You can – and should – use coconut oil as a natural toothpaste because it has powerful antibacterial properties, the ability to slow down tooth decay, won’t erode your enamel, soothes inflammation in the gums, is inexpensive, and relatively easy to make! While many people are stuck in the rut of using traditional toothpaste from their dentist or local store, they often fail to realize that those brightly colored toothpaste you rub on your teeth every day may not be the best choice for their oral health.
Many kinds of toothpaste contain fluoride, which can have adverse effects on our hormones, artificial sweeteners to improve taste, glycerin, which can coat the teeth and reduce mineral uptake, and surfactants, which cause the foamy nature of your toothpaste but are also linked to canker sores. While using traditional toothpaste certainly isn’t a “bad” thing, all-natural toothpaste using coconut oil are simply better. [1]
As per the USDA, coconut oil contains a wealth of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that can boost health and protect the immune system. It also contains a number of powerful medium-chain fatty acids, specifically lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, along with These MCFAs can eliminate many of the bacterial strains in the mouth that cause not only infections but also bad breath. The Streptococcus mutans bacteria may be the most dangerous, as it feeds off sugars in the mouth and then pumps out acid, which is the main contributor to tooth decay and cavities. Coconut oil can effectively eliminate those bacteria, and heal the damage that has been done to the gums and teeth. [2] [3]
Coconut oil toothpaste is an organic and sustainable alternative. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
How Do You Make Natural Toothpaste from Coconut Oil?
There are many recipes for coconut oil toothpaste – both simple and complicated – but most include baking soda, a natural sweetener, coconut oil and a carrier oil, such as cinnamon or peppermint essential oil. Other recipes may call for small amounts of sea salt or bentonite clay, as these can help draw more acidity and toxins out of the teeth. [4]
DIY Coconut Oil Toothpaste
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 3 tbsp baking soda
- 2-3 packets natural sweetener
- 25 drops essential oil of your choice
Instructions
- Warm the coconut oil on low heat as you slowly mix in the baking soda, the natural sweetener packets, and your chosen essential oil.
- Once they are thoroughly mixed, turn off the heat and allow it to cool as you continue stirring.
- Before your natural toothpaste hardens, pour it into a small jar (miniature jam jars from hotels work great) and allow it to fully cool.
How Do You Brush With Coconut Oil?
Once you have made or purchased your organic coconut oil toothpaste, simply scrape a thin layer from the top of the jar, with a spoon, knife, or with the bristles of your toothbrush, and brush normally. It may take slightly longer for the coconut oil to dissolve in the warmth of your mouth, but be patient. The use of coconut oil as a natural toothpaste is closely related to oil pulling, but this is an entirely different practice to boost your oral health.
The best thing about using coconut oil as toothpaste, or as a component in natural toothpaste, it how inexpensive it is to make or purchase and how widely available it has become. A medium-sized tub of coconut oil may only cost $15, but can last for months, and will likely be the best choice you have ever made when it comes to the health and longevity of your teeth! [5]
