QUICK SUMMARY
There are many kinds of all-natural toothpaste on the market, but they can quickly put a dent in your wallet. This homemade toothpaste recipe with essential oils freshens your mouth, supports a clean oral environment, and helps you avoid unnecessary synthetic ingredients in your daily routine.
Oral health is part of whole-body health. Gum disease, oral bacteria, plaque buildup, inflammation, and daily hygiene habits can affect more than your teeth and breath. Research links periodontal disease with cardiovascular risk, and studies continue to explore how the oral microbiome influences vascular health and systemic inflammation.
This DIY tooth powder uses bentonite clay, baking soda, Himalayan salt, stevia, and essential oils. Use it as a tooth powder or turn it into a toothpaste with purified water and coconut oil. For the best results, pair it with brushing, flossing, oil pulling, regular dental visits, mineral-rich nutrition, and a low-tox lifestyle.
There are many kinds of all-natural toothpaste on the market, but they can quickly put a dent in your wallet! My Homemade Toothpaste Recipe with Essential Oils freshens your mouth without the toxins. Our family loves using this tooth powder to create a healthy, clean mouth.
This recipe contains bentonite clay, which is excellent for helping cleanse the mouth. Don’t worry; when sweetened with stevia and flavored with essential oils, this toothpaste tastes great!
Here’s the thing: what you put in your mouth matters. Oral care products touch delicate tissue, and small amounts can be swallowed, especially by children. That’s why I like simple ingredients I can recognize, pure essential oils used wisely, and glass storage whenever possible.
This is biblical health in action. We steward the body God gave us by paying attention to the small daily habits that add up over time. Brushing your teeth may seem simple, but it is one of those faithful little choices that can bless your health for years.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Oral Health
Oral health is an integral part of abundant living, and this small area can impact your entire body. Oral health goes way beyond cavities and halitosis!
Problems in the mouth can influence whole-body wellness because the mouth is home to bacteria, blood vessels, soft tissue, and an active immune environment. Gum disease is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, and the American Heart Association has described several possible pathways, including bacteremia, vascular infection, and systemic inflammation. (1)
There’s even a link between bacteria in the mouth and thickened arteries. The Oral Infections and Vascular Disease Epidemiology Study investigated the relationship between periodontal microbiota and carotid intima-media thickness, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. (2)
Put simply, your mouth is not separate from the rest of your body. A healthy mouth supports a healthier body, and a toxic, inflamed, neglected mouth can add stress to the system.
Sadly, many people are exposed to disease-promoting dental procedures because they don’t prioritize their oral health. You can easily avoid many of these interventions with a bit of preventative care. While there are many fancy techniques, it’s important to remember the basics.
Brush your teeth– You should brush your teeth after each meal when practical, and at least twice daily. Don’t rush through this process! Take your time to ensure that leftover food particles are gone. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes. (3)
Floss regularly– Flossing helps eliminate stubborn pieces of food from the crevices of your teeth. It also stimulates your gums, decreasing your risk of gum disease. I recommend flossing at night when you’ve finished eating.
Oil pulling – Have you ever tried oil pulling? It’s one of the most powerful natural tools for oral health you can add to your routine. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis found that oil pulling may help reduce salivary bacterial count compared with control groups, though it should be used along with brushing and flossing, not instead of them. (4) Learn how to start oil pulling today.
Go to the dentist– Did you know there are holistic dentists? These dentists combine conventional treatments with natural options. They are more likely to have alternatives to harmful procedures, like mercury fillings. Don’t skip your dentist appointments!
Use essential oils for oral health – Some essential oils are proven to help support good oral hygiene. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis found that essential oil mouthwash, with or without alcohol, can improve parameters of plaque and gingivitis. (5) These are the EOs you can tap into most for homemade oral products like this toothpaste recipe or a mouthwash DIY.
Do Homemade Toothpaste Recipes Work?
Homemade toothpaste can work well as part of a clean oral care routine when it helps you brush consistently, freshen breath, remove food debris, and avoid ingredients you don’t want in your mouth. The goal is not to make a harsh scrub. The goal is to support a clean, balanced oral environment.
This recipe is technically a tooth powder that can be turned into a paste. Tooth powders are simple, budget-friendly, and easy to customize with different essential oil combinations. They are also a great option for families who want to reduce synthetic fragrance, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, foaming agents, and questionable preservatives.
Reality check: no toothpaste recipe can overcome a high-sugar diet, poor brushing habits, dehydration, chronic mouth breathing, mineral depletion, or skipped dental care. Cavities and gum disease are multifactorial. That means your oral health routine should include daily brushing, flossing, oil pulling if desired, mineral-rich nutrition, clean water, and regular dental checkups.
If you are cavity-prone, have braces, use retainers, have dry mouth, are pregnant, have gum disease, or are trying to reverse active dental problems, work with a qualified dentist. Many natural-minded families who avoid fluoride also ask their dentist about hydroxyapatite toothpaste. An updated 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found clinical evidence that hydroxyapatite can help prevent dental caries without fluoride. (14)
That doesn’t mean you have to choose fear-based oral care. It means you can make wise, informed choices for your family.
3 Harmful Ingredients in Toothpaste
In my opinion, we need to take extra caution with our oral health products since we end up consuming small amounts of them. Sadly, many store-bought products are full of ingredients I prefer to avoid. Here are just a few of the chemicals you can find in many tubes of toothpaste.
1. Fluoride
Fluoride is found in many oral care products and in many community water supplies. Conventional dentistry uses fluoride because it helps prevent tooth decay, and that is the mainstream dental position.
Our family still chooses fluoride-free oral care because fluoride is biologically active, overexposure is real, and children can swallow flavored toothpaste easily. The National Toxicology Program’s 2024 monograph concluded, with moderate confidence, that higher fluoride exposure, such as drinking water containing more than 1.5 mg/L fluoride, is associated with lower IQ in children. The NTP also stated that its review evaluated total fluoride exposure from all sources and was not designed to evaluate fluoridated drinking water alone. (6)
Consuming too much fluoride can also lead to fluoride overdose symptoms. MedlinePlus notes that swallowing a large amount of toothpaste containing fluoride can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, slow heart rate, tremors, weakness, and other serious effects. (7)
If you have little ones in your home, this is particularly important! Store-bought toothpaste tubes have kid-friendly flavors that lead to little ones using too much or trying to eat it. That is one reason we choose simple, fluoride-free options and supervise children while brushing.
2. Aspartame
You wouldn’t dream of brushing your teeth with sugar, so some companies use artificial sweeteners to make toothpaste taste good. Aspartame is one of the best-known artificial sweeteners, and our family prefers to avoid it.
The World Health Organization released a 2023 guideline recommending against using non-sugar sweeteners for weight control or to reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases. (8) In 2023, IARC classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” while JECFA reaffirmed its acceptable daily intake. (9)
That’s exactly the kind of mixed message that makes me say, “No thank you,” especially when better options are available.
In this recipe, we use stevia as a sweetener. It tastes better than aspartame, and a little goes a long way!
3. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
This toxin is what gives you a mouthful of foam. Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is a surfactant used in many conventional toothpastes. Some people tolerate it, but for others, it can irritate delicate oral tissue.
SLS can contribute to canker sore discomfort. Research on SLS and recurrent aphthous ulcers is mixed, but a systematic review found that SLS-free toothpaste reduced ulcer duration and pain compared with SLS-containing toothpaste in people with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. (10) A 2023 review also discussed potential side effects of SLS-containing dentifrices on oral tissues. (11)
If you struggle with canker sores, burning mouth, sensitive gums, or irritation after brushing, SLS is one of the first ingredients I would remove.
Natural Oral Health Ingredients
There’s a better way to take care of your teeth, and it all starts with natural, non-toxic ingredients. Here’s what you need to make this recipe.
Essential Oils: Many essential oils have antimicrobial properties, making them perfect to use in toothpaste when they are properly diluted and used wisely. They can help freshen your breath, support a cleaner mouth, and make homemade oral care taste wonderful. Essential oil mouthwashes have been studied for plaque and gingivitis support when used alongside regular brushing and flossing. (5) They’re the icing on the sugar-free cake!
Distilled Water: Tap water can contain fluoride, an ingredient many families choose to avoid. Your local water quality can also vary depending on your source, pipes, and municipal treatment. I recommend using distilled or purified water whenever possible. Ours hooks right up to the tap and gives us clear, crisp water.
Bentonite Clay: Bentonite clay comes from volcanic ash. It is naturally absorbent and gives this tooth powder a smooth, mineral-rich texture. Because clay can vary in purity, choose a reputable source that tests for heavy metals and contaminants. Bonus: This ingredient can also help polish the look of teeth when used gently.
Baking Soda: Baking soda is a classic natural oral care ingredient because it helps polish the teeth and support a fresher-feeling mouth. A systematic review found that baking soda dentifrices showed promising results for plaque removal in single-use studies, with more limited but still supportive findings in follow-up studies. (12) Use it gently; aggressive brushing is never the goal.
Stevia Powder: Stevia is an all-natural sweetener that helps neutralize the taste of bentonite clay. A little of this sweetener goes a long way!
Himalayan Pink Salt: Saltwater is usually recommended after dental surgery to support a clean mouth and healthy recovery. A study comparing salt water rinse with chlorhexidine found salt water rinse helped reduce dental plaque and oral microbial count when used with routine plaque control. (13) Salt is highly effective in combating halitosis, making it an excellent ingredient for natural toothpaste. Bonus: If you have sensitive teeth, Himalayan salt can help ease discomfort.
Best Essential Oils for Oral Health
Essential oils are concentrated plant compounds, so use them with respect. In oral care, you only need a small amount. More is not better.
Here are some of my favorite combinations.
- Peppermint: Fights halitosis, smells fresh, and gives you a burst of energy in the morning!
- Clove and Orange: An excellent blend for sensitive teeth. Clove is very potent, so use it carefully and avoid overdoing it.
- Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Orange: Use these oils for a fresh, clean feeling and a brighter smile routine.
- Lime, Lemon, and Grapefruit: All of these oils are great mood boosters! Use citrus oils sparingly in oral care and always rinse well.
- Wintergreen: Minty-fresh. An excellent option for people who have stubborn halitosis, but it must be used with caution because it is rich in methyl salicylate. Avoid wintergreen for children, during pregnancy, with blood-thinning medications, or with aspirin sensitivity unless guided by a qualified professional.
Application: Choose one essential oil blend per batch. Don’t add every oil at once. Start with the amount in the recipe card, use the gentlest option for children, and pay attention to how your mouth responds.
Homemade Toothpaste Recipe
This DIY is easy to make! In just minutes, you’ll be ready to detox your mouth naturally.
Homemade Tooth Powder and Toothpaste
Quantity
Ingredients
- 10 drops essential oils*
- ⅓ cup bentonite clay**
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon organic stevia powder
- ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt or sea salt, finely ground
Supplies
- 1 6-8 ounce glass jar for storage
Instructions
- Mix your essential oils in a small glass bowl and set aside.
- Put the bentonite clay, baking soda, stevia, and sea salt in the food processor and process until combined.
- With the machine running, add the essential oils and process for a few more seconds. The mixture should be granular and slightly damp.
- Store in a glass jar with a lid.
- Apply enough to cover your toothbrush. Wet with water and brush as normal.
To make the tooth powder into toothpaste, add ¼ cup hot purified OR distilled water AND 1 tablespoon coconut oil, extra-virgin AND unrefined, plus more as needed.
To add teeth whitening benefits, open capsules of activated charcoal into the tooth powder. Use activated charcoal occasionally, not daily. A 2023 systematic review found that activated charcoal toothpastes had lower whitening effects than some alternatives and raised safety concerns because of high abrasive potential. (15) Be sure to follow by brushing with mouthwash and brush your teeth again after using mouthwash.
Bentonite clay can react with metal, so be sure to make and store this recipe in a glass container.
Step One: Mix the Essential Oils
Mix the essential oils of choice in a small glass container or glass measuring cup and set aside.
Step Two: Add Dry Ingredients
Put the bentonite clay, baking soda, stevia, and sea salt in the food processor and process until combined.
Step Three: Add Essential Oils
With the machine running, add the essential oils and process for a few more seconds. The mixture should be granular and slightly damp.
Step Four: Brush Your Teeth
Store in a glass jar with a lid. To use, apply just enough of the homemade tooth powder or toothpaste recipe to cover your toothbrush. Wet with water and brush as usual.
How to Use and Store Homemade Toothpaste
Use this homemade toothpaste recipe the same way you would use a regular toothpaste, but keep the amount small. You only need enough to cover the bristles of your toothbrush.
Brush gently for about two minutes. Don’t scrub hard. Brushing too aggressively can irritate gums and wear on enamel, especially when using any powder-based recipe.
Spit thoroughly and rinse if desired. If you are using activated charcoal, rinse very well and follow the recipe notes so charcoal does not sit around the gumline or dental work.
Store the tooth powder in a glass jar with a tight lid. Keep water out of the jar if you are storing it as a powder. If you turn the powder into a paste with water and coconut oil, make smaller batches and watch for any change in smell, texture, or appearance.
Do not dip a wet toothbrush directly into the shared jar. Use a clean spoon or small scoop to place the powder or paste onto your toothbrush. This keeps the recipe fresher and cleaner for the whole family.
Application: Make one jar for adults and a separate gentler jar for children if needed. Children should always be supervised, and essential oils should be used conservatively.
Homemade Toothpaste FAQs
What is the best homemade toothpaste recipe?
The best homemade toothpaste recipe uses gentle, recognizable ingredients that support a clean mouth without synthetic fragrance, artificial sweeteners, harsh foaming agents, or unnecessary additives. This recipe uses bentonite clay, baking soda, Himalayan salt, stevia, and essential oils for a fresh, low-tox tooth powder that can also be turned into a paste.
Can homemade toothpaste clean teeth?
Yes, homemade toothpaste can help clean teeth when it is used consistently with proper brushing technique. Baking soda dentifrices have research support for plaque removal, and essential oil mouthwashes have been studied for plaque and gingivitis support when used as adjuncts to brushing and flossing. (5, 12)
Is homemade toothpaste safe?
Homemade toothpaste can be safe when made with quality ingredients, used gently, and stored properly. Avoid aggressive brushing, avoid swallowing the paste, use essential oils conservatively, and choose clay products that are tested for purity. Children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and people with significant dental disease should get individualized guidance.
Does this homemade toothpaste contain fluoride?
No, this homemade toothpaste recipe is fluoride-free. Our family prefers fluoride-free oral care because of concerns about fluoride exposure, especially for children who may swallow toothpaste. If you are cavity-prone or managing active tooth decay, work with a qualified dentist and ask about fluoride-free remineralizing options such as hydroxyapatite. (14)
What essential oils are best for homemade toothpaste?
Peppermint, clove, orange, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and wintergreen are common oral-care oils. Peppermint is great for fresh breath, clove is potent and warming, citrus oils brighten the flavor, and eucalyptus and rosemary give a clean feeling. Wintergreen should be used with extra caution and avoided by children, pregnant women, and people taking blood thinners unless professionally guided.
Can I use bentonite clay in toothpaste?
Yes, bentonite clay is a popular ingredient in natural tooth powders because it gives a smooth, cleansing texture. Use a reputable clay that is tested for contaminants, and avoid mixing or storing bentonite clay with metal because it can react with metal.
Can I add activated charcoal to this recipe?
Yes, you can add activated charcoal for occasional whitening support, but do not use it daily. Research raises concerns about the abrasiveness and limited whitening advantage of activated charcoal toothpastes compared with other options. (15)
How often should I use homemade toothpaste?
Most adults can use this homemade toothpaste daily if their teeth and gums tolerate it well. If you notice sensitivity, irritation, bleeding, or gum discomfort, pause and talk with your dentist. Some people prefer alternating homemade tooth powder with a hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
Can kids use this homemade toothpaste?
Children need a gentler approach. Use fewer essential oils, supervise brushing, and teach children to spit instead of swallow. Avoid strong oils like wintergreen and use caution with peppermint for very young children.
Should homemade toothpaste replace dental visits?
No. Homemade toothpaste is part of a healthy oral care routine, but it does not replace dental exams, cleanings, or professional care when there is pain, bleeding, infection, cavities, gum disease, loose teeth, or ongoing sensitivity.
Resources
- American Heart Association, Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001390
- Periodontal Microbiota and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15699278/
- Mayo Clinic, Brushing Your Teeth: How Often and When?: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/brushing-your-teeth/faq-20058193
- Effectiveness of Oil Pulling for Improving Oral Health, PMC: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9602184/
- Essential Oils Mouthwash with or without Alcohol in Relation to Effect on Parameters of Plaque and Gingivitis, PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39133629/
- National Toxicology Program, Fluoride Exposure: Neurodevelopment and Cognition: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/research/assessments/noncancer/completed/fluoride
- MedlinePlus, Toothpaste Overdose: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002745.htm
- World Health Organization, Non-Sugar Sweeteners Guideline: https://www.who.int/news/item/15-05-2023-who-advises-not-to-use-non-sugar-sweeteners-for-weight-control-in-newly-released-guideline
- World Health Organization, Aspartame Hazard and Risk Assessment: https://www.who.int/news/item/14-07-2023-aspartame-hazard-and-risk-assessment-results-released
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis, PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30839136/
- The Yin and Yang of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Use for Oral and Periodontal Health, PMC: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10506142/
- The Efficacy of Baking Soda Dentifrice in Controlling Plaque and Gingivitis, PMC: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6850485/
- Comparative Evaluation of Salt Water Rinse with Chlorhexidine Mouth Rinse, PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28914244/
- Clinical Evidence of Caries Prevention by Hydroxyapatite, PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39471896/
- Effectiveness and Abrasiveness of Activated Charcoal as a Whitening Agent, PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36183933/
