DIY: Natural Clay Toothpaste

Written by Kate Tietje

Here’s the thing: I love natural toothpaste (is that a weird thing to love?).  In fact, I often use Earthley’s Remineralizing Tooth Powder because it’s natural, clean ingredients (fluoride-free) and works.  Sometimes, I just don’t have time to do the DIY thing (and I’m sure some of you are just not up for making your own).  But other times, I am…and I just love this clay toothpaste.

I’m not a big fan of many recipes for homemade toothpaste because they rely on baking soda, which is kind of yucky and also can be harsh on your tooth enamel.  And while I like coconut oil, another common ingredient, I don’t really want to brush my teeth with it.  If I want coconut oil in my oral hygiene routine, I’ll oil pull with mint-infused coconut oil.

Anyway…

I knew I had to make my own clay-based toothpaste.  And I wanted to avoid the use of xylitol and essential oils.  I like EOs, but it’s probably best not to be swallowed, especially when safely using essential oils with children.  We want the toothpaste to be 100% safe to swallow because the little ones will do it anyway.  (I can’t bring myself to do it.  I know it’s fine with this toothpaste, but when you brush your teeth a certain way for 30 years, well…)

This toothpaste uses bentonite clay, which is a basic clay and probably the most common.  It is safe for both internal and external use.  I always keep a big bucket of it in my house for baths, in case of bee stings, etc.  Toothpaste is another good use.

Be aware that bentonite is a swelling clay that absorbs a lot of liquid.  As you make this, you will need to build in time for the clay to soak up the liquid before trying to stir it and get it smooth.  It will not work if you don’t give it time to absorb.  You may need extra liquid if it gets too thick, too — it’s better to start on the thinner side because it will thicken a bit as it stands (and it’s a more pleasant texture when it’s thinner).

Let’s skip to the good part!

DIY Clay Toothpaste

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup filtered water
• 1 tbsp. spearmint leaves, dried
• 1/4 tsp. stevia, or to taste
• 1 tbsp. bentonite clay
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt (I use Real Salt)

Directions:

Step 1: Heat the water until steaming.  Add the spearmint leaves and allow to steep for 5 minutes.  (If you prefer another flavor, you may use peppermint leaves, lavender leaves, dried lemon peel, whole cinnamon, or your preferred herb.)

Step 2: Strain out the leaves, then allow the liquid to cool.

Step 3: Add the clay and give it a few minutes to absorb.

Step 4: Stir with a fork until smooth, or use an immersion blender if you prefer.  It won’t be totally smooth with the fork, but pretty close.

Step 5: Add the stevia and salt to taste.  You can skip the stevia if you want — if I don’t have it, I don’t add it.  (It just tastes nicer with it.)

Step 6: Store in a clean jar for up to a month, dipping your clean toothbrush in or using clean fingers or a small spoon to scoop some onto your brush.  Or, you can attempt to get it into a tube somehow — but I don’t mess with this.

Have you ever used clay toothpaste?