Since I started my toxic-free journey, I've also been looking for effective beauty formulas - not just household - and the toothpaste was one my first natural homemade recipe. I love this recipe: it's super quick to make, and it lasts for months. I also do like the taste of peppermint essential oil, because it leaves a fresh feeling in my mouth without using any artificial flavours. I have to say that this formula is a powder, not a foamy toothpaste. If you want to make a smooth paste, you can add some water (most of the commercial toothpaste are water based) until you get the desired consistency. Just remember that - without using any kind of preservative - you are also introducing a source for bacterial growth to form.
Some recipes suggest swapping the water with Coconut oil. Coconut oil seems to have antibacterial and antifungal properties: for this reason, it is regularly chosen for oil-based toothpaste. Just remember that coconut oil changes because of the temperature, giving you a thinner toothpaste in the summer, and a solid toothpaste in the winter. I prefer working in grams because it is more accurate than ml/tbs/oz.
Ingredients
15g Kaolin Clay
14g Sodium Bicarbonate
3g Sage - better powder
10 drops (= 0,5 g) Peppermint Essential Oil
How to prepare
Mix all the dry ingredients together. Then transfer in a coffee grinder/ food processor and add the essential oil. Grind until you get a fine powder.
Fill your storage container, and you are now ready to use it!
How to use
I have been using my powder toothpaste for years, utilising a sugar dispenser to dispense it, avoiding in this way any problem of waste. Always remember to wet your toothbrush before applying the toothpaste powder!
Tip
If you want to create a smooth and creamy texture, you can add half tablespoon of Coconut Oil and half tablespoon of water - or one teaspoon of Aloe Vera Gel 97% - for every tablespoon of your toothpaste and blend the mixture together for a few seconds. Always run a spoon - better if wooden - end along the edge of the blender to make sure all the powder is incorporated.
About the ingredients
KAOLIN CLAY, also called CHINA CLAY, is a naturally occurring clay substance mostly found in soils that have developed from the chemical weathering of rocks in hot, moist climates. It is one of the most commonly available and versatile cosmetic clays and is also the mildest. It is commonly found in skin care preparations and cosmetics because of its gentle and soft nature, mineral content, absorbent properties, and ability to ‘fix’ scents.
SODIUM BICARBONATE - NaHCO3 - commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a food additive often used in cooking as a leavening agent.
SAGE also called Salvia fruticosa, is a bushy perennial herb growing up to 3 feet high with hairy leaves and stems with pinkish_purple flowers. It is considered to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, digestive and sedative properties. Apparently, sage is still used in some rural part of the world to cleanse the teeth, as it is known to have antiseptic properties and be able to strengthen the gums and clean the oral cavity.
PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL is produced by steam distillation of peppermint plant, or Mentha Piperita. It has got analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, digestive and tonic properties. Avoid during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Also, avoid undiluted in baths or showers.
This post is meant to be informative only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Please, have a look at this website for more info and recipes. More tips and info here. A recent study - The Lancet, March 2014 - about fluoride toxicity here.
I hope you will find my natural homemade toothpaste recipe useful!