Why make your own toothpaste?
For one, you will be avoiding fluoride. Despite the claims that fluoride is necessary for healthy teeth, there is quite a bit of evidence contradicting this. In fact, fluoride may cause a discoloration of the tooth enamel and damage to the bones. Children are particularly effected by this.
Aside from fluoride, there are many other substances in commercial toothpaste that you may want to think twice about putting in your body. Many of these ingredients are toxic, and some are actually known carcinogens! Ingredients like triclosan, artificial sweeteners, and sodium hydroxide (aka lye) are best kept out of your mouth. Look at the ingredients list on your toothpaste and start googling some of them...you may not like what you find.
Making your own toothpaste is easy and affordable, so without further wait, here are a couple recipes, starting with the simplest first. The tooth powders are by far the most cost effective, but as far as taste goes, the coconut oil toothpaste wins that one. None of these recipes will be the same as the ultra-sweet store toothpastes that we have grown accustomed to (just fair warning in case anyone is expecting that).
Baking Soda Tooth Powder
Ingredients:
Baking Soda
5 - 10 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)
This is very simple. If you are using plain baking soda, just pour it into a small jar and keep it in the bathroom. Moisten your toothbrush and dip it into the soda, then brush as usual.
If you wish to add essential oil, put a few tablespoons of the baking soda into a mortar and pestle and add the essential oil. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, put the ingredients in a small bowl and use a fork to combine. Grind the essential oil into the baking soda until it is well incorporated. Then transfer to the jar.
Baking Soda and Salt Tooth Powder
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon Sea Salt
5 - 10 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a mortar and pestle (or small bowl) and blend well. Store in a small jar. Moisten your toothbrush and dip into the mixture, then brush as usual.
Coconut Oil Toothpaste
3 Tablespoons coconut oil, melted
3 Tablespoons baking soda
1 teaspoon powdered licorice root (optional)
5 - 10 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)
Combine all ingredients in small jar and stir well with a fork. Allow the oil to cool. As it cools, it will begin to harden. Check it often as it hardens, and stir it so the baking soda doesn't all settle to the bottom. Once your toothpaste is solid (it will still be somewhat soft and spreadable), it is ready to use. Just dip your toothbrush in, and brush as usual.
For one, you will be avoiding fluoride. Despite the claims that fluoride is necessary for healthy teeth, there is quite a bit of evidence contradicting this. In fact, fluoride may cause a discoloration of the tooth enamel and damage to the bones. Children are particularly effected by this.
Aside from fluoride, there are many other substances in commercial toothpaste that you may want to think twice about putting in your body. Many of these ingredients are toxic, and some are actually known carcinogens! Ingredients like triclosan, artificial sweeteners, and sodium hydroxide (aka lye) are best kept out of your mouth. Look at the ingredients list on your toothpaste and start googling some of them...you may not like what you find.
Making your own toothpaste is easy and affordable, so without further wait, here are a couple recipes, starting with the simplest first. The tooth powders are by far the most cost effective, but as far as taste goes, the coconut oil toothpaste wins that one. None of these recipes will be the same as the ultra-sweet store toothpastes that we have grown accustomed to (just fair warning in case anyone is expecting that).
Baking Soda Tooth Powder
Ingredients:
Baking Soda
5 - 10 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)
This is very simple. If you are using plain baking soda, just pour it into a small jar and keep it in the bathroom. Moisten your toothbrush and dip it into the soda, then brush as usual.
If you wish to add essential oil, put a few tablespoons of the baking soda into a mortar and pestle and add the essential oil. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, put the ingredients in a small bowl and use a fork to combine. Grind the essential oil into the baking soda until it is well incorporated. Then transfer to the jar.
Baking Soda and Salt Tooth Powder
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon Sea Salt
5 - 10 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a mortar and pestle (or small bowl) and blend well. Store in a small jar. Moisten your toothbrush and dip into the mixture, then brush as usual.
Coconut Oil Toothpaste
3 Tablespoons coconut oil, melted
3 Tablespoons baking soda
1 teaspoon powdered licorice root (optional)
5 - 10 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)
Combine all ingredients in small jar and stir well with a fork. Allow the oil to cool. As it cools, it will begin to harden. Check it often as it hardens, and stir it so the baking soda doesn't all settle to the bottom. Once your toothpaste is solid (it will still be somewhat soft and spreadable), it is ready to use. Just dip your toothbrush in, and brush as usual.
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