Toothpaste is an important aspect of taking care of your dental health. However, some store-bought toothpaste contains artificial flavors and colors, as well as other ingredients people may want to avoid. Fortunately, this DIY natural homemade toothpaste is all-natural peppermint and is a great alternative to the store-bought kind.
Homemade toothpaste is easier to make than you think and will save you time and money in the long run. It will leave your teeth clean and healthy during dentist visits. Making your own toothpaste only requires a few ingredients to leave your mouth feeling fresh.
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DIY Natural Peppermint Toothpaste: Recipe and Tips
If you’re looking to live a more green lifestyle, with zero-waste and natural products, DIY toothpaste is a step in the right direction. If you have used regular toothpaste before, you likely have to buy a new tube every few months. When making your own recipe, you can store it in a reusable mason jar to reduce waste.
Why Go Natural?
There are many reasons why someone may choose to go natural when it comes to toothpaste. Some people may choose to do it for their health, while others may do it to live a more green lifestyle.
Almost all store-bought toothpaste contains fluoride. Though topical fluoride can be beneficial for many people, for those who have thyroid disease, it can be problematic. Studies have shown that fluoride can cause a decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
The use of fluoride also has some possible harmful effects and early life exposure to fluoride in the water is associated with brain deficits in children according to a review of 14 research studies [R].
Many kinds of toothpaste will also contain artificial colors and flavors to enhance the look and taste of the product. However, this isn’t practical if you are trying to live an all-natural lifestyle. Ingredients like surfactants can potentially cause mouth sores and triclosans are still being reviewed by the FDA for their effectiveness and safety.
Though hydrogen peroxide can be used to whiten teeth in toothpaste and mouthwash, it often takes several uses to notice any difference. In addition, it can be rough on the soft tissue found in your mouth, so for those with sensitive mouths, so it is best to avoid it.
DIY Natural Peppermint Toothpaste Recipe
To make this homemade peppermint toothpaste recipe, you will need these ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons raw and cold pressed organic coconut oil
- 4 tablespoons baking soda
- 10-20 drops peppermint essential oil
- 1 tablespoon xylitol powder or stevia (optional)
- Small jar, such as a mason jar
Step One: Soften Coconut Oil
Place the container of coconut oil in a bowl of hot water to liquefy. The process may take up to 15 minutes. You will note that peppermint oils vary a lot by brand in terms of quality. Here is one I use. It is certified pure and therapeutic.
Step Two: Combine All the Ingredients
In a bowl, mix the liquefied coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint essential oils. If desired, add the cinnamon or clove essential oil and the xylitol powder or stevia as well. Store in a glass jar with a fitted lid.
How to Use
Add ½ a teaspoon of your homemade toothpaste to your toothbrush, there is no need to add any water. Carefully brush your teeth thoroughly two times a day. Once done brushing, spit and rinse your mouth with water.
Benefits of Each Ingredient
The ingredients used in natural toothpaste are beneficial to your oral health. Each one is included with a specific purpose to benefit your teeth and mouth.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of the most common ingredients found in natural toothpaste recipes. It works as a binding agent to keep all the ingredients together, as well as providing many health benefits. It can kill bad microorganisms, including the ones that cause tooth decay.
Coconut oil can also support the beneficial microorganisms that are key to keeping your teeth healthy. It possesses antimicrobial effects that can help fight bad breath.
Moreover, coconut oil is used for oil pulling. This is the process of swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for a few minutes in order to decrease plaque, naturally, whiten, and kill bacteria, all well helping your teeth enamel [R].
Baking Soda
Baking soda works as mild abrasive when used in tooth pastes. It dissolves when it is used, leaving no grit behind in your mouth. Since it is alkaline, it helps neutralize excess acid found in the mouth.
Baking soda can be mixed with sea salt when added to toothpaste. Sea salt also works as an abrasive and is rich in trace minerals.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil adds a lovely minty flavor to your toothpaste. It works as an effective killer of bad breath and as an all-around breath freshener. Make sure to use high quality, certified pure therapeutic grade peppermint oil only. Other brands can have solvents that you definitely don’t want in your body.
Cinnamon and Clove Essential Oils
Although optional, cinnamon and clove are also popular essential oils found in toothpastes. Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties that help prevent tooth decay and gum disease [R].
Clove contains antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that protect your teeth and gums, as well as reducing toothaches.
Xylitol Powder and Stevia
Xylitol powder and stevia can be added to your own toothpaste to help cut back on the salty flavor. They are safe to use and are tooth-friendly.
The flavor of xylitol is great and it also slows tooth decay, protect tooth enamel, and reduce your chances of gum disease, so it is a preferred sweetener for homemade toothpaste recipes [R].
Tips for DIY Toothpaste
During the summer season, you can add more baking soda to your toothpaste to help keep it thick. As for winter, you can add less baking soda to make it less firm when your house is cooler.
Since baking soda on its own or mixed with sea salt can have a salty taste, adding up to one tablespoon of xylitol or stevia can help cut back on the sweetness. This is often recommended for children to make the toothpaste more acceptable.
Though adding more essential oils to your toothpaste may not make a difference in the taste of the toothpaste while you brush, it will leave a pleasant aftertaste. You can add peppermint oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil according to your liking.
The toothpaste can be kept at room temperature, however, coconut oil will begin to melt at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live somewhere that is warm, you may want to keep your DIY toothpaste in the fridge.
A Natural Alternative
DIY natural peppermint toothpaste is a great alternative to the store-bought kind. It can help keep your teeth and mouth healthy and clean.
Be certain to still visit your dentist on a regular basis and discuss with them if using natural toothpaste is the right choice for you.
About the Author
Donald Giddings is the founder and editor-in-chief at Green Living Zone. A lifelong sustainability enthusiast, Donald is always looking for the best way to live in harmony with nature. When he is not trying out new eco-friendly recipes, he writes engaging content about green, sustainable ways to maintain your home, body, and soul, readily sharing his abundant experience with other green living aficionados.
Using no toothpaste at all is perfectly fine. I dry brush without toothpaste all the time. The point of toothpaste is to add a little graininess to help the brushing motion of your toothbrush break up the biofilm. A polish, like toothpaste, helps you do this better than dry brushing, but if you’re traveling or away from the sink, don’t let a lack of toothpaste stop you from dry brushing!