Now we move on to toothpaste. I decided not to go into the whys of not using conventional toothpastes simply because I didn't feel like it. Lazy? I know. It's interesting stuff though. You should really look into it. Haha. Seriously though. This is a good resource for more info.
I have been using a homemade toothpaste for about 2 or 3 months now. I cam't quite remember when I first started. I have gone through a total of 3 different recipes and although I like the last recipe I think I will combine the 2nd and 3rd recipes for my next batch. I am going to totally omit the very first recipe I made just because I wasn't at all happy with the taste though I'm sure it would have done a great job cleaning my teeth.
First recipe (which is really the 2nd recipe):
2 Tbsp coconut oil (I suppose it's not necessary but I used extra virgin coconut oil)
3 Tbsp baking soda
1 small packet Stevia powder
20-25 drops of peppermint oil (you can substitute this for spearmint or cinnamon oil)
I actually enjoyed the taste of this one the best but the problem I ran into with it is that I had the mixture in a tupperware like container and because of the coconut oil it would solidify making me have to stir it upon every use. I was concerned about keeping it free from any bacteria so I bought a box of disposable spoons to mix it every time. How wasteful is that? Not to mention just plain inconvenient. I put the mix in a squeeze out bottle but it again would solidify when the temperature in the house dropped making it hard to get out of the bottle. This is what prompted me to try the 2nd (really 3rd) recipe.
Second recipe (which is really the 3rd recipe):
I should say that I made enough of this one to be used my my whole family so you could totally cut the mix in half.
6 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tsp salt
1 pack Stevia powder
3 Tbsp glycerin
40 drops peppermint oil
1 Tbsp distilled water
With this second mix I totally solved the dispensing problem. I sometimes have to shake up the bottle in the morning to amalgamate the mixture, but otherwise it works great. The only problem I did run into with this recipe is with the salt. I felt that it was a bit too salty. My husband also commented that the salt upsets his stomach sometimes. Neither me or my children have had that problem, but I just wanted to include that info.
As soon as we finish this batch I plan to make a differnt recipe that is a blend of the two. I want to include the coconut oil from the first recipe. I think it added an element of flavor not to mention it has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. I also plan to omit the salt in the next batch. I figure that the baking soda is enough of an abrasive anyway.
**Let me also add that I have definitely noticed that my teeth and gums are much more healthy looking and feeling. I have even noticed that my teeth are getting whiter. Although this toothpaste does not taste like the conventional toothpaste it is not bad. You just have to know that you are using it to clean your teeth. It's not breakfast. :) My children quickly commented after only about 4 or 5 days that they were getting used to the toothpaste. By the end of two weeks they were coming to show me how they thought their teeth were getting whiter.
Both of these recipes are simple to make. All you need to do is simply mix the ingredients. There is no need for detailed how-to instructions.
These are all the ingredients I use to make the recipes. Also shown are the bottles (pink and blue) that I used to put the paste into and dispense. You can find them at Walmart for under $1.00.
