Like many of you, I grew up using the familiar brands of toothpaste in the market. The ones with all the unpronounceable ingredients that I didn’t think to question until I got a little older and began thinking more about my health. In college, I started looking for natural toothpastes. At the time there weren’t many options and they weren’t very appealing.

About three years ago I married a man who is even more ingredient conscious than me. I admit I don’t do everything organic all the time, but he leads by example. He’s always reading up on various health issues, revolutionary products, promising ideas and spouting the virtues of his new finds. Recently he decided to make his own toothpaste. We were both skeptical, but through several trial and error batches he’s come up with the recipe below that has some super good for you stuff in it.

Here’s the breakdown of the ingredients in terms of why they work well in toothpaste:

1. Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate powder is a very mild natural abrasive that neutralizes acid in saliva. It also contains one of the highest concentrations of elemental Calcium which helps support strong teeth.

2. Xylitol

Xylitol is natural sweetener found in most plants, originally extracted from birch bark. Unlike sugar, Xylitol is a sugar alcohol which doesn’t promote tooth decay and is in fact toxic to some types of undesirable mouth bacteria.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive that polishes teeth and removes plaque deposits. Baking soda also improves saliva pH and fights bad breath.

4. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a hot health item right now and is good for many things. If you haven’t tried coconut oil, though the scent from the jar might allude to a strong taste it actually has a very neutral flavor. For toothpaste it maintains a good consistency for blending. In your mouth it works into all the fine spaces in between teeth and gums to loosen trapped particles. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

5. Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil because it just tastes good! That said there are many different types of essential oils out there. We’ve been tossing around the idea of doing a rosemary and orange blend or a lemon and sage blend.

6. Trace Minerals

Liquid trace minerals are good to add because the body needs certain trace minerals that one doesn’t always get through food sources. Think of it as sneaking in a little extra good stuff to your daily routine.

All of the ingredients mentioned below can be found at any local health store. And don’t forget to taste as you combine. All the ingredients are edible so there’s no warning label needed! Enjoy!

Healthy Homemade Toothpaste Recipe:

 –  Makes about 5 ounces

  • 3 Tbls calcium carbonate powder
  • 2-3 Tbls powdered xylitol (very fine powder so it doesn’t scratch gums)
  • 1 Tbls baking soda
  • 3-5 Tbls coconut oil
  • 30 or more drops peppermint essential oil, to taste
  • 10 drops of liquid trace minerals

Combine all the powders and mix very thoroughly for the right distribution.

 –  Soften the coconut oil in a small container with the heat from your palms. Usually takes just a few minutes. My husband puts it in a metal container and heats it with one hand while stirring the powders together.

 –  Add 3 tablespoons of the softened coconut oil and mix until homogeneous. Add more coconut oil for desired texture, a little at a time. (Keep in mind it will firm up again once it sits and the peppermint oil and trace minerals will further soften the mixture.)

 –  Add the peppermint oil and trace minerals. Mix well.

 –  While soft, transfer to your desired seal-able container. We use a small travel size squeeze bottle and a make shift funnel from cardstock.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed reading this natural and easy homemade toothpaste recipe. Have you ever tried such healthy homemade toothpaste? Let us know.