Whipping up your own face oils, lip scrubs and hair treatments can be fun and generally pretty safe. But when it comes to toothpaste, we’re a lot more cautious. Here’s the main reason why:
Unlike your hair or skin, enamel doesn’t grow back once it’s damaged.
That’s why we’re pretty fussy about what we put on our teeth.
Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of DIY toothpaste recipes online. While they’re often well-intentioned, many overlook some important things, as they do not have a background in dental or formulation.
1. How abrasive is it?
Many DIY recipes use ingredients like baking soda, charcoal or clay.
The problem is that without proper testing, it’s difficult to know whether they’re gentle on enamel or slowly wearing it away. This is why trusted toothpastes undergo abrasive testing (known as RDA testing).
2. Is it staying fresh?
If a toothpaste contains water but no preservative system, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast and mould. Not exactly what you want going in your mouth.
3. Will it actually help prevent decay?
This is the big one. Including the right amount of fluoride in toothpaste has been shown to safely reduce the risk of tooth decay by around:
🦷 24% in adult teeth
🦷 Up to 37% in baby teeth
Many DIY recipes simply don’t contain ingredients that have been shown to offer the same protection.
So, can you make your own toothpaste?
Now, we’re not saying every homemade toothpaste is bad.
We’re just saying that teeth are one thing we’re happy to leave to the dental professionals.
If you are planning to make your own, make sure to keep abrasiveness, freshness and decay prevention in mind.
Can you make your own toothpaste?
Unlike your hair or skin, enamel doesn’t grow back once it’s damaged.
1. How abrasive is it?
The problem is that without proper testing, it’s difficult to know whether they’re gentle on enamel or slowly wearing it away. This is why trusted toothpastes undergo abrasive testing (known as RDA testing).
2. Is it staying fresh?
If a toothpaste contains water but no preservative system, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast and mould. Not exactly what you want going in your mouth.
3. Will it actually help prevent decay?
🦷 Up to 37% in baby teeth
Many DIY recipes simply don’t contain ingredients that have been shown to offer the same protection.
So, can you make your own toothpaste?
Now, we’re not saying every homemade toothpaste is bad.
We’re just saying that teeth are one thing we’re happy to leave to the dental professionals.
If you are planning to make your own, make sure to keep abrasiveness, freshness and decay prevention in mind.