How to Make Your Own Toothpaste

One of the widely used FMCG products, toothpastes are now available in many different types. However, the recent controversies with regard to the presence of certain chemicals in toothpastes have generated an increasing interest in natural and homemade oral hygiene products. Homemade natural toothpastes are free of chemicals and are also less expensive than the commercial ones. So, if you are searching for some homemade toothpaste recipes, then, scroll down.

Making Toothpaste at Home

Most of us are familiar with commercial toothpastes only. But, did you know that modern toothpaste came into general use only during the nineteenth century. Before that, various crude forms of toothpaste were used in different parts of the world. In fact, the origin of toothpaste is traced back to the ancient Egyptians. It is said that those people used to prepare toothpaste with burned egg shells, powdered ash of oxen hooves combined with myrrh and water. Even the ancient Indians and Chinese are said to have used various natural products for maintaining oral hygiene. Neem sticks, miswak (twigs of Salvadora persica tree), burned rice bran, salt, cloves, peppercorns, etc, are some of them. Even today, some people stick to such methods for oral hygiene. With the advent of commercial toothpastes, many are unaware of the fact that toothpastes can be replaced with natural products. In fact, you may prepare some homemade toothpaste with some easily available materials.

Ingredients

As per this recipe, you need baking soda, which is said to be useful for whitening teeth. Other ingredients include sea salt, myrrh powder and peppermint essential oil. While sea salt is claimed to be beneficial for tightening gums and polishing teeth, myrrh helps in fighting germs and peppermint oil is good for imparting a refreshing feel and for curbing bad breath. You need half cup of baking soda, ¼ cup fine sea salt, 8 to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and a teaspoon of myrrh powder.

Preparation Method

All you have to do is to combine the ingredients and store the mixture in a container with a tight lid. Take a small amount of this powder and dip the wet toothbrush in it, for brushing the teeth. You may also mix some powder with little bit of water, so that the mixture has a creamy consistency and is not runny. You may avoid using myrrh in this recipe and may replace peppermint essential oil with clove oil, lemon oil, fennel oil or cinnamon oil.

Other Homemade Toothpaste Recipes

• Combine three parts baking soda with one part table salt. Add water and glycerin to make it a thick paste. Make sure that for every ¼ cup of baking soda-salt mixture, you are using three tablespoons of glycerin only. You may enhance the flavor of this toothpaste with essential oils (few drops) like, peppermint, clove or cinnamon. Store the paste in a container with tight lid.
• Another method is to use arrowroot and orris root powder for making toothpaste. Combine a cup each of powdered orris root and arrowroot. Add ¼ teaspoon each of peppermint and spearmint oil along with a teaspoon of ground sage to this mixture. Mix well and add enough water to make a thick paste. Your toothpaste is ready to use.
• One of the easy and simple methods to make toothpaste at home is to mix ¼ teaspoon each of salt and baking soda with equal amount (¼ teaspoon) of ground coriander, ground cinnamon, ground sage and crushed black sesame seeds. You may mix a few drops of glycerin to a small amount of this tooth powder, before use. Otherwise, dip a wet toothbrush into a small amount of this mixture, before brushing.
• Kaolin clay is another natural product that is said to be good for teeth whitening. You may use equal amounts of kaolin clay, baking soda and fine sea salt for making toothpaste. Mix them well before adding a teaspoon of ground sage and a few drops of peppermint or spearmint essential oil. Mix well and store in a container. Use a small amount of this powder with damp toothbrush.

So, now you have a fair understanding about how to make your own toothpaste at home. You may try any of the above said recipes for preparing the same. So, apart from helping you in getting rid of the chemical components in commercial toothpastes, homemade ones are healthy as well as cheaper. It will be better to use organic products for preparing homemade toothpaste. Make sure to avoid those, which are allergic for you.