UPDATE 2016: Funny to see all the transitions I made.  I now just use dry bicarb as a toothpowder.  I sometimes add just a few drops of peppermint, spearmint or tea tree essential oil to my jar then give it a shake. Less time wasted buying and mixing up different ingredients.

UPDATED 26 September 2015

So after Lauren shared a link to a toothpaste recipe with bentonite clay by Don’t Waste The Crumbs, I tweaked my recipe and I think I’ve nailed it – to my taste anyway. So many recipes out there – you just need to find what suits you.

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I am now on my third batch of home made toothpaste, and I have been tweaking the recipe slightly as I go. It is based on the first recipe I tried from Trash is for Tossers, but I have added xylitol. I had some xylitol left in the cupboard from a short lived stint on the banting lifestyle and I need to use it up. Some people just use dry bicarb to brush their teeth, but I am not a fan of that consistency.

ORIGINAL RECIPE

Mix together the following in a jar.

3 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon xylitol
6 tablespoons coconut oil
approx 30 drops of peppermint essential oil (to your taste)UPDATED RECIPE

Mix together the following in a jar.

4 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda
1.5 tablespoon bentonite clay
1 tablespoon xylitol
5 tablespoons coconut oil (if you are in a hot climate – reduce this to suit otherwise it is very liquid)
approx 5 drops of tea tree oil.
approx 30 drops of peppermint essential oil (to your taste – also try lemon or orange?)

As you will know, coconut oil becomes liquid when warm, so if you are in a cold climate, this will set quite hard.  You can see the first recipe is very liquid as I had the jar in the sun.  The second recipe is more stiff as there was more powder to oil, but I had placed it in the fridge. Keep it on window sill, in the cupboard or fridge depending on how you prefer the consistency.

I love it! I used commercial toothpaste a while ago and hated it. I also use activated charcoal to help with teeth whitening – a messy and slightly frightening experience – but it works.You can read more about this on the Wellness Mama blog.

Next on the list is a herbal mouthwash I have just found a recipe for.