- 1/3 Cup Bentonite Clay (You can find this at your local health nut store or online here. Another great alternative is Redmond's Betonite Clay. If use the Redmond's brand, it already has real salt, so you can eliminate the salt from this recipe.)
- 1/4 Cup Boiling Water
- 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Redmond's Real Salt (unrefined and loaded with natural minerals, this salt can be found in your grocery aisle or online here)
- Stevia (to taste) (I add about 1 1/2 tsp because I like my toothpaste sweeter. The Stevia acts only as a sweetener in this recipe.)
- doTERRA Essential Oils (see below for description of benefits and recommended oils) (I recommend a approximately 40-50 drops total with this recipe, adding slowly in the event you like slightly less. Also, peppermint is pretty strong, so I don't recommend adding more than 10 drops of peppermint.)
- One 4 oz. or 6 oz. glass jar or quart size (or smaller) freezer quality resealable plastic bag
This week I'm mixing up a little toothpaste in my kitchen.
What? No, really. In all my spare time.
I've done some research on commercial bought toothpaste and before I get chatty on you, let me cut to the chase with the recipe in case your a cut-to-the-chase kinda gal.
DIY Healthy Essential Oil Toothpaste
Prep Time: 5-10 Minutes
Yields: Approximately 30 Day Supply
Here's what you'll need:
Here's what you'll do:
1. In a small bowl, mix all of your powdered ingredients together.
2. In another bowl, heat water until it just reaches a boil. Add the coconut oil to the water and stir until melted.
3. Combine your powdered mixture with your water/coconut oil mixture and mix with a hand held electric mixer.
4. While mixing, add in your essential oils.
5. Transfer your paste to your container and store on your counter (and out of direct sunlight) for up to one month.
For easy clean up, wipe out any coconut oil from your dishes and utensils using paper towels. Then load in them the dishwasher.
2. In another bowl, heat water until it just reaches a boil. Add the coconut oil to the water and stir until melted.
3. Combine your powdered mixture with your water/coconut oil mixture and mix with a hand held electric mixer.
4. While mixing, add in your essential oils.
5. Transfer your paste to your container and store on your counter (and out of direct sunlight) for up to one month.
This recipe is a wonderful, healthy alternative for your gums and mouth and yields approximately 30 days worth (if you brush twice daily). Store your toothpaste up to 60 days on your counter and out of direct sunlight. You can alter and adjust the recipe based on personal preference. For example, coconut oil will soften slightly at room temperature but the betonite clay will help firm it up some. If you want your toothpaste firmer, add a bit more clay or a little less coconut oil. Also, if you want the paste sweeter, add more Stevia ... and so on.
If you are allergic to coconut oil, try eliminating the coconut oil altogether and altering the water amount to get the consistency you want. You'll also want to sub in 4 drops of doTERRA Melaleuca in exchange for the coconut oil.
Here's how you use it:
Take a swipe of toothpaste from your jar with your finger or a wooden tongue depressor and stick it on your toothbrush. A slightly larger pea-sized amount should do. Brush away. The toothpaste will feel thicker than what you're used to because of the coconut oil, but remember - the oil is binding and helps remove bacteria and other unwanted junk from your mouth (see below).
Tip: My dentist always recommends flossing before you brush.
Another Tip (I'm full of 'em): If you are worried about coconut oil and the effects of clogging in your drain, let the hot water run while you spit and for 10 seconds afterward, or spit into your trash can.
Take a swipe of toothpaste from your jar with your finger or a wooden tongue depressor and stick it on your toothbrush. A slightly larger pea-sized amount should do. Brush away. The toothpaste will feel thicker than what you're used to because of the coconut oil, but remember - the oil is binding and helps remove bacteria and other unwanted junk from your mouth (see below).
Tip: My dentist always recommends flossing before you brush.
Another Tip (I'm full of 'em): If you are worried about coconut oil and the effects of clogging in your drain, let the hot water run while you spit and for 10 seconds afterward, or spit into your trash can.
Why I like this DIY Recipe or DoTERRA's On Guard Natural Whitening Toothpaste:
We absorb our toothpaste ingredients by way of the membranes beneath our tongue. And then there's the stuff we swallow. This post is a little lengthy, but I really think it's important to do my research. Here's some information I think you'll want to know.
Here are 3 main hidden dangers found in the common commercially manufactured toothpaste:
1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Gives toothpaste the foaming effect when you brush. While there are studies that suggest SLS can cause cancer, the biggest most immediate concern is that when mixed with other compounds (such as drugs you might be taking), the mix can toxic. (Dr. David Hill, Medical Researcher, Biochemist and Chiropractor.)
2. Sodium Flouride (aka flouride). Dentists have encouraged the use of flouride to defend against tooth decay for as long as we can remember. Flouride is a bi-product of aluminum manufacturing and is also used industrial pesticides. According to Akron Regional Poison Center, ingesting 1/10 of an ounce of flouride can kill a 100lb adult. Ingesting even the tiniest amount of flouride commonly causes nausea, vomiting and diarrrhea. Flouride has also been shown to cause dental flourosis among a host of other more serious health issues to the body. (Flouride Action Network)
3. Triclosan. Recent studies show that Triclosan is linked to cancer cell growth and regulators are now debating on whether to put Triclosan in soaps, children's toys and other products, yet we continue to put in our mouths. (Bloomberg).
I started using doTERRA's On Guard Natural Whitening Toothpaste about 5 months ago and I'm hooked. It's so good, if you try it, you'll be hooked. eMail me for a sample or click here to purchase.
More Tips for the DIY Recipe Above:
For those of you DIY gals who are making your own, you can make a toothpaste similar to the OnGuard version above using the OnGuard essential oil blend (my favorite because it has cinnamon, clove, orange, eucalyptus and wild orange!)
- You can also try some of these doTERRA essential oils in individually or in combinations:
- Peppermint— a powerful anti-oxidant and great for a razzle dazzle toothy tingle
- Eucalyptus—antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory
- Cinnamon—antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and can help with inflamed gum tissue
- Clove—antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and an amazing antioxidant, the highest antioxidant essential oil. It is approved by the Dental Association for use as a dental anesthetic. It’s great for killing Candida.
- Lemon—antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
- Orange—antiseptic and antioxidant
- Rosemary—antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral
- Melaleuca - for antibacterial qualities. Try 6-8 drops. This one is not a flavor enhancer, but it may also help tighten up gum tissue.
More Info - here's why the other stuff is great for making toothpaste:
Bentonite Clay is an alkaline full of minerals which your body can benefit from during use. (It's that absorb under the tongue thing again.) This clay is used for many health benefits and the benefits to your mouth in particular are that it is a binding, swelling clay that acts like a porous sponge. When mixed with water, it draws in toxins and keeps them there.
Coconut Oil whitens teeth and has lauric acid which is has anti-microbial agents helping to fight bacteria and tooth decay. It also has the benefit of drawing bacteria from the mouth and gums.
Redmond's Real Salt is a huge source for trace minerals. Trace minerals have been found to aid in the regeneration of your teeth. Nope. I'm not kidding. (Read more here.)
Stevia is a natural sweetener made from the Stevia leaf. It will make your toothpaste sing with sweetness! If you're too sweet already, it's an optional ingredient and you don't have to use it.
I hope you've enjoyed this post. Happy brushing!
~Charlene
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