So, my husband thinks I might be a little crazy (and yep, he’s probably right!) but I made homemade toothpaste yesterday.
From scratch.
Some of you are probably shaking your heads right now and thinking what someone said yesterday, “Good grief! Go clip a coupon and buy yourself some Colgate!”
And yes, it might seem ridiculous — especially since I can often get free toothpaste by combining coupons with sales. However, when I saw the recipe the other day on Thankfully Thrifty, I realized I had all of the ingredients on hand and I wanted to try it — mostly out of curiosity!
It whipped it up in less than a few minutes and smelled delicious. But when I put a little on my toothbrush the first time, I just about gagged.
It has a very strong and salty flavor — something I’m not used to with regular toothpaste. However, once I got over that, I actually think it cleans really, really well.
And I think I actually might end up really liking it. Only time will tell for sure on that, but it’s certainly fun to be able to say I’ve made my own toothpaste since most people probably don’t do that on a regular basis. 🙂
Want to join me in the craziness and try making your own homemade toothpaste, too?
Homemade Toothpaste Recipe
- 2-3 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 Tablespoons baking soda
- 1-1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 10-15 drops peppermint or spearmint essential oil
Stir together. Add more coconut oil, if need be.
Store in an airtight container or squeeze bottle.
Recipe from Thankfully Thrifty
Do note that the ingredients are somewhat expensive, especially if you’re used to getting toothpaste for free. But if you usually pay for all natural toothpaste, I’d definitely recommend experimenting with making your own. It’s so easy to do and much, much less than what you’d pay for all natural toothpaste.
If you a recipe that’s a little bit less on the salty side, this Homemade Toothpaste Recipe on Keeper Of The Home has Xylitol or Stevia in it to sweeten it. If you just want a really inexpensive recipe that gets the job done, DIY Natural has a very cheap Homemade Toothpaste Recipe without coconut oil in it.
Have you made your own toothpaste before? If so, what recipe did you use and what did you think of it? I’d love to hear!
Kaitlyn says
What’s the benefit of adding the sea salt? Is it only for the abrasive quality?
Love your blog 🙂
Virginia Holder says
Call me crazy. When I was a kid and we ran out of toothpaste, we would brush our teeth with either salt or baking soda. And I really didn’t mind the taste. I have been incorporating baking soda with my current toothpaste as my teeth don’t feel clean as I’d like.
Karen says
I recently made my own toothpaste using a base of bentonite clay. The kit came from the Bulk Herb Store (online) but you could certainly buy the ingredients elsewhere. I LOVE the toothpaste!! My teeth were *noticeably whiter* after one brushing (like, my husband noticed and my teeth are pretty white anyway!). I don’t know what it is about the clay but it really works. anyhow, that may help you on your quest for the perfect homemade toothpaste 🙂 I love coconut oil but can’t imagine brushing my teeth with it :p
AnnMarie says
I think it is AWESOME that. People are trying to make their own toothpaste! If you read the labels on the toothpaste, it says not to swallow. The ingredients are that bad, they don’t want you to swallow them! All of your ingredients are food. Way to go!
Susan in St. Louis says
Thanks for the recipe! I’ve been wanting to try making my own toothpaste/soap, so I’m excited! 🙂
Carrie says
I don’t think you’re crazy Crystal! Making your own personal care products, even if it doesn’t save money, is wise because you can avoid questionable ingredients.
I’ve been making my own tooth powders for years, and I’m 37 and have never had a cavity. I told my hygienist my recipe and she said it was fine, and to keep doing what I was doing!
And I agree with the others who said that once you get used to a sugarless toothpaste, the other kind tastes nasty. One more advantage to homemade toothpastes: the lack of foaming is nice when you’re pregnant. Foaming in my mouth always triggered gagging or worse when I was sick with nausea.
WilliamB says
What a fun experiment, even if it doesn’t save money. Tradtional Korean toothpaste was a communal of salt.
Another reason to be careful about the salt: it’s hard on the dental enamel. Those with soft dental enamel might want to avoid this.
jorgiee says
Just curious… whats the purpose of the cocunut oil???
Carrie says
Coconut oil is antifungal, antibacterial and very nutritive to the body. It also helps hold the other ingredients together.
Melissa Jones says
Something that I just found out from our vet, xylitol in very small doses is lethal to dogs (maybe cats too, I don’t remember), so keep away from your furry friends!
Also, I’ve been looking for a way to move my son up to “real” toothpaste without having to spend a fortune on unfloridated (he still sucks it off the tooth brush when I’m not looking). I’m not sure why making my own never occurred to me before!
And thirding the comments about the coconut oil melting – its melting point is 76 deg F., so if you don’t keep your bathroom below that temp at all times (think steamy showers), your toothpaste will melt. It’ll still be useable, just goopy. Camping stores have refillable tubes you can put things in (like peanut butter) that would be great for this use, just squish it around some before use if it’s gotten too hot because stuff settles out.
Abigail says
I’m glad you tried your own toothpaste! I have been using homemade stuff for year now and love it, not going back! But I’d imagine the stuff you made is salty, like saltier than salty. Check out the recipe we use if you cant manage the salty taste. http://blissandlife.blogspot.com/2012/05/diy-toothpaste.html
Melanie says
I tried a batch of tooth powder a friend made. I agree with the salt being an odd taste. I’ll will have to try adding mint like the others sugested.
Megan says
Just have to put my two cents in here… I’m a dentist, so I hope that gives my comment some credibility! I just wanted to caution against using toothpaste that doesn’t have fluoride in it. Fluoride has been proven to be safe and effective over decades of use. The little bit that you get every day when you are brushing your teeth is remineralizing your teeth, helping to prevent cavities. It really is worth it to use toothpaste that has fluoride in it – it will save you money when you go to the dentist! 🙂
P.S. Xylitol is also great, more dentists should be recommending it!
P.P.S. Steer clear of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda – your gums will thank you for avoiding these!
Elisabeth says
I was actually planning to make my own batch of toothpaste/toothsoap tonight! I’m going to use a recipe from the Mommypotamus (http://www.mommypotamus.com/homemade-toothsoap-tooth-powder-recipes/). Guess I should stop blog-hopping and get to work 🙂 Thanks for the post!
Vanessa says
Is Mentadent toothpaste okay to use since it has baking soda & peroxide in it.
Angela says
I am so glad you posted this today! I just recieved the trace minerals I ordered in the mail today, but I couldn’t remember where the toothpaste recipe I’d seen was. Now i know where to look I forgot to get the xylitol, so I’ll have to find that. I am most interested in re-mineralizing our teeth while keeping the toxins out! Go girl!
R. Madison says
Where is the best place to purchase essential oils?
Crumby Vegan says
I buy mine from Vitacost. They have a decent supply at a good price! HTH
Alissa DeLucio says
I think if I get to try it I will nix, or reduce the salt. I have used plain baking soda before, though, and it worked fine.
Jessica says
Ha! I must be weird too, because I got really excited when I realized I had everything I needed to make this tomorrow! 🙂
Gerri says
Why not just save alot of money and just us the baking soda, it removes stains and if used with some hydrogen peroxide it make a paste.
Courtney says
I remember reading about a study that showed that your teeth actually get cleaner if you brush them without toothpaste. I believe that Amy Dacyzyn {sp?} mentions that in the Tightwad Gazette book, too.
Wendy says
Yes, the scrubbing with the brush is what actually cleans your teeth. The toothpaste is a breath freshner and doesn’t do much in the way of actually cleaning the teeth.
Crumby Vegan says
Yes! I’ve tried my own toothpaste. I liked it pretty well but like another person, the summer turned my recipe into a thick soup! 🙂 I’ll be doing it again in the Fall and will give your recipe a shot!
My recipe sounds like the one using stevia. Here’s the link: http://wp.me/p2gGyc-eM. FWIW, this recipe cost $1.48 for 3.5 oz.!
AriesWarlock says
First of all, I would definitely recommend getting away from Colgate and other commercial toothpastes. If you are not aware of where fluoride comes from, all moms should check this out:
http://youtu.be/4qmLQQmf4xk
Second, xylitol is a good choice for your toothpaste. Try looking into neem bark as well.
Give toothpowder a try.
http://www.eco-dent.com/special-care.php
http://www.vitacost.com/eco-dent-daily-care/?pd_section=pr#productReviews
Check out the article “Is Your Toothpaste Harming Your Teeth?”
http://www.eco-dent.com/press-center.php
After that, I have stopped using toothpaste save some occasions.
Bethany says
I use the same recipe, except I leave out the salt and add in some xylitol instead. It definitely helps with the overwhelming baking soda flavor and is supposed to be a good alternative to fluoride.
ann says
What about floride. I thought that was the most important ingredient. Someone enlighten me. And what is xylotol?
AriesWarlock says
Xylitol is a sweetener extracted from plants. Xylitol Prevents Cavities: Xylitol’s unique molecular structure works against bacteria. In fact, studies show that 6 grams of the xylitol found in Epic reduce acid-producing bacteria. By reducing the bacteria, you reduce cavities.
You can read more here:
http://www.epicdental.com/t-Xylitol-Everything-You-Need-To-Know.aspx
Fluoride is toxic.
http://youtu.be/4qmLQQmf4xk
Lana says
Avoiding flouride would be a major reason to make your own toothpaste–toxic stuff.
Penny says
I’ve recently started using coconut oil to brush my teeth, but putting a tiny topper of ‘regular’ toothpaste on the toothbrush. That way I’m still getting the benefits of the coconut oil, but a little minty flavor from the Crest!
Lori says
I made my own toothpaste a couple of weeks ago. It did take some getting used to, but I could tell the first time I used it that my teeth had never felt so clean! My recipe is the same as yours, except it has no salt and has a pack of stevia in it. I am wondering what is the purpose in the salt in it? I hate salt and I’m happy with my found recipe that doesn’t have it.
May says
Salt is a natural disinfectant.
Totally of subject, but it works great to wash cast iron with, I haven’t had to season since I started using it.
Ginger says
Oh girlfriend, where did you find that nasty recipe? You gotta try xylitol and coconut oil and a bit of peppermint oil. You’ll think you’re brushing your teeth with a candy cane, but it’s so good for your teeth and breath.
Crystal says
Oh, I like the idea of brushing my teeth with candy cane! Better yet, can you come up with a chocolate toothpaste recipe for me?? 😉
I’m definitely trying Xylitol next time… if I can find where to buy it and a good deal on it.
Kim says
I was actually thinking of making my own toothpaste too, and my husband thinks I am crazy as well 🙂 I was going to try this tooth soap:
http://homesteadwannabes.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-tooth-soap-recipe-healthy.html
Shu says
We have been using homemade “tooth powder” over the last 3 years, and now my husband won’t have it any other way. Originally we did it to reduce the chemical products we keep in our household, and now we are so used to its texture and effect. My hubby also complains the commercial toothpaste generates too much foam and is too fake for him. Our dental checks are also surprisingly well after we switched over – shocking! Our recipe is only baking soda, drops of thief essential oil and peppermint oil. You can experiment with the proportions till it’s your taste. I love twice of peppermint, so leaves a refreshing taste in my mouth and not so spicy/potent from the thief.
Shu says
I do use the Young Living Essential oil to be safe for accidental digestion.
jen says
i just use baking soda and peppermint oil mixed together, i found the recipe in the book; ‘making it’…great book. anyway, when my husband and i went in to have our teeth cleaned the hygenist said my teeth looked much better than my husband’s and he only uses regular toothpaste. she even told him i do a better job flossing and he’s the flosser, not me! i didn’t tell her about my natural toothpaste…figured she would think it weird.
Lindsey says
Wow! That’s awesome….and nice to hear such a positive testimonial from something so simple!
Robin says
I make my own toothpaste also, I have really lessened the amount of salt and if you add just a bit of stevia it tastes better.
Autumn says
I don’t think it’s weird either. Regular toothpaste destroys your gums and is horrible for us. Too bad it took years for most of us to discover the truth. Just takes some experimenting to find what works. Pay now or pay much more later for your health I guess. Good topic
Wendy says
I think that may be a little over the top. I know many people in their 70’s or older who have no gum problems and all their teeth and have used toothpaste all their lives. We certainly have no gum/tooth problems here.
Lana says
I agree that regular toothpaste is not good for us. The real truth about flouride is really eye opening and I will not use it on my teeth. Why is it okay to put a by-product of the phosphate fertilizer industry in our bodies?
Kathleen Harvey says
So glad you posted this…been wanting to try one and keep forgetting to look it up! When I use essential oils though I use Young Living essential oils because they are safe to ingest and will actually help our physical health!
michelle says
I made toothpaste this past winter and I really liked how clean my teeth felt. My problem was that when summer came the toothpaste turned to liquid cuz of the heat. 🙁 (we have central ac but don’t keep our house cool enough for the oil to harden) So with that said I will be making it again come fall. My recipe is very similar to yours. 🙂
Danielle says
Just add more or less baking soda/coconut oil, depending on the temp, to get the right consistency.
Melissa Jones says
Yeah…I was going to mention that. I’ve made my own deodorant before and have to keep it in the fridge since the coconut oil melts at 76 deg. F. Might have to start brushing teeth in the kitchen!
Susan says
I make my own toothpaste, and I love it! I feel like it gets my teeth really clean. My recipe is similar, but it has less salt and a bit of raw honey. My husband thinks I am a little crazy, but I think he is getting used to all my concoctions! 🙂
Jodi Knaak says
I make my own deoderant, and LOVE it! But, I have tried the homemade Toothpaste and I couldnt get past the gagging salty flavor 😛
Kelly Logan says
That is such a great idea! I usually get Dessert Essence Tea Tree Toothpaste and would give all of my “free” flouride toothpaste away! I am going to try after my next tube runs out! I was expecting to see a picture of you trying this out for some reason….lol =)
Crystal says
Um, I’ve shown quite a bit of different things on my blog, but showing me brushing my teeth and gagging would be reaching new lows. 😉
Frugal Jen | Frugal Freebies and Deals says
how about using a neti pot..lol?
Crystal says
Oh me, oh my! If I run out of blogging fodder, I think I know who to ask for ideas. 😉
Frugal Jen | Frugal, Freebies and Deals says
yup 😉
Liz says
@Kelly: I think after Crystal posted pictures of her messy bedroom after one of her trips, she is off the hook for the rest of the YEAR for showing embarrassing pictures, lol 😛
marney says
People have been brushing their teeth w/ baking soda for generations so it’s not weird at all. Also, tooth enamel is damaged by acidity – baking soda is alkaline. Brushing too hard erodes the gums.
Katie Haney says
How are you going to store it? In that little bowl or do you have another way?
Del says
That’s what I was wondering too! And then do you just dip your toothbrush in each time?? Ewww just thinking about it makes me gag! Good luck with that one…. 🙂
Crystal says
I think a small squeeze bottle would probably be easiest.
Del says
oh, duh, that makes much more sense, lol.
Danielle says
I’ve been doing this for about a year now. We keep it in a small lidded container (that used to hold Burt’s Bee’s baby cream). I have a tiny measuring spoon (I think it’s an 1/8 tsp., but the label says “dash”) that we use to scoop a little onto our toothbrushes.
Stephanie says
We’ve started eating a small amount of granulated xylitol about 4-6 times a day. It is amazing for your oral health. I don’t know why dentists aren’t recommending it more.
Kamila Straker says
My son’s dentist recommended Xylitol chewing gum for him.
Crystal says
Ours recommended that, too!
Stephanie says
Wow…neither my dentist or the kids dentist recommended it. I found it doing research. I asked my dentist what he thought of xylitol and he said “it’s great stuff.” Well, why didn’t you mention it before then? LOL. It’s good to hear some of you are hearing about it from the dentist.
Amber says
What kind do you buy?
Stephanie says
I like XyloSweet by Xlear…I generally buy it in the 5 lb bag from amazon or iherb.com
Amber says
Thanks!
Liz says
If youhave pets, please, please be careful with xylitol products. Ingestion of small amounts causes a dangerous lowering of blood sugar in dogs, to where they will seizure. Ingestion of large amounts will cause liver failure and death! We see a lot of pets in the veterinary ER because they ate some sugarless gum, and no one knew that was a problem until their pet had a seizure from hypoglycemia.
jenn perry says
I am SO trying this! Brilliant!
terra says
I’m curious, do you think it would be too abrasive? I mean, will it begin to take the enamel off your teeth if you use it too often? Let me know what you think.
Wendy says
I’m not sure about the salt but the only “toothpaste” my grandma ever owned was a box of baking soda. It’s all she ever used her whole life and she still had all her teeth when she died at 80.
Lana says
I have used baking soda only for about 22 years and hate the weird taste and texture of toothpaste. I always get complimented on my dental hygiene at the dentists’ office.
Jennifer says
When my husband and I got married, I was a Colgate regular and he was an Arm & Hammer brand user. I agreed to try his kind and gagged the first time, too! If you are used to the minty-sugary flavors of Colgate and Crest, etc, then the baking soda flavor is a shocker.
But I got used to it and it became our standard toothpaste. When I started couponing and got some Colgate for free, I gagged on it!! It was soooo sweet. But, again, I adjusted for the budget.
That being said, not sure I want to make my own, but do be assured that your tastebuds will adjust. You may have a problem going back to the store-bought sweet stuff 🙂
Frugal Jen | Frugal Freebies and Deals says
My mom uses a similar recipe..
And I have made my own deodorant!! Even put the “recipe” for that on my blog!!
jenetta
Ashley says
Yuck!!! You are on your own with this one 😉
Crystal says
😉
Victoria@Snailpacetransformations says
Just about gagged, hmm…that is not really winning me over, but surely it cannot taste worse than the arm and hammer brand we are currently using up! I still would like to try making it just once, even if I am the only family member brave enough to try it.
Crystal says
I promised my husband he wouldn’t have to use it. He actually thought it was kind of cool when I showed it to him, though. But I doubt he’s going to be joining me on the homemade-toothpaste-using bandwagon any time soon! 🙂
Danielle says
Don’t give up too soon. After a trial period for myself, I got my husband and kids using it. The first batch included a little stevia and peppermint extract, because the kids thought it tasted bad without; however, I left the flavorings out of the second batch and no one even seemed to notice. My husband and kids have been converted, and have been using it for almost a year.
Also, you might point out the added benefit of this toothpaste not containing silica, which coats your teeth, keeping saliva from getting to your teeth. Your saliva actually helps to remineralize your teeth, making them stronger. I had a small cavity that remineralized before I could get it filled when I switched to this toohtpaste.
Laura @ Unpunctuated Life says
I’ve had that Arm and Hammer stuff before and I agree–it’s gross!
Miriam says
I’m curious about the abrasiveness of it and if that has any negative effect on your teeth? Otherwise… it sounds gross and intriguing! Ha. 😛
Julie says
Wow, interesting! I can imagine it cleans really well. I might have to try this. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa- panaMOM says
Nope. Won’t be joining you on this craziness. LOL!
Glad it worked well for you- after the initial gagging. 😉
Crystal says
You can laugh at me from afar. 😉