The title says it all!  I haven’t used any other toothpaste besides this homemade version I’m sharing with you in over five years.  (That’s around the time Matt and I decided we were ready to start a family.   I wanted to have a clean and healthy body, so the search for all things natural began then and there. That’s why many of the posts I write about have that magic number in the timeline somewhere, in case anybody is wondering what the heck is so magical about “five or so years ago”! Ha, ha!.)

I guess that cavity bit in the title may be an exaggeration, as I did have my first cavity last year.  But I’m an old lady, so it was probably bound to happen at some time or another anyway – regardless of what toothpaste I was using.

I’m telling you, though, even when I go on vacation, I make myself a little bit of this stuff just to get me by.  Fluoride just isn’t my thing, I guess you could say.  I like to keep things simple and as chemical-free as possible.   I also really like being able to replenish supply without running to the store. And you know by now that if there’s a way I can make it, I’m all over that, too!

The kids have also used this toothpaste from the beginning, so they don’t know any different.  In fact, since A.S. has never had minty ‘paste, when I first started flossing her teeth, she was going on and on about how weird it was that the floss tasted and smelled like her signature mint tea that she orders when she goes to Starbucks with Daddy.  She’s a funny little lady – and smart, too!

I am confident that I am getting my teeth and the kids’ teeth clean with this recipe, but the real feedback comes from the professionals.

Every time I go to the dentist for a cleaning, I refuse the usual toothpaste and get a non-fluoride polish instead.  They ask me what I am doing for my dental care.  I explain and they examine.  My hygienist and dentist both go on and on about how they can’t believe how clean my teeth and gums are and that I should keep doing what I’m doing, whatever that is.

Last month A.S. went in for her checkup.  Same thing.  This was a new hygienist I have never had before.  She was astonished at the condition of A.S.’s teeth and asked for specific details about our dental routine.  I told her; and she said, whatever it is, keep doing it.

So now that I’m getting such great feedback from my gut and my dentist, I think it’s time to share with other possibly adventurous toothpaste artisans.  Please keep in mind that I’m not a professional in the dental word, just a natural-solution-loving mom who likes to get crafty in any possible medium I can – even if it’s just plain old toothpaste.

The two main ingredients in this toothpaste are two things that I always, always, always have in the house.   Coconut oil and baking soda.  That’s it.  You can add peppermint oil if you want to, but it’s totally not necessary. (Though it can make the transition period from commercial toothpaste to homemade less noticeable if you are accustomed to the “minty” aspect of dental care.)

Let’s get to it.

You’ll need the following:

4 tablespoons coconut oil*

2 tablespoons baking soda*

a spoon

a small mixing bowl

a plastic/glass container to store your toothpaste once it’s made

(*These links are to sizes that I buy, as I use these products for everything in our house.  You will do fine to purchase smaller sizes, as this recipe calls for very little of the listed ingredients.)

Step 1.  Measure out your coconut oil and baking soda and place into your mixing bowl.

Step 2.  Start to mix.   (It will be very chunky at first.  Just keep on mixing.)

As you mix, the coconut oil and baking soda start to combine with each other.  Your mixture will become smoother and smoother the longer you mix.  Just mix until you have a consistency that you like.

Step 3.  Transfer your thoroughly mixed paste to your storage container of choice.

Step 4. Plop on your dry toothbrush (you don’t want to rinse your brush first and get extra moisture in with your toothpaste) and brush with gentle pressure.   (Baking soda is abrasive, so a little goes a long way.  You will find you don’t need to press very hard at all to get the cleaning action you desire!)

If you try it, let me know how you (and your dentist!) like it!

To your dental health, naturally!

C