Most brands of toothpaste contain unnatural ingredients that are bad for you. Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a common ingredient in toothpaste, for example, is a known irritant and pesticide. Glycerin leaves a coating on your teeth that prevents them from being remineralized. There are also artificial colors and flavors, GMO ingredients, and fluoride, which can be toxic in large doses.
Toothpaste companies in the United States are even required to include a warning label that if the toothpaste is accidentally swallowed, you must call a doctor or Poison Control Center. Can you believe it? You are putting something that is poison into your mouth every day! Blech!
Luckily, there are many all-natural, cost-friendly options out there. If you’re looking to buy one, a bentonite clay-based toothpaste is great. It works on tooth stains. It leaves you with a minty clean feeling, it’s naturally anti-bacterial, and in a pinch, you can use it as an overnight spot treatment on your face, too 😉 .
Bentonite clay is an effective and powerful healing clay, made of aged volcanic ash. The name comes from the largest known deposit of the clay in Fort Benton, Wyoming. What’s interesting about bentonite clay is that it can absorb and remove toxins, heavy metals, impurities, and chemicals. Because of this, bentonite is used for all sorts of skin and allergy issues, burns, bites, and cuts, stomach problems, detoxification, recovery, and healing.
The most eco-friendly, inexpensive and safest way is to make your own toothpaste at home.
Bentonite clay is the heavy hitter in this homemade toothpaste recipe and will whiten, alkalize, and remineralize your teeth in no time – without the use of icky, unnatural ingredients.
Ingredients:
Bentonite clay powder
Filtered water
Tea tree essential oil
Peppermint essential oil
Fine sea salt
Be attentive about the amounts of essential oils. For further instructions read our guide on using essential oils here.
Directions:
Combine 2 tbsp of bentonite clay and 3 tbsp of water in a non-metal bowl and mix well using a non-metal spoon.
Important Note: The clay should never come into contact with any metals! So use only plastic, wood, or glass materials. Add 4-5 drops of tea tree oil, 10-15 drops of peppermint oil, and a pinch of salt, then mix well.
Remember to taste the finished product (it’s 100% natural and edible) and add more oils, water, or liquid stevia or xylitol for flavor and consistency. If you decide to make adjustments, put liquids in one drop at a time and solids in a 1/2 tbsp at a time. Store your new homemade toothpaste in a small container or jar with a lid! It should keep pretty well in a medicine cabinet or on a bathroom counter. If it starts drying out, just mix in a bit more water.
Have you already made your own toothpaste at home? Tell us what kind of natural ingredients you use, in the comments below.
