This could almost be a post about how grandma used to... As many generations ago you did not run to the store and pick up a tube of Crest or Colgate. I am frugal by nature so I have not opted to buy some of the more expensive all natural toothpastes and frankly, I hadn't given natural toothpaste much thought...I mean its just toothpaste right?
Well, after spending some time with a gracious friend of mine who makes her whole family's toothpaste I went home and read the ingredients on my standard tube. Well, lets just say that in the "inactive ingredients" I really had no idea what any of those things were. I was however familiar with each of the ingredients my friend uses in her toothpaste so I thought I would give it a go...maybe it would even be cheap!
My three ingredients are coconut oil, therapuetic grade peppermint essential oil and baking soda. I think back in grandma's day they mainly used baking soda which does make for super sparkly chompers, but is a little hard to take without the lovely minty tingle that the essential oil offers. The small amount of coconut oil is really just a binder but as I was making this concoction I finally understand why they called it "toothpaste" I mean it really isn't a paste that comes out of the tube you buy at the store right? More of a cream or gel but this my friends...this is a paste!
I began with 2T of baking soda, 1t of coconut oil and 2 drops of peppermint. This is a mixture best kept in glass so I used an old spice jar I had and since I will be putting my toothbrush either into the mixture or using a wooden popscicle stick to get it out I didn't fill to the top. I just put the coconut oil in a small dish and stirred, the stirring action and very low melting point caused it to soften immediately and blend into the baking soda nicely, then I added the drops of oil which could be adjusted to personal preference (ie more or less depending on how minty you like to feel).
Well, after spending some time with a gracious friend of mine who makes her whole family's toothpaste I went home and read the ingredients on my standard tube. Well, lets just say that in the "inactive ingredients" I really had no idea what any of those things were. I was however familiar with each of the ingredients my friend uses in her toothpaste so I thought I would give it a go...maybe it would even be cheap!
My three ingredients are coconut oil, therapuetic grade peppermint essential oil and baking soda. I think back in grandma's day they mainly used baking soda which does make for super sparkly chompers, but is a little hard to take without the lovely minty tingle that the essential oil offers. The small amount of coconut oil is really just a binder but as I was making this concoction I finally understand why they called it "toothpaste" I mean it really isn't a paste that comes out of the tube you buy at the store right? More of a cream or gel but this my friends...this is a paste!
I began with 2T of baking soda, 1t of coconut oil and 2 drops of peppermint. This is a mixture best kept in glass so I used an old spice jar I had and since I will be putting my toothbrush either into the mixture or using a wooden popscicle stick to get it out I didn't fill to the top. I just put the coconut oil in a small dish and stirred, the stirring action and very low melting point caused it to soften immediately and blend into the baking soda nicely, then I added the drops of oil which could be adjusted to personal preference (ie more or less depending on how minty you like to feel).
So how did it turn out? I am pretty pleased. It is a gritty texture which may take a bit to get used to (like I said it is a paste of sorts) but I have never felt such slick teeth! I'm telling you its like you just finished a cleaning at the dentist...super slick! The salty-ness of the baking soda is pretty much overpowered by the peppermint oil and you don't taste the small amount of coconut oil that more of a binder.
As for frugality...I give this a 5 out of 6 stars as the total cost ended up being about 50 cents. I know, with coupons you can get a tube of Crest or Colgate at that price but like I said, I have never looked at the inactive ingredients in my classic tube before, but now....not even sure what that stuff is (and why is there silica in there? Isn't that a plastic???) So, I will be making some more of this stuff...at least I know what it is!
As for frugality...I give this a 5 out of 6 stars as the total cost ended up being about 50 cents. I know, with coupons you can get a tube of Crest or Colgate at that price but like I said, I have never looked at the inactive ingredients in my classic tube before, but now....not even sure what that stuff is (and why is there silica in there? Isn't that a plastic???) So, I will be making some more of this stuff...at least I know what it is!
