We usually don’t think much about our toothpaste and what it’s made of. Who cares if it’s blue, green, red, or has ingredients that we can’t even pronounce? You should. (The same goes for your deodorant! Make sure you catch my post on how to make an all natural 3 ingredient deodorant that smells delightful and feels non-existent on your skin).

There are several reasons why we should all make our own face lotions, moisturizers, deodorants, and other bodily applicants. But, back to toothpaste, here are just a few reasons why we should all make our own toothpaste not until forever. According to Ask the Dentist:

Why Make Your Own Toothpaste?

Many mainstream brands of toothpastes contain harmful or even toxic ingredients such as:

• Triclosan, a pesticide and hormone disruptor.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) which causes canker sores for many people.
• Artificial colorings linked to ADHD and hyperactivity in children. Toothpaste does not need to be blue!
• Fluoride, which can be toxic if swallowed and doesn’t even work in toothpaste.
• Titanium dioxide, which is added to make a toothpaste white. Most of the data shows it’s safe and is not absorbed by the skin, but I have yet to find a study done to measure absorption by oral tissues. The EWG has a good list of safety concerns around titanium dioxide, but the take-home message: it’s just there to make toothpaste white, not improve your health. So why bother with it?
• Glycerin, which isn’t toxic, but has no place in the mouth as it’s a soap that strips your body’s natural oral mucosa and leaves a film. This film could coat the teeth, messing with the structure of the biofilm which could alter the microbiome in the mouth and impact the natural remineralization process — your body’s natural cavity-fighting mechanism.
• Highly abrasive ingredients, which damage enamel, making teeth sensitive and more prone to gum recession and cavities. Toothpaste should be only a little bit abrasive — this graininess aids the brushing motion to remove the biofilm of the tooth.

Did all that convince you yet? I know nothing when it comes to homemaking such things, so I tested other bloggers’ success and found one that I personally love. From DIY Natural:

Simple Ingredients

• 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1 tsp fine sea salt (optional – direct application of the minerals in sea salt is great for teeth, but can be left out if the taste is too salty)
• 10-15 drops peppermint essential oil (or add your favorite flavor – spearmint, orange, etc.)
• filtered water (add to desired consistency)

The essential oils are a bit pricey, but they will last you a good while. Mine have lasted 8 months thus far, but I only use them for my body lotion, toothpaste, and homemade deodorant. Compare those prices to how often you buy those things from the store, and you are actually saving money.

I hope you feel inspired to change your ways and get on the natural DIY train! It’s time to truly know what we are putting in or on our body. As always, thank you for reading!