I’ve been interested in making my own toothpaste for a long time. I’m not a fan of fluoridated pastes, and Tom’s is quite expensive. Add to that, neither of those two options contain remineralizing ingredients, which, as someone with terrible, terrible teeth, is important to me.
Still, making my own actual paste is a little more involved than I was willing to go with my first foray into the field. I mean, it’s kind of a commitment because to make using it easy, you need to buy squeeze tubes (call me a wimp – I don’t want to try to wrangle paste from a jar onto my toothbrush), Plus you’re using more expensive ingredients what with the essential oils and all. So I kept putting it off.
Then I went to a nearby trade show and ran across a booth where they were selling tooth powder. Genius! It was super, super expensive though (as many high quality hand-made products are), and contained a little more charcoal than I was comfortable with (I could just see it in my mind’s eye, running down the kid’s chins and onto their shirts). so I resolved to make my own.
It’s all about the ingredients
I never did find a recipe I was completely happy with, so I after doing some research, and taking inspiration from several recipes, this is what I settled on, and why.
Bentonite clay draws toxins out of the body, and has the ability to absorbs heavy metals and other impurities. It also contains many minerals, and is alkalizing. See mountain Rose Farms for more informations.
Charcoal. Yes, I did add a little charcoal to my tooth powder. This one is probably pretty obvious as charcoal is fairly well known for its ability to draw toxins out of the body. Using it is a huge step toward having a clean mouth!
Baking Soda. We’re probably all familiar with using baking soda to clean teeth. Even commercial tooth pastes often incorporate it! So I’m sure it’s not surprise to see it here. It’s abrasives helps remove plaque and stains, plus, like bentonite clay, it is both alkaline, and packed with minerals.
Cinnamon is antibacterial, and helps give the tooth powder a pleasant flavor.
Xylitol helps the mouth keep a neutral ph, and prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth. It also adds sweetness to the tooth powder. It is, however, completely optional. You can read more about it here.
Essential oils. Optional, but definitely beneficial, for antibacterial purposes, and for making the tooth powder taste good!
With just a little bit of upfront investment, you can make a LOT of tooth powder for the price of one tube of tooth paste. Don’t you just love how you can have the healthiest options for even less than the price of conventional equivalents when you’re willing to make it from scratch?
I can honestly say that I have been very happy with how my teeth feel and look after using this homemade tooth power for over a month.
Homemade Tooth Powder
Ingredients:
- 3 Tablespoons Bentonite Clay
- 1 Tablespoon activated charcoal (I opened 8 capsules)
- 1 Tablespoons Baking Soda
- 1 Tablespoons Cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoons Xylitol
- 10 – 15 drops of essential oil (peppermint or Thieves would be excellent!)
Instructions:
*This recipes makes four ounces by volume.
- Mix all ingredients together until well incorporated. A food processor is nice for making sure the essential oil are evenly distributed, but a fork works just as well if you work at it. 🙂
- Store in an airtight container.
To use: Dip your damp tooth brush into the container and brush! Rinse well.
If the possibility of germ sharing within the family bothers you, you may want to consider buying travel containers like these to store each family member’s personal tooth powder.
Since there are a lot of germ fighting ingredients in this recipe, and since my kids are still little enough that I dip their tooth brushes for them, I just keep one family container on our bathroom cabinet… for now.
Enjoy!
Recipes everyone can make!
Nourish your body with ingredients you already have in your kitchen!
Dio says
Are there any good bentonite clay’s out there, not affected by the recall?
Jen says
Great info. Thanks, but please do not dip the wet or damp toothbrush into the powdered mix but take some powder out of the container first.
Bentonite clay and water cause bacterias to form unless you have a preservative.
Shell says
Do you find bentonite clay problematic to fillings due to it drawing out metals? Is it suitable to use in a tooth powder if you have metal fillings?
Elise says
my understanding is that yes, it is safe to use even with metal fillings. What mercury it may draw out will be absorbed into the clay and then spit out.
From personal experience, I can say that I have a few metal fillings, and haven’t had any problems using this tooth powder.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Missy says
My recipe is similar. I just had my 6 month teeth cleaning. The hygienist said my teeth were great! Very clean!
Chanda says
You should look into adding one simple ingredient to this. Diatomaceous Earth (also known as DE. It is AMAZING just using it by itself to brush your teeth. Your teeth feel like you just had your teeth cleaned at the dentist. It helps with remineralizing and it’s super healthy to put in water and drink to clean the walls of your intestines do your body absorbs all the good stuff it’s suppose to.
Beverly says
Where can you buy it?
Laura says
You can buy it on Amazon. You want to make sure you’re getting Food Grade DIatomacious Earth. It is great for many things, but you want stuff made for gardening, etc. You can use food grade in the garden (kills slugs, and other soft-bodied bugs, for instance), you just don’t want to use farm/garden grade in your toothpaste.
Cate says
Be advised Xylitol is lethal for dogs. Please be very careful if you have this product and dogs.
Laurel says
I have dogs so purchased stevia instead.
Patty says
Do you have any suggestions for sensitive teeth. I’ve more understanding for the phrase long in the tooth these days
Kaitlyn says
Add clove oil or powder! It’s a natural numbing/desensitizing agent.
Maxine says
Hello
For the tooth powder, may I leave out the Bentonite Clay? Will it still be as effective? I make toothpaste with coconut oil and it’s a pain to struggle to get the toothpaste onto the toothbrush, esp in winter. Coconut oil can get real hard.
Thanks
Elise says
Yes, I’ve seen a number of recipes that don’t use bentonite clay. It won’t have the same detoxifying/mineralizing affect without, but it wills till clean your teeth! 🙂
Aria Ebel says
I notice that this doesn’t say food grade for the clay. Os it still that safe to use then?
Elizabeth says
I was inspired to search online for a recipe such as yours, as I saw a pre-made one being sold on Amazon, with the charcoal and xylitol, had great reviews. Can you tell me if your tooth paste recipe keeps your teeth white? I have tried brushing with just charcoal alone, using capsules that I break open. Apparently adding xylitol adds a boost to the charcoal for more whitening power?
Jamie says
Just made a batch and I’m so excited! Just had a thought though, is there any reason my daughter who has braces should use it? Thanks!
Amber Shaus says
Just made a batch but added calcium carbonate and coconut oil. I have soft teeth so crossing my fingers this will keep the pain merchant, I mean dentist at bay.
L. Robert says
How long can we keep using your homemade Tooth Powder to be safe? How long it last before it not good anymore?
Ines says
Hi, do you need to use cinnamon? I use this recipe but I dislike the cinnamon after taste. Could I remove it if possible?
Elise says
It’s not essential as long as you have the other ingredients. If you don’t like it, skip it!
martha says
Hi
Thank you for the instruccion of how to make the Homemade Tooth Powder , looks great!
I wonder if you sell it?
warmly
Elise says
Hi Martha, I don’t. Maybe some day though!
Reyanna says
Did you mean to link food grade bentonite clay instead of pure bentonite clay that you posted? The one that was linked, says specifically in the item description, that it is meant for external use only. So it’s safe to assume that I won’t be able to use it for a toothpaste/tooth powder?
Elise says
Yes, It should be food-grade.
Sarah says
I made my own without recipe, just based upon what I’d read on the back of several all natural tooth powders. Mine is almost exactly like yours except I added neems oil and peppermint oil to mine. I also added a pinch of pink himalayan sea salt. I did this because it not only helps with inflammation, but it increases salivation which cleans out bacteria. It isn’t abrasive because pretty much the instant you put it in your mouth you salivate to the point the salt goes liquid.
Masud ur Rahman says
There is no salt by the name of Himalayan Sea Salt. It’s either sea salt OR it’s Himalayan Pink Salt. Both are different.
Kirsti says
Is there a specific brand of the bentonite clay? The link doesn’t work. And cinnamon like cinnamon sticks ground up or can you use already ground cinnamon? Thank you
Elise New says
No specific brand! Yes, you can use ground cinnamon. 🙂
Elizabeth says
You shouldn’t use this toothpaste every day. I only brush with charcoal powder once a month. Charcoal and baking soda are so abrasive that using this every day will damage and scrape the enamel off your teeth. Be careful.
Oladeji Adebukola says
Thank you for this .I am definitely going to try it.what can I use instead of xylitol?
Brenda P says
Honey is my choice. It’s antibacterial and will give a smooth texture.
Jaki says
The no go for not bentonite clay doesn’t work. Can you give a new one?
Essential Veda says
Oh, I love this, and need to read it again! you have the basics laid out so clearly! Great job,
Connie M Tessmer says
To Whom It May Concern ,
The clay you talked about in your blog turns hard and it’s not for internal use . It even says that on the jar . I have some but I will never use it internally .
molly says
Have to agree I’m concerned about the use of bentonite clay in my mouth
James says
Food grade is listed on Amazon!
Heather says
How well has this improved your teeth?
IpadPro says
Hi!
I use natural tree twig also known as ‘miswak’. Its important in the Arab tradition and its health benefits have been discovered lately. I started using it originally cause it has better cleansing power compared to toothpaste and its natural with no harmful side effects. I really recommend trying it!
Thanks alot for the recipe!
Helena says
And why is it exactly that you don’t like fluoride? It’s very safe and very effective at preventing cavities. Also I agree with one of the comments about charcoal below, it’s too abrasive for enamel.
Love2ClearClouds says
🤦🏼♀️ Let’s be clear.
Sodium fluoride is toxic poison made from processing aluminum. It IS poison. It calcifies the pineal gland and causes many health issues. It decreases IQ levels. It causes dental and bone fluorosis…cavities and brittle bone. This is what they put in toothpaste and water supplies.
Calcium fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that actually is good for teeth and bones. But this is NOT what they’re putting in water and toothpaste!
Keira says
I should make this and start using it.
Janette says
From what I understand, this should not be spit into the sink as the bentonite clay can clog the pipes, is that right?
I’m guessing it would be to be spit into the garbage.
[email protected] says
Yes, it clogged our pipes. And caused trouble with our filter in our septic tank. Bentonite clay should never be used with plumbing, it retains water.
Love2ClearClouds says
I made this tooth powder and we used the first batch. Now our sink drains are clogged up. Bentonite clay is used to line ponds to retain water. It should never be used in a tooth powder due to its water blocking properties.
We have a septic system so now we’re finding out this tooth powder with the bentonite clay would eventually block drainage of our drain field and septic tank. It plugged up the filter inside our septic tank. We thought the tank was full and called for a pumping service. Ended up costing $400 because after changing the filter it was decided to go ahead and pump the tank while the truck was here.
I am no longer using bentonite clay in tooth powder.🤷🏼♀️
Rebecca rick says
Do you know where else to get the xylitol at? Amazon is out and doesn’t know when it will be back in stock
Angela says
I might have to try this. Trying to make things at home instead of buying them.