How to make your own
toothpaste or tooth powder



Welcome to the 'OraMedia Site for Dental Self-Sufficiency'

So, you want to make your own
toothpaste or tooth powder, eh?
Well, we have quite a few recipes here and on a few other pages...

First, let me tell you that this site is about oral health and how you can preserve your good teeth by learning the truth about tooth decay, diet and nutrition, the oral biology and so forth.  You can also learn about decayed teeth, sore or bleeding gums, the consequences of tooth and gum diseases and how the body fights disease and what you can do to help out.

You may feel that by making your own paste or powder, you will be doing yourself some good by taking a more natural approach to your oral health.  I would tend to agree with you - BUT, that is only a PART of the story.  There are actually seven factors which have been outlined that will help you better understand why teeth and gums go bad in the first place and what you can do about it.

What I want to do is take you beyond 'brush twice a day, avoid sweets and see your dentist 3 times a year.'  That's the mainstream message and that's why 9 out of ten adults (and a growing number of adolecents) suffer from some degree of periodontal (gum) disease.  You will see how easy it is to adapt a hygiene routine that might just keep your teeth healthy for life.  I want to show you how you can save thousands of dollars in dental bills over your lifetime (I'm sure that you have heard the groanings of friends and family who have had to dig deep into their pockets to afford dental treatment).

Once you know and understand the seven factors or principles for keeping teeth healthy for life, then there should never be any reason why you should not be able to avoid root canals, periodontal surgery, tooth extractions, fillings, caps, crowns, bridges, etc., etc.  Read more about these seven factors here.

So... no problem.  Scroll down and read the recipes and make yourself a batch.  You'll save a lot of money over commercial products by doing so.  Play with the ingredients and adjust them to accommodate your likes and dislikes.  Look at these formulas as containing the fundamental ingredients.

Then, if you want to know why you are helping yourself by 'making your own' and what other steps you can take to help protect your teeth and gums from pain, bleeding and decay - then go on over to this page and begin from there.  If you want to keep up with news on good oral health, subscribe to the OraMedia Newsletter for Dental Sufficiency.

Oh, and if you are MOM, whether an urban mom or a homestead mom (dads too), please read this four-part article on raising kids with healthy teeth for life.

Finally, this site exists, in large part due to the work of Dr. Robert O. Nara, a dentist who paid dearly for going public with a lot of this information.  Read his story about the pitfalls and triumphs over going up against the BIG GUNS (the dental profession).

Thank you,
Tom Cornwell

Making Your Own
Toothpaste and Tooth Powder

Taken from the Article; PENNYWISE TOOTH CLEANSERS by Thomas W. King
Originally published in the January / February 1979 issue of THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS

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Proctor and Gamble and Lever Brothers-and any number of other manufacturers-would like us to believe that the only proper way to care for our teeth is with expensive, highly flavored toothpastes that come in non-biodegradable, throwaway, zinc-and-lead (Now plastic -ed.) tubes. 'Tain't so!

There are effective, low-cost alternatives to that aromatic 'goo-in-a-tube' you find on supermarket shelves. Our family has been making and using its own toothpastes and powders for years... and we've enjoyed excellent dental health, too. You and your clan can save a significant amount of money-and at the same time keep your teeth and gums in good shape-by kicking the Madison Avenue habit and choosing to follow a few simple rules:

MAKE THE MOST OF BRUSHING. The actual mechanical brushing and flossing of your teeth and gums is much more important than which (if any) cleaning agent is employed. Don't take brushing lightly...go at it with a vengeance. Keep your Py-Co-Pay (brush), or whatever, relatively dry and scrub your teeth thoroughly for at least two-and-a-half minutes, three times a day. Don't waste whatever dentifrice you use ... in the long run, you and your budget will be healthier.

USE TOOTH POWDER. The dry dental powders that currently seem to be out of vogue are fairly inexpensive and come in refillable dispensers. The products are mostly made of chalk (a mild abrasive), flavoring and a small amount of soap dust for cleansing purposes. Just shake a nickel-sized amount into the palm of your hand, dip a dampened brush into the substance and scrub your choppers vigorously.

1. MAKE YOUR OWN TOOTH POWDER. Thoroughly mix 3 parts baking soda (the cleanser and sweetener) with part salt (the abrasive) and funnel the compound into a short small-mouthed container such as a pop or beer bottle. You'll find that the creation has a satisfying, different taste and leaves your mouth feeling very fresh and soothed. If you'd like, add a few drops of peppermint or wintergreen oil to the concoction - or mix the home "brew" half-and-half with a commercial tooth powder - to give the dentifrice a more pleasant flavor.  More Household Ingredients  |  Formula Submissions.
   
   

2. MAKE YOUR OWN TOOTHPASTE. This formula is simply an extension of the tooth powder recipe: To each half cup of homemade powder, add 3 teaspoons of glycerin, 10-20 drops of flavoring (peppermint, wintergreen, anise, cinnamon or whatever) and 1 drop of food coloring. Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl and add just enough water to make the concoction "tooth-pastey". Spoon the substance into a small refillable plastic squeeze bottle or any container that dispenses easily and won't leak. VoilÁ! Toothpaste!    A word on glycerin here...

The amount of glycerin you add will control the "pastiness" of the cleanser and obviously the type of flavoring will determine the taste. Both ingredients are inexpensive and available at any drugstore. Your neighborhood grocer, of course, can supply you with salt, food coloring and baking soda.

Commercial toothpastes generally incorporate a slick, easy flowing combination of chalk, soap, glycerin and flavorings. Your homemade creation won't be as smooth...but I know you'll find it more satisfying, less wasteful and - above all - less expensive. You'll be able to make a year's supply of toothpaste (for a family of four) at a total cost of around a buck and a half (...maybe a little more by 2010 standards. -ed.).

The formulas I've outlined here have worked well for my family...but don't be afraid to experiment and work up your own recipes.

A little experience and imagination can go a long way. See what you can do to produce your own homemade million-dollar smiles...

Editor's Note: My daughter and I made some toothpaste this past weekend. I must say that if you decide to try it, you may have to do some experimenting, as we did. I found that the glycerin called for in the recipe is not enough. We also cut back on the salt, and didn't use any food coloring. My daughter picked out some cinnamon extract instead of the mint flavoring, which I would've preferred. If you go with cinnamon, use it sparingly!!!

 I went to three different drugstores before I found what I needed. The last one, a local family pharmacy, had everything on the shelves. The first two were chain stores.

 I have to say, brushing with our homemade toothpaste was an experience, but I have never had my mouth feel fresher, and have that feeling last so long into the day (no, it wasn't just the cinnamon...). I spent around $7.00, and I feel that there is enough left over ingredients to last at least six months or more.

UPDATE:  The previous note was written back in 1997.  Not too long ago, Dr. Paul Keyes contributed a piece to the OraMedia site which lists (in order of effectiveness) the best household ingredients which can be used in a toothpaste or a tooth powder: http://mizar5.com/keyes.html

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Hi Tom,

I can't thank you enough for your website, information & help.  I was aquainted with the site about 10 months ago and emailed you with questions, which you graciously answered.  I have a 5-yr-old son who has had many problems with his teeth since he was 3, already had one tooth pulled and had a spacer put in it's place, etc. 

When we moved I took him to a new dentist, got x-rays and was told he had 5 cavities - I wanted to cry.  I've always been into alternative health and really didn't understand why his teeth were so bad.  So I found your site and started implementing the protocols along with using energetic medicine and giving him more minerals. 

I am glad to say only one of the 5 cavities had to be filled (it was very deep) and the others disappeared.  I was so happy I hugged the dentist!  The funny thing was she didn't ask me how I did that, and I was soooo happy the cavities were gone that I didn't even notice!  She had seen the xrays from the first dentist that told me he had 5 cavities and now saw the new xrays that there were none.  PROOF!! In a span of 8-9 months.

I wanted to write and thank you for your help and say how great a work you are doing along with a great website.  I have since ordered some products for my husband who has very sensitive teeth and I am keeping up the good work with my son.

Thank you,  Thank you, Thank you for sending me on the quest to find out how to take the best care of our teeth instead of visiting the dentist constantly.

Tessa A.

Cartersville, GA