Do you know what happens when you send a three year old in to get his toothbrush ready with this tooth powder recipe? It “snows” in your bathroom, and not in a way that makes you want to belt out Little Drummer Boy and sip hot apple cider.
A few months ago – after it snowed one too many times – I decided to convert the powder into homemade toothpaste, and I’m so glad I did! I love the way it leaves my mouth feeling, and how easy it is to use.
Why make your own toothpaste?
Because many store-bought toothpastes – even some of the “natural” ones – contain IQ lowering fluoride and other unwanted additives. One brand also still contains Triclosan, a hormone disrupting chemical that has been banned in soaps. (source)
Making your own means you can skip all that stuff, and it only takes a few minutes.
Don’t want to DIY?
Cool. Sometimes the right call is to NOT make everything from scratch so you have time for something else. If that’s you right now, this is a wonderful pre-made option that uses the same basic ingredients as my recipe, and none of the stuff we want to avoid.
Then again, sometimes conversations like this are fun, too:
Life: You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube, and you definitely can’t make toothpaste.
You: Hold my kombucha.”
Either way is awesome, so choose your own adventure.
Homemade Toothpaste Recipe
This recipe makes about 2.5 ounces, which will fit in one of these silicone tubes or a small mason jar.
Ingredients
- 4 level tablespoons bentonite clay (this is what I use)
- 2 teaspoons baking soda – optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (find it here)
- 1/4 teaspoon activated charcoal – optional but helpful for whitening teeth naturally (find it here)
- enough distilled water to make a toothpaste like consistency (I used 10 tablespoons)
- 10-15 drops spearmint essential oil (find it here)
- 15-20 drops stevia extract or whole leaf tincture – optional (find stevia extract here, find whole leaf tincture here)
To Make
In a pint-sized mason jar, add bentonite clay, baking soda, salt, activated charcoal (if using) and spearmint essential oil. Mix together until spearmint essential oil is evenly distributed, then add a few tablespoons of water and stevia and stir until it has reached the consistency you prefer. To make it extra smooth with no lumps, I mix mine together and then blend it with an immersion blender for a few seconds.
To Use
Brush as you would with regular toothpaste. It won’t foam like the stuff that contains sodium lauryl sulfate, but your mouth will feel amazingly clean afterwards. Follow with homemade mouthwash if desired.
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