Simple Homemade Toothpaste

I worked as a dental hygienist for 15 years. And I have got to tell you, ever since I’ve started using this homemade toothpaste, my teeth have never felt so clean.

I’m going to share with you my toothpaste recipe, but first I’m going to ~~bore~~ load you up with a bunch of information. Why would I do that? Because I think you can handle the truth. And I think knowledge is power (although ignorance is bliss). And I want you to be healthy and to save money!

You may be wondering, “What’s wrong with store bought toothpaste?”

Several of the ingredients are questionable. And some are just not necessary. They are added to make it smooth, or make is sudsy, or make it a pretty color. There is no therapeutic value.

Fluoride is the only active ingredient in toothpaste and it’s the only required ingredient for toothpaste to receive the ADA seal. As a dental hygienist I’m torn on this one. I’ve seen improvement in people’s teeth (less decay and sensitivity) from using prescription strength fluoride at home, and administering it in the office. As an individual that does not like things being forced on me, I think water fluoridation is wrong. And kind of creepy, actually. As an individual that is continually striving to learn and to be healthier, the risks of fluoride being a carcinogen and having negative effects on our neurological health greatly concern me. Ok, enough about that…

Now let’s look at the inactive ingredients in the two top selling brands.

Colgate Total

Hydrated Silica: An abrasive to clean the teeth and give toothpaste a smooth consistency.
Glycerin: A humectant, solvent, and sweetener.
Sorbitol: A sugar substitute that can be used as a laxative, humectant, and thickener.
It may aggravate IBS.
PVM/MA Copolymer (Polyvinyl methyl ether/maleic acid): A binder.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: A foaming agent.
Possibly carcinogenic to humans. May also cause negative effects in the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system.
Cellulose gum: A thickener and emulsifier.
Flavor: (Good luck trying to figure out what they actually use to flavor that flavor.)
Sodium Hydroxide: Another name for lye. Used to neutralize the pH of the other ingredients.
Carrageenan: A thickener and stabilizer.
It has been linked to inflammation, gut irritation, and cancer.
Propylene Glycol: A humectant, solvent, and preservative.
May be linked to allergic reactions in patients with eczema and other skin allergies.
Sodium Saccharin: An artificial sweetener. At one time it was thought to be carcinogenic, but further studies have disproven this.
It may, however, cause allergic reactions, increase risk for developing diabetes, and contribute to weight gain.
Titanium Dioxide: A whitener used to prevent discoloration.
Is a possible carcinogen and can be harmful to the brain.

Crest ProHealth Inactive Ingredients

Glycerin: same as above
Hydrated Silica: same as above
Sodium Hexametaphosphate: A corrosion inhibitor.
Has been shown to cause skin irritations.
Propylene Glycol: same as above
PEG 6: A binder and humectant.
Has not shown to be carcinogenic in of itself. The problem is that it makes other questionable ingredients more easily absorbed into the body.
Zinc Lactate: Used to prevent plaque formation and gingivitis.
Trisodium Phosphate: A chemical found in cleaning products.
(I guess if your teeth are really dirty…? All these chemicals are getting old.)
Flavor: same as above
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: same as above.
Sodium Gluconate: Used as a stabilizer when cleaning metals.
(Good grief. This is maddening. Are you still with me?)
Carrageenan: same as above
Sodium Saccharin: same as above
Polyethylene: Plastic. Just plain old plastic.
(Why?? I’m so angry. I don’t want to finish.)
Xanthan Gum: A thickener and emulsifier.
Mica: Used as an abrasive.
(This mineral is also used when filling cracks in drywall. I’m becoming delirious now.)
Titanium Dioxide: same as above
Blue 1: (Because what’s one more chemical?)

Were you able to follow along? Are you angry? Depressed? Don’t really care, because you really like the taste of that blue plastic toothpaste?

Now let me talk about the ingredients I use in this simple homemade toothpaste.

Coconut oil: Prohibits growth of bacteria.
Baking soda: Mild abrasive.
Essential oil: I prefer to use peppermint. For the children I use spearmint since it is safe for them. (Please do research on what essential oils you use!)
Xylitol: This is a wonderful natural sweetener. I use this in the children’s toothpaste to make it sweeter. Here’s my simple-dental-hygienist way of explaining sugar, cavities, and xylitol:

The bacteria in your mouth eat the same sugars you do. Then they metabolize it, meaning they poop. This bacteria by-product is an acid that can burn a hole in your tooth. This is a cavity. But when the bacteria eats the xylitol, they can’t metabolize it. They get constipated. And then they die. Yay!