Homemade Remineralizing Toothpaste Recipe (Natural + Simple)

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I’ve mentioned before how I stopped tooth decay and helped remineralize teeth. For healthy tooth enamel, it’s important to focus on good nutrition and have a great oral care routine. If you’re dealing with sensitive teeth, this homemade remineralizing toothpaste helps reverse and prevent demineralization!

When I was actively working on my cavities I used a two-part approach. First, I addressed my mineral levels through what I ate and drank. I also used a natural remineralizing toothpaste for enamel repair. I’ve since noticed a huge improvement in tooth sensitivity and no new caries!

A Remineralizing Toothpaste

There’s a lot of information about tooth remineralization, a process many dental health professionals previously thought impossible. This article details the science behind tooth remineralization and which foods to eat (and avoid!) for success. You’ll also learn why most toothpaste ingredients, even those with natural ingredients, aren’t the best.

Conventional formulations like Sensodyne reduce tooth sensitivity with fluoride and potassium nitrate. While I’m not a fan of fluoride, there are other issues with some brands that claim they’re remineralizing.

Silica, especially in whitening toothpastes can sometimes be too harsh. The SLS added for foaming can cause mouth and gum sensitivity. Nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste has recently gained popularity as an alternative to fluoridated toothpaste, but it presents problems too. You can read more about that here.

Over the years I’ve uncovered a lot about having a healthy mouth. What I’ve found mirrors my own experience with natural, fluoride-free toothpaste and a remineralizing diet.

Don’t want to make it? Try the remineralizing toothpastes at Wellnesse!

Natural Toothpaste

I’ve definitely noticed major changes in my teeth after using this toothpaste. It gets rid of buildup to help with teeth whitening and makes them feel really clean. Others who’ve tried it have told me the same thing.

The most surprising change in my teeth was that they’re no longer sensitive to cold! For as long as I can remember, biting into anything cold (or even thinking of it!) made me shudder and hurt my front teeth. After changing my dental care I noticed I could eat cold foods without my teeth hurting. I’ve never been able to do that before!

This toothpaste recipe is kid-approved, and since it has no fluoride, it’s safe for babies, toddlers, and those with thyroid problems.

Ingredients and Substitutions

I’ve made several toothpaste recipes over the years with varying ingredients. All of them have ingredients that help strengthen enamel (and improve sensitivity) to some degree. Here are the ingredients and what they do for a healthier mouth

  • Calcium – I used to use calcium carbonate in this recipe to help rebuild enamel. While it’s still a good option, calcium phosphate is even better. You can even use finely powdered, dried eggshells for calcium if preferred. A coffee grinder works well for this.
  • Baking Soda – A gentle abrasive that helps clean teeth and reduce plaque buildup.
  • Diatomaceous Earth – Mineral rich and full of silica for strong teeth and bones. It’s also slightly abrasive to clean teeth.
  • Xylitol – Adds some sweetness to balance out the mineral taste. Xylitol also has a lot of oral health benefits and helps prevent cavities. If you prefer not to add it though you could replace it with a little stevia to taste.
  • Coconut oil – This helps pull everything together and turns it from a powder into a toothpaste. Coconut oil also helps reduce plaque, prevent gingivitis, and balances mouth bacteria. If your house is colder you can replace half of the solid coconut oil with fractionated coconut oil or MCT oil.
  • Essential oils – These add antimicrobial properties for oral health and freshen breath. Some good options include cassia cinnamon, clove, peppermint, spearmint, myrrh, or sweet orange. Start with a little and increase as desired in the recipe to avoid any irritation.
  • Mouth oil – Instead of adding essential oils, try a premade healthy mouth oil. I like this one from Wellnesse that features ingredients like manuka, and organic cinnamon and mint essential oil.

A note on abrasiveness: There’s been some concern diatomaceous earth or baking soda can be too harsh on teeth. While we don’t want to wear away enamel, DE and baking soda can be gentle options. Baking soda rings in at a 2.5 on the MOHS hardness scale compared to silica at 6 or 7. DE is even gentler than that with a score of 1 to 1.5.

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4.16 from 264 votes

Remineralizing Toothpaste Recipe

Make a remineralizing toothpaste to freshen bad breath and strengthen teeth with enamel healthy ingredients.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Yield: 4 ounces
Author: Katie Wells

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix together the calcium, diatomaceous earth, baking soda, and xylitol.
  • Add the coconut oil a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
  • Add essential oils or Balanced Mouth Blend if using.
  • Store in small glass jar.
  • Use a clean popsicle stick or spoon to scoop some out and onto a toothbrush. Do not dip the toothbrush into the jar as this introduces bacteria and cause it to spoil faster.
  • Storage and Shelf Life: Store in a cool place away from direct sunlight for up to 2 years. Replace it if it starts to smell off or look discolored.

Notes

  • The amount of coconut oil can vary you need to form a paste consistency can vary from 1 and 1/2 TBSP to 2 and 1/2 TBSP coconut oil. You can also replace half of the solid coconut oil with fractionated or MCT oil if your house is cold. This keeps it from getting too hard!
  • If you don’t have a 1/2 Tablespoon measuring spoon, it’s the same as 1 and 1/2 teaspoons.

More Natural Oral Care Options

Oral hygiene involves more than just toothpaste! Here are some more healthy mouth products to make or buy. I’ve included my brand Wellnesse for those who are too busy or just want a premade option.

The Internal Side of Remineralization

Remineralization doesn’t only happen in the mouth. Simply using a toothpaste with a higher concentration of minerals likely won’t be enough to help teeth. Remineralization is a whole-body process. In order for it to happen we need enough of certain nutrients, especially minerals and fat-soluble vitamins.

When I was actively working on remineralizing my teeth, I focused on a specific nutrient-rich diet. I also avoided foods with sugar and phytic acid and added other lifestyle factors to boost nutrient levels. You can read my daily oral health routine in this post.

Getting enough minerals and fat-soluble vitamins are important not only because they support the body as a whole, but they create more mineral-rich saliva. Our bodies need healthy saliva to deliver the necessary nutrients to teeth.

I saw the best results with this two-pronged approach: eating for oral health and using this remineralizing toothpaste!

Ever made your own remineralizing toothpaste? Let us know how it worked!

This homemade remineralizing toothpaste uses all natural and safe ingredients to naturally clean teeth and provide necessary minerals to the mouth.
Sources
  1. Dodds, M. W., Johnson, D. A., & Yeh, C. K. (2005). Health benefits of saliva: a review. Journal of dentistry33(3), 223–233.
  2. Valkenburg, C., et al. (2019). The efficacy of baking soda dentifrice in controlling plaque and gingivitis: A systematic review. International journal of dental hygiene, 17(2), 99–116.
  3. Reade. (2023). Mohs Hardness (Typical) of the Abrasives.
  4. RTS Tools. (2019). MOHS Hardness Level.

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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

1,471 responses to “Homemade Remineralizing Toothpaste Recipe (Natural + Simple)”

  1. Condee Avatar

    I’m excited to give this recipe a try!  I haven’t used fluoride toothpaste for years but am unhappy with most natural toothpastes.  I don’t care for coconut or almond flavors.  Do any of you have another suggestion to take the place of either of those oils?

    1. Stella Avatar

      Coconut oil tastes nothing like coconuts actually, if that is what you meant..

  2. Sue Avatar

    Seems like you could make it a bit thinner and put it in a squeeze bottle or dropper bottle.I like this. I use a liquid product myself, but it is rather expensive – especially if you are supplying a houseful of kids 🙂

  3. Traci Avatar

    I had 3 cavities and was scheduled to get them filled.  I immediately started using Xylitol in my tea after reading about it being good for teeth.  When I went to get my fillings, the cavities were gone!  It happened again last week.  I had a small cavity and scheduled it to be filled, started using the Xylitol daily, went back to dentist, no cavity.  I need to make sure I used Xylitol daily or at least use this toothpaste recipe!

  4. Kristerella Avatar
    Kristerella

    I just mixed up a batch and tried liquid calcium. Is it okay, I noticed the baking soda caused it to bubble up and foam, then it settled back down again. How much stevia do you put? the parts thing meant I put 2-3 tsp, which it a little sweet even for me. wish me luck!

  5. China Avatar

    My calcium carb also has a small amount of vit C,D,E ect.is that ok to use?

  6. Elisa A Avatar

    Sounds fantastic! I will give it a try. I followed you over here from Betty Beguiles. 

  7. John Michael Christian Avatar
    John Michael Christian

    I’ve used a tooth powder from the Edgar Cayce readings that’s called Ipsab Powder. It’s made by Heritage products and has salt, baking soda, prickly ash bark (used by Native Americans for teeth cleaning) and mint in it.  If you don’t want to go to the trouble of making up your own, this is a great substitute.

  8. Valerie Avatar

    Why don’t you just store the toothpaste into one of those squeezable 1-3 oz. shampoo/lotion containers that you can buy at the grocery store meant for traveling purposes? It seems just a tiny pea size squeeze onto your toothbrush and away you go to brighter, whiter, clean teeth!!! =)

    1. Dana Visak Avatar
      Dana Visak

      Great idea but that little bottle, I’m sure, is not BPA free. I know, we’ve got to watch for everything!

      1. Catherine Danford Avatar
        Catherine Danford

        The GoToobs by human gear are silicon, therefore BPA-free. You can buy them on Amazon.

  9. Erinmarie Xian Avatar
    Erinmarie Xian

    I just started making my own simple Toothpaste; baking soda, coconut oil (trop trad.) and peppermint oil. I love it – my mouth feels great and its Sweet even without the xylitol (i couldn’t justify spending $$ for a big container when i don’t use it for anything else, if it was avail in bulk and i could buy any amount i wanted then great, but it’s not) 🙂 I don’t like sweet anyhow 🙂

  10. Tyler Avatar

    Just jumping in here…made some just this morning and was kinda worried about the wretched taste of the castille soap and I am happy to say that there is no lingering soapy taste with this.  I added orange and peppermint essential oils and that, along with the xylitol, makes the taste rather innocuous.  I like the coconut oil in it as I used to brush some over my teeth after I would brush anyway.  Teeth certainly feel clean afterwards!

  11. Kirsten Avatar

    I’ve been using this recipe for three days now (minus the DE). I’m definitely feeling some tingling in my gums, did I use too much of any of the ingredients? Also, since it tends to get dry, should I add more coconut oil or 1 part water?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Did you use any essential oils? The tingling might be from that. if not, it could be your body adjusting to the higher pH in the baking soda. If it continues after a few more days, I’d try using baking
      soda alone and coconut oil alone and see if the reaction occurs with either of those. If the mixture is dry… just add more coconut oil.

  12. Nate Avatar

    I was going to mix up a batch and got the peppermint Dr. Bronners, but right on the label it says it turns into glycerin when they are making it….so isn’t that bad? I thought glycerin was bad for mineral absorption into our teeth? On the main part of the label, under the certified fair trade line, “**None remains after saponifying oils into soap and glycerin” and then on the left side of the label in vertical type – “One of humanity’s oldest….All glycerin is retained….” Is this referring to the liquid soap or maybe just the bar soap? Please help, I really want to try this! Can I just leave out the soap? 

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      You can definitely leave out the soap without a problem, though the glycerin should just be retained in the bar soap, as far as I know. I’ll look into it more though.

  13. Shawk Avatar

    Are there any substitutes for the Castille soap? I can’t find any “pure” castille soap; they all have other ingredients added, like hemp.
    Thanks!
    Sara

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      A lot of the ones with hemp should be fine… any of the Dr.
      Bronner’s (except Sal Suds) are ok (mint is great for toothpaste)

      1. Shawk Avatar

        Thank you! I have seen Dr. Bronner’s with the mint at my local health food store. Looking forward to trying this!

  14. Tammy Avatar

    just wondering if you can use calcium citrate instead of calcium carbonate

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      From what I understand, both would work, you just want to make sure
      whatever form of calcium has an “ate” ending.

    2. Kellan Avatar

      Thank you I’m looking forward to trying this new toothpaste.  I have never made my own before!

  15. Terri Avatar

    Just a warning to those who want to put this in an icing bag or zip lock, the consistency can change based upon temperature! While it may be pasty or almost dry when you mix it up, if it gets very warm or if you take it camping, the coconut oil will become a liquid at temperatures above 76 degrees.

  16. Selene Avatar

    About using organic eggshells – how would you go about this?  Do you need to wash, bake, or dry the eggshells first?  What if you’ve hardboiled eggs – can you use those shells, or should you avoid heating them?  Thanks for your help! 

    I’ve been using baking soda/mint extract toothpaste for a couple months now, but I really like the idea of adding minerals and other healthy ingredients.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I’ve used egg shells that have been washed well and just air dried. I
      don’t see any reason why heating would necessarily be bad, but I also
      don’t think it would be necessary.

  17. Tom Avatar

    Regarding the comments on oils and septic systems, dish washing detergents will break up the oils.  Regular soaps do not, necessarily.  I have always been more concerned about the salt and baking soda going down the drain, since they are anti-microbial and the septic relies on bacterial activity to break down waste.  Get Rid-X and use it per the instructions and keep the system pumped when you are supposed to and it should be fine.

    Regarding DE, I would think it would be abrasive, unlike salt or baking soda which will dissolve when wet.  But being somewhat abrasive would not necessarily be bad if one desires to remove food stains from the teeth.  One thing to keep in mind about salt – if it isn’t ‘refined’ such as many popular sea salts, it may contain many trace minerals which will not dissolve and therefore add to the abrasive-ness. 

    In any event, the true benefit of brushing will come from the mechanics of brushing.  While different formulations of tooth powders and pastes may enhance the process to one degree or another, the idea is to cleanse the teeth of food debris, sugars and to disrupt the formation of plaque or bio-film – and so hopefully preventing the colonization of pathogens responsible, in large part, to tooth decay and gum disease.  To me, brushing several times per day (2+ minutes) with nothing more than a toothbrush would be more advantageous than brushing twice a day with the best dentifrice formulation.  Put the two together, though, and I think one would not have to worry a whole lot about losing one’s teeth due to decay.

  18. Lois Avatar

    Hello, I am soaking up many of the wonderful recipes you have been listing on your website. Thank you for all your help in responding my questions! I have been hesitant to make toothpaste because I keep reading information about baking soda being too abrasive. My dentist had also told me to stop using it on my teeth when I used to brush with it. What is your take on the need of abrasives in toothpaste? Some people say all we need is a toothbrush and water. Thank You!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I’ve heard of the toothbrush and water technique too, though never
      tried it. I do know that if you are eating a healthy diet, you are
      less likely to get cavities, all other things being equal. as for
      baking soda being abrasive… I had a regular dentist tell me that
      also, and asked a natural dentist about it. The natural dentist told
      me that it is actually not abrasive at all, especially compared to
      most other toothpastes. This site seems to back that up, with plain
      baking soda being really low on the list of abrasiveness, and many
      normal toothpastes being quite abrasive.
      content_3128664196
      If you make this, especially with the calcium powder included, it
      should not be abrasive at all and should help provide the minerals
      need your teeth need to strengthen.

      1. Natalie Avatar

        You could also just swish with baking soda or sea salt to get rid of bacteria, and then brush before or after.

  19. Tina Avatar

    Do you have any concerns about spitting the oil down the drain?  I live in the country with a septic system and DH is always insisitng wiping fatty oils off of dishes with paper towels/napkins as best we can before washing them since the fat can be bad for the septic bugs.  Obviously, there’s not a lot of fat in each use of the toothpaste, but if the whole family uses it multiple times through the day, it can add up.  I could of course spit in the trash can or something, but I just wondered if anyone else had any thoughts on this.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Good question. We are on a septic system too and haven’t had trouble
      with it, but if there is a concern, spitting in the trash can might
      not be a bad idea…

      1. Helen Avatar

        I have read that you should never spit the oil from oil pulling down the drain or in the toilet for it is not good for the plumbing. Always spit in the trash . Also use a separate toothbrush just for oil pulling. You do not want to contaminate your regular toothpaste. I love oil pulling and am so happy to find this recipe for brushing teeth. I am anxious to try it. I get fresh pastured eggs from a friend ( free mind you)—blessed. I am going to utilize the egg shells. I love all of these suggestions.

    2. Dana Seilhan Avatar
      Dana Seilhan

      Wouldn’t the soap in the mixture break up the fats enough that they shouldn’t be an issue?

    3. Natalie Avatar

      I always spit the oil from oil pulling in the garbage for this reason.  That would really clog it up over time.  The use in toothpaste like this would be much less, but still might be a good idea to spit in the garbage.  (I just make sure I have a liner in there all the time now, and try to change it often.)

    4. Mog Avatar

      You should NEVER, NEVER, spit coconut oil down the drain. Coconut oil is an oil that hardens when cool and over time even small amounts will clog up your plumbing and septic system very badly. The best thing is to spit the oil into a ziplock back and dispose of along with your garbage. If you have a compost, I understand small amounts of oil in your compost is fine. Apparently it’s the large of amounts of oil, such as you might use in frying, that is a problem for composts.

  20. Mary Avatar

    Thank you for this recipe!  I tried it and love it.  I added one part pure water to keep it smoother and from drying out.

4.16 from 264 votes (223 ratings without comment)

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