum line, and pulling up any trapped food debris and leftover plaque accumulation on your way back up.
If you want to do a final rinse, consider making a homemade mouthwash! While it’s not a necessary part of daily oral hygiene, it can leave your mouth feeling clean and refreshed!
Update Information
This post was originally published on Dec. 16, 2017. It was updated and republished in February of 2020 with new tips, warnings, and information about the preservation of the water-based toothpaste.
DIY Photography Backdrops: Using a Pallet “Studio”
Hi Tracy,
Here in the UK one can buy calcium bentonite or sodium bentonite. Which one is better for toothpaste?
I thank you in advance.
Mae
Hi Mae,
Either should be fine, but…
From what I understand, calcium bentonite clay is usually a bit gentler and may be richer in minerals that could be beneficial for your teeth. It’s also the better choice for taking internally. So, if you are looking to make a choice, I’d choose calcium bentonite clay.
Hi Tracy,
I made this recipe and have been using it for almost a week now. I use an electric toothbrush (rotating not oscillating) and my teeth feel dirty sooner than store bought. Like I forgot to brush that morning dirty. I’ve extended the brushing time and still same results.
I’m using the coconut oil recipe with some spearmint for that fresh taste.
Why is this happening?
On another note, I saw another blog talking about using powdered eggshells for calcium. That sounds very abrasive and like a bad idea to me, but I was hoping to get your advice.
Lastly, I have to get my teeth deep cleaned with iodine and wanted to know if you had any tricks to help with the in between time or if this will help.
Thanks!
Hi Chelsea,
Clay-based toothpastes definitely give a different mouth-feel and aren’t for everyone. That is especially true for the oil-based toothpastes. I’d suggest trying to use a tooth powder instead. (I have a tooth powder recipe up on the blog. It’s basically like the toothpaste recipes without the oil or water.)
Trying that will allow you to know if it’s the oil that’s giving you the feel that you don’t like. I have since been using tooth powders and have to say that I prefer them. They’re very convenient and I like the way they feel better when using them.
It could just be that you don’t like the feel of clay in your mouth. Some people (like my husband) hate it.
I was working on a non-clay based option in the past, but got distracted between batches. It’s something I want to revisit so I can post other options for those who hate clay-based toothpaste.
As for the egg shells- I’d prefer adding something like calcium carbonate or some sort of mineral drops to the toothpaste rather than use egg shells. While there has been some studying of using eggshells as an environmentally friendly dental abrasive, it’s not the type of thing I’d want to do myself. I would assume that particle size could make an extreme difference when it comes to how the eggshells treat your teeth and gums. Grinding them yourself in a blender just doesn’t have the sort of control I’d want. I imagine that larger pieces could at the very least irritate the gums.
I’m not sure what to suggest for between cleanings other than keeping up the brushing and flossing. Try not to brush too hard to overcompensate. I had one patient, years ago, who was just more susceptible to getting tartar buildup than most. She had to come in for cleanings every 3-6 months, and always had quite a buildup. (Incidentally, that’s likely in part due to lots of minerals in her saliva which seemed to keep her cavity-free always!) Anyway, she had a lot of wear and tear on her teeth because she tried to overcompensate and remove the plaque and tartar by brushing way too hard. It only made things worse.
I’d stick to doing what your dentist suggests as he or she will have a better idea of your dental situation, can see what is or isn’t working for you, and can give more personalized suggestions.
What do you think about a toothpaste recipe using only baking soda and coconut oil? Would these two ingredients alone be enough to keep teeth healthy and protected?
Hi Shelby,
Yes, that’s generally perfectly fine to use. If it’s working for you and you like using it, stick with it.
Again, there will be some cases where a dentist would recommend using flouride or other active ingredients (and many dentists will always recommend using it), but that depends on your individual situation. If you have a healthy mouth and aren’t overly prone to cavities, that should be enough.
Concentrate on brushing thoroughly. 😉
Thank you for your prompt response! What “active ingredient” can I add to my coconut oil-baking soda toothpaste? Is that why you add bentonite clay to your recipe? Is salt considered an “active ingredient”? I’m trying to keep my toothpaste simple (and avoid purchasing more products/ingredients) but still want it to be effective.
Hi Shelby,
Whether or not you’d consider them “active” ingredients, I guess, is a bit subjective.
Each ingredient serves its purpose. The salt and baking soda are mildly abrasive, which is actually a big part of a toothpaste’s cleansing ability. (You want some mild abrasion, but don’t want something that will damage teeth.)
The salt can help promote healing in the mouth while the baking soda increases the pH, which helps in the fight against cavities.
The clay is more of a bulking ingredient to add texture to the toothpaste. It may help draw out some impurities, but I’m not sure how much it actually does.
This toothpaste doesn’t have some of the typical “active” ingredients like fluoride, which is normally added to toothpaste. For the average person without excessive problems with dental caries (cavities), it isn’t really needed and will be effective without it.
How long does the oil based recipe last for?
The oil-based one will keep for as long as the oils themselves would keep. Just try to keep from contaminating it with water so that it won’t have any issues before then. 😉
That’s why I like using travel tubes.
Thank you for your prompt response! What “active ingredient” can I add to my coconut oil-baking soda toothpaste? Is that why you add bentonite clay to your recipe? Is salt considered an “active ingredient”? I’m trying to keep my toothpaste simple (and avoid purchasing more products/ingredients) but still want it to be effective.
Hi Tracy
The water based toothpaste is fabulous. Tastes good and my teeth are looking and feeling clean. Almost like I have had them polished.
I just want to ask about the Bentonite Clay. I’ve read that it should be avoided if you have old metal fillings. I am using an organic food grade option. Can you please comment.
Many thanks.
Hi Lynette,
Thank you! I’m happy you like it!
Here’s my thought on the matter. I can’t find any real evidence to support the idea that you can’t use bentonite with amalgam fillings (the metal ones). The idea is that you should avoid using metals with bentonite because it tends to draw things into itself. That’s why it’s best to avoid using metal spoons with the clay, etc. You don’t want the clay to be contaminated with the metals. (That said, stainless steel is mostly inert and normally fine to use with it. Most utensils are going to be stainless steel, so these days, in most cases, you won’t have problems using metal utensils.)
I have been working with a naturopath who has people taking bentonite internally, and I asked her what her thoughts were on that bentonite can be contaminated with heavy metals and if she wasn’t concerned about it. Her thought was that the clay absorbs everything into itself keeping all of those toxins inside the clay throughout its journey through the body. She has seen great results from using it during the first weeks of working with most people. (It depends on the situation if she recommends it or not.)
In this case, you should be spitting out the toothpaste anyway. So, even if the bentonite were attracting some of the mercury from the fillings, it would also be leaving your mouth when you spit it out.
Hello tracy! I love this post, thank you so much for future inspiration!
Since 6 months ago I am making my own toothpaste and have found that my mouth feels so much healthier – no proof yet, but will probably come when I go to my appointment in a months time.
I have a few questions that I would like to hear your expertise about. First I would like to hear if there is anything that you think sounds damaging in the paste I have right now which contains; coconut oil, bicarbonate, salt, essential oil of; clove, cinnamon, peppermint.
I add the clove and the cinnamon for its anti-inflammatory abilities and also the anti-microbial properties that the cinnamon contains. I’ve learnt to do it with essential oils and I don’t really know why. Could I just as well mix in the ground spices?
Secondly I’ve been reading about cardamom and traditions of using it for the gum and cavities. Could I put in cardamom in my paste? And if so, what form would be preferable?
Hi Ada,
Thanks!
Your toothpaste sounds fine to me. You could probably add the spices, but I’m not sure what the hardness value is for the ground spices. The added grit may also get stuck between your teeth. Salt and baking soda end up dissolving away, but ground spices may get stuck and stay there. I don’t think it’s necessarily that problematic as they probably aren’t likely to cause cavities, but it’s something to keep in mind. The essential oils are just a lot “cleaner” and easier to add, in my opinion.
As for cardamom, I’d recommend looking for the essential oil too. I’m not sure it’s something that you could grind finely enough, and it’s not a spice I’ve normally seen for sale in ground form.
Could I use food grade diatomaceous earth instead of the clay?
Also, would it be beneficial to add calcium powder in the mix? If so how much
You could use a calcium carbonate or something like that. It’s often used in toothpastes.
You’d have to play with it to get a consistency that you like.
Hi Kristen,
I’ve never tried that so I don’t know about the consistency. I’d be worried about the possible abrasiveness of the DE, though. I feel like there are so many different types of DE, and it would be very hard to know the actual hardness of the product you have. With it being silica-based, it could be quite abrasive on the teeth. Tooth enamel has a hardness rating of around 5. I’ve seen DE stated to have anywhere from a hardness of 1-7. (Not sure why the huge range??!)
That worries me. This article claims that it is very hard and has a rating of 7 which would mean that it could do real damage to your tooth enamel.
Hi Tracy
I’ve been mixing up some toothpaste recipes (which were good) but I was unsure of whether I was using the right ingredients and doing it right.. and then I found your page 🤩🤩🤩 thank you for all your recipes, I’ve had a look throug many of them 🤓☺️
With regards to the (coconut) oil based toothpaste, when I made my most recent toothpaste I actually used an electric hand mixer to blend the (slightly soft but not melted completely) coconut oil with the other ingredients (except the bentonite clay which I added after mixing and mixed with wooden/plastic spoon), and it seems as if the toothpaste is not as hard to get out of the tube as the previous oil based toothpastes. Could it be because of the electric hand mixer?
Also, to make a softer, “pastier” toothpaste, could I add a little bit if sesame oil? (I prefer not to use water in anything I make at home).
Love your page! Thank you 😊
Adele
Hi Adele,
Thank you!
Yes, you could try that.
I see no problem with oils.
You could also keep the dry ingredients only and use as a tooth powder. I’ve actually been doing that myself lately.
I’ve been doing a lot of research on the preservation, and can’t find the information I want to be able to update this as accurately as I would like.
As for the mixer making it easier to dispense- Yes, that makes sense. People “whip” their body butters to make them softer. The same will happen with coconut oil if it’s in its solid state.
Hello Tracy..what other liquid oil can be used instead of coconut oil that would be good for oral health? Apologies for jumping on somebody’s comment as I don’t see an option for leaving a comment..
Hi Guna,
Well, really, you should be able to use pretty much any edible oil that you have on hand. Oils themselves shouldn’t cause any problems for your teeth and gums (as long as they are food grade and don’t have additives). Coconut oil is said to have antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why I chose it, but, again, the toothpaste probably isn’t in contact with your teeth/gums long enough to make a huge difference either way anyway.
Hi Dr. Ariza,
I have an allergy coconut-derivative ingredients, so I was wondering if I could use another type of oil in substitution to coconut oil??
Hi Lisa,
Sure, of course!
Any food-grade oil should be fine. Liquid oils would work well to keep it the same consistency all year long.
Hi Tracy,
I am currently in the process of making my own homemade mouthwash and toothpaste. Surfing the net in this connection is almost a daily affair with me.
I find your writings interesting. Your being a qualified dentist gives me added satisfaction and assurance.
The problem, however, is non-availibility of all the ingredients in my country – Pakistan. For example ingredients like clays, mineral drops and xylitol are unknown here. Essential oils, local as well as imported though are available but I am not sure about their quality. Anyway I shall try with whatever is available. I believe, one can add some honey in place of xylitol to sweeten the mouthwash. What would you say in this regard?
I have a suggestion for you to consider. Why don’t you prepare comprehensive FAQs based on your recipes. Most of the questions from the readers are common, like possibility of substituting certain ingredients with others, shelf life etc. etc. The readers would still ask you questions but they would also have the option to read those FAQs before contacting you.
Hello Sajjad,
I’m planning on publicating another non-clay toothpaste relatively soon for those who want something with a more “normal” consistency.
I wouldn’t use honey for 2 reasons. One, I believe that it could cause cavities. I’d have to do further research to know for sure, but the makeup of honey is consistent with other natural sugars that can also be cavity forming. The second problem with honey is that although it is self-preserving and can last many, many years on its own, when you add it to other ingredients, it gives a source for microbial contamination. It is known to be a lot more difficult to preserve a mixture when honey (or aloe or other plant material) is added.
As for the EO’s and mineral drops, they are, of course, also optional. 😉
Perhaps you could try liquid stevia. The sweetener is, of course, optional, but does give better flavor.
Also, I like your idea for FAQ. I have considered before the best way of implementing something like that. I’m also considering writing posts that have to do with questions that get asked a lot from many posts. (I’m currently working on a post about preservatives, for example.)
I’m considering changing the design of the blog in the not too distant future, and that could add some more options for how to best add the FAQs section.