Make your own Toothpaste

To make your own natural toothpaste, you'll need the following ingredients: Coconut oil, Bicarb Soda, Essential oil (peppermint or spearmint), Xylitol.

Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Incorporating it into your dental hygiene routine can help soothe sore gums, prevent gingivitis and maybe even tooth decay. You can massage it into your gums using your finger or combine it with bicarb soda, essential oils and xylitol and brush it on to your teeth, gums and tongue.

Bicarb soda is a mild abrasive, great for removing superficial tooth staining from tea, coffee, red wine etc. It will alkalise your saliva to help buffer or neutralise food acids which damage your teeth. Bicarb is well known for its ability to absorb odours and so, in combination with the essential oil will sweeten your breath.

Xylitol is a natural plant-based sweetener which has been found to be effective in reducing the levels of one of the main bacteria responsible for tooth decay – Streptococcus Mutans.

Recipe:

• Coconut oil - 2 tablespoons
• Bicarb soda - 2 tablespoons
• Peppermint/Spearmint oil - 2 to 3 drops
• Xylitol - 1 teaspoon

Mix all the ingredients into a glass jaw with a lid.  Use a teaspoon or butter knife to transfer a small amount onto your toothbrush.  There is no need to refridgerate the mix, however, in summer, the coconut oil will be liquid and at temperatures below 23C, the mix will be like butter.  If your toothpaste gets too hard in winter, just sit the jar in some warm water for a few minutes before using.