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 was nasty. 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. Here’s what you need to make it:
- 2 Tbsp boiled water
- 4 teaspoons Dr. Bronner’s unscented or peppermint liquid castile soap
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil*
- 1 to 2 tsp Slim Sweet, Xylitol, or Stevia
- 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 (I used 2 tsp of Slim Sweet…next time I want to use Xylitol, but we were out of it this time. Slim Sweet is an all natural sweetener made from Lo Han, a fruit found in China.)
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:
I searched high and low for a container to put this in…then I found this condiment thing. I think you usually put mayonnaise or something 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 it. I can’t say the taste is great, but it isn’t terrible. 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 more peppermint.
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 Slim Sweet, and the 4 teaspoons I used of the castile soap didn’t even make a dent in what was in the bottle. So, 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? 🙂
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!
Wow I'd like to try this..I'm really into natural alternatives… A lot of commercial toothpastes don't do anything for my teeth… and I really like to rebuild my enamel and think I can despite what many dentists and pll say.. I think I just need to eat healthier
This is really neat! Our family loves our toothpowder and we haven't had trouble with the baking soda. Our dentist notices how clean our teeth are! However, I will definitely keep this in mind if I find someone who wants something natural and less abrasive.
We still use tooth powder occasionally, too, just not every time we brush. There's a lot of great benefits to brushing with baking soda! Thanks so much for visiting!
Interesting. I've seen lots of natural toothpaste recipes similar to this, but never including soap. I'm all for trying natural DIY ways to make our home healthy & clean. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by, Jelli! If you try it, I hope you like it!
I have just made this recipe for tooth soap and it is really good First time I have ever tried it. thanks
I'm glad you like it! I'm planning to make some more soon.
I've been looking for a recipe like this one.
Do you know what 'kind' of peppermint essential oil is better?
I thought that not all of them are for internal use, but I'm
not very educated about essential oils.
Do you have any recommendations?
Hi Jennifer,
We're still using this tooth soap, and we've almost used up all of the first batch. My husband loves it, and I think it's so-so. It isn't minty enough for me. I plan to use more peppermint essential oil next time I make it.
I have the Aura Cacia brand: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00014FKZK?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=B00014FKZK&linkCode=xm2&tag=artfulhomemaking-20
I've had mine for so many years that they have updated the label, but it's the same thing.
I know it will say on the bottle "not for internal use," but we aren't swallowing the tooth soap, so we really aren't using it internally. I don't think the type or the brand matters that much, so you can use whatever you have access to.
Hope that helps!
Hi there. I know someone who is using doTerra essential oils. Apparently they are supposed to be so pure that you can ingest them. I also do not know where you can purchase them or how expensive they are.
This is sooooo neat but sadly I am allergic to coconut oil and it causes blisters in my mouth. I am trying some tooth powders recipes right now and I am liking them. I will share hopefully soon.
Blessings in Him<><
-Mary
Oh, that's too bad that you're allergic to coconut oil! I know a lot of people really like and recommend tooth powder. I still use mine occasionally (one we bought from Vitacost).
we've been using Rose of Sharon Acres' tooth soap spritz and really like it. It's pricey, but lasts a while. Thanks for the recipe, though – if I could make my own, it'd be much cheaper!!
I've never heard of the tooth soap spritz–sounds interesting!
I may need to try this! I, too, have an almost-full jar of nasty tooth soap shreds that no one is going to use anytime soon!
Oh, another person who agrees that tooth soap shreds are nasty! 🙂 This tooth soap still has a slightly soapy taste, but it just isn't as strong as the shreds. And I like the consistency better. I'm hoping that adding more peppermint essential oil and maybe some more sweetener will improve the taste even further.
Thanks for sharing! I'm going to try this recipe because we've done some experimenting as well but haven't found something the whole family is willing to use.
Thanks for visiting, Wanderer! If you try it, I hope you like it. My husband and I have been using it and like it, but I haven't tried it with my children yet…I'm not sure they'll enjoy it as much as the toothpaste they've been using, but I'm going to ask them to try it. 🙂
Do I have to use Tropical Traditions' coconut oil? I've been using Dr. Mercola's (http://products.mercola.com/coconut-oil/) for years now and just wondering what difference are there. In any case, I'll try this out!
Thanks!
You can use any coconut oil, Carol! I just happen to have Tropical Traditions, but any brand will work. If you try this, I hope it works well for you!