DIY Coconut Oil Toothpaste (Natural & Simple)

Curious about ditching the tube for a natural alternative? Coconut oil toothpaste is a popular DIY that’s simple to make, free of artificial foaming agents and sweeteners, and leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh. This easy recipe combines coconut oil’s natural antibacterial qualities with gentle baking soda. We’ll walk you through it step by step — and give you the honest facts, including the one thing most DIY recipes leave out: fluoride.

Why People Love Coconut Oil Toothpaste

There’s real appeal here. Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial (thanks to its lauric acid), and it’s the same oil used in “oil pulling,” a traditional practice for oral hygiene. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that gently scrubs away plaque and surface stains and helps neutralize the acids that cause bad breath. Together they make a paste that leaves your mouth feeling genuinely clean and fresh.

People also like that it’s free of the stuff they’d rather avoid — artificial sweeteners, dyes, harsh foaming agents like SLS, and preservatives. You control every ingredient. It’s inexpensive, easy, and low-waste (one refillable jar instead of endless tubes). Just remember the honest trade-off: no fluoride. For more, see our coconut oil pulling guide.

Coconut oil freshens and fights bacteria, baking soda gently cleans and whitens — together they make a simple, natural paste. Just know it skips the fluoride, so loop in your dentist.

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp coconut oil (softened) — antibacterial base
• 6 tbsp baking soda — gentle cleaning & freshening
• Optional: 15–20 drops food-grade peppermint oil — fresh minty flavor
• Optional: a pinch of xylitol — natural sweetness (tooth-friendly)

Equipment

• A small bowl and a spoon or fork
• A small glass jar with a lid

How to Make Coconut Oil Toothpaste

1. Soften the coconut oil. You want it soft and scoopable (not fully liquid) so it mixes into a smooth paste. Warm it briefly if it’s hard.
2. Combine with baking soda. In a bowl, mix the coconut oil and baking soda in equal parts until you get a smooth, even paste.
3. Add flavor. Stir in the peppermint oil (and a pinch of xylitol if using) and mix well. Taste-test a tiny bit and adjust the mint to your liking.
4. Check the texture. Too runny? Add a little more baking soda. Too thick or gritty? Add a touch more coconut oil. Aim for a smooth, spreadable paste.
5. Spoon into a jar. Transfer to a small, clean glass jar with a lid. Done!
6. To use: dip a clean, dry spoon (or a clean fingertip) to scoop a pea-sized amount onto your toothbrush — don’t dip your wet brush directly into the jar, to keep it hygienic. Brush gently for two minutes, then rinse.

Coconut Oil Toothpaste vs Store-Bought

Storage & Safety

• Store in a sealed glass jar at room temperature. It keeps well since there’s no water to spoil (about 2–3 months).
• Scoop with a clean, dry spoon — never a wet brush — to keep bacteria out.
• Go gentle: because baking soda is abrasive, don’t overuse it, and brush softly to protect enamel.
• Not for very young kids without a dentist’s okay, and skip peppermint oil for little ones.
• Plumbing note: coconut oil can solidify in pipes, so spit into the trash occasionally rather than always down a cold drain.

The Best Coconut Oil to Use

Since it goes in your mouth, use a pure, organic, food-grade coconut oil. Here’s our pick.

⭐ Recommended — Best Food-Grade Oil

Nature’s Way Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

TOP PICK

Why we picked it: This 100% pure, organic, cold-pressed extra-virgin coconut oil is food-grade and unrefined with nothing added — exactly what you want for anything that goes in your mouth. It has natural antibacterial fatty acids, blends smoothly with baking soda into a clean paste, and carries a light, pleasant taste. One jar makes plenty of toothpaste (and works for oil pulling, cooking, and skincare too), so it’s excellent value.

• Type: Organic extra-virgin
• Process: Cold-pressed
• Grade: Food-grade
• Taste: Light, mild
• Best for: Toothpaste & pulling
• Additives: None

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is coconut oil toothpaste good for your teeth?

It can help freshen breath and gently clean, since coconut oil is antibacterial and baking soda removes plaque and surface stains. But it has no fluoride, which is the main ingredient dentists rely on to prevent cavities. Many people use it as a supplement to — not a full replacement for — fluoride toothpaste. Ask your dentist.

Does coconut oil toothpaste whiten teeth?

The baking soda can help remove surface stains, so teeth may look a bit brighter over time. It won’t dramatically whiten like professional treatments, and it doesn’t change the natural color of your teeth. Brush gently, since over-scrubbing with baking soda can wear enamel.

Can I use coconut oil toothpaste every day?

You can, but because baking soda is mildly abrasive, many people use it a few times a week and a fluoride toothpaste the rest of the time. Brush gently to protect your enamel, and check with your dentist about what’s best for you, especially if you get cavities easily.

Why doesn’t my toothpaste foam?

That’s normal! Store-bought toothpaste foams because of added agents like SLS. This natural version doesn’t foam, but it still cleans. The lack of foam is actually one reason some people prefer it.

Is baking soda safe for teeth?

In moderation, yes — it’s a common, gentle cleaning agent and is even in some commercial toothpastes. The key is not to overdo it or scrub hard, since too much abrasion over time can wear enamel. Keep it gentle and occasional for the best balance.

Your Quick Checklist

• Use equal parts coconut oil and baking soda
• Add peppermint oil for freshness
• Mix to a smooth paste; adjust texture
• Scoop with a clean, dry spoon — never a wet brush
• Brush gently; use a few times a week
• Talk to your dentist — this has no fluoride

There you have it — a simple, natural toothpaste you can whip up in five minutes. It freshens, gently cleans, and skips the additives, for pennies per batch. Just be smart about the fluoride trade-off and keep your dentist in the loop. Want to try it (or start with oil pulling)? Grab a jar of pure organic virgin coconut oil and give it a go.