How to Make Homemade Toothpaste

August 23, 2010 by Toad 77 Comments

As shown in the video, this homemade mint toothpaste recipe is incredibly easy to make! It is equal parts Coconut Oil and Baking Soda with a touch of mint. If you can use just baking soda with water then great! But, I prefer a little taste and a smoothie texture. This is where the Coconut Oil and mint come in.

This recipe that I created originated from Sebastian Noel who runs websites at PaleoDietRecipes.org and ThePaleoDiet.net. If I remember correctly, he used quite a bit of coconut oil which was too much for me. I believe baking soda works a little better and is much cheaper. An equal balance of the 2 makes for one hell of a toothpaste!

Try out my recipe and see how you like it. Adjust it accordingly to your personal tastes and desires.

What do you think of a homemade toothpaste? Are you going to try this recipe? If so, please let me know how you like it. Do you have a different toothpaste recipe you would like to share? What about other toiletry items? What do you use for deodorant? Shampoo? Any and all comments are welcome – thanks for reading!

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: toothpaste

About Toad

Is my name Todd or Toad? I'm a world traveler seeking true wellness. I'm not a fan of labels but the following describe me best: minimalist, foodie, entrepreneur, adventurer, writer, cook.

http://mdafatkid.wordpress.com Fatkid

I may have to try this… I already use straight baking soda for deoderant but have yet to move away from commercial toothpaste…

any comments as to the feel of it in your mouth? how the coconut oil responds when not solid (in a warm bathroom)… does it settle out? what about when it’s cold…?… do you just scrape some off onto your brush?… any tests to note with the cleanliness of your mouth?
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Thanks a lot for the questions.
  
  It truly feels great in my mouth. If you have a warm bathroom above about 76 degrees then it will turn to a liquid. If stored around room temperature then the texture should turn out perfect. Mine is in a bathroom that is always close to 80 degrees and it is pretty much a liquid but it still works great. Just shake it up in the jar and then stick your toothpaste in side. All you need is a little bit.
  
  My teeth feel squeaky clean! Try it yourself and let me know how you like it.
  - http://lucys-trix.blogspot.com/ Lucy
    
    I’ve been making our own toothpaste too. I’ve been using baking soda, xylitol, celtic sea salt, coconut oil (MCT oil), water, xanthan gum, colloidal silver, myrrh, mints, clove, and stevia. (see: http://www.saveyourteeth.com/)
    For deoderant, I’ve been boiling distilled water and dissolving baking soda in it, cooling, then putting it into travel spray bottles. ,
    - http://primaltoad.com Toad
      
      Hey Lucy, welcome to my blog!
      
      How often do you make that toothpaste? Does it take a while for you to make? That is A LOT of ingredients but if it works for you then great!
      
      Thanks for the idea on deodorant. I still use commercial deodorant and hope to be making my own soon!
      - http://facebook linda
        
        I will have to try the baking soda & water! but I sure can’t use stevia & xylitol in anything. they give me migraines. but I will try the coconut oil & baking soda by itself for toothpaste. everything these days has stevia, xylitol or sorbitol or some kind of artifical sweetener in it!! even medications! and mouthwash! thanks for your comments! Linda
      - http://primaltoad.com Toad
        
        I just tried pure baking soda and I didnt mind it one bit. I love how coconut oil makes it a paste but its hard here in Michigan because it will get super cold then super hot. The coconut oil does not like the temp changes!
      - Maggie
        
        If you are still using the commercial deodorant when you get to the end of them…keep them. When you have 5 or more, place the piece out of the container into a bowl and microwave them. Take one of the old containers and replace the piece and pour the liquid into the container, Put it in the refrigerator and let it harden.
        It will stay hard when you take it out at room temperature
        
        Just thought I would pass that along.
      - http://primaltoad.com Toad
        
        This sounds confusing… lol… can you word it better by any chance?
http://fundamentalliving.blogspot.com/ ben

good post. I have been making my own toothpaste for the past two months and im happy with it (i was told this “recipe” from a rogue dentist). Here is all I do:
1 part sea salt to 3 parts baking soda. I mix them and put them in a jar just like you do.
When going to brush the teeth i just moisten the brush, dip in to the jar, and brush away.
The salt and the baking soda are both surfectants. I have indeed seen a whitening effect.
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Thanks for the idea Ben! I may have to try that out next time as it is more simple. I do like the smooth texture that coconut oil provides – maybe I will just have to use less.
  
  P.S. I just added your blog to the primal blog list – nice work!
ashley

I will try it!! I just started making my own face wash with sugar and olive oil! So far – so good!
Thanks!!!!

Ash
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Let me know how you like it! Feel free to change the recipe how you want to as well. Don’t worry about being exact. I just came up with this myself! I do like it exactly how it is but I always enjoy improving recipes
Lucy

Yes, it is a lot of ingredients…but not a lot of quantities of each. I usually only make one tube at a time. I fill a little travel container that is flexible enough and the ingredient consistency is such that wee are able to squeeze some out onto the brush. One tube may last two of use a few weeks(?).
http://lowcarblaunch.blogspot.com/ Julie

I havent used store bought TP in ages! I don’t want the flouride, and I have had a general dislike for it since I was pregnant 2 years ago. I use straight up Baking Soda and water….It doesnt interfere with eating something or drinking afterwards, and really scrubs your teeth clean. I exfoliate with it too…..The huge yellow box is in my cart every week! Who would have thought you could spend 2.00 a week on one product that does everything….including the kitchen sink
Great post, Thanks!
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  That’s as simple as it gets! Baking soda and water. And yes, baking soda is quite versatile for many things!
http://primalkiwi.wordpress.com/ Kate

Ah you read my mind – I was planning on making a post about toothpaste hehe. I make mine with glycerine, baking soda, and mint essence. It takes a while to get used to but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Whatever works for you! Go ahead and make a post with your recipe – there is not one that is best for everyone. Many will like yours too!
http://www.darwinstable.com Dan

Wow that is primal. Well done. I never thought of making my own toothpaste.
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Well now you have no excuses of starting
http://lucys-trix.blogspot.com/ Lucy

I have read the glycerin in toothpastes coats the teeth and doesn’t allow any teeth to re-mineralize..(.if that is really possible).

I was also thinking of doing a blog post on toothpaste.

Anyway, good post, Toad.
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Go ahead and do a blog post on toothpaste Lucy – if you have a different recipe then great!
http://thehandmadeandnaturallife.blogspot.com Amy

I have made my own tooth paste similar to this, but I think I also added sea salt. I really liked it, but haven’t made it in a while. I have been using coconut oil, baking soda, and cornstarch with some essential oils as deoderant. I really like how it works (I hated that unclean feeling I always had getting out fo the shower when I used commercial non healthy products). I even got my husband using this. The thing to remember is that you don’t need much of this deoderant and more is definately not better. I’d love a good homemade recipe for shampoo!
- http://letospassion.blogspot.com Lauren
  
  Google “long hair forum” or no-poo method or cowashing – I can’t give you specifics without knowing what your hair is like, but I use pure olive oil soap grated and melted with baking soda and coconut oil and a squidgen of neem and teatree oils, then water to get the right consistency. I use a dilute apple cider vinegar rinse as conditioner.
  There’s kind of nothing that BS and CO can’t do – they’re a great exfoliant/moisturiser too. Since I don’t use soap on my skin anymore (except dirty hands; I use oil cleansing on my face and water on my body) that’s pretty much all I’d need in the shower. But I might need a non-slip mat first!
Carolyn

I use straight baking soda for my teeth and love it. I have used it for years. Hubby and the kiddos refuse except under duress. I use a coconut oil and redmond salt scrub for my skin and coconut oil soap that I make for any other washing done. I do no poo and a vinegar rinse for my hair. Baking soda for deoderant also. I use it with borax in my wash, vinegar rinse and in my dishwasher detergent that I make and also use for a scouring powder. If baking soda dissapeared off the face of the earth, I would be up a creek for sure. Keep up the good work!!!
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Thanks for your comments Carolyn! Straight up baking soda – talk about making it easy!
Kylie Thomas

Wow homemade toothpaste. That’s quite a plunge! I know fluoride is bad, and so I buy a natural toothpaste, but I worry, will homemade clean your teeth as well? I buy a natural deodorant. It is quite expensive and I’d really like to make my own but haven’t settled on a good recipe!
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Yes, homemade toothpaste will certainly clean your teeth well. You don’t even really need toothpaste – water can do if you eat the right foods.
Elizabeth

Keeping it simple- I keep a 4-oz glass jar with a lid in the bathroom, with a 50-50 mix of coconut oil and baking soda. I use this mix for both toothpaste and deodorant — I just scoop out what I need with a finger. ! I keep another little jar of pure coconut oil for my skin.
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  I have used coconut oil for my skin too – its works great! I will have to use this combo for deodorant when I run out of my store bought one…
http://wellnessmama.com Katie

Thanks for the recipe. I’ve been experimenting with natural toothpaste recipes lately too. I’ve used baking soda mixed with peppermint liquid castille soap and it works well. As for deodorant, I mix coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda and essential oils and just store in a jar. It works better than any other one I’ve tried.
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  I need to try out some deoderants. I still use conventional. I have actually been using conventional toothpaste lately too as its simply way to cold in our house. The coconut oil is rock solid and is almost impossible to put in a toothbrush. Its normall around 64 degrees in our house throughout the winter… I can’t wait till it starts to warm up!
Lucy

I use MCT oil in my toothpaste….that one stays liquid.
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Do you make homemade toothpaste too? What do you use? I never knew MCT oil existed but just found a great one on Amazon that I may buy if it would make my homemade toothpaste a toothpaste.
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Jen

I just made the recipe (cocnut oil, baking soda and peppermint oil) and I was excited to try it….I gagged. I can’t stand the taste. I put so much peppermint oil in to mask the baking soda, all to no effect. It makes me think of gargling salt water (for sores and such) and it grosses me out. Is there another way to make toothpaste without baking soda or peroxide?
Also, I saw a few people mention homemade deoderant, anyone have a recipe for that? I have tried a few natural “deoderants” and they don’t work…at al.
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  How much peppermint did you put in?!?! And, I use peppermint extract, not oil. I just put in a few drops. I can barely taste the mint myself. I have yet to discover a nice deodorant recipe but I am on the hunt for one. When I find one I like and start to use I will do a post on it.
  - Carolyn
    
    You know I too have been on the search for a deoderant recipe, but nothing worked or was too messy. I have finaly found something that works, at least for us in Texas, and isn’t messy. Good old isopropol alcohol in a 99 cent spray bottle from wally world. My kind of deoderant: cheap, works and isn’t going to make me sick!!! We were totally amazed, but I do have to warn those who shave their pits. It will sting just a wee bit.
    - http://primaltoad.com Toad
      
      Do you live in Austin, TX? I ask because it seems like all caveman/women live there! I wish I could buy that, lol. I don’t shave so I guess no sting for me!
  - Jen
    
    Oh I probably put a good 25 drops of peppermint oil in to 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of coconut oil, but it didn’t make a difference. There’s a pretty good chance, I’ll go back to commercial toothpaste, well the natural cruelty-free stuff anyway.
    - http://primaltoad.com Toad
      
      25 Drops??!!?!?! That is waaaaaaaaaay too much!! Try 3-5 drops and then let me know how you like it. I did 1/2 C of each with just a teeny tiny bit of peppermint extract.
      - Jen
        
        Well actually I did start with 3 drops, but I couldn’t taste any peppermint, next thing you know, I’m adding more and more and still nothing. I really don’t like that baking soda taste, it’s what’s turning me off of homemade. lol.
      - http://primaltoad.com Toad
        
        How did you like it after just 3 drops of peppermint? Because its equal parts baking soda and coconut oil its perfect for me. I don’t really need the mint. Try adding a little more coconut oil.
Lucy

I heat distilled water into which I dissolve some baking soda, cool, then put in a travel size spray bottle. This is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant. I don’t want to stop perspiration or clog pores.

The homemade toothpaste takes a bit of getting used to after commercial brands.
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Thanks! How much baking soda compared to distilled water do you use?
  - Lucy
    
    I haven’t measured…a handful or a Tbs or two of baking soda to a half cup distilled water….something like that.
    - http://primaltoad.com Toad
      
      I have been using my toothpaste for my deodorant and it works great!
Jen

Ok, so this morning I tried something new. As far as “natural” deoderant goes, I’ve tried Natural Spring “crystal”, JASON and Canada’s very own “local” Green Beaver Sports deoderant and NONE of them worked. If anything I sweat more than without, so this morning I mixed a bit of baking soda with Coconut oil(in equal parts). So far so good. I’ll check back in and tell you at the end of the day (if I can remember to) whether or not it worked.
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Please do let me know! That would be too awesome if I could use my toothpaste as my deodorant!
  - Jen
    
    Ok, so it was a success. I can now use my yucky tasting toothpaste (w/o the peppermint) as my deodorant and it works!
    - http://primaltoad.com Toad
      
      That’s great! I use it with the mint as my deodorant now.
Lucy

I don’t mind perspiring/sweating, I just don’t want it to smell bad. The baking soda neutralizes it for the most part…maybe if I am doing something so I am perspiring a lot…I may have to reapply it at some point. Baking soda neutralizes odor.

I try to avoid anything that clogs pores. I used Lavilin for a while. That is a long lasting zinc antiperspirant. I developed an enlarged lymph node which I attributed to the Lavilin.
- Jen
  
  Well I wouldn’t mind the sweating so much, but that Green Beaver made my shirts stick to my pits, which was uncomfortable. The “crystal” rock thing just made me soak my shirts in sweat and stink…it’s the stink I really don’t like. I’m not sure though if coconut oil and baking soda clog my pores. Hope not. But still smelling nice
  - http://thehandmadeandnaturallife.blogspot.com Amy
    
    I’ve been using baking soda and coconut oil for months now along with some essential oil. Personally it works well and I definitely notice if I forget to put it on (so does my husband). I will actually be making more soon.
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  I will then have to use my toothpaste as my deodorant. I am going to try today and see how it goes!
Amy Latham

I was just reading through your comments here. I use a homemade deodorant that I made with coconut oil, baking soda, and a little oregano oil(not enough to where I smell like a pizza or anything LOL) I figured since the oregano oil is anti-bacterial it would be a good addition. It works great, I love it! Also, before that I used colloidal silver in a spray bottle…a little more expensive, but it worked great.

As far as toothpaste… I like to add baking soda to water and dip my tooth brush in it or sometimes I just wet the brush and shake a little sea salt(I use Real Salt brand) on it. My teeth feel sooooo clean when I use just sea salt!
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Oregano is interesting but something I will try. Sea salt seems easy enough for toothpaste.
  - http://letospassion.blogspot.com Lauren
    
    Cloves and cinnamon are also antibacterial. I’m not super-hot on mint taste/smell, but I don’t mind herbal or spicy stuff. Worth a shot!
http://outlawfarmer.wordpress.com/ Outlaw Farmer

I love this post and all the awesome conversation it has generated. Coconut oil is one of my favorite oils for soap making but I never heard of using it as a toothpaste.
Thanks for the recipe!
Aneira

I know it’s not really related to coconut oil…but I do have a homemade deo that works fairly well for me.
Mix 1 1/2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of cornflour.
In a little pot melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of shea butter with 1 tablespoon cocoa butter (you know it could work with coconut oil instead…I’ll have to experiment!), when they have melted pour them into the powder and mix.
Add essential oils of your choice (I like chamomile. It has a light smell, but isn’t overpowering).
Pour it into a container to set, I use an old moisturizer pot since it’s rounded and has a lid (double up as storage)
I like to keep mine in the fridge, since it softens on skin contact. Just rub it on like stick deo.
Doesn’t block pores and is gentle on your skin
Phew! =D
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Oh deodorant definitely is related to toothpaste – both have to deal with hygiene
  
  I use this toothpaste for my deodorant!
  
  I would try yours out but I don’t have any corn flour on hand…
http://lowcarbpinay.blogspot.com Neesha

Hi Todd! Can I skip the mint? Or does it add anything to the paste other than taste? Thanks!
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  Feel free to skip the mint. It is not really necessary. Feel free to skip the coconut oil too! I now use only baking soda for my toothpaste and deodorant. Why? Its cheaper and, well, I live in Michigan. It hardens in the winter and becomes a liquid in the summer so I decided to skip the coconut oil.
  
  But, if you want that “paste” texture then add the coconut oil. Equal parts works great!
  - leslie
    
    yeah coconut oil is annoying regarding the temps.. but it does help with tooth decay.. and cavities..
    - http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
      
      Indeed! I ready a blog post over at PrimalParent that inspired me to soon get Tooth Powder from http://www.primallifeorganics.com/.
http://1@1.com hi

do not use straight baking soda. may irritate skin
- http://primaltoad.com Toad
  
  I tried to use just baking soda as a deodorant and it definitely irritated my skin!
  - Lynn N
    
    If you are looking for a good alternative deodorant try milk of magnesia. My husband tried everything and still had an odor, we found this idea and tried it and IT WORKS! tried some of the others they would work for a few times then quit, he has been using M. O. M. for a few months now and it still is doing the job!
    - http://primaltoad.com Toad
      
      Where do you buy the stuff? I’ve never heard of it.
      - Kristy
        
        Milk of magnesia is that gross chalky laxative in the bright blue bottle… you can get it at any pharmacy for cheap. Use the plain, non-flavored kind for deodorant. We use it and like it as well. No rashes or irritation, and no dangerous chemicals.
      - http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
        
        Interesting. I may have to try this. Thanks for letting me know!
cris

can i ask what are the ingredients you’ve used in making toothpaste and the right amount of these ingredients to make toothpaste.
leslie

for deodorant i use coconut oil and baking soda and a couple drops of essential oil.. oh yeah.. and some cornstarch. i mix it all together and then spoon it into an old deodorant container.. gotta keep it in the fridge in the summer though.. works very well..
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  Why cornstarch? Does that just thicken the mixture?
alexandra

Thank you Toad!!!!
- http://primaltoad.com/ Todd Dosenberry
  
  You’re welcome! Have you made this toothpaste? I’ll be honest in that I don’t anymore simply because the past hardens too easily in the winter. Now that I think about it, it would possibly work great my brothers since it seems to be right around 76 degrees!
pixy

I use coconut oil,either sea salt or sugar in the raw and a few drops of vitamin E blend it up & jar it and u have an amazing body scrub. Does anyone have a shampoo recipe to share?

How to Make Homemade Toothpaste

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