Did you know this…

can become this?

Yes, friends, I have stepped into a whole new world. A simpler world. A crunchier world.

I made my own toothpaste for the first time almost three years ago, following this recipe at Crunchy Betty. I don't use it all the time now, but this is by far my favorite DIY toothpaste receipe I've tried. No, it doesn’t taste just like store bought toothpaste. But it is pretty amazing.

The details: You need Coconut Oil, Baking Soda, Peppermint Oil, and Stevia.

I bought my supplies at the local natural grocer, mostly because it felt a little crunchier that way. It is a little pricey to make these initial investments (the organic coconut oil was $8, the peppermint oil was around $6, as was the organic stevia) but all of it has other uses. And ultimately, it will end up being cheaper than the store-bought toothpaste. (I used to spend about $4 a tube.)

To make: take 3 tablespoons of coconut oil and 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Using a fork, mash them up until pretty well blended. Then add 20 to 25 drops of peppermint oil and one packet of stevia. Continue to mash and mix until smooth. You could also add 2 teaspoons of vegetable glycerin to add sweetness and reach a more typical toothpaste consistency, but I don’t think it is necessary.

Et voila! You have made toothpaste.

As you can see, I put mine in two little jars. One small mason jar and one little jar that used to hold fancy jam. Now to brush my teeth I just dip my toothbrush into the jar. Somehow it seems simpler than having to fight to squeeze toothpaste out of the tube.

So there you go! You are now fully capable of making your own toothpaste. If you have any questions about whether or not coconut oil is good for your teeth, or if you are concerned about the lack of fluoride in this toothpaste, head over to Crunchy Betty’s post. She addresses all of these things, and is probably much more knowledgeable in this area than I am.

Have you ever DIYed your own toothpaste? What is your favorite recipe?