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When it comes to natural toothpaste, you’re either for it or against it. While some people would rather stop brushing altogether than give up their beloved Colgate dentrifice ($9.98, Amazon), others prefer to keep their mouths free from the harsher ingredients found in most standard pastes. With more and more people adopting a clean product lifestyle, we set out to learn more about the best natural toothpastes for keeping your mouth fresh and heathy. Keep reading to find out if they’re right for you and where to find them.
Which toothpaste is natural?
Essentially, natural toothpastes are ones that are formulated without some the harsher ingredients found in your everyday options. These ingredients include propylene glycol (a solvent that’s actually found in some anti-freezes), diethanolamine (a possible skin irritant), and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, an abrasive cleansing agent).
Another ingredient that many natural toothpastes tend to steer clear of is non-naturally derived fluoride. While this synthetically-produced additive is found in many commercial toothpastes — and even recommended by most dentists — fluoride is not without its controversy, as it can be toxic when ingested in large quantities. Additionally, natural toothpastes are usually free of things such as artificial colors and sweeteners.
Instead, they feature ingredients such as water, glycerin, safe-to-ingest essential oils, vitamins, baking soda, charcoal, calcium fluoride (a naturally-derived alternative sourced from phosphate rock), and sugar alternatives like xylitol. When combined with proper brushing techniques, these ingredients clean teeth just as effectively as regular toothpaste, as proven by a 2016 study that showed that toothpastes made without SLS (i.e. natural toothpastes) were every bit as successful at fighting plaque and gingivitis as regular ones.
The Best Natural Toothpastes
From top-rated toothpastes that can whiten your smile with ease to brands you can find lining the shelves in your local drugstore, there’s a natural option out there for everyone. Keep scrolling for Woman’s World’s picks for the best natural toothpaste on the market today.
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One ingredient you'll find repeatedly in natural toothpastes is xylitol. A natural sugar alternative, it's become the standard for natural oral care, as it adds a sweetness to paste without any of the abrasive and corrosive effects of sugar. Marvis' aquatic mint toothpaste is a standout in this category. Known as "the" xylitol toothpaste, it combines the ingredient with sorbitan — a natural cleanser — for an extraordinarily refreshing clean that also aids in the prevention of tooth decay, tartar, and plaque.
You'd be hard-pressed to find a natural toothpaste devotee who hasn't tried a tube of Hello toothpaste. One of the biggest names in natural dental care, this brand offers up products, like this Sensitivity Relief paste, that are free of dyes, artificial sweeteners, sulfates, artificial flavors, microbeads, triclosan, parabens, and gluten. This particular formula uses a blend of moisturizing coconut oil, silica, xylitol, and aloe to gently polish and soothe even the most sensitive of teeth.
Tea tree oil is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, so if you're looking for a natural toothpaste with the health of your receding gums in mind, try Desert Essence's tea tree oil toothpaste. Fluoride-, gluten-, and abrasive-free, this toothpaste's antiseptic tea tree blend discourages the growth of bad bacteria associated with unpleasant breath and gum disease. Best of all, thanks to the addition of pure peppermint oil, it will leave you with the same minty finish you're used to with regular paste.
When you think of natural toothpaste, Tom's of Maine is one brand that likely crosses your mind, as it was one of the first of its kind to become a household name. With legions of fans who love its affordable price point, accessibility, and range of options, Tom's has all but taken over the market. Its natural baking soda cavity protection toothpaste not only has a seal of approval from American Dental Association for its effectiveness, it uses a naturally-derived fluoride to remineralize soft spots before they turn into cavities, strengthening your smile and protecting your teeth from decay.
To say the charcoal trend has hit a fever pitch would be an understatement. From face masks to ice cream, this stuff is everywhere, and it all began was with charcoal toothpaste, like this one from this one from Cali White. Using a combination of food-grade activated charcoal, certified organic coconut oil, and baking soda, this toothpaste works hard to clean and whiten teeth. It's infused with the antiseptic properties of diatomaceous earth — a natural, gentle abrasive that removes plaque and tartar — tea tree oil, xylitol, and peppermint oil, making it a great pick for gum health, too.
While many of the toothpastes on this list are SLS-free, there's one paste in particular that takes things one step further — JASON's Healthy Mouth Tartar Control Toothpaste. Better known as sodium lauryl sulfate, SLS is the reason why traditional toothpastes foam and is a powerful detergent that can cause irritation. Made with botanicals such as grapefruit seed extract, aloe, tea tree, cinnamon, and clove, this toothpaste has managed to not only eradicate SLS, but fluoride, gluten, saccharin, artificial sweeteners, parabens, and propylene glycol too. With its blend of natural antiseptic and germ-fighting powerhouses, JASON proves that nature can be nurturing.
You may know Dr. Bronner's for its iconic Castille soap, but what you really should be checking out is the brand's Peppermint All-One Toothpaste. Made with 70 percent organic ingredients, it's formulated without fluoride, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or synthetic foaming agents. It has a refreshing peppermint flavor and is also certified cruelty-free and vegan for a toothpaste you can really feel good about using.
For a top-of-the line fluoride-free pick, go with the über popular Davids Natural. Made in California, this creamy natural toothpaste uses ingredients such as premium mint oil, xylitol, and baking soda to remove plaque and surface stains, putting fluoride and abrasive sulfates to the side. A favorite of the clean beauty community, this brand is also great for people looking for an environmentally-friendly option, thanks to its easily recyclable zero-waste metal tube. It's also got a roll-tube design to make sure you use every last drop.
For years now, Burt's Bees has been a natural drugstore health and beauty staple, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the company has also dipped its foot into the natural toothpaste game. Its Purely White toothpaste is one of the best around, and the star ingredient here is hydrated silica. Derived from sand, it naturally whitens teeth by removing surface stains, leaving a brighter, whiter smile in its place.
For a natural option your little ones are sure to love, pick up Jack N' Jill's natural toothpaste. Formulated without any fluoride, sugar, dyes, sulfates, or preservatives, this toothpaste is rich in xylitol and organic calendula — an ingredient that's great for soothing gums that are still growing their adult teeth. It's also got organic blueberry and strawberry flavoring for a toothpaste that will make kids actually want to brush their little chompers.
Looking to make the full switch over to an all-natural brush? Pick up a set of Isshah's charcoal bamboo toothbrushes. Made from a biodegradable, splinter-resistant, waterproof bamboo, this four-brush set is also eco-friendly, right down to its packaging. That's a good thing, since plastic toothbrushes are littering our landfills and shorelines, with current figures estimating that a single toothbrush can take up to 500 years to decompose.
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