The Crunchy Moose

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How I Put An End To Sensitive Teeth With Homemade Toothpaste

DISCLOSURE: Please note these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. I am not a doctor. I am simply sharing my experiences.

How I Put An End To Sensitive Teeth With Homemade Toothpaste - thecrunchymoose.com I used to have sensitive teeth. I used to use a maximum strength sensitive toothpaste. I used to use a numbing gel I got from my dentist everyday. And I STILL had sensitive teeth & gums. And then I started making DIY, nontoxic, homemade toothpaste. My sensitive teeth are a thing of the past. Bye bye Sensodyne!

The Problem With Toothpastes For Sensitive Teeth (well, with most commercial toothpastes actually….)

Here are the ingredients for the Sensodyne toothpaste I used:

  • Active Ingredients: Potassium Nitrate* – 5 % (Antihypersensitivity), Sodium Fluoride – 0.15 % (Anticavity)
  • Inactive Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Flavor, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, PEG-8, Pentasodium Triphosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Saccharin, Sorbitol, Sucralose, Titanium Dioxide, Water, Xanthan Gum

The Environmental Working Group is a great source for checking the toxicity of your products. EWG gives each product a toxic rating from 0 (nontoxic) to 10 (very toxic). The site breaks down the risks and side effects associated with each ingredient. And here’s what the Environmental Working Group says about some of the ingredients in my Sensodyne:

  • Sodium Fluoride: Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), & Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive). A toxic score of 5.
  • Flavor: Flavor is a term used by cosmetic manufacturers for substances or combination of substances added to a cosmetic product to produce or to mask a particular flavor. A toxic score of 4.
  • Cocamidoprophyl Betaine: Cocamidopropyl betaine is a synthetic surfactant; it has been associated with irritation and allergic contact dermatitis, reactions that could be due to the ingredient itself or to impurities present in it, such as 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. A toxic score of 4.

And the MAIN problem with my sensitive toothpaste was that it DID NOT CURE anything.

I still had sensitive teeth & gums. Everyday. I used that toothpaste for several years and my sensitivity never decreased and actually got worse. It got so bad that my dentist then gave me a numbing gel with fluoride that I applied to my gums everyday. So I was brushing my teeth with a fluoride toothpaste and then rubbing a fluoride gel on my gums. Fluoride has been linked to acne, rashes, arthritis, and thyroid problems. Read more here, here, and here. I have a long history of dental problems. I had periodontal disease at the age of 20 and had periodontal scaling done. If you’ve never done this, lucky you. The dentist digs under the gums and removes plaque at the root of your teeth. My dentist did it in 6 sections, so I went back for 6 appointments for him to dig around with his poking stick. It’s a bit uncomfortable. Around the same time I had a root canal. I was blessed with quite the overbite and had some sort of metal in my mouth for 13 years (from an appliance before my braces, then braces for 5 years, then a retainer), which I am pretty positive why I have a history of unhealthy gums. It is difficult to clean behind all those wires!

I have not had a single problem or sensitivity since switching to this homemade toothpaste!

Homemade Toothpaste Recipe

All of these ingredients are safe, natural, and nontoxic. Meaning my 1 year old son can swallow his toothpaste and I don’t have to worry about it.

  • Coconut oil is anti-fungal and gets rid of bacteria.
  • Natural baking soda disinfects and whitens. Use a natural, good quality baking soda. Find out if your baking soda is natural here.
  • Bentonite clay pulls toxins out of your body. It is volcanic ash with an electric charge. Bentonite clay also happens to be my favorite face mask.
  • Xylitol decreases bacteria and remineralizes teeth.
  • This concentrated trace mineral liquid contains over 72 trace minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and zinc. These minerals are essential for strong teeth. Learn more about trace minerals here.
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Homemade Toothpaste With Bentonite Clay

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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients with a non-metal spoon in a non-metal bowl (bentonite clay is volcanic ash with an electric charge). If your coconut oil is solid or difficult to mix, heat it on the stove on low heat until for a few minutes.
  2. Store in a container (preferably glass). Dip your toothbrush in and brush normally.
  3. Safe for all children and adults. This will keep for several months at room temperature.

Notes

  • **When it was just me using this, I added 10 drops of the trace minerals. But my son does not like it that salty, so now I use just 5 drops.
  • ***I like lemon, peppermint, and/or Thieves
  • ****I add 1-2 tbsp of water in the winter only. Coconut oil changes consistency depending on the temperature. In the summer when it is warmer, the coconut oil is liquid so I don’t need more moisture in my toothpaste then. In the winter, the coconut oil is solid so I add water as needed.

How I Put An End To Sensitive Teeth With Homemade Toothpaste - thecrunchymoose.com

Q&A

  • Will my teeth turn the color of the clay?
    • NO! It will not. My teeth are whiter than ever. And I am a coffee and red wine drinker.
  • Is the clay safe with metal fillings?
    • Yep! From the clay manufacturer: “We have found that a short period of time with metal is not enough to cause a reaction, such as brushing your teeth, or mixing the clay with a spoon. You would not want to leave a spoon in clay for a long period of time, or leave clay packed on a tooth with a filling, but for brushing you are perfectly safe.”
  • Can I use something other than xylitol?
    • Yes. You can use stevia, honey, or no sweetner at all.
  • Is it safe for kids?
    • Yes. Everything is natural. My son has used it since his 1st tooth grew in. If you are using it with kids, be sure to check out this article for a list of essential oils that are safe for kids.

The Rest of My Natural Oral Care Routine

  • I also oil pull about 3 times a week with coconut oil. This is a magical and amazing detox. If you haven’t tried it, you should!

Oil Pulling - thecrunchymoose.com

  • I use this homemade mouthwash. I have to admit that my husband is not as into this natural lifestyle and does not use my homemade toothpaste. But he LOVES this homemade mouthwash!

Homemade Mouthwash Recipe for Whitening and Remineralizing Teeth

  • The most important supplement (and really the only supplement we take daily) is fermented cod liver oil (find it here and read about it here). It is full of vitamin A & D which are important for tooth and gum health.

fermented cod liver oil

Find more homemade toothpaste recipes here:

 Find out more about healing cavities naturally here:

How I Put An End To Sensitive Teeth With Homemade Toothpaste - thecrunchymoose.com

 

 


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  1. Hi, my Amazon order just arrived yesterday and I am so super excited to try the toothpaste. I do have a question though. I bought the bentonite clay that you linked to and when I was reading the jar it stated “for external use only”. I’m just curious if the Aztec brand is safe for the toothpaste. Thank you!

  4. You can put it in a squeeze tube. You will probably need to add about 2-3 tablespoons of water to thin it. Let me know how it works.

  5. Hi there! I’d like to try this homemade toothpaste because it sounds awesome, but I’m a little concerned about whether or not the coconut oil (or any of the other ingredients) may cause a problem because my front tooth is a crown. Can you provide any insight into this?

  6. I have not heard that it causes problems with crowns. I have asked around and nobody has reported problems with their crowns or other dental work.

  8. not sure if you mentioned this or not but is it ok to spit this down the sink? Ive heard ppl warn against having CO and maybe even clay in the pipes

  9. I do and don’t have problems. But if you have old or troublesome pipes, you may want to spit it in the trash.

  10. I just read that coconut oil contains 50% Lauric acid – will using it in toothpaste damage tooth enamel?

  12. I spit mine in the sink while I run warm water (mostly because it makes a mess of my sink if I don’t). I like this recipe – it works great.

  15. I was wondering how long you used the toothpaste before the sensitivity went away. I’m using Wellness Mama’s remineralizing recipe and my teeth are still sensitive after 7 months now. I bought the clay and will try your recipe now but was just curious. TIA.

  17. You really don’t need the liquid trace mineral ingredient. Calcium bicarbonate already contains all of those minerals and more. It’s not just for detox.

  18. Do you know if I could use Moroccan ghassoul clay instead of Bentonite clay? It has very similar detoxifying properties and I can obtain it much easier and cheaper than bentonite.

  19. I haven’t tried it, but I have seen the 2 clays used for substitutes for each other in other recipes.

  20. Look amazing. Would love to try it. But wanted to ask, What is the inggrediant that helps with sinsitive teeth ?

  21. For me, I think it was more about the ingredients I wasn’t using – like the ones in a lot of commercial toothpaste. Baking soda & essential oils is what I believe helped my teeth the most. (But always consult your dentist)

  22. Coconut is used in everyday toothpaste as well. It is just called sodium laurel sulfate or by any of its other scientific names. Coconut is what makes most tooth products foam.

  23. Your post has been an answered prayer in my life. I had extensive dental work done 6 months ago, which left my teeth unbearably sensitive. I was miserable. Using your recipe as my guide, I came up with a homemade recipe that worked for me. After almost 4 months of using it, my sensitivity is almost completely gone. I’m hoping it will get even better with time! Thank you for sharing your story, it has renewed my relationship with frozen yogurt! 🙂

  25. I made some bentonite clay toothpaste and it looked way too runny so I added more. Once it seemed firmer I stopped and filled my tubes. Now it’s like modeling clay and I can’t extrude through the tube’s smaller hole. I am still able to unscrew the cap and push some out and mold it into a pea on my brush. I was hoping to find tips to recover what I have instead of tossing it out. Any ideas how to take it back to more workable toothpaste??

  26. I have never tried putting this in a tube. I keep it in a jar and dip my toothbrush in it. In cooler temperature, the coconut oil will solidify and make it harder. I would try melting the mixture over low heat and adding more water. Then hopefully when it cools off and hardens, it will be a softer texture. Good luck

  27. Just curious how long it lasts? is there a shelf life or will it go bad after a period of time?

    Thanks!

  28. It lasts for a long time, but not sure how long. I’ve kept it for about 6 months with no problems.

  29. I’ve tried your recipe and, although my teeth feel quite clean, they are all! now super sensitive whereas before just 2 teeth were. Is there some “getting used to” phase? I used the same recipe this past summer and didn’t have the same issues….

  30. Oh no! I did not have any adjustment periods. I hate to hear that. As always, consult your healthcare provider. I wish I could help!

  31. Hello,

    Thanks for creating this wonderful toothpaste recipe. My teeth have so much gum recession that looking into my mouth, one might conclude it was the South Rim of the Grand Canyon! The sensitivity was almost unbearable as my teeth are terribly eroded due to a lifetime of poor dental hygiene. Thanks to using this fabulous concoction, the sensitivity has dramatically reduced to almost nothing. Bravo for your formula; it works great.

  33. Hi there,
    I’ve been using clay as a toothpaste for some time, but have recently stopped due to it’s high naturally occurring lead content. A few sites have told me that this is not a concern due to the different ionisations, but I have not found a jot of science to back this up. Actually the science I can find says that exposing mucous membranes to lead (natural or otherwise) is a very bad idea due to its ability to enter the bloodstream, and some of the Centres for lead poisoning/control have spoken about clay. This is why companies using clay int their toothpastes have so much trouble. It’s very disheartening as I loved using clay!

  35. I just tried making this but I couldn’t get the xylitol to dissolve at all. It stayed very grainy, too grainy to be comfortable and might damage my enamel. Any tips on how I can dissolve the xylitol? I’ve never used it with anything before.

  36. Hi Ashlee,

    You have so much info that is essential to living healthy! I ran across a youtube video surely over a year ago about oil pulling and home made tooth paste. When looked again to finish reading, the videos were gone. I don’t know if it was you or not-you look somewhat alike. Any way I want to say thank-you for all your help. I follow-up with the toothcare plan and let you know my results.

    Thanks so very much,
    Liz Love

  37. Hi Liz – Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m so glad it helped!

  38. SLF is a foaming agent but the latin name for coconut is Cocos nucifera and has nothing to do with SLF

  39. I just read about the trace minerals containing arsenic. Then read a Dartmouth study on safe levels. After that I wasn’t too enthused about using it. Glad there is an alternative.

  45. I’ve been looking into switching from regular toothpaste to a natural remineralizing one. Thanks for sharing this recipe! That’s very exciting that it helps with sensitivity. I’m wondering, what effect did it have on overall oral health for you? What I mean is, do you have any experience with it actually healing cavities? I have a dentist appointment next week, where I know they’re going to tell me I have a bunch of cavities, and I really want to try this for the next 6 months and see how the next checkup goes.

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