Homemade Toothpaste – A Natural Solution for Your Teeth

Before we start thinking of making homemade toothpaste, let us know what toothpaste is and why we need it. Toothpaste is used to fight gum disease, maintain oral hygiene, and protect teeth against cavities. They are made of active ingredients and flavourings along with abrasive agents. Some of the ingredients used in store-bought toothpaste are not got for your health which is why you should consider making toothpaste at home. Homemade toothpaste is not only healthy but also economical. The ingredients are easily available in your local stores, hence, simple to find.

Why Should You Make a Switch to Natural or Homemade Toothpaste?

Some specific ingredients are added in the store-bought toothpaste to fight decay and cavities in the teeth. But they are not good for our health. Mentioned below are the ingredients that are not good.

1. Fluoride

Fluoride helps in fighting cavities and protecting teeth from decay. But if it is consumed in high doses, it can lead to kidney problems, cause digestive problems, suppress thyroid and can also affect the formation of bones. A lower dose of it can cause fluorosis of teeth.

2. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)

SLS is used in toothpaste to give it the foaming quality. This can cause canker sores in some people. This can irritate the mucosa lining your mouth and cause you discomfort.

3. Artificial Sweeteners

Sweeteners like Aspartame are often added to store-bought toothpaste. This ingredient is made of aspartic acid and phenylalanine which can form methanol and cause various issues in the body.

4. Triclosan

It is an antibacterial ingredient which is widely present in store-bought toothpaste. This stays in your mouth long after you have finished brushing your teeth. Triclosan is mainly used to prevent gingivitis, periodontitis, and cavities in the mouth. But some studies suggest that prolonged use of this ingredient can alter your hormone levels.

5. Propylene Glycol

The presence of this ingredient in the toothpaste can irritate the skin, lung, and eyes of some people.

What Ingredients Can Be Used for Making a Homemade Toothpaste?

Numerous ingredients are available in the local stores that you can use to make toothpaste at home.

1. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is known for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. They are known to protect teeth without disturbing the health of the mouth. The only disadvantage is the fact that its consistency can change and it differs according to the season. Thus, in summers, you would have a thinner toothpaste, while in winters you would find it difficult to take the toothpaste out of the dispenser tube.

2. Salt

Salt is known to be a great preserver of things. Thus it’s usage in toothpaste would deter harmful bacteria from growing in your mouth. Salt also promotes saliva formation which helps prevent caries in the mouth.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda raises the pH balance in your toothpaste. Its alkalinity can neutralise the acids present in your mouth thereby preventing the formation of caries.

4. Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay is used in homemade toothpaste to give it a toothpaste-like consistency.

5. Xylitol

It is a sweetener, but unlike other sweeteners, it actually helps in preventing caries in the mouth.

6. Cacao

Adding cacao can help you make your homemade toothpaste appealing for your kids. One of the components in cacao is theobromine. It has the property to remineralise the teeth.

7. Cinnamon

It’s anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial property makes it a favoured choice for many homemade toothpaste recipes.

8. Kaolin Clay

Also known as China clay, it is rich in minerals that can promote remineralisation of the teeth. It is smooth in texture and gentle on the teeth and has almost the same pH properties as that of bentonite clay.

What Ingredients Should Be Avoided?

Apart from the ingredients that are used in commercial toothpaste, it would be wise to avoid FD&C colour pigments as they are known to be carcinogenic in nature. Use of parabens should also be avoided as they can cause sterility in males, apart from hormone imbalance and a possible chance of breast cancer. You may also consider avoiding abrasive ingredients that can dilute the enamel of the teeth. Abrasive ingredients help in whitening of the teeth, but they can also increase sensitivity and chances of caries.

Homemade Toothpaste Recipes

Let us look at some of the easiest toothpaste that you can make for yourself and your family.

1. Homemade Toothpaste for Babies

Ingredients

• Coconut Oil: 2 tbsp
• Peppermint Oil: 10 drops
• Baking Soda: 2 tbsp

Instructions

1. Mix coconut oil and baking soda in a small bowl to get a fine paste-like consistency.
2. Add the peppermint oil and store it in a glass container.

2. Homemade Remineralising Toothpaste

Ingredients

• Coconut Oil: as required
• Xylitol Powder: 3 tbsp
• Baking Soda: 2 tbsp
• Calcium Magnesium Powder: 5 tbsp

Instructions

1. Mix all the powders in a small bowl.
2. Add coconut oil part by part till you get the desired texture and consistency.
3. Store it in a glass container.

3. DIY Whitening Toothpaste

Ingredients

• Coconut Oil: as required
• Xylitol Powder: 3 tbsp
• Calcium Carbonate Powder: ¼ cup
• Citrus essential oil: Few drops

Instructions

1. Mix all the powders together in a small bowl.
2. Add the coconut oil slowly till you get the desired texture and consistency.
3. Add the citrus oil to this mixture and store it in a glass container.

Additional Tips to Consider

While you start making your own healthier version of homemade toothpaste we provide you with some quick tips to create an effective concoction.

• To keep the toothpaste firm in the summer season, add an extra amount of baking soda to the mix.

• During winters, adding a lesser quantity of baking soda to the homemade toothpaste would make it easily dispensable.

• Add xylitol in the toothpaste as it will give a sweet-salty taste to it making your kids like it better.

• Adding essential oil to the homemade toothpaste can leave a good aftertaste in the mouth.

• Toothpaste with coconut oil differs in consistency depending on the season. During summers it may become very thin, and during winters it may become very thick. To avoid this problem, use coconut oil according to the season.

• Consider making small batches of toothpaste to avoid it from becoming rancid.

FAQs

We try to answer some of the most common queries that people have while making homemade toothpaste.

1. How to Use Homemade Toothpaste?

The brushing of teeth is more important than the toothpaste itself. Take a small quantity of the toothpaste on your toothbrush and start brushing in a rotating pattern. You should try to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes to maintain good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth thoroughly before going to bed would help you prevent caries and other gum-related diseases. Ensure that you don’t put your wet brush in the container, it may cause the toothpaste mixture to go rancid. Always use a dry and clean spoon to scoop out a little toothpaste.

2. Does Homemade Toothpaste Really Work?

Toothpaste is used to remove grit from the teeth and protect them from cavities and plagues. Homemade toothpaste is a healthy option to the commercial toothpaste as it not only helps in protecting the teeth and maintaining oral hygiene but also promotes re-mineralisation of the teeth naturally.

Homemade toothpaste is becoming popular nowadays because of its effectiveness. Making of homemade toothpaste for you and your family takes you one step closer to a healthier lifestyle.

Also Read: Simple Home Remedies to Cure Yellow Teeth