coconut oil and bentonite clay toothpaste

DIY TOOTHPASTE AND POWER WITH BENTONITE CLAY AND ESENTIAL OILS

There are plenty of all-natural toothpaste options available, but they can be expensive! My Homemade Toothpaste Recipe with Essential Oils provides a toxin-free way to freshen your breath. Our family loves using this tooth powder to maintain a healthy, clean mouth.

This recipe includes bentonite clay, known for its detoxifying properties. With a touch of stevia for sweetness and essential oils for flavor, this toothpaste tastes amazing!

THE IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HEALTH

Oral health plays a vital role in overall wellness, and problems in the mouth can affect the entire body. Oral issues go far beyond cavities and bad breath—over 80% of disease symptoms stem from mouth problems. Gum disease, for example, increases the risk of heart disease (1), and there is even a connection between mouth bacteria and thickened arteries (2).

Unfortunately, many people face disease-promoting dental procedures because they don’t prioritize oral health. By focusing on preventative care, many of these interventions can be avoided. While there are plenty of advanced techniques, it’s crucial to stick to the basics:

  • Brush your teeth – Make sure to brush after every meal. Take your time to remove all food particles thoroughly.
  • Floss regularly – Flossing removes stubborn food bits from between your teeth and stimulates your gums, reducing your risk of gum disease. I recommend flossing at night after eating.
  • Oil pulling – Have you tried oil pulling? It’s an incredibly effective oral health practice to add to your routine. Learn how to get started with oil pulling today.
  • Visit the dentist – Did you know there are holistic dentists? They blend traditional treatments with natural options and often provide alternatives to harmful procedures like mercury fillings. Never skip your dental checkups!
  • Use essential oils for oral health – Certain essential oils are proven to support oral hygiene. These oils are great for homemade oral products like toothpaste or mouthwash.

By incorporating these basic practices into your daily routine, you can help maintain optimal oral health and reduce the need for costly or harmful interventions.

3 HARMFUL INGREDIENTS IN TOOTHPASTE

In my opinion, we should be extra cautious with the oral health products we use since we end up ingesting them. Unfortunately, many store-bought products are filled with toxins. Here are just a few of the harmful chemicals commonly found in most tubes of toothpaste:

FLUORIDE

Fluoride is a harmful ingredient commonly found in most oral care products. For years, oral health specialists believed fluoride was essential for healthy teeth, but we now know that’s not true. Fluoride is classified as a neurotoxic chemical, and consuming too much of it can lead to fluoride toxicity (3). This can affect tooth coloring, kidney function, and more. If you have young children at home, this is especially concerning! Many store-bought toothpaste brands have kid-friendly flavors that encourage little ones to use more than necessary, increasing the risk of fluoride toxicity.

ASPARTAME

You wouldn’t brush your teeth with sugar, so many companies add a sugar substitute called aspartame to improve the taste of toothpaste. Aspartame is often marketed as a low-calorie alternative to sugar, but studies show it can lead to increased food consumption (4). It can also trigger headaches, spiked blood sugar levels, and other side effects (5). In this recipe, we use stevia as a sweetener instead. It tastes better than aspartame, and best of all, it has no harmful side effects!

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE

This toxin is responsible for the foamy texture in most toothpastes. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an environmental toxin that can wreak havoc on your body (6). Interestingly, researchers use SLS to intentionally create skin and eye irritations during product testing. SLS can also cause canker sores (7), which is the complete opposite of promoting oral health! It’s one of the worst toxins for your body and should be avoided at all costs.

NATURAL ORAL HEALTH INGREDIENTS

There’s a better way to take care of your teeth, and it starts with using natural, non-toxic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

  • Essential Oils: Many essential oils have antimicrobial properties, making them ideal for toothpaste. They can freshen your breath, fight plaque, and even help with canker sores. Plus, they add a nice scent! Here are some of my favorite combinations:
  • Peppermint: Fights bad breath, smells fresh, and gives you a burst of energy in the morning!
  • Clove and Orange: A soothing blend for sensitive teeth.
  • Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Orange: Helps with whitening your teeth.
  • Lime, Lemon, and Grapefruit: Great for boosting your mood!
  • Wintergreen: Offers a minty freshness, perfect for tackling stubborn bad breath.
  • Distilled Water: Tap water often contains fluoride, which we want to avoid. It can also have other toxins that contribute to health issues like obesity, diabetes, and birth defects. I recommend using distilled or purified water for the cleanest, safest option.
  • Bentonite Clay: This clay, derived from volcanic ash, helps absorb toxins in the mouth while providing essential minerals that can strengthen your teeth. Bonus: It can also aid in whitening your teeth.
  • Stevia Powder: Stevia is a natural sweetener that helps balance out the taste of bentonite clay. A little goes a long way!
  • Himalayan Pink Salt: Saltwater is often recommended after dental surgery to reduce bacteria (8), and salt is highly effective for combating bad breath. Plus, if you have sensitive teeth, Himalayan salt can help reduce discomfort.

This simple, natural recipe is all you need to promote healthy, toxin-free oral care!

HOMEMADE TOOTHPASTE RECIPE

This DIY is super easy to make! In just a few minutes, you’ll have everything you need to detox your mouth naturally.

To turn the tooth powder into toothpaste, simply add ¼ cup of hot purified or distilled water and 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin, unrefined coconut oil. You can add more coconut oil as needed to achieve your desired consistency.

For added teeth-whitening benefits, open capsules of activated charcoal and mix them into the tooth powder. After using this toothpaste, follow up with mouthwash, and be sure to brush your teeth again after rinsing.

Since bentonite clay can react with metal, it’s important to make and store this recipe in a glass or ceramic container to preserve its effectiveness.

STEP ONE: MIX THE ESSENTIAL OILS

Mix your chosen essential oils in a small glass container or glass measuring cup, then set aside for later use.

STEP TWO: ADD DRY INGREDIENTS

Place the bentonite clay, stevia, and sea salt in a food processor and blend until well combined.

STEP THREE: ADD ESSENTIAL OILS

With the machine running, slowly add the mixed essential oils to the food processor and process for a few more seconds. The mixture should be granular and slightly damp.

STEP FOUR: BRUSH YOUR TEETH

Store the mixture in a glass jar with a lid. To use, apply just enough of the homemade tooth powder or toothpaste to cover your toothbrush. Wet the brush with water and brush as usual.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this all-natural homemade toothpaste and tooth powder is a simple, effective, and toxin-free way to maintain optimal oral health. By using ingredients like bentonite clay, essential oils, and natural sweeteners, you can avoid harmful chemicals found in store-bought products while reaping the benefits of a cleaner, healthier mouth. With just a few easy steps, you can create a product that not only freshens your breath but also supports long-term oral wellness. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what’s in your toothpaste, and feel good about giving your family a safer, more natural option for oral care.

DIY REMINERALIZING TOOTHPASTE

Here’s a simple DIY remineralizing toothpaste recipe that avoids fluoride, glycerin, SLS, and other harmful ingredients. It’s kid-friendly, eco-friendly with zero waste, gentle on sensitive teeth, and delicious in taste!

NATURAL TOOTHPASTE

Natural toothpaste always seemed a bit strange to me, especially since most commercial options aren’t safe to swallow. You’re putting it in your mouth, one of the most absorbent areas of your body, yet it’s not meant to be ingested. That just doesn’t sit right with me.

I prefer using toothpaste that’s completely safe for my body, both inside and out. This is particularly important when choosing a toothpaste for my kids. I love this remineralizing toothpaste for toddlers because it’s so natural and safe for them to use!

CAN I MAKE MY OWN TOOTHPASTE?

Absolutely! Making your own toothpaste is one of the simplest natural body care products you can create. In my opinion, this is the best remineralizing toothpaste recipe. Here are the ingredients I like to use:

  • Organic, virgin coconut oil: Great for oral health, and some people even use it for oil pulling to help heal cavities.
  • Food-grade calcium powder: Provides plenty of calcium to strengthen tooth enamel.
  • Baking soda: I use a small amount for its cleansing properties, but not too much, as it can be harsh on teeth.
  • Xylitol: There’s some debate about ingesting it, but since it helps prevent cavities and strengthen teeth, I include it. Plus, it gives the toothpaste a pleasant taste. I opt for non-GMO, non-corn xylitol.
  • Therapeutic-grade essential oils from Plant Therapy: These add extra oral health benefits. Some of my favorites include peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, cinnamon, clove, lemon, and orange.

WHAT I DON’T INCLUDE IN MY HOMEMADE TOOTHPASTE

Many DIY remineralizing toothpaste recipes include clay, such as bentonite clay. However, I choose not to include it because bentonite clay can contain aluminum, which is toxic and definitely not something I want in my mouth several times a day!

While most DIY remineralizing toothpaste recipes don’t feature this ingredient, I think it’s important to mention it. A common ingredient in many commercial toothpastes labeled as “natural” is glycerin.

So, what’s the problem with glycerin? It actually coats teeth and can linger on them for a long time. When glycerin is present, teeth cannot absorb minerals effectively, disrupting and preventing the remineralization process.

Avoiding glycerin in commercial toothpaste is one compelling reason to create this DIY remineralizing toothpaste recipe yourself.

DIY REMINERALIZING TOOTHPASTE DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

  • 3/4 cup virgin coconut oil
  • 3/4 cup calcium powder
  • 1/3 cup xylitol (non-corn, non-GMO is best)
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 48 drops essential oil (peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, cinnamon, clove, or citrus oils are good choices)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Melt the coconut oil until it becomes liquid.
  • Combine the dry ingredients (calcium powder, xylitol, and baking soda) and mix well.
  • Add the melted coconut oil to the dry mixture and combine thoroughly using a whisk or immersion blender.
  • Incorporate the essential oils and mix again until everything is well blended. Ensure the essential oils are thoroughly mixed in to prevent separation later.
  • Pour the mixture into a glass storage jar and allow it to cool and solidify.
  • Enjoy your homemade remineralizing toothpaste!

HOW DOES REMINERALIZING TOOTHPASTE WORK?

As I mentioned earlier, our diet plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy teeth, significantly impacting the presence of decay and cavities. A nutrient-dense diet should be our primary focus when it comes to oral health.

However, what we apply to the surface of our teeth also affects their health. I designed this DIY remineralizing toothpaste with this dual purpose in mind. It contains plenty of calcium to support healthy enamel.

I consciously avoid ingredients that could inhibit remineralization, such as glycerin. Glycerin coats the teeth and prevents them from absorbing essential minerals, and it often appears in commercial toothpaste labeled as “natural.” This is a form of greenwashing, misleading consumers into thinking these products are healthy while they contain harmful chemicals.

My family has been using this DIY remineralizing toothpaste for quite a while now, and we’ve seen great results.

To keep things hygienic when multiple people are using the same jar of toothpaste, I like to use little wooden scoops to transfer the toothpaste onto our toothbrushes.

CONCLUSION

DIY remineralizing toothpaste is a natural and affordable alternative to store-bought options. By using mineral-rich ingredients like calcium and phosphorus, homemade toothpaste can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. However, it’s important to remember that DIY toothpaste should complement, not replace, professional dental care. If you decide to make your own, ensure you use high-quality ingredients, follow the recipe closely, and consult with a dentist for personalized guidance. Combining DIY toothpaste with regular dental hygiene can lead to a healthier smile.