Homemade Toothpaste vs Retail Brands
February 22, 2026
I think most of us are hip to what is in many retail brand toothpastes these days, but someone just asked about alternatives after realizing their supposed 'healthy' brand, that they've been using and giving to their kiddos, is filled with heavy metals. So lets talk about this and what we can do instead.
Like everything we consume, from packaged foods and drinks to body products, when we find a clean brand we like, we usually stick with it. But there are a couple important things we must remember to keep doing.
- Reread the labels of our favorite products periodically to make sure the ingredients haven't changed.
- Check to see that the company hasn't been sold to a larger corporation recently, that may have lower manufacturing standards or inferior ingredients. This happens a lot unfortunately, but it's easy to find this information. All it takes is a search for who owns the company currently. For example, did you know that many years ago, Toms of Maine was sold to a major conglomerate? I won't mention any names but yeah, sometimes money speaks louder than integrity, so stay vigilant. Our health may depend upon it.
Research has shown that a good majority of toothpastes and tooth powders on store shelves today contain heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium. While these are naturally occurring elements found deep in the earth's crust as well as the air, water and soil, they can be toxic to our health. So as a parent, or anyone who desires to remain healthy, what can we do to gain some semblance of control over our well-being? While we can't prevent exposure to heavy metals completely, we can work to decrease potential risks by being conscious of the foods and goods we purchase, eating clean, detoxing our bodies a couple times a year, keeping our homes dust and soil free, filtering our water and making our own homemade products.
Now, before I dive into how to make an awesome homemade tooth powder, I need to preface by saying that yes, there is trace amounts of lead in bentonite clay. However, knowing the chemistry involved will help make total sense of it all, so here goes:
Understanding Organic & Inorganic Compounds
- Organic compounds are substances that contain another molecule (bound), primarily hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen. They are essential for all life forms and are the building blocks of biological systems. As well, they are considered to be relatively stable, less toxic, with lower absorption rates in the body. Lead can be in the form of an organic compound when it is bound with animal and plant tissue.
- Inorganic compounds, on the other hand, typically lack another molecule (unbound) and can be found in rocks, soil and water, etc. These are considered to be more unstable, toxic and bioavailable in the body. Lead is also found in this unbound form when in its natural state.
You'll notice the key factor here is absorption of these compounds - how quickly the body can break them down into their basic anatomical structures so they can be absorbed and transported to tissues in the body. This breakdown begins in the gut. So when it comes to lead in bentonite clay, the question becomes, if ingested, will it bind to tissues in the body and negatively impact our health?
While the trace amounts of lead contained in bentonite clay are inorganic in nature, the fact that they are bound with the clay due to negatively charged ions, they are not considered to be as bioavailable to the body as unbound forms are. In other words, bentonite clay has a negative electrical charge, and lead, like most toxins and heavy metals, has a positive electrical charge. These two opposite charges attract, binding the clay and lead together, making the lead bound instead of unbound. This ionic bonding is one of the main reasons why bentonite clay has been used for centuries for detoxifying and healing protocols. Simply put, when positive-charged substances come into contact with the negative-charged clay, they bind together and eventually get passed from the body.
7 Benefits Of Bentonite Clay For Teeth And Gums
- Natural Detox - Removes toxins, bacteria and impurities from the mouth.
- Polishes and Whitens - Has mild abrasive properties that can polish teeth and remove surface stains.
- Balances Oral pH - Creates an environment less conducive to bacterial growth, cavities and gum disease.
- Promotes Healing of Oral Tissues - Can aid in the healing of oral tissues, like minor wounds, ulcers and sores.
- Remineralizes - Rich in essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and silica, helps remineralize and strengthen teeth.
- Reduces Gum Inflammation - Has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation and promote healthy gums.
- Provides Antibacterial Properties - Has natural antibacterial properties that help reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
I know a lot of that was probably too much like chemistry class in high school, but hopefully it all made sense so we can move on to more exciting ventures, like making our own homemade tooth powder! The main foundation of this recipe is the first three ingredients. After that adjust, modify and tweak to your heart's content!
🪥 Toothpaste Powder
Ingredients
- 4 T bentonite clay (I prefer Redmond*)
- 2 T pure baking soda
- 1 tsp sea salt (again Redmond is my fav*)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 15-20 drops of organic peppermint essential oil
- Optional: 1/2 tsp activated charcoal for extra whitening
Instructions
- Mix and put into a small jar (one for each family member).
- To use: Wet toothbrush and dip into tooth powder, then brush.
- Tip: Try dipping tooth brush into coconut oil first, then into tooth powder to make it more like a paste.
In my estimation, there's a HUGE probability that not every single ingredient is listed on retail food and product packaging. So when I'm interested in a particular item, I've made a practice of researching who exactly owns the company. That knowledge is ultimately more eye-opening and helpful in determining where, and with whom, we wish to spend our hard-earned cash.
Stay healthy and vigilant my friends!
* I'm not affiliated with Redmond. I just love their products! 🥰