I’ve posted my recipe for remineralizing homemade toothpaste before, and a reader recently shared her adaption that allows it to be squeezable (many thanks to Melina!) It also combines the bentonite clay of the toothpowder recipe with the remineralizing recipe for a double dose of minerals.
The addition of water to this recipe makes it squeezable, but also shortens the shelf life. I haven’t been able to test it past a few weeks because we use it so quickly, but it has lasted at least that long at our house. A reader suggested adding vodka in place of the water.
The squeezable tube also offers the advantage of making a toothpaste that is easier to share without having to dip multiple toothbrushes into the same container.
If you’d rather use a water-free homemade toothpaste recipe with an indefinite shelf life or a toothpowder recipe, my entire list of oral health recipes is on my Oral Health Resource Page.
Squeezable Homemade Toothpaste Recipe
Yield
Equipment
Materials
- 5 TBSP calcium carbonate powder
- 3 TBSP xylitol powder (optional)
- 4 TBSP coconut oil (room temperature)
- 1 TBSP baking soda (optional)
- 2 TBSP bentonite clay (or additional calcium carbonate)
- 3 TBSP distilled water
- 30 drops essential oils (such as peppermint, cinnamon, etc.)
- 20-30 drops trace minerals (optional)
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients except clay in a mini-food processor and mix well to incorporate.
- Once smooth, slowly add in the bentonite clay and mix by hand with a plastic utensil (bentonite clay should not come in contact with metal). If you don’t have a food processor, you can use an immersion blender or even a whisk/fork in a bowl. Do not use an air-tight blender like a magic bullet as this create too much pressure
- Store in a small jar or a squeezable tube like this BPA free GoTube.
- Use as you would regular toothpaste.
Notes
- Due to the nature of the coconut oil, this homemade toothpaste will be thicker when cooler and thinner when heated, but should be a squeezable consistency at normal room temp (70-75 degrees). If it is too runny or too thick, try adding more water or calcium to get desired thickness.
- Adjust essential oils to taste.
Homemade Toothpaste FAQs
Q. What is the best type of calcium/calcium magnesium to use?
After trying a lot of different types of calcium and calcium magnesium powders and getting reader feedback from dozens of readers… the consensus is that Calcium Carbonate is the best option and that certain types of calcium magnesium can cause reactions. (I use this brand)
Q. I had an explosive reaction while making this… what happened?
Likely, you used calcium magnesium in a closed container, which apparently can cause a pressure reaction in certain situations. I recommend mixing by hand or in a container that is not airtight. Magic bullets seem to be the culprit in most cases.
Q. Is this okay for sensitive teeth/fillings/veneers/children/etc?
Always check with a dentist before changing a dental routine especially if you have any dental conditions. I personally use this on my kids and on my own teeth with a couple of non-amalgam fillings (before I knew about remineralization). Again, check with a dentist, but since all ingredients are generally considered safe for consumption, I feel comfortable using it.
Q. What are some common reactions in the first few weeks (heightened sensitivity for some)?
I personally didn’t have any reactions, but it seems that some people do experience sensitivity for the first couple of weeks of using homemade toothpaste, especially if they’ve been using commercial products for a long time or have had recent fluoride treatments as the clay can bind and pull out toxins. This seems to be less of an issue with calcium powder and seems to resolve itself within a few weeks, but again check with a dentist.
Q. Xylitol vs. stevia, which is better?
This is largely a matter of opinion. Some studies show that xylitol is good for the teeth, while others show it can be dangerous. It is dangerous to animals, so be very careful to keep it out of the reach of any pets! We use this brand which is not derived from corn and which is not GMO.
Q. Vodka vs. Water?
This recipe works just fine with water, but many people have successfully used vodka in its place to extend the shelf life (it lasts pretty long either way.)
Q. Why NO Glycerin?
There is some evidence that glycerin can coat teeth and prevent them from absorbing minerals. The research definitely seems mixed on this one, but there is no evidence that glycerin is needed or beneficial to the teeth, so it is best avoided. On a personal level, I’ve seen relatives’ teeth turn brown after using glycerin-based toothpaste and return to normal once switching to different brands.
Q. Other than yourself and your family, has anyone else used this for a while?
I have received dozens of emails from people who have used this toothpaste or my regular remineralizing toothpaste and had good results. One reader, Jennifer, backed the idea of using calcium and not calcium magnesium:
I’ve always made it with calcium powder and love it. We bought the calcium magnesium powder this time and it tastes and feels like tingly, bitter metal – and not tingly in a good way. We will stick with the regular calcium carbonate powder.
Tina offered these changes:
I started adding a bit of hydrogen peroxide to mine. That made it squeezable. I do not use the bentonite clay. Instead I use baking soda. I also add a few drops of grapefruit seed extract to mine. There is still the fact that coconut oil is more firm in cooler temps. Thanks for sharing the container information! I have tried using pastry tips with disposable plastic bags.
Melinda adds:
I love this toothpaste recipe and have been using the original but my paste always dries up. I’ll have to play with it more. This recipe really does make my teeth look and feel fantastic. I love it! May have to get a squeezable tube and see how that goes.
Q. I had bleeding gums the first few times I used this, is this normal?
I didn’t experience this personally, but have heard from many readers that they had this for the first few days and up to two weeks but from their experience, it seemed to resolve itself. If in doubt, ask a dentist!
Q. What type of container is best for this?
I personally use goToobs which are medical grade silicon and great for re-using, traveling and squeezing without worry of plastic leaching in to the toothpaste or metal deactivating the bentonite clay. I’ve had one of these and it has lasted a year and is still going strong. I also use them for my oil cleansing blend when traveling since they don’t leak.
Ever made your own toothpaste or oral health products? How did it go? Share below!
It might be a good idea to add some diatomaceous earth to the recipe for the silica as that is something teeth need too.
I made this today and I am having the same problem with this recipe as I have had with others….the liquid separates from the clay and calcium carbonate. Therefore the essential oils don’t stay blended. What am I doing wrong or do you have any suggestions?
i put all the ingredients in a food processor and the consistency is perfect and doesn’t separate.
I love this recipe. I just noticed the bottle of essential oils states it is not for internal use. Is this safe to have in your mouth? My son has not yet mastered “spitting” out after he brushes so I have been letting him just swallow his toothpaste. Now I am a little freaked out! I just mixed up a new batch too!
It has been a long time, but in case you or anyone else needs to know… I know that some essential oils have that disclaimer on there because they have to. I have used Young Living lemon, peppermint, etc that all say external use only. I would just maybe ask the person you bought them from. I am not oil savvy so I would not know which ones are not safe, but I think you are fine with peppermint and lemon.
I have been making the earlier version of this recipe, but I added vegetable glycerine to thin the paste and make it easier to spread. I saw the use of glycerine in other toothpaste recipes, so it seemed like a good way to go. Seems to work great! I forget if it has any effect on shelf-life.
I wouldn’t use it… glycerine is ok in body/bath products but it coats the teeth and prevents them from remineralizing…
It is next to impossible to overdose or cause any health harm with colloidal silver using it in your tooth paste, especially, when you are not taking it internally. It will be less harmful than 40 drops of essential oils of any kind. It is equally harmful to any other ingredient used in the toothpaste, long term, which is next to zero. You eat breath and drink, (or medicate yourself) with more harmful substances on a daily bases.
What is the advantage of using colloidal silver for brushing your teeth? Or are you thinking in place of Vodka for storage purposes? I’m not sure why you would say using essential oils would be harmful in any way, providing of course they are high quality of course and I would think they will probably take care of killing any bacteria for storage purposes as well as flavoring and whatever else the ones you chose provide.
what about colloidal silver in place of distilled water or vodka?
You could, but I am hesitant to use any kind of heavy metal regularly…
I was thinking about alcohol too. Has anyone tried putting organic flavor extracts like vanilla, orange, or peppermint in the toothpaste? theyre usually made with alcohol & i was thinking it would increase shelf life.
I have really sensitive teeth if I don’t use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth (specifically sensodyne because nothing else works). Will this toothpaste work for me? I’m scared to try it because my teeth hurt for days and I can barely eat if I don’t use my usual toothpaste.
It should be fine, but I’d also look at diet as this can often be related to sensitive teeth….
Using a high quality clove EO might help with the sensitivity I have the same problem and have been using a natural toothpaste with clove or thieves oil for a while now and both have worked just as well as the Sensodyne used to for the sensitivity.
I’m so glad I found your website! I love all of the projects and articles profiling herbs and other healthy lifestyle topics. I am going to make this toothpaste today!
One comment and one question.
Comment: The GoToobs are wonderful and if you have a problem, the company is really good about standing behind them. I have changed all of my travel bottles to them. (linked silicone tube)
Question: I’m allergic to coconut in general. Is there something I can replace the coconut with successfully?
Almond oil works too…
Eo link that you provide, it says do not put eo in you mouth or any other body openings. How do we figure its ok to use for flavoring?
What about using liquid aloe in place of the water? Anything wrong with that?
Did you ever get an answer to this? I’d like to know also!! Something other than Hydrogen Peroxide, Vodka or water.
I just made a batch with Aloe (100% “fractionally distilled”) instead of the water and the texture is perfect. I haven’t tried brushing with this batch yet but I looked online and couldn’t find any reason why the Aloe would be harmful. The aloe I used is very thin, a liquid not a gel.
I made this recipe and it was the perfect consistency at first but I quickly ran across 2 problems:
1. In 2 days the paste has turned nearly solid. I have to use something metal or plastic to get it out and try to put it on top of the toothbrush with my fingers…this doesn’t result in a very good brushing if you can imagine.
also…..
2. The first 4 or 5 days of using it, it made my teeth more sensitive. I haven’t felt this very much after a week or more, but it still concerned me.
Can anyone explain these things, especially help with the solidity of the toothpaste now?
Thanks!
It is probably the coconut oil hardening, and this depends a lot on the temp at your house. Next time, you can add more water or less coconut oil… The sensitivity might have been the teeth detoxing if it went away…
See it can’t be the coconut oil because coconut oil in my house is constantly fully liquid because we don’t keep it very cool. So I still don’t know why it’s a brick. I’ll have to saw open the squeeze tube to get it out.
Wow, I know it’s been a while and it’s probably too late but maybe try putting the tube in hot water or something to see if that loosens it up before cutting the tube open. I hate to see you ruin the tube if you don’t have to.
I had a similar experience. I made 1/2 the recipe with the following variations: omitted the xylitol, added a small amount of powdered stevia, replaced the baking soda with Celtic sea salt, and the water with vodka. I didn’t use a food processor. It stirred up pretty smooth with a fork, but after the clay and vodka were incorporated, it started seizing up and became the consistency of wet sand. I tried adding some water to the tube and stirring/squeezing with a wooden stick to try to smooth it back out but it’s not working. I think I’ll have to de-tube the rest and see if I can mash it smooth somehow. It’s definitely not solidified coconut oil because it’s been very warm in the apartment, so I think it’s the clay. The good news is that when I manage to get a pebble of this into my mouth it smooths out after a few seconds of brushing and it makes my mouth & teeth feel great. So I’ll keep trying variations in hopes I can work it out.
I made my second batch and the consistency is much better so far. I think the problem with my first batch is that I didn’t follow the recipe properly and mixed the clay with the water (vodka) separately, then added to the other ingredients. This time I mixed the water in with the other ingredients first, then slowly added the clay as instructed. It started to separate a bit as I added the last of the clay, so I added a little more calcium powder. So far, so good. The last batch was so thick it didn’t squeeze at all, this one is definitely squeezable. We’ll see how it holds up in the hot weather. I really like how this toothpaste feels, and I’ve started oil pulling as well.
Another update: I have to leave my tubes in the fridge because the oil completely melts and separates if I leave it out, as it stays well above 75 degrees on average in my apartment during summer. If I forget to take it out 20-30 minutes before I brush, or I’m in a hurry, I just remove the top of the tube and dig it out with the toothbrush. Even when cold it’s not completely solid.
Oh, I’m going to try this. last time I made tooth ‘soap’, which had a tsp of liquid castille soap in it, and the kids hated it. I haven’t made any more since, but I’ve been meaning to look into other recipes.
I’m interested that you don’t ‘cook or consume’ xylitol – this was a question I’d been thinking of asking (or searching your site for). Why don’t you?
BTW, I meant to say, I used an old tomato sauce squeeze bottle for my last batch. It was a little runny (it was summer), but it did work.
Interesting about the castile soap. After reading some comments of it separating I was thinking of adding it to act as an emulsifier but quickly decided against it until I read your comment. I just may have to experiment!
Here’s what I’ve learned about xylitol, it’s a sugar alcohol like sorbitol which is what’s in most sugar free products because it’s cheaper to make. If you know anyone that’s diabetic, ask them what happens when you eat too much sugar free candy. Essentially, small amounts are fine, but large amounts can have a strong laxative effect. Also, the sugar alcohols may be bad on your liver in high doses too. However, it is really great in place of sugar because it doesn’t break down into the acids that erode your teeth, which makes it perfect in toothpaste. I’ve also learned it does not taste good in coffee, and you’re way better off with agave nectar or coconut sugar if you are in need of a sugar alternative for consumption and both work really well in baking. Hope that helps!
What about using erythratol or stevia?
Could raw, organic honey be used instead of xylitol powder?
Haven’t tried it, even though honey is antibacterial, I”m not sure it would be good to leave on teeth…
I was wondering the same about adding honey. I have been aware of the reported benefits of Xylitol (USA birch, non GMO), but with the recent debate about it, I thought maybe honey may be a good option. I found this article which may help: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3220139/
,
Apparently a study was perfomed on the benefits of Xylitol, Chlorhexidine gluconate, and Manuka honey on oral health benefits. Manuka honey was chosen because of its low peroxide content. According to the report, Manuka honey seemed to come out on top for treating gingivitis and periodontal disease. Sort of goes against common sense about putting something so sticky and sweet on your teeth, but very interesting.
Not sure how I would substitute the quantity of Manuka with the quantity of Xylitol. The Manuka would also alter the consistency. I thought that I may substitute cold expelled fractionated coconut oil to help with the consistency issue that some have reported from the regular recipe and adding the Manuka honey. I have been trying to research the fractionated coconut oil vs. the virgin coconut oil. There seems to be conflicting reports about whether or not the key benefits of coconut oil are lost in fractionated coconut oil. I thought it may also eliminate the need for water, which would increase shelf-life. I am new to this so what are your thoughts?
Do these ratios have a big effect on effectiveness or are they just for consistency?
I just switched to natural toothpaste but the recipe I use is simply baking soda and coconut oil in a 1:1 ratio. I don’t mind the taste at all so I do not add Xylitol or anything else. However, for my next batch, I would like to incorporate the Bentonite Clay and calcium but will that negate the shelf life? My current recipe has an almost indefinite shelf life. I mix about a quarter pint at a time and it is just me using it so it lasts a few weeks. I don’t care about it being squeezable at all. Thank you! =D
Just for texture… feel free to play with the ratios
I just wanted to say thank you a lot for the recipe. I’ve read all the questions and your responses and I think it’s wonderful that you take the time to answer effectively. You’re doing a great job at running the blog and I use your recipes all the time. I’ve tried a toothpaste recipe with coconut oil, baking soda, xylitol, sea salt, and peppermint/spearmint oils. It took me a week to force myself using it twice a day to notice a drastic difference in my mouth and to get used to the taste- but I’m eager to try this in hopes it will taste differently. We don’t have a lot of money but I’m going to order the tube and the healthy mouth brush blend you’ve recommended in hopes I can continue to make my own for the whole family. My boyfriend won’t use it unless it’s in a tube (the one I tried I scooped out of a canning jar) so I’ve been buying him fluoride free $5 tube kind- would love a healthy homemade alternative that he would use……. or I could make him use, LOL! Any ways- thank you for doing a great job! I’ll report back with a review soon!
Ok so I have all my ingrediants (no bentonite clay but extra cal/mag powder) in glass bowl stirring with fork. Added the distilled water and it fizzed up as if vinegar was added. Anyone had this happen? I’m assuming it will still be ok…..
It is probably just the form of calcium but it should be fine…
I have always water separating from it. I was wondering if this is normal or if there is something I can do to prevent it?
That is pretty normal with the blending of oils and waters…
it wont separate if you put it all in a food processor.
clay is always going to separate from water a little, its non permeable so it globs together & squeezes out the water.
Could you put clove oil drops in it to help with sensitivty?
Yep
do you happen to know about how many oz this makes?
Roughly 5oz. I filled three 1.25oz. go tubes & probably could have done a fourth if I’d had one. I liked doing the smaller ones so everyone could have their own tube & I could experiment with the EO mix & have different “flavors”.
Just quick question – I made this one (squeezable) and the other one also. Loved them both. But I notice that the original has baking soda and this one does not. Is one ‘better’ for your teeth than the other, do you know?
Thank you for the recipes!
You can add a teaspoon of baking soda to this one if you like 🙂