If you are here, you are probably aware that the vast majority of industrial toothpastes, whether in tubes or solids, contain ingredients that are harmful to the environment and to our bodies. You know that the main advantage of solid toothpastes is that they do not generate pollution, unlike those in tubes which are not recycled. So you want to design your own zero waste solid toothpaste. It will only be made of quality and sustainable ingredients that allow you to have a good oral hygiene.
Here is a short guide on how to make your own solid toothpaste.
What is homemade solid toothpaste ?
Solid toothpastes do not come in a paste or tube like traditional toothpastes. They have a solid texture and come in a variety of formats: jar, stick, powder, lozenge or bar. They usually contain products that give them texture and effectiveness. They usually contain antibacterial and absorbent agents such as baking soda, zinc oxide or clay. They also contain active ingredients with whitening, purifying, remineralising and soothing effects. In addition, they sometimes contain essential oils that provide a good taste, freshen the breath and have soothing, antibacterial or antifungal properties. They therefore have all the characteristics of a good toothpaste that allows good oral hygiene and health.
The main precautions to take before making your own solid toothpaste
Before preparing a homemade cosmetic product, it is essential to observe a few rules of hygiene. This will ensure that you make a long-lasting, quality toothpaste.
Here are the main precautions to take:
- Wash and dry your hands
- Wear a pair of gloves that you have not used before
- Disinfect your utensils and containers with alcohol or boiling water for at least 5 minutes
- Check the expiry dates of any ingredients you want to use
- Clear your work surface of all clutter
- Once you have made your homemade toothpaste: write down all the ingredients and the date of manufacture
- Put your homemade toothpaste in an opaque box to keep it away from heat and light
The main components to put in your solid toothpaste
It is not recommended to use parabens or silicone in your solid toothpaste. You should use 100% natural ingredients as much as possible.
The natural components of homemade solid toothpaste are :
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)
This is a particularly mild surfactant. It is derived from the fatty acids of coconut oil and isethionic acid, which enables the toothpaste to foam. It also allows toothpaste preparations to solidify. It is much easier to use in granular form than in powder form. It is important to put 5-60% of it in the toothpaste. It should be mixed with sodium coco sulphate.
Stearic acid
This is a fatty acid that is present in the vast majority of vegetable palm oils such as coconut oil, shea butter and palm oil. It is mainly used to thicken toothpaste. It is extracted from sustainable palm oil. It is therefore of vegetable origin and RSPO certified. It also adds texture and consistency to toothpaste containing it.
Calcium carbonate
This is a 100% natural mineral active ingredient. It acts as a thickener, in other words, it adds substance and texture to the toothpaste. It also acts as a gentle abrasive, gently polishing the tooth enamel. In addition, it also acts as a brightening agent in that it helps to restore the shine to your teeth and gums. It also helps to reduce the amount of acid attack in the mouth.
White clay
It is a soft abrasive that neutralises the acidity of the mouth. Its neutral PH does not attack the gums. It eliminates bacteria by cleaning the teeth thanks to its whitening action. It also has an exceptional mineral content. It is therefore ideal for remineralizing tooth enamel. In addition, its purifying properties help to relieve sensitive gums. Its cleansing action should be complemented with bicarbonate of soda.
Green clay
It is a natural mineral with antiseptic properties that can take care of sensitive gums. It also has purifying and balancing properties that allow you to take care of your teeth. In addition, its action on the teeth is whitening. In addition, it refreshes the breath to the maximum. When used in toothpastes, it has an abrasive power that facilitates the removal of residues from the teeth.
You can also use other ingredients such as: xylitol, coconut oil, vegetable charcoal or eucalyptus and spearmint oil.
The 2 best recipes for homemade solid toothpaste
Homemade solid toothpaste with coconut oil and yellow beeswax
Coconut oil is an oil with cleansing and whitening properties which gives it the ability to make teeth whiter and healthier. It is also rich in lauric acid which helps to reduce the growth of bad breath bacteria. It also helps to balance the acidity in the mouth that causes oral problems. Finally, it whitens the enamel of the teeth and also prevents the appearance of tartar. Yellow beeswax, on the other hand, is ideal for maintaining good oral hygiene. It strengthens the salivary glands and tones the gums. Moreover, thanks to its antiseptic and energizing qualities, it helps to purify the oral flora and to fight against cavities.
The different ingredients of this recipe are :
- 16 ml of organic Coconut vegetable oil
- 5 spoons of 2 ml of Organic Yellow Beeswax
- 1 spoonful of 5 ml of sodium bicarbonate
- 10 spoons of 5 ml of White Clay
- 2 ml of organic vegetable glycerine
- 25 drops of peppermint essential oil
Here is the recipe to make this homemade solid toothpaste:
- Put the 16 ml of Organic Coconut vegetable oil in a bowl and the 5 spoons of 2 ml of yellow beeswax in a bowl.
- Melt the mixture in a double boiler over a very low heat.
- Remove from the heat and add the white clay, sodium bicarbonate, vegetable glycerine and peppermint essential oil.
- Stir between each addition of ingredients
- Put your mixture in a mould, place in the freezer to harden and then remove from the mould.
Homemade solid mint toothpaste
Mint has anti-inflammatory properties. The menthol helps remove bacteria from your mouth and thus helps prevent your gums from bleeding. Having less bacteria in your mouth helps to reduce swelling. It can also help relieve indigestion as it stimulates stomach function, making it easier to digest. It is also naturally antimicrobial. It kills the bacteria in your mouth and thus reduces your chances of getting cavities and bad breath. It also stimulates the production of saliva. It also acts as a natural mouthwash by eliminating the bacteria in your mouth.
The different ingredients in this recipe are
- 1 tablespoon of calcium carbonate
- ½ tablespoon of white clay
- ½ tablespoon of green clay
- ½ tablespoon of Xylitol
- ½ tablespoon coconut vegetable oil
- ½ tablespoon of SCI surfactant
- 5 drops of field mint essential oil
- 2 drops of peppermint essential oil
Here is the recipe to make this homemade solid toothpaste:
- First weigh all the powders together, the SCI and the coconut oil.
- Put the coconut oil and SCI in a water bath.
- Mix well and stir in the powders as soon as the oil has melted
- Once you have obtained a homogeneous paste, you can take the mixture off the heat and add the essential oils and mix one last time.
- Quickly empty into a plastic jar and tap to settle at the bottom.
To brush your teeth with either of these two solid toothpastes, you can use the Y-Brush electric toothbrush. This is a toothbrush that has the advantage of being able to be used with any type of toothpaste, whether solid or tube. This brand also offers a toothpaste to be crunched therefore solid 100% of natural origin, without fluorine and without parabens. It reduces acid attack, acts against bacteria and fights plaque. You can therefore use this toothpaste in addition to your home-made solid toothpaste.
We hope this guide has helped you understand how to make your own toothpaste. We hope you will take every precaution before making your own toothpaste. We also hope that you will not hesitate to use any of the toothpaste components and that you will be aware of all the other harmful substances that do not promote good oral hygiene. If you make either of these two homemade toothpaste recipes you will have perfectly white teeth.
