Homemade Tooth Soap {Tutorial}
Homemade tooth soap is easy to make with this simple tutorial.
Brushing with Soap?
Affiliate links included below. Read my disclosure here.
Several years ago, we came across the idea of brushing teeth with soap rather than toothpaste. We first tried a simple bar soap (a pure olive oil soap with all natural ingredients and no glycerine), but we didn’t care for the taste, it didn’t leave our mouths feeling very fresh, and we didn’t like having to rub our toothbrushes across the bar of soap.
Then we tried tooth powders, but most of the ones we found contained mostly baking soda. The constant use of baking soda on our teeth was causing the enamel to wear away, and just seemed too harsh and abrasive.
We then tried some tooth soap shreds, but we thought the taste wasn’t very good. And the cost was prohibitive, even though one jar will last a very long time (too long, in my opinion).
So, after some searching, I came across this recipe, and I think it might be what we’ve been looking for. At least so far, we are pretty happy with it.
How to Make Homemade Tooth Soap
- 2 Tbsp boiled water
- 4 teaspoons unscented or peppermint liquid castile soap
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 to 2 tsp Xylitol or Stevia (xylitol kills bad bacteria in the mouth, but keep it away from pets)
- 20-30 drops peppermint or spearmint essential oils (I think more is better–I plan to try at least 30 drops next time.)
In a small saucepan, boil a small amount of water (like 1/4 to 1/2 cup–doesn’t have to be exact, as you only need a couple of tablespoons). Add 2 tablespoons of the boiled water to a food processor or blender.
Measure the coconut oil (mine was already liquified, since it was quite warm in our kitchen:
Add the coconut oil to the blender:
Add the 2 tsp sweetener.
Add the 4 tsp castile soap:
And lastly, add the essential oil. I only used 20 drops this time, but it didn’t turn out to be as pepperminty as I would like, so I’ll use a bit more next time.
Turn on the blender and blend until frothy. It only took a few seconds in the Vitamix.
It kind of has the consistency of a toothpaste:
How to Use Tooth Soap
I searched high and low for a container to put this in…then I found this squeeze bottle. You usually put mayonnaise or something similar in these. I had this one just sitting in the cabinet, never used before, and it seemed like a good thing to use for tooth soap.
The tooth soap squeezes out really well:
After using this for a week or so, we still really like my homemade tooth soap. I can’t say the taste is amazingly great, but it isn’t terrible either.
It isn’t nearly as bad (in our opinion) as the tooth soap shreds. But it does leave a slight soapy taste in your mouth for a few seconds until you rinse your mouth out really well with water.
After rinsing, my mouth feels clean and fresh, and my teeth feel so nice and smooth. I do wish it had more of a minty flavor, so next time I plan to add even more peppermint essential oil.
Another selling point for this tooth soap is that it is very inexpensive to make.
We already had the coconut oil on hand (it’s a staple in our home), I’ve been using that one little bottle of peppermint essential oil for several years (I get bigger bottles for soap making), we already had the sweetener, and the 4 teaspoons I used of the castile soap didn’t even make a dent in what was in the bottle.
So, overall it’s very cheap. And I can afford to make another batch to keep in the main bathroom where the children brush their teeth (and even after making that batch, I will still have ingredients left over to make it many more times).
Anyone else use tooth soap?
Related Posts:
DIY Homemade Essential Oil Mouthwash Recipe
I hope to try this recipe in the near future, as I’ve had at least $1500+ of dental work in the last 3 years. (And that’s with insurance) Cavities fillings, root canals…my dentist sold me a $30 Rx tube of fluoride toothpaste. The next time I get a mouth full of cavities, he’ll probably have me fitted for dentures, so I’m almost willing to try anything new at this point. But I want to know, does this really work? Does your dentist’s actually say that your teeth are in better shape now than they were when prior to teeth cleaning method?
Hi Jessica! So sorry to hear about your dental trials. I know how discouraging that can be. Regarding the tooth soap, I’m not currently using it (even though I do think it’s effective). I switched to using this homemade coconut mint toothpaste mostly because we prefer the taste, but when I can afford it, this is my current favorite toothpaste.
However, I don’t believe the main factor in dental health is the kind of toothpaste used. I believe it’s more of a whole body issue, which requires a complete diet and lifestyle change. Some dentists say our dental health is a picture of our overall health. My dentist recommends this book, and I think it’s the best place to start when trying to improve dental health. Hope that’s helpful!
I used to use tooth soap but can’t afford it. I have done of the shredded left so started using. I notice again. I made this and brushed my teeth and they left so clean. Thanks
So glad it was helpful, Judy!
I am allergic to coconut and cant use it. Even a little cause a problem! What can I use on place of that?
I’ve read that you can replace the coconut oil with shea butter mixed with olive oil to replace the coconut oil. Not sure about the amounts of each, so it may require a bit of experimentation. Hope that helps!
Yes I have and find it great but i uses to buy minebut got costly so I just started brushing with Dr. Bronners baby mild and works well but i am up for new things and will def give this a try
Also baking soda is less abrassive on teeth than conventional toothpaste.
I have no issues with tooth powders or baking soda as I use an extra soft toothbrush(wish they made eco friendly ones)
I love this recipe, however, my batches don’t ways turn put the same. Sometimes I can get it to whip, sometimes it only blends. I must say, I actually make this with Young Living Thieves cleaner, peppermint oil and thieves oil. I have tried it with orange oil and vanilla extract, and just tried with root beer extract. I like all the combos.
So glad you like it! And thanks for sharing the different combinations you’ve tried!
YOU CAN ALSO USE ANISE ESSENTIAL OIL, GREAT TASTE!
THE PROBLEM W/USING COCONUT OIL FOR EITHER TOOTHPASTE OR TOOTHSOAP IS THAT IT CLOGS THE DRAINS. IT’S HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE WHENEVER I’VE BEEN USING THOSE FOR SOME MONTHS.
That’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
I do love using tooth soap . My fav is from Hopewell Essential Oils although I’d like to DIY. I’m getting ready to try a recipe idea. I’m wondering why the liquid Castile soap? Is this diff than reg liquid soap?? I’m familiar w Dr Bronners but …Dr Judd who suggested tooth soap says not to use liquid soap. Thoughts on this? Is Dr B exempt from this bc his is a natural Castile soap?
Dr. Bronner’s castile soap is completely different than average liquid soap. Dr. Bronner’s castile soap uses pure ingredients, so that’s why it’s used rather than other liquid soaps. Hope that helps!
Dr. Bronners liquid castile soap has glycerin in it!
All soap have it but it is highly water soluble frm what iread
One of the reasons Bronner’s (and most castile) soap is so sensitive is due to the retained (naturally occurring) glycerin. It is very much different than added glycerin which coats your teeth and inhibits natural remineralization of your teeth and the absorption of vitamins and minerals that they need. I implore you to convince yourself though, don’t just take my word for it.