Toothpaste is a special kind of DIY. We only experience our other DIYs (cleansers, moisturizers, household cleaners, ...) through touch and smell. But once you introduce the taste factor, things can get weird. We're a little less willing to compromise when it comes to putting things in our mouths (which is smart of us). And unless you're planning on using dicalcium phosphate dihydrate and sodium lauryl sulfate, creating your own toothpaste that exactly matches the consistency and taste of Colgate is simply not possible. So before you venture into the world of DIY toothpaste, brace yourself. It's gonna be different. But worry not, you'll get used to it and move on with your life. And when you do, you'll enjoy the sweet sweet convenience of never running out of toothpaste again. Dang, it's nice.
As with all other DIY hacks, you'll find a ton of options out there. And you may be tempted by some of the simplest recipes. Like this one:
- 2 parts coconut oil
- 1 part baking soda
- peppermint essential oil to taste
We've tried this one too. And it got the job done. And it was easy and cheap. Overall we'd call it a win. But for some of us (cough**husband**cough), the sweetness and sudsy-ness of store-bought toothpaste are too hard to give up. So, if you're in that boat, here's an *elevated* recipe to try.
Ingredients
- 6 parts coconut oil
- 3 parts baking soda
- 3 parts bentonite clay
- 1 generous part castile soap
- 1 generous part stevia or xylitol
- peppermint and tea tree essential oil to taste*
*Some essential oil brands claim to be safe to ingest. We will let you decide for yourself if you consider this to be safe for you. If you are using essential oils, we'd recommend using just a few drops of each to keep your dilution rate below 1%. Alternatively, you can get creative with your flavoring using cinammon powder, turmeric powder, ground clove, etc.
Instructions
- whisk ingredients together by hand, or with a stick blender or hand mixer
- to use, dip a dry toothbrush in the paste and get to brushing
What's so great about these ingredients?
Coconut oil | Effectively kills harmful bacteria found in the mouth, reduces plaque, fights gum disease, and prevents tooth decay.1 Bonus: it tastes good.
Baking soda | Balances the PH of your mouth, helping to prevent bad breath. Baking soda also helps prevent gum disease, sores, and of course, it whitens!2
Bentonite clay | Kills harmful bacteria and viruses in the mouth for healthier teeth and gums. Its antimicrobial properties will also help keep the toothpaste fresh after all those toothbrush dips.3
Castile soap | Helps whiten teeth while also killing harmful bacteria.4 Bonus: it makes the toothpaste nice and sudsy.
Stevia or xylitol | Improves taste and, unlike sugar, doesn't cause tooth decay.
Peppermint and tea tree essential oils | Improves breath and prevents microbial growth.5
We'd love to hear about your experience with DIY toothpaste and any other ingredients that have elevated your homemade concoctions. Reach out to us on Instagram or comment below!
References: 1| Why Coconut Oil is Good For Your Teeth - Healthline, 2| 23 Benefits and Uses for Baking Soda - Healthline, 3|10 Bentonite Clay Benefits and Uses - Dr. Axe, 4|13 Uses for Castile Soap - Dr. Axe, 5|Top 10 Tea Tree Oil Uses and Benefits - Dr. Axe
