So chemicals. Not a fan. Not a fan at all.
A while ago I started buying Tom’s supposed natural toothpaste for my kids in an effort to cut down on harmful chemicals in our everyday routine. And then one morning I looked at the ingredients: Hydrated Silica, Carageenan, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Natural Flavors… Umm. Not okay.
And then I found out about Earthpaste. It’s toothpaste that is made from absolutely 100% natural and real ingredients. They make a flavor just for kids, Lemon Twist. Boom, baby. Only problem was the sticker shock. At $6.40/tube (Amazon pricing), it was a little more than what I wanted to spend on a semi-regularly made purchase.
After researching a little more into Earthpaste’s ingredients, along with other recipes I found online, I finally mixed together the perfect combo. It comes together in minutes and couldn’t be healthier, even if swallowed! And the best part is that my kids love it. LOOOOOVE it. My littlest one would brush his teeth all day long if I let him. I think it also has to do with the fact that I let them help me make it. It seems whenever I have my kids help me out in the kitchen, they are more open to trying new tastes/experiences (like gray toothpaste!).
Without further adieu, here are the ingredients for Homemade Kids Toothpaste.
4 T Coconut Oil
2 T Redmond Clay
2 tsp Xylitol
Pinch or 2 of Redmond Real Salt
2 tsp Organic Lemon Extract
20-30 drops Liquid Stevia to taste, vanilla
Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together coconut oil, clay, salt, and xylitol.
When smooth, add in lemon extract and liquid stevia to taste. I seriously just stick my finger in the bowl and taste it. Or have your kids try it. That’s even better, since it’s for them!
Mix well and put in container of choice. Makes enough to fill one 4 oz container. That’s it!
Feel free to experiment with the flavoring. Peppermint, coconut, orange…any flavor of extract would do. High quality essential oils would also work well for flavoring purposes.
I keep my homemade kids toothpaste in a 4 oz glass canning jar and it works great. But you could also use squeezable refillable tubes if you like:
I think these would be perfect for this recipe if you wanted something squeezable.
The softness of this toothpaste will depend on the temperature of your home because of the coconut oil. We keep our home around 70 degrees in the winter and the consistency has been great! Still soft enough that it hasn’t bothered my kids although I’m interested to see what it’s like come summer when things heat up a bit.
Now, let’s talk about the benefits of each ingredient.
- Coconut Oil: Gives it the smooth texture similar to other toothpastes, smells great, and has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties to keep your mouth clean.
- Redmond Benonite Clay: If you haven’t heard about this stuff, then it’s definitely worth some researching. The clay provides a mild abrasive that won’t harm your teeth while providing some other amazing health benefits. Go ahead and swallow!
- Xylitol: Prevents tooth decay by eliminating acidic bacteria and repairs damaged enamel naturally. Also provides a touch of sweetness.
- Redmond Real Salt: Another mild abrasive that also provides needed minerals for healthy systems.
- Organic Lemon Extract:Flavors safely and kids love it!
- Liquid Stevia: Made from the stevia plant, liquid stevia sweetens without the harm of normal sugars. Totally safe for the teeth and healthy too!
So, how does our homemade kids toothpaste price compare to Earthpaste?
Coconut Oil: I buy my coconut oil at Costco at about $22 for 78 oz. This recipe used about $.56 worth.
Clay: My container cost $10 at my local health food store. 2 T is approximately $0.65.
Xylitol: About $0.20.
Redmond Real Salt: Pennies, but for math purposes we’ll say $0.06.
Organic Lemon Extract: My extract cost about $4 for 2 fl oz. Using 2 tsp is approximately $0.66.
Liquid Stevia: Used about $0.20 worth.
Total Cost: $2.33
Our homemade version is more than 64% cheaper than the high quality brand, Earthpaste. That’s a win in my book, folks.
Now some may say $2.33 really isn’t that great of a savings when you compare it to normal, grocery store brands. And they would be right. But with all of the harsh chemicals found in typical toothpaste, it’s not something I would even want to compare to. Apples to oranges, people.
Homemade Kids Toothpaste
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 2 tbsp Redmond Clay
- 2 tsp Xylitol
- Pinch or 2 of Redmond Real Salt
- 2 tsp Organic Lemon Extract
- 20-30 drops Liquid Stevia to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together coconut oil, clay, salt, and xylitol.
- When smooth, add in lemon extract and liquid stevia to taste. I seriously just stick my finger in the bowl and taste it. Or have your kids try it. That’s even better, since it’s for them!
- Mix well and put in container of choice. Makes enough to fill one 4 oz container. That’s it!
Nutrition
How about you? What products do you make from scratch to help your family stay healthy while still being frugal? Have you used homemade toothpaste before? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Andrea says
This looks great! I’d make it right now but I don’t have a couple of the ingredients… are there regular stores you can find xyletol or the clay at rather than needing to order online?
Nature's Pulchritude says
I will definitely give this a try!
Veronica says
Wondering what I could use in place of coconut oil? One of my kids is allergic!
Marilyn says
Veronica, I’ve seen some recipes that use purified or distilled water instead of the coconut oil. That might work for you. Maybe just add a little at a time until you get the consistency you like.
Erica says
I would caution against using lemon flavoring due to the possibility of the acid erosion of tooth enamel.
Tierra says
I’m too cheap to get a tube. You can probably just get a ziplock bag and cut a hole in the corner and squeeze it out.
Tari York says
Karrie, you’re my kind of gal! Little by little I’ve been switching my family to more organic products and foods. Last year I made toothpaste using baking soda, coconut oil, stevia and peppermint essential oil. Good to know about putting xylitol in it. My mouth feels super clean and my dentist noted this last check-up: no cavities! I can count on one hand how many times that’s happened in my life. I also make my own pit paste & face wash with similar ingredients. I actually had a real medical doctor tell me this week that there are too many toxins in our 21st century environments and he advocated changes like this. Keep up the good work!
Michelle says
Tari,
Can you share what you use for your pit paste? Been trying a few and haven’t found one that works.
Thank you,
Michelle
Jewel says
So I was wondering where did you get the mason jar for storing your toothpaste? I’ve been on the look out for smaller glass jars that still have tight lids and so far I haven’t had any luck…):
Happy.MoneySaver says
I found some on Amazon at this link: http://amzn.to/MgB3gC
Locally, I would check any store with canning supplies. I have found them at Walmart, Bed, Bath and Beyond and even some thrift stores. Happy hunting!
gina says
This sounds amazing!! Thank you so much for this, cant wait to try it!
Tiffany Meyer says
Started reading and thought “what is the purpose of that ingredient…and that one.” and then you answered me. Also curious about best way to dispense it without sticking a toothbrush into it. I’m wondering if one of those pouches designed to do your own fruit squeezes would work. Things that make you go “Hmmm”!
Happy.MoneySaver says
Great idea! Let me know if you find something that works better!
Lori says
What about one of those frosting piping bags? (I know, plastic…) Maybe a cleaned out baby food jar for each person to dip their toothbrush into? I’m actually fine with a shared jar. The toothpaste sticks to the toothbrush and lifts right out, I assume?
Karrie says
I just found these awesome squeezable refillable tubes on amazon —
3-pack Humangear 3oz. travel tubes: http://amzn.to/1c50JUt
1 Single Humangear 3 oz travel tube: http://amzn.to/LCsRHC
I think these would be perfect for this recipe if you wanted something squeezable.
Karrie says
I would think you could turn any kind of used containers like squeezable ketchup bottles. But I also found these squeezable refillable tubes on amazon —
3-pack Humangear 3oz. travel tubes: http://amzn.to/1c50JUt
1 Single Humangear 3 oz travel tube: http://amzn.to/LCsRHC
I think these would be perfect for this recipe if you wanted something squeezable 🙂
Christy says
That’s very similar to the toothpaste I make for myself and my husband. I can’t get my 5 year old to use it though. I never thought of using lemon flavoring, I bet she’d use that. Thank you.
Rebecka says
This looks awesome, but what I picture is everyone dipping their toothbrush into the jar and that gave me an eww factor. How sho you get the paste from the jar into their toothbrush?
Karrie says
You could use a popsicle stick to take a bit out, or the back end of a spoon. You just have to be careful about germs getting in there. Another option if you want is to get squeezable tubes and add them in that way –> travel tubes: http://amzn.to/1c50JUt
Brianna says
I’ve seen people use soap dispensers too 🙂
Megan S says
I’ve made this toothpaste for myself/husband for years. Some tips: spit out into the garbage (not the sink) and keep hand soap handy for thoroughly washing the toothbrush when you’re done (the oils cause serious build up in the pipes). My son won’t use this because he prefers fruity flavors and I haven’t been able to create the flavor to his preference. So, for now, we use flouride free in the hopes he’ll soon turn around 🙂
Natasha says
Stupid question..how do you get it on the toothbrush?
Jenn Kim says
You can apply it using a mini spoon. Like what’s here https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=mini%20spoon or just make a tube of it. When I typed in empty containers for toothpaste…this is what I found https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=empty%20tubes%20for%20toothpaste
jessica says
You should compare your toothpaste to the price of children’s flouride free toothpaste. That stuff costs an ARM and a leg!
Nancy A. says
I would love to have a toothpaste for adults! This one looks easy and we need one for big people!
Jennifer says
She said adults could use this too!!
Pam Kir says
Just be sure to keep the Xylitol (and anything containing it), out of reach of dogs. It is extremely toxic to dogs, and can cause death. It is totally safe for humans, though. That said, the paste sounds awesome! I love the idea of making my own, and having total control of the ingredients. Thank you for all of your research Karrie, and for making it easy for the rest of us!
Brenda says
How long has it been since you were able to get coconut oil for that price?
Karrie says
I got my coconut oil last week, thanks for your question.
Dorinda says
That looks awesome! Can’t wait to try it out. Have you heard or done anything with ground eggshells in toothpaste? Thanks. 🙂
Karrie says
Nope, I haven’t heard of using eggshells. I’ll have to look into it, thanks!
Alliaon says
Wow! I never considered making my own! Why is it only for kids? Would it be effective enough for adults, too?
Karrie says
Adults could totally use it too! 🙂
Genevieve says
I think it’s referring to just the flavour that makes it for kids. Just change up the flavour for the adults! 🙂
Karen says
Wow! I want to trade kids! Really, my kids, one in particular, hates any toothpaste and I have to hold his head and do it myself (and he his 7!) I would love to have kids that are willing to try stuff like this!