Gone are the days of being a mindless toothpaste consumer. At least for me and now potentially you.
I first switched to vegan toothpaste a few years back, but in keeping with my goal to make everything (I mean everything) in my own kitchen I finally decided to ditch the store-bought toothpaste for the homemade kind.
I was actually quite surprised how well my little dental experiment turned out. My homemade toothpaste does the teeth cleaning job well, tastes refreshingly minty, and is a perfectly smooth texture. In other great news, this DIY reduces waste — no more plastic toothpaste tubes — and is much cheaper in the long run.
If you don’t already use natural toothpaste, here’s why you should ditch the mainstream stuff like Colgate and Crest:
Conventional toothpaste brands are full of synthetic ingredients and toxic chemicals that can do more damage to your health than good. Below I have listed a few common ingredients that are especially harmful. And why wouldn’t you be concerned about a product that you’re putting in your mouth twice a day, every day?
What Shouldn’t be in Toothpaste
– Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)
SLS is a chemical sudsing agent commonly found in toothpaste to help create a thick lather. The last safety assessment study done of SLS was published way back in 1983 which found that it’s not harmful if used briefly and rinsed from the skin. Yet, knowing that this compound is essentially detergent makes the addition of it in toothpaste unsettling, to say the least.
– Saccharin
Saccharin is a petroleum-based product that’s used to add sweetness to toothpaste. It has been generally recognized as safe (GRAS) even after the FDA banned its use in 1977. Despite the fact that studies found that saccharin caused bladder tumors in rats, products that include the substance no longer require a warning label. Yikes.
At its best saccharin can cause allergic reactions like headaches, breathing difficulties, skin eruptions, and diarrhea. Yeah, no thanks.
– Fluoride
Despite fluoride’s reputation as a beneficial ingredient for fighting cavities, in recent years it has been suggested that it is both ineffective and actually quite lethal in large doses. According to extensive studies of fluoride-filled water, it can cause a variety of harmful side effects including brain damage. Hmm, I think I’ll pass.
What Should be in Toothpaste
Ok now that you know the truth, I’m sure you’re anxious to know what ingredients ARE safe, well… the all-natural kind of course.
Unfortunately, most people still believe that all-natural products are not as effective as commercial hygiene products, but this is simply not true! In fact, natural toothpaste is 100% more effective when it comes to cleaning your teeth and overall dental hygiene.
I want to be completely honest because I’m not the bullshitting type. The jump from the standard chemical-filled paste to my healthy clay-based one may be too extreme for some. If you are absolutely averse to the idea of clay in your mouth then I highly suggest trying a store-bought brand like Hello before transitioning to my homemade recipe.
Without further ado, onto the ingredients that actually benefit oral health:
– Bentonite Clay
Brushing with bentonite clay actually accelerates the remineralization process because natural clays are loaded with minerals like silica, calcium, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. Introducing these minerals to your mouth includes major oral health benefits like fight off harmful bacteria and gum decay to for overall stronger teeth.
– Xylitol
Xylitol, oh xylitol. Although practically empty calories, xylitol is an amazing sweetener that can practically starve the harmful bacteria in your mouth. Thus, reducing plaque buildup and tooth decay which will ultimately protect against dental cavities and inflammatory gum diseases.
I would not however use xylitol as a food additive, as it can cause digestive issues when ingested. So let’s agree to keep it in your toothpaste and out of your stomach.
– Coconut Oil
Onto my favorite of the oils. Coconut oil attacks the harmful bacteria in your mouth. Similar to bentonite clay and xylitol, brushing with coconut oil can significantly improve oral hygiene.
Best of all Coconut oil is a natural teeth whitener. I sometimes get comments about how white my teeth are (never bleached of course) and my secret weapon is coconut oil! Perfect to make those pearly whites, even whiter.
My Homemade Toothpaste Recipe
Enough about ingredients here is the ultimate healthy, homemade toothpaste recipe you’ve all been waiting for.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup bentonite clay
- 3/4 cup hot filtered water
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 4 tsp melted coconut oil
- 4 tsp xylitol
- 40-50 drops of peppermint essential oil (get yours HERE)
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine the bentonite clay, hot filtered water and sea salt in a small bowl, continuously stirring to prevent clumping.
- Once the mixture has cooled add in the melted coconut oil, xylitol and peppermint essential oil, stirring to combine.
- Make adjustments as needed (less water for thicker paste, more xylitol for a sweeter taste, more peppermint for extra mintiness).
- Store in a glass jar with a rubber stopper lid or a silicone cover.
Shout out to my friend Sarah for gifting me this lovely silicone stretch lid (if you’re reading this, hey girl, love ya). I hope you all enjoy making this DIY, zero waste, fluoride-free, all-natural toothpaste. Happy brushing!
If you make this recipe let me know by tagging my Instagram @maddimadevegan I love seeing your creations!
