What Are the Best Natural Toothpastes?

The word “natural” gets bandied around a lot these days, and can have different definitions depending on whom you ask. In terms of toothpaste, natural varieties are generally formulated without foaming agents like diethanolamine or sodium lauryl sulfate, or artificial colors and sweeteners. Along with ethical and sustainable concerns, there can be some medical reasons to avoid these ingredients. Dr. Sonya Krasilnikov of Dental House says SLS “was shown to cause gingival irritation and increased occurrence of aphthous ulcers [or canker sores] in those patients who are prone to them.”

Some natural toothpastes are fluoride-free, though, which most dentists don’t recommend. Krasilnikov says fluoride, a mineral that occurs naturally in water and soil, is “the only ingredient to date that had been proven to strengthen enamel and significantly decrease cavity risk.” No natural toothpaste will earn the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance unless it contains the minimum amount of fluoride necessary to prevent cavities. And while fluoride is toxic in large quantities, it all depends on how much you ingest. Theoretically, you’re not sitting there eating your toothpaste, so you get very little. If you want to avoid unnecessary additives and stick with naturally sourced ingredients, the toothpastes recommended below are solid alternatives.

Best overall natural toothpaste

Hello Naturally Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste

Krasilnikov likes this natural toothpaste from Hello that’s SLS-free, cruelty-free, and is made with mint grown in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. It also includes fluoride, which means it’s a natural toothpaste with ADA approval. Fuoride is important for kids because it gets into the tooth, hardens it, and makes it impervious to decay, and for adults, for whom it works topically on the tooth [and] helps prevent plaque and bacteria from sticking on the tooth.

by By Karen Iorio Adelson

Author

Sonya Krasilnikov DDS Dr. Sonya Krasilnikov is the co-founder of Dental House.