How to Make Natural Toothpaste

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How to make natural toothpaste
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Since learning about how diet can drastically affect oral health and the need for minerals in the body for oral health, I’ve increasingly turned to homemade mineral-rich natural toothpaste options.

Why Use Natural Toothpaste?

I’m not a dentist or a doctor, just a mom who has tried a TON of different toothpaste options and read a TON of books and medical literature. I first started making my own toothpaste after getting frustrated that I couldn’t find a store-bought brand that didn’t have questionable ingredients, including:

  • Sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners like sodium saccharin are often used in toothpaste to improve taste, but some of these substances are controversial. Until scientists reach some more definitive conclusions, sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol seem to be a better choice and rated safe for non-food uses by the EWG.
  • Fluoride: The most controversial toothpaste ingredient. I personally have to avoid it like the plague because of my thyroid disease (read about the connection here). Additionally, fluoride interferes with my thyroid hormone uptake. Our family doesn’t use fluoride toothpaste and we filter it out of our water, but there is definitely research on both sides. (You can read Mark Sisson’s take here and Dr. Mercola’s opinion here.) Whatever your opinion, fluoride does come with a warning to call the poison control center immediately if ingested and after seeing a close friend’s scare when her son ingested some fluoride, it isn’t something I keep in our house.
  • Triclosan: A chemical used in antibacterial soaps and products. Triclosan was found to affect proper heart function in a study at the University of California Davis and the FDA ruled in 2017 that triclosan isn’t generally recognized as safe.
  • Glycerin: Another controversial ingredient, glycerin is found in many toothpastes, especially natural toothpastes. Glycerin is a sweet, colorless liquid and some research says it can coat teeth and prevent them from benefitting from the minerals in saliva. I know that when I used glycerin toothpaste in college, my teeth started to yellow, but the research is still mixed on whether glycerin is harmful or not. Especially when I was working to remineralize cavities, I concluded after research that it was better to just avoid it.
  • Surfactants: Many kinds of toothpaste contain surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate, which gives toothpaste its foam and lather. Some research shows that SLS can cause mouth ulcers and canker sores.
  • Artificial colors/dyes or synthetic flavors: There are a few good natural toothpastes out there, but after looking at the ingredients, I realized I could make a similar concoction at home… and the toothpaste experiment was born.

Homemade Toothpaste Trial & Error

If you’re not sure you want to try making your own toothpaste, there are good store-bought options out there (scroll down for my favorites).

If you’re a DIY master, then jump right in!

I admit, I had several failed attempts before I figured this recipe out. I originally tried mixing coconut oil and baking soda in equal proportions (which makes coconut-tasting salt!). I also tried using pure ground stevia leaf, but my husband and kids couldn’t get past the green color.

Homemade Toothpaste ingredients

I finally made a concession to use stevia powder (the most natural one I could find). I’ve also tried making this with xylitol, as it has some supposed benefits in dental health.

Here it is… the new, improved, and kid-approved recipe!

How to make natural toothpaste
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3.69 from 133 votes

Natural Toothpaste Recipe

Make a natural toothpaste at home with coconut oil, baking soda, stevia powder, and essential oils.
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • Melt or slightly soften the coconut oil.
  • Mix in other ingredients and stir well. If you are using a semi-hard coconut oil, use a fork, if not, use a spoon. If you are using completely melted coconut oil, you will need to stir several times while the mixture cools to keep the baking soda incorporated.
  • Pour the mixture into a small glass jar (I make different ones for each family member).
  • Let cool completely.

Notes

To use: dip toothbrush in and scrape small amount onto bristles. You could also use a small spoon to put it on the toothbrush.

Does Homemade Toothpaste Work?

Healthy natural homemade toothpaste recipeWe have been using natural toothpaste years now, and it seems to work great! I’ve noticed less plaque when brushing our teeth, and my teeth feel smoother. Years of great dental checkups have to count for something, and I have several friends who have used similar concoctions for years and never get cavities.

More DIY Toothpaste Recipes

Since I originally wrote this post, I’ve created a few additional toothpaste recipes which are even easier to make! I still love this recipe, but you may also want to check out these:

Pre-Made Natural Toothpaste Options

If you don’t want to make toothpaste yourself, thankfully, there are several pre-made natural toothpaste options that are both effective and safe. Some of my favorites are:

Wellnesse

My Wellnesse Whitening Toothpaste uses only the safest EWG-rated ingredients, like hydroxyapatite to remineralize teeth and make them strong, and neem oil to fight unhealthy bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque. Instead of fluoride, our formula contains green tea leaf extract, which is loaded with antioxidants. Plus, a phytochemical in green tea is shown to fight bacteria that leads to tooth decay. Did we mention our toothpaste is Glycerin-Free?

OraWellness Brushing Blend

I use OraWellness Brushing Blend as an ingredient in many of my homemade oral health products, but I also just like using it alone. It is great for traveling, even for flying since it comes in a small bottle and since you only need a few drops, it lasts forever.

We also use OraWellness Bass Toothbrushes regularly at our house.

Earthpaste

Earthpaste is another favorite at our house. The kids like the lemon flavor and my husband and I like all three mint options (cinnamon, peppermint, and wintergreen). I haven’t found it locally, so I often bought a four-pack online every few months.

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Steven Lin, who is a Board accredited dentist trained at the University of Sydney. With a background in biomedical science, he is a passionate whole-health advocate, focusing on the link between nutrition and dental health. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor or dentist.

Best Natural Toothpaste Options

What do you think? Up for making your own toothpaste, or is it too much? Tell me about it below!

Most tooth pastes are filled with unhealthy ingredients. Making your own natural toothpaste at home saves money and is healthier for your teeth and gums.

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

336 responses to “How to Make Natural Toothpaste”

  1. Sara Avatar

    Baking soda damages the enamel if used too strongly (like people using it to bleach their teeth), so beware 😉

    Also, fluor isn’t necessarily bad. It’s even good to get it as a kid to get strong teeth and everything. BUT only if it’s not already in your diet (and many storebought food contains a lot of fluor)

  2. Stormy Avatar

    I love all the ingredients in the toothpaste (especially the coconut oil) for all of their many various uses. However, I was wondering if using baking soda daily on teeth is enamel safe? Thanks for your input!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Yep.. it actually has a very low abrasivity rating and is used in many toothpastes…

  3. Kaye Avatar

    How long does the mixture keep? Conventional toothpaste can last
    indefinitely, but since this is a natural product I’m assuming it’s not
    the same…

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I’ve had mine last up to six months but haven’t had any that I haven’t used by then to test past that…

      1. Kaye Avatar

        Ok, thanks for the tip and the post. I’m currently trying to remineralize a tooth that’s previously had root canal work on it. They told me that the tooth’s nerve is dead and I wouldn’t have any sensation in it. That clearly has not been the case so I really don’t want to invest another $1500-2300 to repair the tooth if the dentist just making a best guess anyway (which is what it seems like). I’m so happy to have come across this concept of tooth remineralization. I have never heard of it before and it is so empowering to know that I have some control over my health & well-being.

  4. CoCo Avatar

    Hello and thanks so much for your website! I’ve used many of your recipes, but this is the first time I’ve left a comment. I’ve made this toothpaste a few times and the last two times, I’ve stored it in a plastic BPA-free squeeze bottle to make it easier for my son to shake it to re-mix it before applying it to his toothbrush. I made it a couple of days ago and this morning, there was something “dark” at the bottom of the bottle that I’ve never seen before. Of course, we are no longer using it, but could this possibly be mold? I’ve never had this issue before and I’m wondering if the bottle is the culprit. I wash them before re-using, but I’m not sure that matters. I guess I’ll go back to our little glass jar and spoon to stir before using.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I”ve never heard of mold in this recipe, but it is possible I suppose…

  5. Mubub Avatar

    Can anybody explain the difference between grapefruit seed extract and grapefruit seed oil please?? I have read some bad things about extract and want to make sure I order the right thing. Thank you

  6. Carol Avatar

    I just made this minus the essential oil, grapeseed extract or myrrh because I didn’t have any. :). I used cinnamon powder as someone suggested below. It’s more runny then I expected so I’m sure I did something wrong lol. I have so many recipes written down, just waiting to go to Whole Foods. I’m proud of my first concoction, even if it is runny. :). Thanks Katie for all your awesome info! Oh I forgot, I did start us on the Oil Cleanse Method so I guess this is my second concoction!

  7. Carmen Lock Avatar
    Carmen Lock

    Excellent !!!! My husband and I love it!!! We started using this recipe and it works great!!! Thanks so much for your tips

  8. Asheley Graves Avatar
    Asheley Graves

    I want to try to make homemade toothpaste but before I invest in all the oils would it be OK to use just the coconut oil baking soda and then peppermint extract?
    Do the essential oils and stevia have cleaning power or are they just flavorents?

  9. Tiffany Kruger Avatar
    Tiffany Kruger

    I was wondering, how often do you use your ‘remineralizing toothpaste’ vs this natural toothpaste? And/or if you can combine them, because the recipe is very similar. Thank you, you really are amazing! Thanks for all that you do and share with the rest of us! 🙂

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      You can combine them but I use the remineralizing one all the time now…

  10. Vikki Peterson Avatar
    Vikki Peterson

    I loved this until it completely liquified during our first warm day this week! Is this inevitable, or do you have any suggestions? Thank you!!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      You can add more dried ingredients, but that is the one problem with this…

      1. Vikki Peterson Avatar
        Vikki Peterson

        Thank you for replying:) This might be a winterly commitment! Love the blog!

        1. jared Avatar

          i too found it runny and just an outright mess (but loved loved loved it), especially being in south louisiana in july. so i added baking soda until it was…well, paste. success.

          so i whipped up another batch and used equal parts oils (essentials and coconut) and baking soda. still runny so i just did as before and added baking soda until it pasted, poured into a honey squeeze bottle and score!! thank you wellness mama!!

      2. Kathy Avatar

        Where I live, we don’t have indoor heating in winter. Coconut oil becomes hard as a rock. Will the toothpaste become unusable? I’m really keen to try this but don’t want to struggle with having to melt the toothpaste before we brush our teeth every day.

  11. Ally Avatar

    This looks awesome, but I’m allergic to coconut (and a lot of other things), and would love to try making my own toothpaste. Do you have any recommendations for possible substitutes?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Any kind of oil could work, you’ll just need less of it if you use a liquid oil.

  12. Ashley Cooney Avatar
    Ashley Cooney

    My daughter is 18 months and still swallows her toothpaste. Is this safe for her to swallow?

  13. Lea Avatar

    Thank you for the great recipe! I’ve been using it for a few months now and really like it. I like the taste of the peppermint oil and stevia.

    1. Kitty Avatar

      I made this and it did not turn out well. It was really thick and seemed to separate, what did I do wrong?

  14. Bridget Mae Avatar
    Bridget Mae

    I love making my own but my 11year-old thought it was to stiff…. so i whipped it up in the kitchen aid and it was amazing!

  15. Angela Avatar

    I have tried baking soda, almond oil, and peppermint oil and I HATE IT. it’s too salty, is this recipe salty?

      1. Marilyn Avatar

        One could always use bentonite clay in place of the baking soda. I can’t use the baking soda in toothpaste as it irritates my mouth. I do use it in water for a simple mouthwash, though, and it doesn’t bother me.

  16. Mandy Avatar

    Can you recommend a good fluoride water filter? I’m just learning about the effects of fluoride and I have an 11 mo old! Eek!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Reverse osmosis and adding minerals back in is one option and a lot of people love the Berkley

      1. susan guthrie Avatar
        susan guthrie

        I have had acne around my mouth and face for several years. I believe a major contributor is that i have been using regular toothpaste like colgate to clean my teeth and freshen breath. I now want to change my routine, make my own paste and se if that helps my skin.
        I believe that an all naural toothpaste would help me so much.
        I cant wait to give it a try

    2. Xavanta Avatar

      Definately a good quality Reverse Osmosis system, we have had one for about 8 years now and it’s still going strong. I have never been able to drink tap water as it makes me really sick so that was the main reason for getting one but then our town water became heavily fluoridated and ever since then we have to get our filter cleaned every 6 months – 1 year and just seeing how dirty it gets in that time and what it actually stops from getting through is reward enough. We are now looking into getting a filter for the shower too, Good luck 🙂

  17. Ginel Salvador Avatar
    Ginel Salvador

    so I just did this (didn;t use myrrh nor grapefruit seed extract oil (only eucalyptus oil) and varied the ratio of coconut oil and baking soda a bit… my reaction: it’s strange at first because it’s something new, naturally. but once i was done i liked how my mouth felt. it wasn’t overwhelmingly minty (maybe i should add more eucalyptus) but it felt downright clean. oh i also added a bit of hydrogen peroxide to the mix too. the saltiness of the baking soda is sooo weird to brush with, but after it’s all rinsed out, the mouth feels quite pleasant. i’m never buying regular toothpaste again unless it’s a crazy emergency, and even then i’ll just get my hands on some baking soda by itself and brush with that. thanks for this!

  18. Pink Avatar

    I didn’t have any stevia, so I decided to try manuka honey instead as I have used it in other toothpaste recipes. I just added it to the coconut oil as I was melting it and then added the peppermint and cinnamon. It smells soo good! I’ll let you know how the honey works out. 🙂 p.s. thank you so much to posting this recipe. My last one had no coconut oil and used 8 tbsp of baking soda with nothing for sweetner. So I’m looking forward to trying this one out! 🙂

    1. Brenton Avatar

      Did the honey substitution work? I have fluid raw wildflower honey and solid raw honey.

  19. Engia Avatar

    sounds interesting.. may try it.. just wondering.. how is the condition of ur teeth now ? 🙂 if its any good i wouldn’t mind trying this just for the health of my teeth !

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      They are great! No cavities in a couple of years, and one remineralized that I had but never filled…

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