For my recent trip to the North Coast Trail,I was looking for an unscented toothpaste so I didn’t have to worry about it attracting bears and other animals since they are particularly active there and I was hiking solo to boot. Not finding one I could buy conveniently, I discovered that you could make your own unscented tooth powder, so I decided to try a formula using a number of dentist-recommended ingredients. A another convenient benefit of tooth powder is that it is already “dehydrated” so it’s inherently ultra-light if that’s important to you (as it is for me).

For the record, I'm not a dentist, but I did a bunch of research several articles on what ingredients to include, as well as their benefits. It's probably a good idea to consult with a dentist too for your own peace of mind, especially if you're thinking about switching to it for long-term use. For more info on tooth powder and its effectiveness compared to toothpaste, read Healthline.com's article: Tooth Powder: What It Is and How It Stacks up to Toothpaste.

Homemade Backpacker Unscented Ultralight Tooth Powder Recipe

Ingredients:

For a flavoured version (if not worried about attracting animals) add:

Directions:

In a clean, dry bowl, whisk together all the above ingredients until fully combined. Add to an airtight container or bag for storage.

To Use:

Moisten your toothbrush with water. Tap a small amount of powder to coat. Brush yourself teeth as per usual. Spit and rinse your mouth really well. This last point is important because you don't want to leave any kind of grit on your teeth, which can rub against your teeth and gums, potentially causing small abrasions. The abrasions lead to tooth pain and can lead to more severe issues.

Did you make this homemade unscented remineralizing ultralight tooth powder recipe for a backpacking or camping? If so, what did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments. Or if you share pics on Instagram, please tag me so I can see them. Enjoy! :)