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. Hannah Avatar

    Hi, I was curious if the kind of coconutnoil mattered? Like cold press, extra virgin or regular. Thanks!

  2. Jemima Avatar

    Help! Since a few months ago I use this recipe: coconut oil, bicarb, turmeric and a little olive oil. This morning I noticed that the tips of my front teeth are much whiter than the rest of the tooth, google says it’s a sign of enamel loss! 🙁 I really don’t want to go back to chemical toothpaste. Has anyone else experienced this? What can I do to make sure my natural toothpaste isn’t harming my enamel? I’m very worried, please help.

  3. anna Avatar

    i did this but with only coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint oil. after getting used to the taste it works amazing!

  4. Megan Avatar

    is this more expensive to make then to buy regular store bought toothpaste?

  5. Laura Avatar

    The first couple of days my toothpaste remained the way it was, gel- solidify texture, but after that it just melt overnight even after I store it back in the fridge, I think someone said use glycerin in order to maintain the toothpaste solidified texture? This might be obvious but would it work the same by tipping the toothbrush in the pool of oil and just brush instead of trying to get it to the solidified again? But in that case I don’t think the mixture of baking soda and coconut oil would be even in the solution I’ll be dipping in. Also is anyone having gum bleeding issue with using that? Maybe it’s something I have to adjust to, brush softer, but it’s normal right?

  6. Todd Newton Avatar
    Todd Newton

    I will give this a try for the sake of the rest of the family. I’ve been making coconut oil based soap for brushing, which is very healthy for the teeth and gums, but can be harsh if using more than a small amount. The wife and kids don’t like it. The taste is also, well, soapy if there are no additives. I prefer salt as the added ingredient, but menthol crystals seem to work as well.

  7. Mikka Avatar

    I made this today and could not wait to test it out. The moment I began brushing my gums began to sting. As the mixture touched my lips, they began to burn and dry out.
    Once I was done, it appeared as though my gums had receded and my lips were extremely dry and wrinkly.
    Anybody else experience this? Not sure if it is the expected result?

    1. Caroline Ramp Avatar
      Caroline Ramp

      You may be experiencing a sensitivity to baking soda, try using less. Or you can use powdered xylitol instead of stevia and baking soda. It will add the slight abrasiveness needed as well as neutralizing the ph in your mouth, thus eliminating the need for baking soda all together. I’d use about 5-8 tablespoons per 1/2 cup of coconut oil, depending on desired taste as it will sweeten the toothpaste.

  8. Mille Avatar

    Just tried making my own natural toothpaste for the first time tonight! I did – coconut oil, baking soda, & peppermint EO. The coconut oil & baking soda keeps separating though and it’s very runny. Should I just add more baking soda? Or is there something else I should do?
    Thanks!
    Also, just made the coconut oil & baking soda deodorant, excited to use it! I had been just using coconut oil under my armpits but recently started noticing an odour (I’m in Thailand right now…sweating a bit more than usual haha)
    -Katie

  9. Jes Hart Avatar

    Thanks for this! I’ve been reading recipes for this for a while but haven’t found any I felt “safe” with. I do have a question though, what is the seed extract and myyrh for? Taste or does it help clean?

  10. Kristin Etem Avatar
    Kristin Etem

    Can I please ask why the last 2 ingredients are optional? Do they only provide a better tasting natural toothpaste & no benefit to healing the teeth?

  11. Telma Boinville Avatar
    Telma Boinville

    I used to use plain baking soda. What is different in mixing it with coconut oil? Thank you

  12. Mara Avatar

    Hallo
    Your home remedy sounds great but my gut cannot tolerate coconut products is there a substitute ? Thanks.

  13. Ashley Heath Avatar
    Ashley Heath

    Can I sub the stevia packets for stevia extract? If so, how much do I add? Thanks so much!

  14. jared Avatar

    i travel frequently and have not had any luck finding a suitable container that won’t leak. i’ve tried several different types with no dice. i also notice that if i fill the one in my cabinet to full, it seems to “creep” out and make the jar difficult to open. any suggestions….

  15. Karin Ben-Josef Avatar
    Karin Ben-Josef

    Is it possible to replace the cinnamon essential oil with cinnamon powder? _

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