It’s one of those everyday essentials–and one that goes in our mouths–so I’m not surprised that so many of you are interested in finding the best non-toxic toothpaste.
Finding a truly safe toothpaste goes far beyond looking for a “fluoride-free” label. (And even the fluoride thing can be controversial—some of you may want it in toothpaste!).
Many toothpastes—both natural and conventional, for adults and kids–include a lot of ingredients, many of which are sneaky or bad. I guess that’s what happens when we expect a product to do a lot of things, like look appetizing, taste good, feel sudsy in our mouth, whiten our teeth, prevent cavities, and leave us with a “fresh” feeling.
Read on to learn what’s unsavory about most toothpaste, and how to find the best non-toxic, natural toothpaste for adults, kids, and even babies.
Our Top Pick: Best Natural Toothpaste (Adults)
Essential Oxygen Organic Natural Toothpaste
If you’re looking for a natural toothpaste that tastes and feels like the old ones you used to brush with, you’ll want to try Essential Oxygen. It’s minty, foamy, and non-gritty, all with completely safe ingredients.
Why Safe, Natural Toothpaste Matters
Choosing a non-toxic, natural toothpaste is important for both adults and kids. Because we use toothpaste multiples times a day, we have frequent exposure to the ingredients.
Also, toothpaste ingredients can be absorbed into the body through the lining of our mouths. And little kids, of course, end up swallowing more toothpaste than they spit out. (Can you blame them? Kids’ toothpastes come in flavors like bubble gum and strawberry!)
Many parents ask me, “Is it safe to swallow toothpaste?” The answer to that question depends entirely on the ingredients list. If you prioritize natural, clean foods, you should also prioritize natural toothpaste and oral hygiene products.
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What’s Wrong with Conventional Toothpastes?
Most toothpastes are full of ingredients I wouldn’t want to put on my body, let alone in my mouth. I’m particularly disappointed to see how many kids’ toothpaste options contain bad stuff, given how much kids tend to swallow. Even many “safe to swallow” toddler or baby safe toothpastes have ingredients I wouldn’t consider edible.
For instance, Colgate’s supposedly kid-friendly toothpastes contain concerning ingredients like propylene glycol (linked to cancer and reproductive damage), artificial colors (linked to ADHD), and PEG-12 (can be contaminated with toxic 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide).
Toxic Ingredients in Toothpaste
Fluoride is the most controversial toothpaste ingredient, and I will get to that in a minute. Here’s what else you need to look for when reading a toothpaste label:
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is used to make products foam. SLS can irritate the skin or lining of the mouth, and its cousin SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) is often contaminated with carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane. I don’t worry about SLS as much in soaps or shampoos, which we wash off, and I’m fine with it in household cleaners. Because toothpaste goes in our mouths where it can be absorbed and swallowed, SLS should be avoided in toothpaste.
- Artificial preservatives such as parabens are everywhere, including in toothpastes. Parabens mimic estrogen and are implicated in breast cancer. No causal relationship has been proven, but because we’re exposed to parabens from many cosmetic sources, I recommend avoiding them wherever you can.
- Artificial colors, some of which are linked to ADHD, are used in many conventional toothpastes, especially kids’ gel formulas.White toothpastes usually get their squeaky clean look from coloring agents such as titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide can be carcinogenic in nano-particle form, and nano-particles could be absorbed through the lining of the mouth.
- Artificial sweeteners such as saccharin are often used to sweeten toothpaste. Saccharin has neurotoxic effects in some people who consume it in low-calorie or sugar-free foods. It’s a bad idea for kids’ toothpastes, given the potential for swallowing.
- Propylene glycol is linked to cancer, reproductive damage, and extreme skin irritation, and is often used in toothpastes to give them a smooth texture.
One formerly common toothpaste ingredient you no longer need to worry about is triclosan. This antibacterial agent forms carcinogenic chloroform when it comes in contact with water that contains trace amounts of chlorine, and has been banned in soaps. At last it’s been phased out of all toothpastes sold in the United States–even Colgate Total!
Our Top Pick: Best Natural Toothpaste (Kids)
Jack N’ Jill Calendula Natural Toothpaste
This natural toothpaste comes in nine fruity flavors and is safe for babies as young as six months. Xylitol, which has anti-cavity benefits, is the primary ingredient. All flavors are free of fluoride.
What About Fluoride in Natural Toothpaste?
Fluoride is supposed to prevent tooth decay and cavities and help us have strong bones. But for decades, there’s been a debate about whether fluoride is healthy and effective as an additive to drinking water and toothpaste.
I’m definitely not a fan of fluoride in drinking water. The Harvard School of Public Health reported that fluoride “adversely affect[s] cognitive development in children,” causing as much as a 7-point lower IQ. There is also persistent concern that fluoride can cause reproductive damage in high enough doses.
If you’re worried that skipping fluoride means inviting a mouth of rotten teeth, there is evidence that vitamin D may help prevent cavities.
For these and other reasons, I recommend filtering fluoride out of drinking water–but if you have a cavity-prone child like I do, you might decide to use a natural toothpaste with fluoride.
Best Natural Toothpaste withFluoride
Attitude Natural Toothpaste
My pick for those of you looking for a natural toothpaste with fluoride is Attitude–they have formulas with fluoride for adults and kids. The only downside (besides the fluoride!) is the inclusion of sodium benzoate in Attitude’s toothpaste. Otherwise, the clean ingredient list is about as good as you can get.
Is Hydroxyapatite a Safe Alternative to Fluoride?
Hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral and the main component of tooth enamel, has gained recognition for its role in oral care products, including toothpaste. As an ingredient in toothpaste, hydroxyapatite has shown promise in remineralizing tooth enamel. Its ability to form a protective layer on the tooth surface helps repair microscopic enamel damage, contributing to improved overall oral health.
What (Else) Is Wrong with Natural Toothpaste?
For most people, I recommend choosing fluoride-free toothpaste. And yet toothpaste has to be more than fluoride-free in order to be safe.
Unfortunately, many “natural” toothpaste contain concerning ingredients similar to what’s found in conventional toothpastes, such as:
- Surfactants, usually coconut-derived substitutes for sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), are popular ingredients in many “SLS-free” toothpastes. I’m concerned about some of these SLS alternatives in natural toothpaste because of the delicate and absorbent lining of the mouth. Examples of these kinds of surfactants are sodium coco-sulfate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, potassium cocoate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, and sodium methyl cocoyl taurate. It’s confusing, though, because when you look at each of these SLS substitutes one by one, some really do appear to be benign. For instance, sodium cocoyl glutamate and potassium cocoate each gets only a 1 from EWG, and they seem like a great substitute for SLS/SLES. Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, on the other hand, gets as high as a 5 from EWG, so I recommend avoiding toothpastes that contain it. It may, however, be okay as a foaming agent in products that you do not put in your mouth–such as shampoo.
- Preservatives will show up in paraben-free toothpastes, and they still worry me. Sodium benzoate is suspected to cause damage to mitochondrial DNA, and is a persistently controversial ingredient. More research (especially long-term studies) is needed, but for now, this ingredient knocks brands out of our Best Stuff category, though they may still be Good Stuff. Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid have raised concerns due to mild allergic reactions in some users, but you will find these in brands we call Best Stuff.
- Carrageenan, derived from seaweed, is a common thickening agent in toothpaste. Animal studies suggest that it leads to intestinal inflammation and colon tumors. It’s probably fine in toothpaste for adults, but I’d avoid it in products used by swallowing-prone kids.
Natural Toothpaste Ingredients I am NOT Worried About
There are several controversial ingredients that I’m not so worried about in natural toothpastes. These include:
- Glycerin. There’s a small but heated debate about whether glycerin, a very common ingredient in both conventional and natural toothpastes, is healthy for teeth. Some people claim that glycerin in toothpaste coats the teeth, blocking their ability to re-mineralize (or repair themselves with minerals from our saliva). It’s true that re-mineralization is crucial to the health of our teeth. It’s not clear, however, that glycerin-based toothpastes seriously interfere with this process. Honestly, I’m on the fence about this, so I’m giving the Okay Stuff label to otherwise safe toothpastes that are glycerin-based. (See Good Stuff for glycerin-free toothpastes).
- Clays are a potentially problematic ingredient in natural toothpaste because they can contain trace amounts of lead. After lots of research and digging into the independent testing of the bentonite clay used in Earthpaste, I’m convinced that it’s safe. The amount of lead in clay is much less than the naturally occurring amounts found in food like spinach or sweet potatoes. Also, the lead in clay doesn’t seem to be bio-available (meaning your body won’t absorb it even when it is present). Even better, there is compelling evidence that bentonite clay might actually RID the body of lead. You should always do your own research, but this is where ours has lead me, and I feel confident calling Earthpaste Good Stuff.
- Sugar alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol and erythritol are used in toothpastes for sweetness and anti-cavity benefits. When consumed in high enough amounts (usually as sugar replacements in food and beverages), they can cause digestive upset in some people. As a result, many parents ask me for recommendations of xylitol free toothpaste. Ultimately, I think this is more or less unnecessary. I don’t think they’re harmful in the small amounts found in toothpaste, and I like that xylitol and erythritol have anti-cavity benefits. The bottom line here is that there’s no need to go out of your way to choose a non toxic kids toothpaste without xylitol or sorbitol. (If you’re concerned about sugar alcohols, Earthpaste’s peppermint flavor is xylitol free, as are Tooth Soap’s products.)
- Essential oils are used in some natural toothpastes in place of artificial or natural flavors, and sometimes for added anti-cavity/pro-mouth benefits. Some people don’t like the idea of using essential oils in ingestible products, and some people have sensitivities to specific oils. I think that high-quality essential oils like the ones in the Good Stuff are safe in the amounts found in toothpaste, but if you want to avoid them, check out Poofy Organic’s toddler tooth gel, Jack n’ Jill’s toothpastes, and some of the Tooth Soap products (all Best or Good Stuff). Limonene, in particular, is found in various cosmetics, many of which are natural and organic. EWG considers limonene a definite skin and respiratory irritant, with potential carcinogenic properties. But there are different forms of limonene, and some research suggests that it has antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Confusing? Yes. Deadly in toothpaste? Probably not, especially if you’re not guzzling it by the tube.
What Is the best Non Toxic Baby Safe Toothpaste?
Many kids’ toothpastes are officially for ages two and up. So what about younger toddlers and babies?
Teaching little ones to brush and getting them used to the tickling sensation of bristles is definitely important, but all you really need to use is water plus a soft-bristled brushor silicone toothbrushbeginning with their earliest teeth.
You can hold off on toothpaste until they’re toddlers, or later. (Toothpaste isn’t actually essential to oral health—the brushing action of the toothbrush is. Flossing and a healthy diet are crucial, too, of course.)
If you feel compelled to use more than water (and/or kid’s your doc or dentist says you need to), try some of the Best or Good Stuff listed below. Our favorite brushes for the little teeth are as follows:
Best Stuff: Best Natural Toothpaste Brands
Earthpaste Natural Toothpaste
Earthpaste is a clay-based toothpaste with only four or five ingredients: purified water, food-grade bentonite clay, sea salt, essential oils, and xylitol. For those of you concerned about xylitol, the spearmint flavor is xylitol-free. It’s safe for all ages and the lemon flavor is particularly popular with kids.
Ingredients: cinnamon water, bentonite clay, non-GMO xylitol, nano silver solution, cinnamon leaf, sea salt, cinnamon bark essential oil, tea tree essential oil peppermint water, bentonite clay, non-GMO xylitol, nano silver solution, sea salt, peppermint essential oil, menthol, tea tree essential oil lemon water, bentonite clay, non-GMO xylitol, nano silver solution, lemon essential oil, sea salt, tangerine essential oil, lime essential oil, lemon verbena essential oil wintergreen water, bentonite clay, non-GMO xylitol, nano silver solution, sea salt, wintergreen essential oil, menthol, tea tree essential oil spearmint water, bentonite clay, nano silver solution, sea salt, spearmint essential oil, menthol, tea tree essential oil
Price per ounce: $2.10 (the most affordable Best Stuff!)
Essential Oxygen Organic BR Toothpaste
This natural toothpaste gets extra points for being organic, and is free ofglycerin, sodium lauryl sulfate, and fluoride. It contains hydrogen peroxide for whitening, and is low-abrasion. It contains aloe vera and a blend of essential oils for a pleasant, minty flavor. My husband prefers this one over Earthpaste.
Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, food grade 1.5% Inactive Ingredients: Aloe vera solution, deionized purified water, guar gum, calcium phosphate, coconut flour, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, stevia, clove oil, lemon oil, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil, witergreen oil, eucalyptus oil, frankincense oil, coconut oil.
Price per ounce: $2.25
Poofy Organics Toothpaste
Poofy Organics toothpastesare unique because they’re entirely organic.Poofy’s adult toothpasteandtooth powderare for ages five and up. (The tooth powder is also clay free in case you’re not as comfortable as I am with responsibly sourced clay. Poofy gets theirs from Living Clay because they test it thoroughly.)
Poofy also makes anorganic baby/toddler toothpastethat I like, but I’m listing it under Good Stuff because it contains glycerin.
Ingredients: Distilled Water, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Organic Maranta Arundinacea (Arrowroot) Powder, Bentonite Clay, Aluminum-Free Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Organic Erythritol, Organic Menthol Crystals (crystals produced from cornmint (Metha arvensis) essential oil extraction),Organic Peppermint Essential Oil, Organic Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Essential Oil, Organic Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Essential Oil, Organic Elettaria Cardamomum (Cardamom) Essential Oil, Organic Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Essential Oil
Use code: MAIAJAMES for 10% off
RiseWell Natural Toothpaste
RiseWell remineralizing toothpaste contains hydroxapatitein place of fluoride (you can read about this natural toothpaste ingredient above). RiseWell is flavored with only essential oils, and free of surfactants of concern. And those of you who have tried it say it’s incredible! Use codeGIMME10to get 10% off everything on Risewell’s site.
Ingredients: Silica, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Xylitol, Hydroxyapatite, Calcium Carbonate, Propanediol, Potassium Cocoate, Stevia Rebaudiana Extract, Mentha Arvensis (Wild Mint) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Cinnamomum Cassia (Cinnamon) Bark Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Menthol, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Erythritol, Xanthan Gum, Eucalyptus Globulus Extract, Illicium Verum (Anise) Extract.
Price per ounce: $4.13
Tanitabs Natural Toothpaste Tablets
Tanitabs are toothpaste tablets that employ the cleaning power of charcoal. We love that these eco-friendly toothpaste products don’t require you to toss yet another non-recyclable toothpaste tube into a landfill when you’re done.
Tanitabs are made with scientifically-backed ingredients like hydroxyapatite and xylitol. One order should last you for about two months, and the jar they come in is fully reusable or recyclable.
Use code GIMME at checkout for 20% off anything at Tanit.
Ingredients: Xylitol (35%), Calcium carbonate, Kaolin (White Clay), Hydroxyapatite (10%), Sodium cocoyl isethionate, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) leaf juice powder, Stevia, Natural flavor, Sodium Bicarbonate, Mentha virdis (Spearmint) extract, Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) extract, Senegalia senegal (Acacia) gum, Melaleuca alternafolia (Tea Tree) leaf oil, Citrus grandis (Grapefruit) seed extract
Price per gram: $0.12 per tablet with our discount code
Tooth Soap
Tooth Soapmakes a line of unique tooth-cleaning products that aren’t toothpaste, per se. Tooth Soap comes ingel,whip,liquidand “shred” forms.
I like that their formula is very simple and therefore skips almost all of the ingredients that are obviously or subtly concerning. They use a saponified extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, water, essential oils and/or natural flavors as their base. I haven’t used any of these products, but based on the good ingredients and their cult following, I’d say they’re worth trying.
Ingredients: Saponified Olea europaea (organic extra virgin olive oil) and cocos nucifera (organic coconut oil), distilled water and essential oil.
Price per ounce $6.24
Wellnesse Natural Toothpaste
Wellnesse toothpaste has a clean list of ingredients, and their formula is fluoride and glycerin-free. Wellness uses hydroxyapatite for remineralization.
Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Sorbitol, Purified Water, Sodium Bicarbonate, Xylitol, Silica, Hydroxyapatite, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
Price per ounce $3.75
Good Stuff: More Natural Toothpaste options
The reason these brands aren’t listed as the Best Stuff is because they contain: 1)glycerin, which I’m personally not concerned about in toothpaste, but some people worry that it blocks teeth from re-mineralizing; and/or 2)limonene,a citrus-derived ingredient that I’m on the fence about; and/or sodium benzoate, a controversial food-grade preservative.
Attitude Natural Toothpaste
We had to downgrade Attitude to the Good Stuff because this toothpaste does include SLS and sodium benzoate on the ingredients list. We are leaving it as Good rather than Okay because we believe it is the best natural toothpaste with fluoride for those of you in search of that. This product is EWG verified.
Ingredients: Active ingredient: Sodium fluoride (0,243 % p/p) Use: Anti-cavities. Inactive ingredients: sorbitol, aqua, glycerin, hydrated silica, sodium sorbitol, aqua, glycerin, hydrated silica, sodium lauryl sulfate, mentha piperita (peppermint/menthe poivrée) oil*, xanthan gum, citric acid, stevia rebaudiana leaf / stem extract, sodium benzoate, carica papaya leaf extract, camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, titanium dioxide, potassium sorbate, hydroxyapatite. Naturally contains: D-limonene.
Price per ounce $2.85
Bite Toothpaste Bits
This is another tube-free toothpaste alternative that comes in reusable or recyclable packaging. We like that these as an eco-friendly option for those who want a fluoride-free toothpaste. Instead, Bite contains hydroxyapatite, the non-toxic fluoride alternative we mentioned above. There are no preservatives, artificial flavors, or sulfates on the Bite ingredients list.Bite also offers a version with fluoride for those with cavity concerns. Note that Bite contains zinc citrate, which EWG considers moderately toxin.
Ingredients: Erythritol, Xylitol, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Flavor (peppermint), Hydroxyapatite (nano), Sodium Bicarbonate, Guar Gum, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Zinc Citrate, Silicon Dioxide, Menthol
Price per tablet: $0.24
David’s Premium Natural Toothpaste
I am not worried about the carrageenan in there if this is used by adults, but I know it’s something a lot of people want to avoid. If you can overlook it, you might love the fresh, all-natural citrus flavor, which is surprisingly refreshing and leaves your mouth feeling clean.
Ingredients: calcium carbonate (limestone abrasive), vegetable glycerin, purified water, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), xylitol (birch derived), hydrated silica, sodium cocoyl glutamate, carrageenan (seaweed derived), mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, menthol, elettaria cardamomum seed oil, illicium verum (anise) fruit oil, eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, citrus aurantium amara (orange) peel oil, eugenia caryophyllus (clove) flower oil, citrus limon (lemon) fruit oil, cinnamomum zeylanicum bark oil, capsicum frutescens (cayenne), stevia (leaf extract).
Price per ounce: $1.89
Dr. Bronner’s All-One Toothpaste
We love Bronner’s, and my parents have been using their products since the 1970s. I consider this natural toothpaste a safe option, but we put it in Good Stuff because of the glycerin that some of you may be seeking to avoid.
Ingredients: Organic Glycerin, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrated Silica, Calcium Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Potassium Cocoate (made with Organic Coconut Oil), Organic Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Organic Mentha Arvensis (Menthol) Crystals, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Flour, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Organic Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf / Stem Extract
Price per ounce: $1.02
Jack N’ Jill Natural Toothpaste
Jack N’ Jill Natural Toothpasteis a xylitol- and glycerin-based toothpaste for babies and toddlers (six months and up). Even picky kids are likely to find a favorite among one of their nine different fruit flavors. Xylitol, which has anti-cavity benefits, is the primary ingredient.
This is a good option if you’re concerned about using essential oils in an ingestible product. This is what my kids use and love! (And like I say above, I’m not worried about the glycerin.)
Ingredients: Flavor Free: Xylitol, Purified Water, Vegetable Glycerin (Coconut derived), Silica, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate (Naturally derived), Citric Acid.
Price per ounce: $0.25
Jason Sea Fresh Adult Toothpaste
Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Carrageenan, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Certified Organic Ingredient), Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Carum Petroselinum (Parsley) Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Chlorella Pyrenoidosa Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Silica, Sodium Bicarbonate (Certified Organic Ingredient).
Price per ounce: $3.00
Poofy Organics Cheery Cherry Toddler Toothpaste
PoofyOrganicsCheery Cherry Toddler Toothpasteis unique because it’s organic. It can be used as soon as baby’s first teeth emerge. I like that it only has a handful of organic ingredients: arrowroot powder, glycerin, erythritol (a sugar alcohol with properties similar to xylitol), bentonite clay, and cherry flavor (organic vegetable oil plus natural flavors). If you’re concerned about using essential oils in an ingestible product, this is a good option.
Ingredients: Distilled Water, Organic Arrowroot Powder, Organic Glycerin (soybean, maize or mustard), Organic Erythritol, Bentonite Clay, Organic Cherry Flavor Oil (organic sunflower oil, natural flavors)
Use code: MAIAJAMES for 10% off
Price per ounce: $0.41
Radius Natural Toothpaste
Radius Toothpastescontain glycerin, which I feel fine about but which some of you might avoid. None of the other ingredients is concerning.
My kids love thedragon fruit gel, and I like theirwhitening formula. Perhaps my favorite product from the Radius line is theirdental floss –which contains no gross PFOAs or nylon. I’m also a fan of their eco-friendlytoothbrushes.
Ingredients Dragon Fruit: Water, Glycerin*, Erythritol*, Chamomile Flower Extract*, Organic Flavors*, Guar Gum *, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice*, Neem Leaf Extract*, Coconut Water Concentrate*, Tapioca Maltodextrin*, Quillaja Saponaria Wood Extract*, Citric Acid, Hibiscus Flower Extract*, Holy Basil Leaf Extract*, Rose Flower Extract*, Radish Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum *certified organic
Price per ounce: $3.30
Weleda Natural Toothpaste
Weleda Children’s ToothGelis a glycerin-based formula. It gets an EWG score of 2, but their calculation doesn’t include limonene.
The ingredients I’m not crazy about include the limonene and the “flavor.” The flavor is derived from essential oils, so skip this product if you’re worried about oral ingestion of essential oils.
I do like that this formula is relatively easy to find at brick-and-mortar stores and is pretty simple, with only 9 ingredients (including the limonene, which is part of the oils used in the flavoring).
Ingredients: Glycerin, water, silica , sodium alginate, calendula flower extract, sweet almond oil, esculin, aroma, limonene
Price per ounce $3.95
Okay Stuff: Not Our Favorite Toothpaste Brands
Boka Ela Mint
The combo of glycerin, sodium benzoate, and sodium lauryl sarcosinatelands Boka Ela in Okay rather than Good Stuff, but overall this is a decent choice for a hydroxyapatite-based natural toothpaste.
Ingredients: Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Sorbitol Powder, Silica, Nano-hydroxyapatite, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Mentha Piperita Essential (Peppermint) Oil, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Oil, Illicium Verum (Star Anise) Oil, Gaultheria Procumberis (Wintergreen) Oil, Xylitol, Xanthan Gum, Stevia Rebaudiana Extract Powder, Methylsulfonylmethane, Aloe Barbadensis (aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Sodium Bicarbonate, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Menthol, Elettaria Cardamomum Miniscula Seed (Cardamom), Potassium Chloride.
Price per ounce: $1.89
Theodent Natural Toothpaste
Theodent stands out because of one unique ingredient, rennou. This is an all-natural compound that remineralizes the teeth. In other words, it naturally strengthens your tooth enamel to eliminate sensitivity over time.
We looked into rennou, and it’s a safe-to-swallow ingredient. Interestingly, its most active compound, theobromine, is derived from the cacao plant. If you want a flouride-free product, this one is worth a a shot. We are calling this one Okay Stuff because it contains sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, which we prefer you avoid in general.
Ingredients: Purified Water, Hydrated Silica, Sorbitol, Xylitol, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Citric Acid, Spearmint Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Stevia Extract, Sodium Bicarbonate, And Sugar-Free Vanilla Extract., Rennou(Tm) Theobromine, Calcium Acetate, And Sodium Hydrogen Phosphate
Price per ounce $4.70
Trader Joe’s Anticavity Peppermint Toothpaste
Not a bad option for a fluoride toothpaste, but it does contain carrageenan. All said, it is probably the most natural toothpaste you can pick up during an everyday grocery run. The convenience might be worth it!
Ingredients: Calcium carbonate, water, glycerin, xylitol, sodium cocoyl glutamate, foeniculum vulgar (fennel) oil, commiphora myrrh (myrrh) resin, hydrated silica.
Price per ounce: $1.19
Bad Stuff: Big Name Toothpastes to Avoid
The worst of the bad—thanks to the fact that they’re kids’ toothpastes that are supposedly “safe to swallow”—areOrajel’stoddler toothpastes. Even the ingredients in their fluoride-free toothpastes are awful, including propylene glycol, methylparaben and propylparaben, saccharin, potassium sorbate, and unspecified “flavor.” Orajel’s claim that they’re the “#1 pediatrician recommended brand for infants and toddlers” is baffling!
Otherwise, pick any mainstream toothpaste brand, and you’ll find at least a handful of concerning ingredients on the label. For example,Crestuses parabens and other concerning preservatives, cocamidopropyl betaine, artificial colors, PEG-6, PEG-8, PEG-12, and a bunch of other stuff you don’t want in your mouth.
Bottom line: When it comes to toothpaste, conventional brands you remember from the 1990s are Bad Stuff.
Sneaky Stuff: Greenwashed Natural Toothpastes
Most ofTom’s of Mainetoothpastes have sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)—even the children’s formula. Tom’s admirably defends their use of SLS, but because there are SLS-free toothpastes available, I say skip it—especially for kids.
Tate’s The Natural Miracle Toothpaste(which I used to use and love!), for adults, has several concerning ingredients, including PEG-6 (can be contaminated with yucky stuff like1,4-dioxane), saccharin (can have neurotoxic effects in some people), and clove stem (natural, but a possible immune system toxicant).
Spry’s kid formula uses grapefruit seed extract, which sounds nice, but can be contaminated with scary stuff like triclosan. EvenThe Honest Company’stoothpastes—both the adult and kid formulas—have sodium lauroyl sarcosinate. Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is also used inNature’s GateNatural Toothpaste for Kids.
Carrageenan is a potentially problematic ingredient in kids’ toothpastes, thanks to the potential for swallowing. You’ll find carrageenan inThe Honest Company’sStrawberry Blast,Kiss My FaceBerry Smart Obsessively Kids Toothpaste,XyliwhiteOrange Splash Toothpaste Gel for Kids, andTom’s of Mainefluoride-free toothpastes for kids and toddlers.
You’ll find sodium benzoate in the tooth wipesSpiffies, and I say skip this one for the tiniest teeth.
I hope this updated toothpaste shopping guide makes finding the best natural toothpaste a little bit easier. Please comment with brands you’d like us to include in the next update!
Stay sane,
Maia, Founder & CEO
PS: A little more about my thoughts on fluoride here:
