How To Make Your Own Natural Toothpaste

by Jan Howell

natural toothpaste

In this post I’m going to show you how to make your own natural toothpaste. Making your own natural toothpaste can seem a little over-the-top, but keep reading because there are a lot of reasons why you might want to consider it and it really is quick and simple to make.

Commercial toothpaste brands often contain toxic ingredients that may be harmful to your health. Some examples:

natural toothpaste colgate

Triclosan. A pesticide and hormone disruptor.
Artificial colorings. (who needs this?) Can be linked to ADHD and hyperactivity in children.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). SLS is a foaming agent and detergent that is commonly used in toothpaste, shampoo, and other products (is this nescessary?)
Flouride. Toxic if swallowed.
Titanium Dioxide. Added to make toothpaste white. (again, unnecessary!) The EWG has a list of some safety concerns around this product.

I think you get the picture. Yes, this natural toothpaste isn’t going to get all foamy and be pretty white in color, but your mouth will feel amazing after brushing with it and you’ll avoid all that toxic stuff!

Not only are you going to have a healthier mouth, but you’ll also save some money. It only takes a few ingredients and a few minutes to whip up.

natural toothpaste ingred

What’s in this natural toothpaste?

Here are the ingredients and why I include them in the recipe. Some are optional.

natural toothpaste ingredients

Bentonite clay.

Bentonite clay has the ability to bind to heavy metals and toxins as well as to provide minerals. Redmond or Bentonite Clay is great to help the body detox and whiten and remineralize teeth. I buy the Redmond Clay bulk in a three-pack. It saves money and I like having a few extra for my pantry. We use it for cooking too.

Baking Soda.

The major benefits of brushing with baking soda are its teeth whitening and plaque removal properties, as well as its affordability relative to other commercially available teeth whiteners. Brushing with baking soda removes plaque deposits from teeth that contribute to tooth decay.

Activated Charcoal.

This is an optional ingredient. The compounds found in coffee, tea (even herbal tea), blueberries, wine, and spices like cinnamon can stain our teeth.

Activated charcoal can help bind and remove these stains from your teeth. As a bonus, activated charcoal also balances the mouth’s pH and is even considered beneficial enough to be used in some tooth re-mineralization formulas.

natural toothpaste oils

Essential Oils.

Make sure whatever oils that you use are safe for internal use and good quality therapeutic grade oils. ( I trust and use Doterra oils).

Here are a few oils that I recommend:

Peppermint
Spearmint
Lemon
On Guard (doTerra)
Wild orange
Tea Tree Oil/ Melaleuca

Experiment and try other essential oils.

Since some essential oils have antibacterial properties, you want to take care that you’re not killing ALL the bacteria in your mouth.

You want to nourish and feed the delicate balance of bacteria in our mouths, not kill it off! Doing so can set the stage for poor oral health, bad breath, and other imbalances. Bacteria are important.

*** As with anything, I do recommend switching out your toothpaste, soaps, shampoos, and even foods occasionally.

This gives the body variety and doesn’t allow the body to become desensitized from the ingredients after time.

If you don’t want to make your own toothpaste, there are some healthy and safe options out there, just check the ingredients!

Natural Toothpaste Ingredients

5 Tablespoons BENTONITE CLAY ( I like to use Redmond Clay)
2 Tablespoons BAKING SODA
2 teaspoons SEA SALT (I like Redmond REAL Salt)
¼ teaspoon/ 1- 500mg capsule ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (Optional)
2-4 TB DISTILLED WATER
10-15 drops of ESSENTIAL OIL ( peppermint, spearmint, On Gaurd)

Other ingredient options, but not necessary:

15-20 drops STEVIA (if you want a little sweetener) I don’t use it.
2 Tablespoons XYLITOL

Natural Toothpaste Directions

1 – In a plastic or glass bowl, add the clay, baking soda, salt, charcoal (if using), and essential oil.

2 – Whisk together using a plastic or stainless steel whisk until essential oil is distributed evenly.

3 – Add one tablespoon of distilled water and mix. Add more a little at a time until you have the consistency that you desire.

4 – Place the mixture into a silicone tube or jar.

That’s it! Now wasn’t that simple? You’re going to love this stuff! Your mouth and teeth are going to feel amazing!

natural toothpaste tubes

How to use and store natural toothpaste

I have found a few ways to store and use this natural toothpaste. These cute little silicone tubes work perfectly.

They come in a set of five and are leakproof and squeezable. The tubes are made of BPA-free silicone and are easy to clean.

natural toothpaste dispensing

TIP: Here is a slick little trick to get the natural toothpaste into the tube.

Place a plastic bag into a coffee mug.
Scoop the toothpaste into a plastic bag and squeeze it into the bottom corner of the bag (like you were loading a frosting bag).
Clip a tiny hole in the bottom of the bag and dispense the toothpaste into the tube.
If you have a little left over, just put it in a jar and use that portion first.