I sometime get so lazy that I don’t go out to a grocery store, even if the refrigerator is completely empty and there is absolutely nothing to eat in the house (I know I can survive on spaghetti with olive oil for a week). I sometime choose not to go to a nearby drugstore (and there is one literally right across the street from my place) even if I were short on shampoo or other grooming necessitates (I can totally live without washing my hair for a day or two). There are, however, things that are so vital to one’s existence that even I have to get my lazy butt off the couch to go get them. Those items include a roll of toilet paper, Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich, and a tube of toothpaste.

Having squeezed the life out of the only tube of toothpaste I had left last night, I knew that I had no choice but to get myself a new tube this morning but, boy, I was lazy … so instead, I came up with a clever idea of making my own out of ingredients I already had around the house! What was that idiom … “necessity (or in my case, laziness) is the mother of invention”? This was exactly that!

I was a little skeptical at first though. I mean, I have to admit that, although I was comfortable with making soaps, lotions and other skincare products, it was a little scary to make something that I would actually put in my mouth. I didn’t even know how baking soda and liquid glycerin would taste like (what if they were super bitter?). But I put the fear aside and decided to go for it … and I’m glad I did!

I was so impressed with this homemade toothpaste that I couldn’t help but to share the recipe with you! Mind you, the consistency of this paste is very different from the commercial kind and there are no bubbles of any sort but my teeth came out squeaky clean and my entire mouth super refreshed! This is so inexpensive to make, all natural, and simply a wonderful product. You can get the ingredients at a local grocery store, or any natural food store, like Whole Foods and Henry’s.  I got my glycerin from Bramble Berry.  I hope you give it a try!

Homemade Mint Toothpaste
Adapted from “Ofuro no Tanoshimi” by Kyoko Maeda

1-1/2 tablespoons Baking Soda
1 tablespoon Liquid Glycerin
5 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

Mix the baking soda and liquid glycerin well in a small container (I used a measuring cup). Add drops of Essential Oil and mix well. Put the paste in a clean jar (I used the jar from Trader Joe’s capers).  To use, put a teaspoon of the paste on a toothbrush with a small spoon, and brush teeth as usual. Keep it in a cool place.

I didn’t know this until now but liquid glycerin is naturally sweet!  The sweetness balances out the slightly salty flavor of baking soda, making the entire thing taste much like a regular toothpaste you pick up at a grocery store!  And I really love the refreshing feel of Peppermint Essential Oil.