Making your own toothpaste?

[crunchy_mommy]

I did a search & didn't find much on this but please direct me to the thread(s) if I missed them!

I don't want to buy toothpaste anymore. We finally ran out & have been using baking soda the past few days. I think what I'd like to do is make a "paste" from baking soda & water (and maybe sea salt? and perhaps a few drops of EO) but I have a few questions/concerns.

1 - The sodium (in both the baking soda & the salt) -- how much is absorbed through the gums etc.? How healthy is that?

2 - I always heard that baking soda is too corrosive to use on a daily basis... now, I've been trying to research it & have gotten lots of conflicting opinions. Has anyone used it long-term?

3 - How well will baking soda & water mixture store? Actually I just realized we have a mixture like that for our hair & it seems to store fine... so maybe that's not a concern.

I've never had a cavity & don't want to mess that up by making the "wrong" kind of toothpaste!!

ETA: OK now I'm reading about xylitol, maybe we should bypass the baking soda & do that instead? I'm so confused, seems like everything I find is controversial. And is xylitol safe for hypoglycemics?

[MoonStarFalling]

I've been using the baking soda and sea salt mixture daily for about 5-6 years. No complaints from my dentist.

I know some people make a paste with EO but I just skip that and use the powder form. I think the paste would involve more work and mess and possibly not store as long.

I put xylitol in my powder as well (1 part salt, 1 part xylitol, 2 parts baking soda). I have blood sugar issues and xylitol doesn't bother me.

[MyLilPwny]

I've done a baking soda, coconut oil, peppermint oil mixture before.

[Koalamom]

subbing!

[crunchy_mommy]

OK I think I have too many options now lol

Baking soda -- My only concern is it being too abrasive
Salt -- I hate saltiness & can it lead to high blood pressure?
Xylitol -- Sounds perfect, I'm just reluctant with things like this, and I don't think anywhere around here sells it!
Castile soap - Anyone use this? Seems like another possible option

[madeofstardust]

I use organic coconut oil, baking soda, sea salt, peppermint oil and raw honey.
I never measure it, I just eyeball it, but it's probably something like:

1 TBSP OCO
2 TBSP Baking Soda
A dash of Sea Salt
1 or 2 drops of Peppermint Oil [I just use it for flavoring, you can use any other kind of oil or nothing at all if it suits you]
A dab of honey

[xekomaya]

We grew up using Arm & hammer baking soda toothpaste when it was basically just minty baking soda - dry - that you poured onto your brush and then wet to brush. No need to pre-wet the ingredients.

If I were making it myself I would probably choose baking soda, 20% xylitol, maybe some sea salt, maybe not, and a few drops of peppermint EO to scent the whole mix.

After watching xylitol save my ds's teeth (and then me stupidly stop it to watch all the decay come back ) I completely love the stuff. Way better than GA.