Making your own toothpaste is a great way to cut down on single use plastic waste in the bathroom. Natural toothpaste can also be purchased in bulk (BYO container), or in glass jars to eliminate single use plastic. This Plastic Free July, have a go at making your own toothpaste - it is easy to do and you can involve the whole family.

There is a range of homemade toothpaste recipes available which can be adapted to your individual taste. Sodium bicarbonate is commonly added to help neutralise harmful acids and prevent the build up of plaque. Salt is also used in natural toothpaste recipes to increase saliva flow, encouraging the body to keep the gums clean, healthy and strong.

You can add a range of natural oils and flavourings to make your toothpaste more palatable - try vanilla oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, lemon peel, mint leaves or sage leaves.

Recipe One
Homemade Toothpaste Ingredients:

● 4 teaspoons bicarbonate soda
● 1 teaspoon table salt

Instructions:

● Mix the ingredients together. You can make some of this up in advance, just multiply and use four parts baking soda to one part salt.
● Take some of the mixture and add just enough water to make a toothpaste.

Recipe Two
Ingredients:

● 4 teaspoons bicarbonate soda
● 1 teaspoon table salt
● 3 teaspoons hydrogen peroxide (3% solution only - get it from the chemist).

Instructions:

● Mix the bicarbonate soda and the salt, then add hydrogen peroxide (3%) to make it into a toothpaste.

Recipe Three
Ingredients:

● 4 teaspoons bicarbonate soda
● 1 teaspoon table salt
● As much glycerine as you need to make a paste (from the pharmacy or health food store)

Instructions:

● Mix the bicarbonate soda and the salt, add glycerine to make it into a toothpaste.

Recipe 4

Ingredients:

● ½ cup of bicarbonate soda
● Enough coconut oil to bind into a paste
● Pinch natural salt
● Ground dried sage/essential oil to taste

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients to make a paste.

There are many reasons for and against making your own toothpaste. There is a growing pool of evidence that suggests toothpaste with added fluoride is not essential for healthy adult teeth, but we suggest checking in with your own dentist and considering your personal health journey when making these choices.