NATURAL HOMEMADE TOOTHPASTE RECIPE
It finally happened: our toothpaste ran out. The tube has been squeezed completely dry, every last blob used up.
Time to make my own!
In my hunt for toothpaste recipes, I've also found some other really serious reasons why making your own is a good idea. Many shop-bought toothpastes contain horrible chemicals such as:
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
A known skin irritant linked to mouth ulcers. Can sometimes be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, a known carcinogen.
Sodium Hydroxide
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, this chemical is "very corrosive and can cause severe burns in all tissues that it comes in contact with". Nice.
Propylene Glycol
An organic alcohol that can be irritant to skin and has been linked to hives.
Artificial sweeteners
Such as Sodium Saccharin, a suspected carcinogen.
Titanium Dioxide
Also a suspected carcinogen.
Fluoride
Argued to be linked to all sorts of disorders and diseases, from hyperactivity and lowered immunity to bone cancer and dementia. Also argued to have little or no benefit for dental health.
Triclosan
Potential hormone disruptor
Synthetic colourings
Such as FD&C blue no.1 and D&C yellow no. 10. These are approved for safety in the EU and US but still, yuck.
So here is a lovely, natural and easy toothpaste recipe. Tried and tested.
Ingredients
1/2 cup of organic virgin coconut oil (great for its antibacterial properties)
2 tbsp bicarbonate of soda - a.k.a. baking soda (gentle abrasive and pH balancer)
20 drops of peppermint essential oil (antimicrobial, freshens breath)
10 drops of clove essential oil (antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and, err, aphrodisiac!)
Method
Gently soften the coconut oil in a double-boiler. You can do this with boiled water without putting it on the hob, you don't want to cook the oil.
Remove from the heat and whisk in the bicarbonate of soda
Stir in the essential oils
Continue to stir until the mixture reaches a thick, gooey texture (a bit like thick custard). This is to stop all the bicarbonate of soda from sinking to the bottom.
Pour the gooey mixture into a container (before it stiffens completely) and leave to cool. I used a miniature glass jar that I found at my mums house. Any small jar will do, just remember to sterilise it first.
Et voilà!
Just a heads-up though - this toothpaste doesn't taste quite as delicious as it smells. In fact it has a very salty taste thanks to the bicarbonate of soda. It does take a bit of getting used to, but is ok after a few brushes.
Enjoy! And don't forget your bamboo toothbrush!
UPDATE
Advice: brush your teeth naked. This stuff takes toothpaste stains to a whole new level. If you do get any drips on your top, rinse with soap and treat with stain remover immediately before laundering.
You might like my DIY NATURAL MOUTHWASH recipe too!
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