Whether you don't like the taste of commercial toothpaste or are trying to cut costs, making your own toothpaste can be fun for anyone. In addition, you can also avoid synthetic ingredients such as sweeteners (usually saccharin), emulsifiers, preservatives, and artificial flavors, which are found in commercial toothpastes.
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Method 1 of 3: Making Toothpaste with Sea Salt
Step 1. Gather all the ingredients
For this recipe, you will need 2/3 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, 1-2 teaspoons peppermint extract or other essential oil, and filtered water.
- Sodium bicarbonate (commonly known as baking soda) will polish your teeth and remove bad breath. Another advantage of baking soda is that it is relatively inexpensive.
- Salt acts as an abrasive that helps remove plaque. Salt also triggers the production of saliva, which is a form of natural protection for teeth.
- Essential oil as flavoring.
- Water to set the texture.
Step 2. Mix 2/3 cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon sea salt together
Make sure the sea salt is well mixed with the baking soda. When you look closely at the mixture, you shouldn't see any lumps of salt in the baking soda. The salt should be thoroughly mixed so that it is difficult to distinguish it from the baking soda.
Mixtures like this can be made using a fork or stirrer, which will help break up lumps of salt
Step 3. Pour in a few drops of any essential oil you like
Many people choose to use peppermint or spearmint oil because they are used to it. Though, you can also try other flavors as well.
Other commonly used essential oils include lavender, which is known to have a calming effect when taken orally, orange oil, which is also known to reduce anxiety, and eucalyptus oil, which has antiseptic and antibacterial properties
Step 4. Start adding water
Add the water drop by drop and mix thoroughly after each addition. You can make a thick or thin toothpaste according to your taste, but be aware that toothpaste that is too runny will have a hard time sticking to your toothbrush.
Step 5. Store the toothpaste in a glass jar
Essential oils must be stored in a glass container, so this is especially important if you use essential oils. Place toothpaste near a toothbrush, or in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Step 6. Pour a small amount over the toothbrush
You can also dip the toothbrush in the paste if you want, or use a small spoon to scoop it out and pour it over the toothbrush. Try using different amounts of toothpaste. Start with the size of a pea, and add more if you don't think it's enough.
Method 2 of 3: Making Toothpaste with Coconut Oil
Step 1. Gather all the ingredients
For this recipe, you will need coconut oil and baking soda in equal proportions, according to the amount you want to make. For example, you can start by mixing 6 tablespoons of coconut oil and 6 tablespoons of baking soda. Add essential oils for flavor, or stevia if you like to make your toothpaste taste sweeter.
- Coconut oil is believed to be effective against the bacteria Streptococcus mutans that causes tooth decay, which eats sugar and sticks to the teeth.
- Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the plant of the same name. Stevia has antibacterial properties that are believed to fight tooth decay.
Step 2. Start by mixing coconut oil and baking soda
Mix the two until evenly distributed. This means you'll end up with a moist lump of baking soda and coconut oil. To mix it up, you may want to use a stirrer, but a fork will work as well.
Step 3. Gradually add a few drops of essential oil
Stir well after each pouring of the essential oil, and scoop out a small amount of the paste to taste.
Step 4. Add stevia as a sweetener if desired
If you want to make the toothpaste taste better, add a few drops of stevia gradually and mix well. Next, repeat tasting a bit of pasta before adding more stevia. Stevia is known to be sweeter than refined sugar, so be careful not to let your toothpaste taste too sweet!
Step 5. Store the toothpaste in a glass jar
Essential oils must be stored in a glass container, so this is especially important if you use essential oils. Place toothpaste near a toothbrush, or in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Step 6. Pour a small amount over the toothbrush
You can also dip the toothbrush in the paste if you want, or use a small spoon to scoop it up and pour it over the toothbrush. Try using different amounts of toothpaste. Start with the size of a pea, and add more if you don't think it's enough.
Method 3 of 3: Making Tooth Powder
Step 1. Gather all the ingredients
To make this powder, you only need 3 parts baking soda, 1 part salt, and a few drops of essential oil (optional).
- Be aware that the result is a powder, not a paste. If you prefer to use a paste, use one of the methods above, or add a little filtered water to the resulting powder. It's just that, understand also that the effectiveness of the two is no different.
- One part means whatever you want, what matters is the comparison. For example, if you use 3 tablespoons of baking soda, you'll need to add 1 tablespoon of salt. Or if using 6 tablespoons of baking soda, you will need to add 2 tablespoons of salt.
Step 2. Mix the baking soda and salt
You can mix the two together, or put them in a tightly closed container and shake vigorously.
Mixing the powder with a whisk may be better as it will ensure that the two are evenly mixed
Step 3. Add essential oil
If you want to add essential oils to taste, you can do so in this step. Pour a few drops of your favorite essential oil into the powder and mix or shake until smooth.
Step 4. Save the tooth powder
If you add essential oils, you should store the tooth powder in a glass jar. However, if not, you can store it in a plastic bag or container. Whatever container you use, be sure to store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Step 5. Use tooth powder
You can wet your toothbrush in the sink and then dip it in the tooth powder until it is evenly coated, or without using water. If you don't want to use water, just sprinkle a little powder on the toothbrush without wetting it first and brush as usual.
Try using a tooth powder with and without water to find out which one you prefer
Tips
- If baking soda feels too abrasive for your teeth or gums, try rinsing your mouth with a diluted baking soda solution after brushing your teeth alone for a similar effect. Salt is a softer choice of abrasive.
- Children may like to add food coloring to their toothpaste to make it more interesting. This can be a great opportunity to teach you how to mix colors to produce new colors. Try to avoid using artificial dyes like Red 40, which has been linked to health problems like ADHD in children who ingest them..
Warning
- Don't eat toothpaste for any reason. Try not to swallow it either if possible. Small amounts of toothpaste such as that used for brushing your teeth are usually harmless if swallowed, unless you are very sensitive to sodium.
- Toothpastes without fluoride may not protect tooth enamel as well as toothpastes containing fluoride, nor can they help remineralize damaged teeth. Consult your dentist first before starting to change toothpaste for you and your children.
- If you have metal in your mouth (braces, permanent teeth braces, metal fillings) avoid using salt in toothpaste as it can cause the metal to rust.
- If you find a toothpaste recipe that contains glycerin, consider replacing it with an ingredient like xylitol. Some people believe that glycerin will leave a layer that hinders the remineralization process of teeth and is difficult to clean.
- Children who use and ingest fluoride-containing toothpaste on a regular basis are at risk of developing fluorosis.
- Fluoride ingested will not get out of the body, but accumulates in it. Fluoride is linked to bone cancer. Baking soda and hydrogen are other, healthier options for toothpaste, as long as you don't eat a lot of candy every day.
