Are you worried about the health of your gums but don’t know where to begin? Keep reading to uncover the secret to healthy gums! Hint: it’s super simple.
When my husband was diagnosed with periodontal disease at 26, I knew we needed to change something. We were already eating whole foods and reducing our sugar intake, but we needed to change something else. In this post, I’m going to cover our secret to healthy gums as well as other tips to avoid unhealthy gums and prevent severe gum disease.
The Secret to Healthy Gums: Natural Toothpaste
Natural toothpaste is a toothpaste option that is formulated with gentle and wholesome ingredients sourced from nature. Unlike conventional fluoride toothpaste, it avoids harsh chemicals, artificial flavors, and colors, offering a more nature-friendly and tooth-friendly approach to oral care.
In my personal experience, I’ve found that natural toothpaste provides a refreshing and clean feeling while being kind to your gums and overall oral health.
Types of Natural Toothpaste
We tried Earthpaste first, which is based on bentonite clay and contains no fluoride, glycerin, artificial colors, or foaming agents.
Then, I eventually made my own Homemade Toothpaste with similar ingredients and have been using it ever since!
This toothpowder is a great option too. It contains Hydroxyapatite which helps remineralize your teeth! You can get it on its own or in this detox mouth kit which will really take your oral health up to the next level.
Earthpaste Review
Earthpaste ingredients are a few: clay, water, essential oils, real salt (for taste and minerals), and xylitol (for dental health and flavor). It’s safe enough to eat (which is a huge plus when dealing with kids), and the customer reviews were raving. I hadn’t heard a single bad thing about it, so I figured it was worth a shot.
Brushing with Earthpaste is an entirely different experience than brushing with typical toothpaste.
First, it’s brown. To me, thinking that brown toothpaste will clean your teeth is weird.
Second, it doesn’t foam. At all. It’s almost as if the toothpaste disappears after you’ve been brushing for a while… but you know it doesn’t because you haven’t swallowed it. It’s weird.
The strangest part, though, is that it gave us the cleanest, freshest mouths we’d EVER had.
We were sold on that first brushing, and I threw out every other conventional tube of toothpaste in our house that weekend – including all the free samples we had from dentists and mail offers over the years – and never looked back.
We used Earthpaste faithfully for about nine months and even cut the ends off the tubes to scrape out every last bit.
When we ran out, I tested the waters of making our own toothpaste using bentonite clay (the same clay that Earthpaste is made of), and we loved that version even more. It’s super easy to make; we can make it in any flavor we want (orange is my favorite – it tastes like an orange tic tac!), and it costs 60% less.
In this time frame of using Earthpaste and eventually switching to our own Homemade Toothpaste, my husband worked on healing his gum disease naturally, and we had some of my son’s cavities filled.
We know that natural remedies for good health are more of a life-long commitment than an overnight fix, so we struck a balance by fixing immediate concerns now and implementing new routines for good dental health going forward.
Ingredients to Look for in Natural Toothpaste
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is a natural mineral that has gained popularity in oral care products due to its ability to draw out toxins and impurities. In toothpaste, it can help remove surface stains from teeth and absorb harmful bacteria, promoting a cleaner and brighter smile.
I am convinced that bentonite clay, the key ingredient in my natural toothpaste, has been pivotal in our dental health for two major reasons:
- The shape of the clay attracts toxins in two ways, through adsorption and absorption, and removes them from the mouth and body.
- It’s full of natural minerals, replenishing those lost in the daily grind and helping to restore the health of our teeth.
Where To Find Bentonite Clay To Make Natural Toothpaste?
One 10 oz tub will last you seemingly forever. I’ve had one jar for over a year and made several batches of homemade toothpaste. I’ve also started adding bentonite clay to my Homemade Tinted Moisturizer and Powdered Foundation. When the 10 oz tub is $10 or less (which happens pretty frequently), that’s your buy price. It’s SO much more affordable than buying toothpaste, and it’s multi-functional too!
In addition to the bentonite clay, all you need is water, xylitol, and essential oils! Find the full recipe HERE.
One thing to note: I get questions all the time about Proposition 65 and lead warning labels on Redmond Clay. I did some research and found what they have to say about it. Check it out here.
Herbal Extracts (such as neem, tea tree, or clove)
Herbal extracts are amazing because they have this natural power to fight off harmful bacteria and reduce gum inflammation. You can find awesome ingredients like neem, tea tree, and clove in natural toothpaste, and they work together to create a healthier and happier mouth environment.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a fantastic natural ingredient that offers multiple benefits for your oral health. Not only does it possess natural whitening properties, but it also plays a crucial role in neutralizing acids in the mouth that can lead to tooth decay. Additionally, baking soda can freshen your breath by reducing the bacteria responsible for causing unpleasant odors.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a natural sweetener that comes from plants. The great thing about it is that it may slow the growth of bacteria that can cause cavities in your mouth. It also helps with remineralizing tooth enamel, which means it makes your teeth stronger and healthier.
Essential Oils (such as peppermint, spearmint, or eucalyptus)
Essential oils make our toothpaste taste great, give us fresh breath, and have antibacterial superpowers. You might find peppermint, spearmint, and eucalyptus oils in lots of natural toothpaste because they fight harmful bacteria and keep our mouths clean and healthy!
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a wonderful ingredient that gently removes plaque and surface stains from your teeth. It does a great job of keeping your teeth clean and polished, all while being less harsh compared to other ingredients commonly found in toothpaste.
How Natural Toothpaste Keeps Healthy Gums
Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula
Natural toothpaste is made with gentle ingredients that are less likely to irritate sensitive gum tissue. Do you know how some regular toothpaste can have harsh chemicals or abrasive agents? Well, natural toothpaste is the opposite. It’s formulated to give you a milder and more soothing brushing experience. And it helps keep healthy gums, reducing the risk of irritation or discomfort.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Natural toothpaste often contains herbal extracts like chamomile or aloe vera, which have natural soothing effects on inflamed gum tissue. So, if you’ve been dealing with gum inflammation like red swollen gums or bleeding gums, using natural toothpaste can help calm things down and create a healthier environment for your gums to heal.
Herbal Extracts for Gum Health
Natural toothpaste harnesses the power of herbal extracts to promote gum health. Ingredients like neem, tea tree, and clove are often included in natural toothpaste because they have antibacterial properties. They work hard to fight off harmful bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to various oral problems. These herbal extracts have been used for ages to support gum health and address oral concerns, leading to a balanced oral microbiome and a healthier gum line.
Nutrients and Antioxidants in Natural Toothpaste
Some natural toothpaste brands include ingredients like green tea extract, vitamin C, or cranberry extract. These ingredients are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that do wonders for our gum health. They help nourish and strengthen our gums, keeping them in tip-top shape. Plus, they also provide protection against damage caused by free radicals.
How to Use Natural Toothpaste
We use Earthpaste toothpaste just like regular toothpaste. It can be brushed with a manual toothbrush with soft bristles or an electric toothbrush. It does not foam up as you might expect, but it is still working!
For stubborn food particles and to keep teeth healthy, use floss after brushing. Gum disease prevention starts with a good daily habit!
Detox Your Whole Mouth
To combat years of poor oral health, you can do a whole mouth detox. This detox mouth kit from Primal Life Organics is a great way to get in deep to clean your teeth and gums. The toothpowder is made with bentonite clay and Hydroxyapatite to remineralize your teeth.
The detox mouth kit comes with two toothpowders, gum serum, activated charcoal toothbrush, tongue scraper, toothpicks, and natural deodorant! All the tools you need to keep your mouth fresh without using any toxic ingredients.
FAQs
How does gum health affect my overall health?
Maintaining healthy gums is vital for your overall health. If gum problems are left untreated, they can have serious implications for your overall health. Neglected gums can potentially increase the risk of developing conditions such as heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Is natural toothpaste an effective gum disease treatment?
I’d say so! My husband was able to reverse gum disease in 6 months by switching to natural toothpaste and maintaining good oral hygiene. Regular dental cleanings also help reduce risk factors for gum disease. Your dentist will be able to detect any early gum issues as well.
What else besides using natural toothpaste can I do to prevent the development of gum disease?
Get regular dental checkups. Schedule regular visits to your dentist for a professional cleaning and thorough examination every 6 months to a year. Dentists can detect early signs of gum disease and provide personalized guidance on maintaining good oral health.
Also, regular brushing and flossing on a regular basis can help promote healthy gums and teeth. No one wants gingivitis!
Natural Toothpaste for Healthy Gums
If you want to maintain a healthy mouth, natural toothpaste is the best way to do it! Say goodbye to gum infections, persistent bad breath, tooth loss, and sore gums because natural toothpaste will give you the cleanest, healthiest mouth you’ve ever had!
More Natural Living Tips
- Homemade Elderberry Syrup
- DIY Whipped Magnesium Lotion
- Bug Spray Without Essential Oils
- Homemade Cinnamon Flavored Remineralizing Toothpaste
Kildan
I’m on a journey to get our household on a chemical free zone. I would like to try your toothpaste recipe but was wondering if I could substitute peppermint extract for Peppermint EO as that’s what I have in stock. I have all the other ingredients (I have Aztec clay) or do I need to wait until I can find food grade peppermint oil?
Tiffany
Hi Kildan! You can try peppermint extract, but you might have to tinker with the other ingredients to achieve a palatable flavor.. I think another commenter tried this once and it didn’t work out, but then someone else tried and it did work? You can try a half-batch, and adjust to taste. Remember that the flavor will be REALLY bold the first day, but will mellow after 2-3 days or so.
Ginger Mickelson
Dear Tiffany,
I was very skeptical to try this, but after reading an article about real salt vs. processed table salt, I decided to order some Redmond salt and clay. We also used up all our travel toothpastes in my delay to decide to try makign our own. We made 2 batches of homemade toothpaste tonight. I had the kids help so they would “own” it and use it. They and I really like pink grapefruit, hence my oldest wanted to try pink grapefruit essential oil. Bad idea, doesn’t taste too great, though it doesn’t help that I forgot to re-read the tips and used a full 4 drops Tea Tree Essential oil. I’m giving it 48 hours, but will probalby add a few drops of Orange to see if it improves. I tried Spearmint inplace of Peppermint Essential oil and that was good. Did you know that Peppermint essential oil is contraindicated for children under 3 because it can cause glottal spasm?
Tiffany
Thank you for the tip on the grapefruit oil Ginger! I think a few drops of orange might help, and maybe a pinch of sweetener too. When something turns out really bad in our house, it becomes the parents, and we start fresh with the kids. That way I’m the only one paying for the mistake, lol.
I didn’t know that Ginger! We usually make lemon for the kids, but I’ll be sure to read more on that before making another batch!
Deborah
I love this idea for my own “Mr. Crumb”! 😉 You didn’t post your recipe. Would you, please?
Jenifer
Have you ever made the toothpaste without stevia? I would love to avoid all of the natural and artificial sweeteners but wondering about the taste.
Samantha
I was wondering if you would be able to share how you make your toothpaste? Step by Step would be great:) i have a problem with brushing my teeth daily so im hoping this toothpaste will help with my problem.
Modern Periodontics
Earthpaste can be a very successful product however it is important to do frequent check-ups even if your teeth and gums appear to be healthy and vibrant.
Tiffany
LOL, we agree!
Sarah
My oldest has 3 crowns on baby teeth from cavities that were so bad. Is there any chance the crowns will be affected by the Earthpaste or your homemade recipe? I would hate for an adverse reaction. Thanks!
Tiffany
Hi Sarah! Redmond Clay says that their toothpaste and clay do NOT affect fillings and other dental surfaces. I have metal cavities from years ago and so far, I’ve been fine (going on 3 years now!).
Helen
I’ve been using Earthpaste for a year and still had a new cavity this visit last month :/ I might not have been using enough. Your story is encouraging!
Tiffany
I’m sorry about your cavity Helen. 🙁 Did I read in another comment that there might be some bad genes in the mix? I always figure this: do what you can do to prevent, and then if it still doesn’t work, you can’t blame yourself for not trying!
Elsie
Hi Tiffany! This is so cool! I recently had a similar experience. I hadn’t been to the dentist in years because I didn’t have insurance. Then I finally went a few weeks ago and I was terrified that my mouth would be full of cavities. But they said my mouth looked great!! I’d been using plain Redmond bentonite clay for brushing for the past few months. I didn’t even make it into a toothpaste because I was just too lazy–I’d just put a little on my brush each time.
Now I am totally sold on clay and can’t wait to learn more about it! (And maybe actually make some toothpaste with it!)
Tiffany
High fives to a great dental visit Elsie! Awesome to know that I can just use the clay if I run out of toothpaste… which is what happened last week!!
Shannon @ GrowingSlower
This is great! It is so frustrating to put so much effort into eating well and living a healthy lifestyle, only to find that there are teeth/gum problems for the kids and parents! That has been the case for our family too. We are now using Earthpaste, and I can’t believe the clean-from-the-dentist feeling it leaves me with! I only hope that long term clay will continue its healing power. I will say, after 30 years on this earth, I found a trick for remembering to floss everyday. I don’t usually leave links in blog comments, but I’ll share my post here in case it will help anyone in this area. Here’s my post on how to remember to floss everyday. 🙂
Tiffany
Thanks for stopping by Shannon! I’m checking out your tip for floss, since OBVIOUSLY, I’m not very good at remembering that either, lol! 🙂
Jennifer
We make our own toothpaste but use activated charcoal instead of the clay. I also add coconut oil, a little baking soda, xylitol and a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Tastes great and my two-year old calls it his “Batman” toothpaste because it is black. Tip – don’t get it on your clothes!
Tiffany
LOL, I think that’s a great name for toothpaste. Thanks for the heads up on the clothes too! 🙂
Dobie
I only have powdered stevia how much should I use of the dry? Love your site. I refer to it quite often. Keep up the good informative work.
Tiffany
Hi Dobie! I haven’t tried this with powdered stevia (yet), so I’d adjust to taste and add water as needed. Thanks so much for your encouragement!!
Tiffany
Hi Dobie! I just made a batch with powdered stevia and used 1/4 tsp. I hope this helps you out!
Jennifer
Hi there! We have raised 8 kids flouride free and we still have cavities!! We use homemade and natural toothpastes, and what we have discovered is Dr. Weston Price a dentist that reveals great discoveries about the real reason we have cavaties and why it is a growing epidemic with our youth. I encourage you all to research him and his book. We can heal our cavaties!!
Tiffany
Thanks Jennifer!
Beth
I cannot tell you how incredibly helpful this post was for us. We have state dental insurance and so I have been afraid of going to the dentist based on the bad reviews the few dentists that take this insurance by us have. I was at a loss of what to do. I will rely on them for cleanings and then buy the things to make our own toothpaste. Thanks again so much!
Tiffany
I’m glad it helped you Beth! Using dentists for our checkups and doing the leg work ourselves is how we view dentists too… just to clarify, it’s not that dentists are bad – we just find it easier to prevent at home, than go in and have the problem fixed later. 🙂
Colin
I think I’d try my luck with regular fluoride toothpast before touching Earthpaste. I found literature on risks associated with Xylitol ingestion and that GMO corn used to produce most Xylitol.
Tiffany
Hi Colin,
I appreciate you taking the time to leave those links. As you can see, I removed them because I do not believe either are truly factual sources for this data. I understand your concerns about xylitol, but I’ve had a professional relationship with the Redmond company and believe whole-heartedly in what they stand for and in their products.
Helen
also – if sweeteners are a concern, the Spearmint flavor is UNsweetened. 😉
Tiffany
Yes! I love this new addition to their line up. 🙂
Theresa
Choose your poison I guess. I’d rather use xylitol than fluoride any day. Redmond claims theirs isn’t made from corn I believe.
I make my own toothpaste from bentonite clay, baking soda, xylitol and Plant Therapy’s Germ Fighter essential oil, which is comparable to YL “Thieves.” My husband and I love it! I buy Redmond for my kids because it’s easier for them to use a tube on their own. We eat a primarily real food diet, take cod liver oil (not fermented either because it’s way too pricey) along with a few other supplements, including raw milk when I can get it. I praise God for healthy teeth in myself and family!
My dentist is awesome and uses only baking soda on himself! He’s not a holistic dentist either, just young and informed.
Dev
Hi Tiffany,
I’ve really been enjoying your blog for almost a year. Thank you!
One question about the clay: I went to buy some at Whole Foods a few months ago (after reading about Mr. Crumbs’ experience and your homemade toothpaste). I got spooked by the warning about the clay containing lead, though. How are you sure it’s safe to ingest when it contains lead?
Tiffany
Thanks for your loyal readership Dev! Thank YOU!
I totally understand your concerns, and I can’t explain it any better than Redmond themselves. Here’s a link on their site that makes it easy to understand:
http://www.earthpaste.com/prop65/
Dev
Thanks for the link! I’ll check it out.
Helen
Redmond had an excellent explanation. It is a labeling law and I am very comfortable using it and letting my kids (2 and 4) use it! My phone isn’t letting me paste the url right now but just google Redmond Clay Lead and you will find it on their site
Dena Norton
This was such an interesting read, Tiffany! I started making toothpaste last year (mostly for the kids), but then got nervous because I couldn’t find much scientific evidence as to whether the concoction was really going to keep their teeth healthy enough. I ended up going back to buying expensive, natural toothpaste from the store, but am now reconsidering jumping back on board with the homemade version. Thanks for sharing this!
Tiffany
You’re most welcome! We just got back from the dentist this morning and had a good checkup with the kids. No cavities for my son! I’m truly convinced that there’s something amazing about the clay. Of course only time will tell, but after mine, my husband’s and my kid’s great checkups, I’m having a hard time believing the clay isn’t the one to credit!
Mrs @Chewing Crayons And Delaware
Any tips on gums? I have very sensitive teeth due to my gums receding in certain places. Does clay help heal that?
Tiffany
Gums and sensitivity… well, Mr. Crumbs went through that too as he was dealing with gum disease and I haven’t heard him talk about sensitive gums in a REALLY long time. I have receding teeth too (outside of one tooth on the bottom front, inside of the tooth right next to it), and they’re sensitive when I go in for a cleaning, but not on an everyday basis. Does that help to explain?
Helen
I’m curious how much Earthpaste (homemade or not) you use on your brush? I have been using it for a year now and still had two very minor cavities when I went two weeks ago 🙁 It’s partly genes though, in my opinion. My mom has bad teeth and I seem to have inherited those. Meanwhile my dad uses mouthwash and floss but never any toothpaste at all and has great teeth. I do also understand what you eat plays a part and I need to step it up in that regard!
I just got some FCLO with butter based on several blogs saying it reversed tooth decay. I need to start oil pulling too but I’m not so sure I can handle the mouthfeel. I’m not scheduling the fillings on these yet. I figure to do what I can between now and my June appointment and see if it changes.
Tiffany
Hi Helen! 🙂 I use half to full pea-sized amount, depending. I would give it your all between now and the next appointment for your dental health. FCLO + clay (go for full pea) day & night + flossing + oil pulling in the shower… You’ve got nothing but good things to expect, right? I’ve only done the oil pulling once, and it was definitely weird, but I think it would be tolerable if I did it in the shower where I’m getting wet already. Then the drool wouldn’t be as noticeable, LOL!!
Ana @ Lessons From Yesterday
I just had my first filling done, and it wasn’t a fun experience. My tooth is super sensitive now, and the filling tastes terrible. I wanted to try and see if my body could heal the cavity, so I started taking fermented cod liver oil, but then we found out our dental insurance is going up next year, so we decided to drop it, and I thought I should fill the cavity now while we still have the insurance. If nothing else, is sure has motivated me to take care of my teeth and avoid any cavities in the future!
Tiffany
Aw Ana, I’m sorry! I like your positive attitude though – like a slate wiped clean with good habits going forward!!
Nadia
Hey is the Bentonite clay toothpaste okay for bleeding gums (periodontotis). When I use it at night, the next day my gums bleed. Did that happen to your husband? Should I keep using it? Thanks
Tiffany
That hasn’t happened to us, Nadia. Are you sure it’s related to the clay?
Nadia
Hey Tiffany,
It may just be my gums since it happened in the morning without using the clay. A naturopath made the toothpaste for me with bentonite clay, baking soda, coconut oil, and essential oils but my teeth are sensitive and I’m concerned it’s too abrasive on the enamel. DID your husband have sensitive teeth when he had periodontitis? Also my dentist wants to do scaling and root planning but I wish there was another natural way. Thanks