Oh sensitive teeth. How you have made me avoid drinking anything containing ice, eating ice cream, or having anything too sugary… and when I am a rebel and do it anyways… then comes the “mouth-freeze” pain [like a brain freeze inside your teeth]. No sensitive toothpaste or numbing gel could comfort me… until I made my own with ingredients that support healthy teeth and gums! Watch me drink my frozen lemonade and iced coffee like it’s nobody’s business. 😉

Commercial Toothpastes contain…

Fluoride: A neurotoxin found in toothpaste and drinking water. While it is advertised as having the ability to prevent cavities, unfortunately it doesn’t quite do it’s job. Fluoride has been linked to cancers, osteoporosis, thyroid problems, lowered IQ, tooth decay, acne around the chin and mouth, and more. Completely unnecessary to a good oral health routine. Do you like reading geeky articles about the damaging effects of fluoride? Click here and here and here!

Glycerin: A sweet and colourless liquid that is made from animal fat (regular glycerin) or plant oils (vegetable glycerin). Also a great ingredient in many other beauty products (ex. hand soap or body wash). It is often added to toothpastes for texture, unfortunately it leaves a coating on teeth that takes too many brushes to remove and prevents teeth from remineralizing.

Parabens: Hormone disruptors.

Triclosan: Hormone disruptor and carcinogen.

Colourful dyes: (the blue/green/yellow/red #) made from petroleum.

How to make Non-Toxic Toothpaste

This recipe makes a lot of toothpaste that seems to last forever (months and months for one person). I recommend making half the recipe the first time, that way you can adjust it to your oral health needs for the next batch.

Find a sealable container (preferably glass and non-metal) to hold toothpaste. I like to keep mine in a small mason jar.

Next, melt 1/2 cup of coconut oil and add to container. Coconut oil is a major component to good oral health. The MCT’s (medium chain fatty acids/triglycerides) found in coconut oil are antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal. It can help to prevent tooth decay and reduce plaque.

Then add 1/4 cup of baking soda. Baking soda helps to whiten teeth, remove stains, and reduce plaque. It is not too abrasive for teeth if you are brushing properly [this is toothbrushing not scrubbing the bathtub… let the brush and toothpaste do most of the work].

Add 1/2 tablespoon of bentonite clay with a non-metal spoon. Bentonite clay is full of minerals (iron, magnesium, sodium, calcium, and potassium) which help to remineralize teeth. Working through a process called adsorption, it removes toxins from the mouth and stains from teeth, resulting in fresh breath and whiter teeth.

Add 1/8 teaspoon of activated charcoal. Activated charcoal works in a similar way to bentonite clay, because it also adsorbs toxins and removes stains from the teeth (especially for tea, coffee, and wine drinkers… hi it’s me.) It balances the ph of the mouth and can prevent cavities, tooth decay and gingivitis. PS: It will not make your teeth black, while it will stain EVERYTHING else so be cautious.

Add 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric. I know it’s orange, but it will not turn your teeth the colour of cheetos. Turmeric contains curcumin, which has antiseptic and antibiotic properties for tooth and gum health. It also helps to whiten teeth, removes plaque, relieves sensitive teeth, and can heal bacterial infections.

Add 10-20 Trace Mineral Drops. It contains over 72 trace minerals for healthy teeth, including calcium, iron, and zinc. Read more about them here. If you find it too salty, add less drops.

Next, add 20 drops total of essential oils. Essential oils for oral health include:

• Peppermint EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy) *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• Thieves EO Blend (Young Living) a mix of clove, cinnamon bark, rosemary, lemon, and eucalyptus. *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• Clove EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy) *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• Cinnamon EO (Plant Therapy) *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*
• Lemon EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy)
• Orange EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy)
• Spearmint EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy)
• Oregano EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy) I only use 1-2 drops as it is very potent. *Do not use for children age 2-15 or pregnant/nursing mamas*

{I use and recommend Young Living Essential Oils and Plant Therapy Essential Oils because they are 100% pure quality essential oils. There are other reputable essential oil companies to purchase from. Your local drug store’s cheap essential oil can give you a rash and not have the same positive effects because most only contain about 10% of the pure oil and the rest is filled with synthetics. Do your research and find a company you feel comfortable purchasing from.}

Finally mix everything together using a non-metal spoon and leave it for a few hours to allow the coconut oil to harden back into a paste-like consistency. Live in a warm climate? It may stay liquid at room temperature, so put it in the fridge.

To use: Slightly wet the toothbrush, dip it into the container, and begin brushing those pearly whites! I use a pea-sized amount. Follow up with a good homemade mouthwash and admire your smile 😉

Since Switching to Non-Toxic Toothpaste I Noticed

• cleaner and whiter teeth
• no more sensitivity!
• less dragon breath
• less canker sores and mouth infections

Not a DIYer? Here are some natural alternatives to purchase

Earthpaste (comes in a variety of flavours: Spearmint, Lemon, Cinnamon, and Wintergreen)

Orawellness Remineralizing Tooth Whitening Powder (this is a tooth powder, instead of a paste)

Happy Brushing 🙂

What do you use to brush your teeth? What is in your toothpaste or tooth powder recipe?