If you've made the step towards zero waste dental hygiene by buying a biodegradable wooden or bamboo toothbrush, maybe you can take it even further by making your own all-natural toothpaste. Kids will love creating their own scents and flavors just with a few drops of essential oils or fruits, and they make eco friendly gifts too!
Here are a few homemade toothpaste recipes to get you started. And don't be afraid to mix and match to your own personal preference and availability of earth friendly products.
Baking Soda Toothpaste
2/3 cups baking soda (food or pharmaceutical grade)
1 tsp. fine sea salt or pink salt
10-15 drops of your favourite food grade essential oil
filtered water
Mix all together in a small amber colored glass jar and add just enough filtered water until it reaches a pasty consistency.
Activated Charcoal and Coconut Oil Toothpaste
1/4 cup activated charcoal
1 tsp. fine sea salt or pink salt
10-15 drops of your favourite food grade essential oil
virgin coconut oil (VCO)
Mix all together in a small amber colored glass jar and add just enough VCO to reach a desired consistency.
A note on these recipes... Make sure the essential oil you use for your homemade natural toothpaste are food grade. Peppermint, spearmint, clove, and orange make for familiar flavors and scents for toothpaste, but you may also experiment with lavender, tangerine, and other pure essential oils.
Virgin coconut oil has amazing anti-bacterial properties so it's a great addition to DIY toothpaste. Cold-pressed VCO will not have as much coconut scent lingering in it.
Use amber colored glass jars to store your toothpaste to prolong the effectiveness of the essential oils. Keep your toothpaste away from sunlight and properly closed with a lid between brushings.
Baking soda is great for teeth whitening but be gentle on your teeth and gums when using it daily as it may strip away the enamel of your pearly whites.
Other ingredients to try...
Organically grown Turmeric Powder, although will leave an initial golden stain on your teeth and skin, will wash away with water and help to whiten teeth naturally without bleaching or other harmful chemicals.
Bentonite Clay helps scrub the teeth with natural mild abrasives and because it is volcanic ash, it contains sodium bicarbonate extracts which helps disinfect.
Why Make Your Own Toothpaste?
Most commercial toothpaste contain harmful chemicals and sweeteners that studies show may cause mouth ulcers, canker sores, cavities, or thyroid disease. Some ingredients, like triclosan have already been banned in other skin products like hand soaps because they increase the risk or creating antibacterial resistant bacteria.
Go green by making your own toothpaste to help reduce waste and ensure you know what exactly goes into your mouth and the bodies of your children.
Written by Jan
About the Author
Jan is a travelling yoga teacher and writer who advocates spiritual growth while leading a conscious, earth-centered lifestyle, as close to nature as possible. She currently lives on an island in the Philippines surrounded by tropical jungles and white sand beaches. She and her partner conduct sound meditations and journeys while advocating sustainable and organic gardening practices.
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