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Odds are you’ve never thought about making your own toothpaste. It’s definitely one of those products that you just assume you could never replicate at home.
However, I’m here to tell you that you can make your own toothpaste. In fact, I’ve got a wonderful homemade peppermint toothpaste that will have that smile sparkling…. without all the toxins.
Toxins? Yes, toxins. Conventional toothpaste often contains ingredients that may actually do our body and teeth harm.
This is quite shocking when you think about it. Here is a product that we’ve thought was helping us be healthier people when it’s actually hurting us.
Ingredients like propylparaben, methylparaben, propylene glycol, sodium fluoride, artificial colorings and so much more. Most of these ingredients come with organ system toxicity concerns, endocrine disruption concerns, and at very least allergen concerns.
Even the safe ingredients can be doing our teeth harm
Glycerin is in almost every toothpaste and while it’s not a toxic ingredient, it’s not doing your teeth any good. Glycerin actually coats your teeth and prevents it from remineralizing.
Toothpaste shouldn’t come with health concerns.
If you are curious as to what is in your current toothpaste and how it might be harming you, I suggest heading over to the EWG’s cosmetic database and looking up your current brand.
Making your own toothpaste is the solution to toxic ingredients. Not to mention homemade is also the eco-friendly way to go! Have you ever thought about how many tubes of toothpaste are just sitting in the landfill?
What ingredients are in my Homemade Peppermint Toothpaste?
Coconut Oil – A popular ingredient in homemade toothpaste recipes due to it’s antibacterial and anti-fugal properties. There is also evidence that it helps fight cavities!
Xylitol – You have likely come across this ingredient in many toothpastes or chewing gums and that is because it helps prevent cavities and can help remineralize teeth. Xylitol is actually a sweetener which is great because it makes your toothpaste taste good (unlike many of the homemade baking soda toothpaste recipes).
Peppermint Essential Oil – Mainly used for its minty fresh taste but peppermint is also helpful for killing anaerobic bacteria that likes to live in your mouth.
If you are looking for a great homemade kid-friendly toothpaste then I have two options: my kid-friendly strawberry toothpaste and my kid-friendly creamsicle toothpaste! (adults can use it too, if you just love that fruity taste!)
Homemade Peppermint Toothpaste
2 Tbs. coconut oil – softened
1 Tbs. xylitol – finely ground)
10 drops peppermint essential oil
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
Transfer toothpaste to a sealed storage container.
To Use:
Scoop out a tiny bit of toothpaste each time you need to brush your teeth.
You may want to reserve a popsicle stick or some such tool for scooping out the toothpaste in order to avoid contaminating the toothpaste.
*Please note that xylitol is toxic to dogs so if you have dogs make sure to keep the xylitol far out of their reach.
I love making my own toothpaste, but I’ve never used xylitol. I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing at the Homestead Blog Hop! Hope to see you again next Wednesday.
Just found your blog and wondered…could you use this more traditionally from a reusable baby food pouch? Just a thought! I may try it myself!
You probably could in the warmer months but since coconut oil is solid in temps colder than 76 degrees, the toothpaste is usually a bit more on the solid side.