Money-Saving Natural Toothpaste and Mouthwash Recipes

Dear Dollar Stretcher,
I see you have quite a few natural recipes on your site for home health remedies and beauty products. Do you or your readers have any natural homemade toothpaste and mouthwash recipes? I’m looking for recipes that would be cheaper to make than buying store-bought brands. Thanks in advance!
Joanne

Natural Money-Saving Homemade Toothpaste and Mouthwash Recipes

Editor’s note: The tips and suggestions below are from other Dollar Stretcher readers, not dental professionals. It may be wise to consult your dentist before making changes to your dental hygiene habits.

Excellent Whitening and Plaque Removing Paste

Take equal parts salt, baking soda and coconut oil. Mix into a paste. You can add mint extract and stevia to taste. This is excellent as a whitening and plaque removing paste. Dip clean brush into jar or use a popsicle stick to spread it on the brush. You could just use straight baking soda, but it tends to be drying. The coconut oil helps prevent that.
N

Whitest Teeth in Town

I make homemade toothpaste, which also acts as a whitener. I use equal parts of baking soda and coconut oil and add a few drops of peppermint oil. I’m a tea drinker and it helps to keep my teeth from developing tea stains by using it two to three times per week. I also use regular whitening toothpaste the rest of the time.
Marianne

A Few Recommendations for Homemade Toothpaste and Mouthwash From Around the Web

These are the recipes my family uses. I’m not sure where I got all of them, but my husband and I like them.

Basic Baking Soda Toothpaste

I adapted this one from dg-dentistry.com.

2/3 cup Baking Soda
1 tsp Fine Sea Salt (optional – direct abrasion can be good for teeth, but can also potentially wear down enamel)
1 – 2 tsp Peppermint Extract or 10-15 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (or any flavor you like)
Filtered Water (add to desired consistency)

Instructions: Mix all powdered ingredients (baking soda, optional sea salt) together in a bowl. Add the essential oil, then add a little water at a time until the desired consistency. Store in an opaque container (light sensitive), and it should last for a few months.

Note: If you’re not fond of the salty taste, reduce the salt or leave it out entirely.

Coconut Oil Toothpaste

(I’m not sure where we got this one.)

1/2 cup Coconut Oil
2-3 tbsp Baking Soda
15-20 drops of Peppermint or Cinnamon Essential Oil

Instructions: Soften or melt the coconut oil and mix it with other ingredients. Cool and harden in a container (silicon mold or small jar), stirring a few times to distribute ingredients. To use, scrape a small amount onto your toothbrush and brush as usual.

Herbal Mint Mouthwash

(I think I adapted this from wellnessmama.com.)

1 cup fresh Mint leaves
1 cup Rosemary leaves
1 cup Chamomile Flowers
4 cups Vodka (as the base)

Instructions: Combine the herbs in a mason jar and pour vodka over them. Seal the jar and leave it in a cool, dark place for about two weeks. Shake the jar once a day to help the vodka extract the benefits from the herbs. After two weeks, strain out the herbs and pour the mouthwash into a clean bottle.

Baking Soda and Essential Oil Mouthwash

I adapted this one from diynatural.com.

2 cups distilled or mineral water
2 tsp baking soda
2 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil

Instructions: In a mason jar, combine the water and baking soda and shake until the baking soda is dissolved. Add the essential oils and shake again. To use, shake well, then swish about 1-2 teaspoons in your mouth for a minute, then spit it out.
AJN

Make Mouthwash From Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide can be used as a mouthwash. I’ve used empty bottles to mix it half and half with water to make it last longer. I have not tried flavoring it, but adding a drop or two of spare extract to a small amount could be worth a shot.

As far as toothpaste goes, you can try baking soda. It is too rough for daily use and can wear away your enamel, so dentists say to only use it once or twice a week. Otherwise, store bought toothpaste is probably your best bet for money saving. Remember to only use a pea-sized amount. You don’t need as much as they use in commercials.

I keep an eye out for sales that I can combine with coupons.
Kyle

Three Drops Will Do

Homemade toothpaste really will not save you money. Using a pea-sized portion of Colgate toothpaste (less than a dollar for a seven-ounce tube), the tube lasts for months (one person). It sure tastes a lot better than baking soda!

For mouthwash, I mix equal parts of peppermint, almond and spearmint oil, putting them in a dropper bottle, and use three drops on a toothbrush. It is an effective agent to prevent and recover from gingivitis, and it will not harm you. It does not go bad. The oils can be used for many things, making them a worthwhile investment. A lot of people use vodka as mouthwash (it’s true!), although it wouldn’t necessarily be a cheaper option.
Bri

Your Mouth Will Thank You

Simply sprinkle some baking soda in one hand (about a half teaspoon). Take your brush in the other hand and dip it into a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and then into the baking soda in the palm of your other hand and brush. Rinse and repeat if you like. You have mouthwash and paste in one easy application.

Your teeth and mouth will thank you for it!
Larlo

You’ll Love It!

I use equal parts baking soda, salt and coconut oil. And, I add mint extract and stevia to taste.
Nick

Related:

• Good Dental Hygiene Is Money in Your Pocket
• Is Dental Insurance a Money-Saver or Just Another Expense?
• 6 Ways To Reduce the Cost of Dental Work

Reviewed July 2023