A lot of the healthy, non-food related recipes I share on my blog are born out of necessity, whether I need to clear up my skin or fix my energy levels; this recipe is no different! I accidentally let myself run out of toothpaste recently, and instead of subjecting everyone to my morning breath, I decided to try out something I’ve seen pop up on pinterest a few times: make my own toothpaste!!
Surprisingly, I’m in love with it. I will admit, it’s more of a tooth “powder” than paste, but I don’t think my mouth has ever felt cleaner after brushing. Plus, it’s kind of fun brushing with charcoal and seeing your mouth get black, then end up super clean!
(Post contains affiliate links, please see disclosure for details.)
Activated charcoal tooth powder
BENEFITS:
• BAKING SODA: Often the food we eat gets stuck in trace amounts in our mouth, and then attack our teeth. Baking soda is an alkaline, and helps to neutralize those acids, while also treating or preventing halitosis (where your mouth smells really dang awful). It can also soothe ulcers/sores in your mouth!
• ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: I’ve mentioned before that activated charcoal is super porous, and actually draws toxins into all the tiny holes on its surface! Just like baking soda, it’ll work to balance out the pH levels in your mouth, and it is also an exfoliant, so it will help brighten your smile.
• BENTONITE CLAY: Not only is this clay great for your skin, it is great for pulling the toxins out of your mouth (just like activated charcoal). The clay swells when it’s wet, pulling grossness into it like a sponge.
• PINK HIMALAYAN SALT: This isn’t a necessary ingredient to your tooth powder, but himalayan salt is full of trace elements that are good for you, and the brine created by mixing the salt with water is great for oral health. Plus, it’s yet another light abrasive.
• PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL: Peppermint is really good at killing the kind of bacteria that thrive in low light and oxygen areas (basically, your mouth), which means it’ll leave your breath smelling better. Plus, it’s gonna make your tooth powder taste a little better!
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 part baking soda
• 1 1/2 parts activated charcoal
• 1/2 part bentonite clay
• peppermint essential oil
• dash pink salt
• small glass jar to hold tooth powder
(*note: I’m measuring in parts (with baking soda as the base) because the size of your container will determine your ratios measurements)
DIRECTIONS:
- If you have the kind of charcoal that comes in capsules like I do, break them open carefully, so the powder doesn’t go everywhere. If you bought the non-capsulated kind (brilliant), obviously, skip this!
- Measure out your baking soda, activated charcoal, and bentonite clay, then combine in your glass container. Metal is a no-go on this, as it’ll react to the bentonite.
- Sprinkle some pink himalayan salt into container, then add your peppermint oil. How much oil is up to you, just depends how minty you’d like your powder to be!
- Close lid, and shake to mix!
- Extra: If you reeeally would rather have a paste to brush your teeth with, you can add liquid coconut oil until you get a paste consistency.
TO USE:
- Tap lid of container to ensure that powder mixture is in the bottom before opening (y’all, it will make a cloud of dust if you’re not careful).
- Dampen tooth brush, then dip into your tooth powder.
- Gently tap the brush to get off excess before brushing. Enjoy!
Will you use a tooth powder? Or are you strictly paste?
Let me know below if you try it out!
I have heard of this!! I have always been too scared to try this!! This is a great post! Thank you for sharing!
Delayna
http://www.delaynadenaye.com
Author July 31, 2017 / 11:18 pm
if the charcoal is too scary, you can always just try combining the rest of the “toothpaste” mixture! x
coal is seriously the go to beauty product right now! so many great uses!
Author July 31, 2017 / 11:19 pm
right?! seriously a wonder beauty product! x
Making your own toothpaste? That sounds amazing! I need to give this a try!
Linda
Author August 24, 2017 / 12:02 am
definitely a first, but super easy! x
Wow. VERY interesting! It’s definitely worth a try! I imagine it’s cheaper than “regular” toothpaste.
Author August 24, 2017 / 12:03 am
I’d say in the long run it’s def probably cheaper! x
Really interesting blog post. I will give it a try. Love the natural suggestions.
Author August 24, 2017 / 12:03 am
thanks! x
So cool! I’ve made my own toothpaste before and loved it!
http://www.simplynancyblog.com
Author August 24, 2017 / 4:38 am
I found it to be a fun experience, for sure haha x
I’ve heard great things about using charcoal to clean teeth!! I’ll have to try this out!!
xoxo, sindy spencer
https://sindyspencer.com
Author August 24, 2017 / 4:38 am
it definitely makes my teeth feel cleaner! x
definitely want to try this! great post!
Author August 24, 2017 / 12:04 am
thank you! x
I keep seeing this all around! I might have to try it!
I swear by charcoal on my skin. I can totally see how it would be fantastic for teeth, too! I’ll definitely have to try this out.
I’m always on the lookout for natural alternatives! Will have to give this a try–I’ve heard the activated charcoal is great for teeth whitening, too, so maybe I’ll get a 2-for-1! 🙂