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We all want to know how to whiten teeth naturally, but getting it done is another matter. Harsh whitening strips and pastes are a no-go for me. This whitening toothpaste recipe with charcoal is an easy, gentler way to get a brighter smile.
Avoiding Harsh Whitening Treatments
Those slick ads with gorgeous smiles can be pretty tempting, but our family avoids artificial whitening. Chemical whiteners like chlorine dioxide can cause sensitivity, gum irritation and burning, and permanent enamel damage. Scientists aren’t entirely sure how tooth bleaching even works or the full scope of its effects.
A Natural Way to Whiten Teeth
I write a lot about oral health, and I’m fascinated with how it really does affect the whole body! I’ve spent years working on creating natural toothpastes and oral care. I wanted something that was safe enough for my kids to use and also not aggravate my health issues.
While there are many excellent natural toothpastes you can buy (one from yours truly!), for years I used this cost-effective DIY recipe. (Because, um, 6 kids!). It’s my favorite toothpaste recipe so far and the least expensive. It’s also the best whitening toothpaste I’ve used, especially when combined with oil pulling.
Natural Oral Care Options
Some of my favorite healthy mouth recipes to date are:
- Homemade Remineralizing Toothpaste
- Remineralizing Tooth Powder Recipe
- Homemade Mouthwash
- Whitening Teeth With Charcoal
- Oil Pulling
My other toothpaste recipes get a lot of comments about substitutions, and if certain ingredients are necessary. Since the other recipes use coconut oil, some people complain the toothpaste is too hard to use when it’s cool.
This whitening toothpaste recipe is simpler and uses only the most beneficial ingredients. It’s the same consistency at any temperature, works well, and tastes great. Even my kids like the taste, and I don’t have to freak out if they swallow some.
How Does Natural Whitening Toothpaste Taste?
Natural toothpaste may not be as sweet as conventional, and it doesn’t have the foaming action. This recipe doesn’t have any baking soda in it, so it’s not salty like some natural options. I add a blend of essential oils to our toothpaste to customize the flavor. The essential oils also have antimicrobial properties that help with oral health.
Essential Oils for Toothpaste
Not every essential oil is safe to put in your mouth, and some that are safe for adults aren’t safe for kids. We also have to consider how much of each oil we’re using. Irritating essential oils like cinnamon and peppermint should be used more sparingly than something like orange. Essential oils are optional, but they really help improve the taste. Peppermint, cinnamon, and clove can be too harsh for young kids, but mine really love grapefruit or lemon!
Here are some safe essential oils choices for your whitening toothpaste: You can find quality essential oils at Plant Therapy.
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Orange
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Tangerine
- Bergamot
- Kumquat
- Lime
- Myrrh
- Cinnamon (use sparingly)
- Clove (use sparingly)
A Weird Way to Whiten Teeth
I’ve found calcium and MCT oil do a good job of whitening on their own, but there’s a way to boost the whitening power. Activated charcoal (AC) is one of my favorite ways to whiten teeth. I was pretty skeptical at first, but it’s really grown on me. AC is good at removing surface stains from foods like coffee and tea.
From the research I’ve done I’ve found AC is safe to use with fillings and veneers and won’t leach minerals from teeth. Charcoal actually benefits teeth by improving mouth pH to help prevent cavities and gingivitis. That’s why it’s one of the main ingredients in my Wellnesse Charcoal Toothpaste.
If you have any concerns about using it with your dental work though, then be sure to check with your dentist first!
Benefits and Cautions of Xylitol
If I add something sweet to our meals I go for natural options like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. Sweeteners like xylitol aren’t something you’re going to see in my recipes. So why use it in toothpaste?
There is some evidence that xylitol benefits oral health. Specifically, it helps reduce plaque and cavities while it kills bacteria. Big caution here though… xylitol even in small amounts can be deadly to dogs. So don’t keep your toothpaste where Fido can eat it!
The xylitol I use is a little course so I ran it through the blender first. You could also use a coffee grinder. The second time I made the toothpaste, I just put all of the ingredients in the blender and it came out all creamy.
The blender was tough to clean after my experiment, but a quick wipe with the paper towel helped. Once I got the residue, out I washed my blender as usual.
MCT Oil for Teeth
Medium-chain triglyceride or MCT oil is my secret ingredient in this recipe. It’s derived from coconut or palm oil but stays liquid at different temperatures so it’s easier to work with. Fractionated coconut oil is similar to MCT oil, but it’s usually for skincare only and isn’t safe to eat.
It can get confusing because sometimes manufacturers use terms like liquid coconut oil or fractionated MCT oil. Bottom line, we’re using liquid coconut oil that’s high in MCTs and food grade.
How to Store Natural Whitening Toothpaste
When I make toothpaste, each person in our family gets their own jar. This helps prevent bacteria from being swapped back and forth and everyone gets their favorite flavor. We just dip our toothbrushes in the jar but a popsicle stick is another option. A clean popsicle stick can help prevent microbes from growing in the toothpaste. If you’re using essential oils these also have some preservative properties.
Like most of my toothpaste recipes, I like making this in small batches because the shelf life isn’t as long as store-bought. If your family is a lot smaller than mine you could also cut the recipe in half. Be sure to pitch your whitening toothpaste if you notice any off-smell or color.
The shelf life depends on several factors but mine typically lasts for several weeks at least. If you’re not down with the jar, then a squeeze tube like this one is another option.
Natural Whitening Toothpaste
Yield
Materials
- ¼ cup calcium carbonate powder
- 3 TBSP xylitol powder
- ¼ cup MCT oil
- 2 tsp activated charcoal powder
- 20-30 drops essential oil of choice optional
Instructions
- Make sure the xylitol is finely ground and not coarse, grinding it in the blender or coffee grinder if necessary.
- Mix all the ingredients by hand or with a blender until incorporated.
- Store in a glass jar or squeeze tube and brush as usual.
I’m sorry but you might want to revisit your content about chlorine dioxide. Have never had less sensitivity since starting my CDS protocol. Also is you research a bit, you’ll find all the ailments CDS targets and cures. Research Jim Humble and Andreas Kalcker. My entire family is on various protocols, including both my autistic children. Amazed at the results we’ve seen with both boys!
I’m glad it’s working well for you and your family! The information here is specifically about the research on topical applications to enamel and the effects it has on teeth and gums. https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2013.629
Hi Katie, can I make this without the Calcium carbonate if this time, I don’t have any?
thnks a lot!
Since calcium carbonate is the main ingredient the toothpaste won’t really work without it. Katie has several toothpaste recipes that don’t use calcium, like this one here if you want to try this instead. https://wellnessmama.com/1772/natural-toothpaste/
Please recommend a quality brand of calcium carbonate that you use to make your whitening toothpaste. Also, when you have mentioned rinsing with mineral rich solution. What minerals and concentration. And safe brands.
wow. Thank you so much for this homemade toothpaste recipe. I have been looking everywhere for something like this. what is the shelf life for this toothpaste and is there any natural preservatives that I can add to make it last longer such as citric acid ? Thank you for your time & keep up the good work.
Do you have a recommendation for adding a bit of peroxide to some of these recipes for whitening, periodically added to recipe?
Hi Katie. Thanks for your recipes. I’ve just made the toothpaste with coconut oil and baking soda. I just came across this recipe and wanted to point out that Calcium Carbonate is a known calcifying agent. There are studies available that link synthetic forms of calcium with dementia, higher rate of heart attack in older women, as well as calcification of the arteries, pineal gland and other areas of the body. Might be worth digging around for more information and warning your subscribers.
Have you tried Heal Thy Mouth blend from OraWellness?
Wondering if it’s worth the $$ for our family of 8!
Yes and we love it!
Hi wellness mama!
I’ve been experimenting and researching this simultaneously, and I wonder if you have tried using spirulina and turmeric in toothpastes?
Personally I’ve made a paste (currently using it as a powder) containing mainly baking soda, xylitol, bentonite clay, and a dash of both spirulina and turmeric.
I wanted to try spirulina because it’s said to be full of minerals good for dental health, and turmeric for it’s whitening properties.
Whats your take on this, I wonder?
All the best,
Aki
that sounds neat. i came here bec i’m going at a homemade toothpaste formthe first time. imwill be using the whiteenimg recipe with calcium carbonate, xylitol crystals, some calcium bentonite, coconut oil for the medium chain fatty acid oil in the recipe, and will be adding some Magnolia Bark powder, amd each person is picking their essential oil flavor of choice. spearmint seems to be the favorite. so now because of your post, i might add a little turmeric as well. i don’t have any spirulina on hand.
WellnessMama,
I have been using your toothpaste recipe for a couple weeks now and notice a new sensitivity to my teeth?
Im not sure if its the baking soda or what, but a couple teeth have developed a sensitivity to being brushed recently along the gum line. Can you advise me if any of the ingredients in your toothpaste (the only thing I didnt use from your recipe was the Xylitol)- I also cut the baking soda by 1/2 when making the recipe..
If theres any tips you could give on how to help with this sensitivity, I would appreciate it..
Otherwise, we are enjoying the new toothpaste : )
Thank you
My husband and I have also noticed a sensitivity and bleeding on the gum line. Not sure what the cause is.
U said charcoal powder, nd shuld i mix it with a normal toothpaste or use with water?
I love those little jars (the blue and amber ones at the bottom of this post) – where did you get those?
Mine is quite runny, should it be?
I’m kind of excited about my own homemade toothpaste recipe. I don’t really like mint toothpaste, and I don’t feel like kids toothpaste gets my teeth very clean, so I’ve been experimenting with recipes to find a toothpaste that makes my teeth feel clean, whitens my teeth, is good for sensitive teeth and tooth pain, plus has a taste I actually like. I think I’ve found it! I use coconut oil, baking soda, stevia (I know there’s no research that it who tend like xylitol, but I think it tastes better) tea tree oil, clove oil, and I crushed up a calcium, magnesium, and zinc tablet to mix in as well. I didn’t include measurements because I like to play around with them, and I tend to use more of the essential oil than other people. I really like this mixture though! I used clove oil when I had a toothache, so I knew it could sooth my teeth, and I actually like the taste, plus it makes my breath smell great. Thanks for the inspiration to make my own toothpaste!
clove actually sounds great! remember thst old-time gum that was clove-flavored? the packaging was white. what a great idea! my EO flavor of choice iwll be clove!
How long does this last?
It depends on how much you use…
I am curious about Hydrogen Peroxide as an ingredient in oral health. Have you ever used it in a recipe?Jenn
I gargle with it…
Can I combine your whitening and remineralizing recipes?
Could you use non-GMO erythritol in place of xylitol?
Just as an FYI, MCT contains oil from palm kernels and much of their harvest is not sustainable, contributes to deforestation, habitat and species loss and in many of the countries it’s produced, the labourers are trafficked from nearby nations and abused and unpaid and local people go unpaid for their labour as well. There is ‘sustainable’ palm oil but that only looks at environmental practices not how people are treated.
I had a question about MCT oil. Coconut oil has a fair amount of MCTs.. Would it matter if I just used just the run of the mill organic coconut oil in this recipe to get the same effect for a toothpaste?
I’ve never made toothpaste before and I do used Activated charcoal every other day or so in my routine.
That would be fine.
Hi Katie,
Thank you for this post. I am using your remineralizing tooth powder. Does it also whiten teeth, or do I need to use specifically this recipe for teeth whitening? Another way of asking my question: is it the MCT oil that provide the whitening element? Thank you!
The calcium seems to help whiten and this recipe is just simpler, but the remineralizing recipe does whiten as well.