Ditch the store-bought stuff—let’s talk DIY toothpaste. Ever flipped over your toothpaste tube and wondered what half those ingredients even are? Sulfates, parabens, artificial sweeteners, and who knows what else? The good news? You don’t need them!
Creating your own toothpaste is easier than you think—and it’s all-natural, budget-friendly, and totally customisable to your needs. And, most important of all: IT WORKS!
Homemade toothpaste was the very first product I ever created, and it led me down this incredible path of natural and holistic health & beauty. And it all started due to an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the conventional toothpaste I was using back then.
Switching to a natural toothpaste was an absolute game changer for me, and I hope it will be for you too!
If you like to dive deeper into Holistic Oral Care, check out my Holistic Oral Care Guide here on my blog. Or grab my Holistic Oral Care eBook! It’s packed with expert tips, DIY recipes, and everything you need for a naturally healthy smile—fluoride-free, toxin-free, and totally effective!
Whether you’re looking for a fluoride-free toothpaste option, a soothing blend for sensitive teeth, or just want to ditch the chemicals, this guide has you covered.
Contents
I’ll walk you through the benefits, the best ingredients to use, and simple, effective DIY recipes to keep your smile naturally fresh and clean!
I’ll also answer common questions and give you plenty of tips all throughout this guide! So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Why Ditch Store-Bought Toothpaste?
- 💸 Save money: More affordable in the long run
- Eco-friendly (zero waste!) ♻️
- 🐰 Cruelty-free
- Customisable for your needs 🎨
- 🚫 Free from harmful chemicals
1.) You save money!
The ingredients for DIY toothpaste are generally extremely cheap particularly if you buy in bulk.
When making your own toothpaste, you’re only paying for the ingredients and not, like the industry does, for your employees, marketing, packaging, etc.
Well, maybe once you have to invest in a little jar. But you could simply avoid that and reuse a small jam jar for example ;).
2.) Eco-friendly: Zero Waste!
Let’s talk rubbish: packaging! The awesome thing about homemade toothpaste is that you automatically reduce unnecessary waste (especially plastic)! Say goodbye to your plastic toothpaste tube!
You can find many of the ingredients which I will discuss later on in this article, in bulk shops (depending on their stock) or they often come in environmentally-friendly packaging like cardboard boxes, paper bags or glass!
3.) Cruelty-free: No Bunnies Are Harmed!
I don’t need to explain this part, do I? No cute, little animals have to suffer when you consider making your own toothpaste! It’s also always a good idea to only buy products/ingredients that are ethically sourced and preferably organic to avoid any chemical residue.
4.) Customisable to Your Needs
It is 100 % up to you and your needs what you want to put into your own toothpaste! You’re the boss—you decide! I’ll provide a comprehensive ingredients list later in this guide from which you can choose.
5.) Free From Harmful Chemicals!
Here, I’d like to go into more detail because I think this is the most important reason why you should consider making your own natural toothpaste.
Chemicals And Hidden Toxins in Commercial Toothpaste
We can find all sorts of chemicals in conventional toothpaste. The numbers and kinds of toxins will differ from country to country, but the most common ones are:
- sodium laureth sulphate (SLS) as well as sodium lauryl sulphate (used as foaming agent).
- triclosan (a pesticide added as an antibacterial agent).
- parabens (chemical preservatives).
- propylene glycol (a synthetic chemical compound used as surfactant).
- fluoride (to prevent cavities by remineralising the enamel, not a chemical, we’ll discuss this one now).
This is only a small list of chemicals. There are a few more that you could add, I’m sure! But to keep it short: you should avoid every single one of them. Period!
What about fluoride in toothpaste, is it good or bad?
The opinions differ here from expert to expert! Some of them will tell you that fluoride is the one and only thing to not only prevent cavities but also to remineralise your teeth. The others will tell you the opposite.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is scientifically proven to be very beneficial for our teeth. The amounts added to conventional toothpastes are safe to consume and not poisonous—according to modern research.
Being exposed to fluoride in your toothpaste is one thing. The other is that our drinking water is additionally treated with fluoride, leading to a potential over-exposure. This may or may not affect you, but let me quickly tell you my story, of why I switched to fluoride-free toothpaste.
Why I chose to ditch fluoride
Years ago, I suffered from perioral dermatitis—an inflammatory rash around the mouth. I noticed that when I brushed my teeth, my rash would get worse straight afterwards. After an extensive online search, I found the culprit: fluoride!
I immediately swapped my toothpaste with a fluoride-free alternative and the rash disappeared—and never came back! The Takeaway: fluoride isn’t good for me. And have I noticed any negative effects from ditching fluoride: Absolutely NOT!
Natural alternatives for fluoride
Most of the ingredients that you’ll find later in this guide are antibacterial, strengthen the enamel and help fight cavities. Particularly, xylitol (for cavities) and bentonite clay (remineralisation) are, in my opinion, the best natural alternatives for fluoride!
How DIY Toothpaste Supports Holistic Oral Health
Your oral health is deeply interconnected with your overall health. Herbal remedies and simple DIY recipes offer safe, effective alternatives to conventional oral care. They:
- Support a balanced oral microbiome (the delicate balance of good and bad bacteria in your mouth).
- Strengthen your teeth naturally through remineralisation.
- Promote fresh breath without artificial additives.
- Avoid toxic chemicals that can disrupt your body’s natural healing processes.
The holistic approach to oral health takes a different path to conventional medicine. Instead of just addressing the symptoms, we ask: Why did this issue develop? Or, how can we restore balance and support natural healing?
By focusing on root causes rather than just quick fixes, holistic oral care encourages true, lasting health. If you want to dive deeper into healing your teeth & gums the holistic way, check out my Holistic Oral Care eBook!
Best Natural Ingredients for DIY Toothpaste
Affiliate Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission, if you purchase the linked product, at no extra cost for you.
Remineralising & Strengthening Ingredients
Antibacterial & Healing Ingredients:
- Coconut oil, sesame oil, olive oil
- Xylitol
- Essential oils (peppermint, tea tree, clove, etc.)
- Ground Herbs & Spices (sage, moringa, neem, cinnamon, turmeric)
- Salt
Cleansing & Whitening Agents:
- Activated charcoal
- Turmeric
- Baking soda
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay (affiliate link) is an absorbent, sedimentary, and nutrient-rich clay that is usually formed from volcanic ashes. Due to its electromagnetic ionic charge, it has the ability to cleanse and detox.
Used in DIY toothpaste, the ions in Bentonite clay act as a magnet and absorb and bind everything "bad" (like metals and toxins) in your mouth.
Loaded with minerals like Calcium, Magnesium, Silica, Sodium, Copper, Iron and Potassium, Bentonite clay may help to remineralise your teeth.
If you're keen to try out this amazing ingredient in your toothpaste, head over to this DIY bentonite clay toothpaste recipe.
Alternatives for bentonite clay in your homemade toothpaste: Most kinds of mineral clay will work instead—as long as they are food-grade. I love Kaolin clay!
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate (affiliate link) is a natural source of calcium, which can support remineralisation and strengthen teeth. It also acts as a mild polishing agent, helping to remove plaque and surface stains.
Word of caution: Calcium carbonate is a little abrasive and can contribute to enamel wear if used in large amounts or with excessive brushing force. Don’t use more than the recommended amount (see recipe below).
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth (affiliate link) is a mild abrasive that helps remove plaque and stains while providing silica to strengthen enamel. It helps with remineralising your teeth.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil (affiliate link) is my favourite oil to use in toothpaste. It is known to reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth and plaque buildup, fight gingivitis (and even gum disease), and thus prevent tooth decay.
The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil have anti-microbial properties that attack harmful microorganisms (like bacteria). When brushing your teeth with coconut oil you’re adding a natural antibiotic to your oral care routine!
The only downside about coconut oil is that it turns liquid at 24°C/76°F (or turns solid below this temperature).
If you want to create a natural toothpaste for a tube, this might be annoying because you need it to be liquid all the time. In this case, you probably want to use fractionated coconut oil (affiliate link).
It stays liquid, even in the cold, because the long-chain fatty acids were removed leaving only the medium-chain fatty acids behind – the ones we need.
Alternatives: Virgin olive oil and cold-pressed sesame (especially black sesame oil) are great alternatives for your toothpaste!
Xylitol
Xylitol (affiliate link) is a natural, sugar-free sweetener derived from birch trees. Although it’s sweet it actually does not cause cavities but reduces them!
It prevents these bacteria from growing and multiply in your mouth. Over time, the number of decay-causing bacteria reduces so much that fewer plaque forms, thus fewer cavities. So, it doesn’t only sweeten your toothpaste, it also promotes healthy teeth!
I always grind xylitol into a fine powder using a high-speed blender before adding it to my toothpaste. This makes it easier to mix in.
Essential Oils
Due to their cleansing and soothing properties, essential oils make an excellent choice for clean, healthy teeth and gum! As they are very powerful, highly concentrated natural ingredients, you only need a few drops to benefit from them.
Always make sure to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil. There are some stronger oils (like clove and cinnamon) that will definitely need to be diluted before use.
There is quite a range of essential oils with cleansing and/or soothing properties that are great for oral care and hygiene. These ones are my favourites (affiliate links):
- Peppermint – Freshens breath and has antibacterial properties.
- Cinnamon – Anti-inflammatory properties, supports healthy gums and freshens breath.
- Clove – Helps with toothaches, fights bacteria, and promotes gum health.
- Lemon – Natural antiseptic and antibacterial, helps break down plaque, freshens breath, and stimulates saliva production. Note: there’s no citric acid in lemon oil and it’s safe to use on teeth.
- Turmeric – Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, supports healing in the mouth and whitens teeth.
- Spearmint – Similar to peppermint but milder making it great for kids toothpaste.
- Tea Tree – A powerful antimicrobial. It helps combat bad breath, reduce gum inflammation, and prevent infections.
I love using peppermint oil but clove and cinnamon are definitely my second choice! They are anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory and clove particularly also helps with bad breath.
Clove and Cinnamon are both considered strong oils, so you have to be careful with the dosage. A few drops will be enough! I find 5 drops to be plenty!
Love the smell and taste of cinnamon (and clove)? How about this homemade cinnamon toothpaste?
Ground Herbs & Spices
Ground herbs and spices offer an effective alternative to essential oils. Especially, if you want to make a DIY tooth powder, I recommend using them over essential oils! These are my favourites (affiliate links):
- Peppermint – Refreshes breath and has antimicrobial properties.
- Sage – Reduces inflammation, strengthens gums, and has antibacterial effects.
- Moringa – Packed with minerals and antioxidants that support overall oral health.
- Neem – A powerful antibacterial herb that helps fight plaque, cavities, and gum disease.
- Turmeric – Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, helping to soothe gums and reduce plaque buildup. Anecdotally known to whiten teeth.
- Cinnamon – Antimicrobial and antifungal, it helps fight bacteria that cause bad breath and decay.
- Clove – A natural analgesic and antiseptic, it helps relieve tooth pain and prevent infections.
If you feel like trying out moringa for your homemade toothpaste, try this DIY Green Toothpaste with Moringa!
Sea or Rock Salt
Salt has been used for centuries, in traditional medicine, to treat several diseases and was used as an anti-inflammatory. Adding salt to your homemade toothpaste is also contributing to fighting cavities.
Salt will temporarily increase the pH balance of your mouth which creates an alkaline environment. Bacteria can not survive in it so it makes it difficult for them to breed.
Salt water is also a natural antibacterial home remedy for toothache. It cleanses our teeth and gums and will prevent swelling if you have a sore tooth or gums. Here is a DIY herbal mouthwash that uses salt water as a base.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal (affiliate link) – just like bentonite clay – inhabits toxin-absorbing properties. Furthermore, it’s anecdotally known for having a teeth-whitening effect because it removes plaque and other buildups on your choppers.
The only negative thing: it stains and is messy! When you’re using activated charcoal in your toothpaste, be aware not to spill anything on your clothes while brushing your teeth with it…
Wanna try out this ingredient in your toothpaste, here's my Teeth-whitening Activated Charcoal DIY Toothpaste Recipe.
Turmeric
I love using turmeric! It has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties which we learned are very beneficial in your toothpaste. Beside that, it also has the ability to whiten!
Apparently, there are no studies, if turmeric whitens your teeth. It's rather anecdotally known. All I can tell you is: yes, it works! For me, it does.
My teeth have never really been yellow yellow and always had a natural white tone but they have definitely become whiter ever since I’ve been putting turmeric in my toothpaste.
If you feel like trying out turmeric in your homemade toothpaste, try this recipe!
Bicarb/Baking Soda
I make my DIY toothpaste without baking soda because it has a relatively high abrasive index, which can wear down enamel if used excessively or in high concentrations. Over time, this could lead to increased tooth sensitivity and enamel erosion.
Despite its abrasiveness, however, baking soda is highly effective at neutralising acids, helping to balance the mouth’s pH and preventing cavity formation. It also has mild antibacterial properties and helps gently remove surface stains, making it a popular choice for natural whitening.
It’s your choice whether you want to add it to your DIY toothpaste. If you do, I recommend not using more than 1-2 teaspoons in the recipes below.
How to Make DIY Toothpaste (3 Easy Recipes!)
- The best DIY Toothpaste: Clay-Based Remineralising Toothpaste: Great for those with sensitive teeth!
- Antibacterial Cinnamon Toothpaste: The antibacterial boost!
- Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste: Your Natural teeth-whitening alternative!
The recipes below show you, how easy it is to make your own toothpaste at home.
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- 1 60ml/2oz. glass jar (preferably amber)
Ingredients
1. The Best DIY Remineralising Toothpaste
- 4 tablespoon bentonite clay food-grade, about 60 g
- 1 tablespoon xylitol
- 1 tablespoon calcium carbonate optional
- 3-4 tablespoon coconut oil melted, about 50 g when solid
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
2. Antibacterial Cinnamon Toothpaste
- 4 tablespoon bentonite clay or kaolin clay, food-grade, about 60 g
- 1 tablespoon xylitol
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3-4 tablespoon coconut oil or sesame or olive oil
- 5 drops cinnamon essential oil
3. Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste
- 4 tablespoon bentonite clay or kaolin clay, food-grade, about 60 g
- 1 tablespoon xylitol
- ½ teaspoon activated charcoal
- 3–4 tablespoon coconut oil or sesame or olive oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the dry ingredients first, then add the oils.
- Stir into a smooth paste, adding more oil if needed.
- Store in a sealed, clean jar, ideally out of direct sunlight.
Notes
- It’s recommended to avoid using metal when handling clay and activated charcoal, as it may disrupt their natural electric charge, potentially reducing their effectiveness.
- I always grind xylitol into a fine powder using a high-speed blender before adding it to my toothpaste. This makes it easier to mix in.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
"My toothpaste is too runny!"
If your toothpaste is too runny, you can always add more clay to absorb the oil. In case you used coconut oil, keep in mind that it most likely hardens again once completely cooled, thus firming up your toothpaste.
In the future, add the oil tablespoon by tablespoon. This way you control the texture of your toothpaste.
"It tastes weird!"
Clay and certain herbs can sometimes make your natural toothpaste taste weird, or earthy. My solution: add xylitol. Its sweetness usually balances any weird tastes. Or add essential oils!
"How long does homemade toothpaste last?"
I always recommend making small amounts—like in the recipes mentioned above: 60 ml / 2 oz. This will last you for 1-2 months (see ‘Storage’ for more information below).
Generally, the shelf life of this homemade toothpaste is fairly long because my toothpaste recipes are oil-based (one of the reasons I don’t use water!). As long as the ingredients you’re using are not out of date (or soon to be), your toothpaste should last you somewhere between 9-12 months.
FAQs About DIY Toothpaste
Yes, homemade toothpaste is safe for kids, however, only if you keep these things in mind.
One, kids like to eat their toothpaste or may accidentally swallow it. For this reason, I recommend making a simple coconut oil toothpaste with 3-4 tablespoons of coconut oil and 1-2 tablespoons of xylitol.
Two, be careful with essential oils. Don’t use more than a 0.5 % dilution! Spearmint essential oil is great for kids because it’s milder than peppermint. For younger kids, peppermint leaf powder (ground herb) might be the better option.
You absolutely can. You can use this DIY toothpaste up to three times daily if you wish.
The answer is YES! The natural ingredients on my list are all just as effective, if not more beneficial, for your oral care than conventional ingredients!
Just keep in mind, though. Your DIY toothpaste is not a magical cure or remedy and only helps you avoid cavities, just as much as commercial products do. Your oral care routine, your DNA, your diet & stress levels—all of these play an important role in it as well.
Yes, it will work without fluoride. Most of the ingredients listed here are antibacterial, strengthen the enamel and help fight cavities. Particularly, xylitol (for cavities) and bentonite clay (remineralisation) are, in my opinion, the best natural alternatives for fluoride!
My favourite combination is simply coconut oil, bentonite clay and essential oils. But there are so many more ingredients you can use!
Other than that, you’ll need a bowl, a spoon and/or spatula and a small jar or container. Just keep in mind, that it’s better to not use any metal when mixing your toothpaste as it might affect some ingredients (like bentonite clay).
Storage
I use a small amber glass jar with a plastic lid or a small plastic container that can hold around 60 ml / 2 oz. I prefer a tinted container because it additionally protects the ingredients from direct sunlight.
You can keep your DIY toothpaste in your bathroom cabinet, on a shelf or even on the sink, if you’ve got the room. It doesn’t need to be chilled!
Your toothpaste will last you for somewhere between 9-12 months, however, as my recipes are designed for small amounts, you should finish it within 1-2 months.
Final Thoughts
With homemade toothpaste, you’re in control—no mystery ingredients, no unnecessary chemicals, just pure, natural goodness customisable to your needs.
Whether you’re after a refreshing burst of peppermint, a gentle formula for sensitive teeth, or a remineralising boost, the possibilities are endless. So, have fun experimenting, mix and match, and find the perfect blend for you!
Want to dive even deeper into holistic oral care? Read on and check out my Holistic Oral Care Guide here on my blog. If you want to dive even deeper, my “Holistic Oral Care eBook” has everything you need—DIY recipes, expert tips, and natural solutions for a healthy, radiant smile.
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