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So, you switched your shampoo, makeup, deodorant, and your sunscreen to all-natural formulas, and now you're curious about the world of natural toothpastes?
Most big-brand toothpastes contain parabens, detergents, and sulfates, which act as preservatives and foaming agents—natural toothpastes typically don't. "'Natural toothpaste' is really just toothpaste that uses things like charcoal or coconut oil instead of more traditional ingredients," says Bobbi Stanley, DDS, a dentist and owner of Stanley Dentistry in Cary, North Carolina.
Meet Our Experts: Bobbi Stanley, DDS, a dentist and owner of Stanley Dentistry in Cary, North Carolina, Lata Stefano, DDS, a dentist and owner of Stefano Dental in Sandusky, Ohio, Colby Broadbent, DDS, chief of clinical affairs at Summer Dental
There are no guidelines as to what’s actually "natural," so read each tube carefully, says Dr. Stanley. Just because something says it’s "natural" doesn’t mean there are no man-made preservatives hidden on the ingredients list. And even if there are, that doesn't necessarily mean they're bad for you.
Curious about which brands fit the bill? Try one of these effective dentist-recommended options.
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2
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4
Best For Cavity Protection
Hello Naturally Whitening Mint Toothpaste
Read more
5
Best Enamel-Safe
Lumineux Oral Essentials Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Read more
6
Best Baking Soda Toothpaste
Tom's of Maine Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste
Read more
7
Best Toothpaste in a Jar
Uncle Harry's Anise Toothpaste
Read more
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9
Best Flavored
Davids Davids Natural Natural Strawberry & Watermelon Whitening Toothpaste
Read more
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Best Vegan
Dr. Bronner's All-One Toothpaste
Pros
- Minty fresh
- Vegan
Cons
- A bit grainy
"As there's an increasing number of patients who are turning more plant-based, Dr. Bronner's peppermint toothpaste is a good vegan option," says Colby Broadbent, DDS, chief of clinical affairs at Spring Dental.
Pros
- Recycled packaging
- Vegan
Cons
- Slightly runny consistency
While this natural pick will work wonders to keep your pearly whites, well, white—Dr. Broadbent warns the stuff is pretty runny, so don't squeeze it out of the tube like you would any old toothpaste.
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Best Plaque Protector
Himalaya Neem and Pomegranate Toothpaste
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Best Plaque Protector
Himalaya Neem and Pomegranate Toothpaste
Pros
- Fresh taste
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Slightly unpleasant aftertaste
This toothpaste has xylitol in it which Dr. Broadbent says increases salivary flow. That might sound like strange thing to hype up, but it's actually a biggie in fighting plaque. "Creating a little bit more saliva protects against cavities," he explains.
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Best For Cavity Protection
Hello Naturally Whitening Mint Toothpaste
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Best For Cavity Protection
Hello Naturally Whitening Mint Toothpaste
Pros
- Whitens
- Minty fresh
Cons
- Slightly chalky
This toothpaste uses a blend of fluoride, tea tree oil, and coconut oil to clean and whiten teeth without any artificial sweeteners or detergents.
5
Best Enamel-Safe
Lumineux Oral Essentials Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
5
Best Enamel-Safe
Lumineux Oral Essentials Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Pros
- Gentle
- Whitens
Cons
- Slightly chalky
Your sensitive teeth will forever thank this natural toothpaste, which uses aloe vera juice, xylitol and Dead Sea minerals to soothe and prevent that terrible, too-cold feeling.
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Best Baking Soda Toothpaste
Tom's of Maine Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste
6
Best Baking Soda Toothpaste
Tom's of Maine Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste
Now 17% Off
Pros
- Whitens
- Minty fresh
Cons
- Slightly gritty
Tom’s of Maine has been around forever and has become one of the most well-known natural toothpaste brands on the market, says Dr. Stanley. This toothpaste protects against cavities because it still contains fluoride. It also contains baking soda, which can help whiten teeth naturally.
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7
Best Toothpaste in a Jar
Uncle Harry's Anise Toothpaste
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Best Toothpaste in a Jar
Uncle Harry's Anise Toothpaste
Pros
- Unique flavor
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Not good for sharing
Ever tried toothpaste from a jar? This formula is made with mineral clay, pure plant essences and sea salt, and all you need to do is dip your brush into the tub and brush away (much easier than dealing with pushing product up in a tube, if you ask me). Maybe best not to share this with your SO though, to cut back on cross-contamination.
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Best for Sensitive Teeth
Weleda Natural Salt Toothpaste
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Best for Sensitive Teeth
Weleda Natural Salt Toothpaste
Pros
- Gentle
- Metal tube
Cons
- Taste is a bit too unique for some
An interesting concept, this natural toothpaste uses sea salt to stimulate salivation, meaning it increases the cleaning power of the product.
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Best Flavored
Davids Davids Natural Natural Strawberry & Watermelon Whitening Toothpaste
9
Best Flavored
Davids Davids Natural Natural Strawberry & Watermelon Whitening Toothpaste
Pros
- Great for kids
- Gentle
Cons
- Slightly runny
Toothpastes don't always need to be extra-minty. This natural pick features all-natural strawberry and watermelon flavoring that'll remind you exactly of the summer-ripe fruit you love so much.
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Pros
- Fun packaging
- Gentle
Cons
- Tubes are surprisingly small
I know, I know, it’s tough to get kids to brush their teeth at all, let alone with a natural toothpaste. This pick has cute and fun packaging that will hopefully pique their interest every morning and night.
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Best Flouride-Free Toothpaste
Burt's Bees Charcoal + Hemp Seed Oil Toothpaste
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Best Flouride-Free Toothpaste
Burt's Bees Charcoal + Hemp Seed Oil Toothpaste
Pros
- Unique formula
- Widely available
Cons
- Slightly chalky
This charcoal-based toothpaste doesn’t have any fluoride, synthetic sweeteners, preservatives, or foaming agents—it's as clean as you can get.
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Best Eco-Friendly Product
The Humble Co. Fluoride-Free Toothpaste Tabs, Mint
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Best Eco-Friendly Product
The Humble Co. Fluoride-Free Toothpaste Tabs, Mint
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Eco-friendly packaging
- Convenient tablets
Cons
- Not widely available
This natural fluoride toothpaste not only comes in environmentally friendly packaging, but every purchase also goes toward funding oral health projects for children in need.
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13
Best for Tartar Control
JĀSÖN Healthy Mouth Anti-Cavity & Tartar Control Gel
13
Best for Tartar Control
JĀSÖN Healthy Mouth Anti-Cavity & Tartar Control Gel
Pros
- Freshening
- Affordable
Cons
- Slightly runny
If you’re on a budget but you still want a top-quality natural toothpaste, this one contains grapefruit seed extract, tea tree and cinnamon. It’s also free of parabens and phthalates and can help reduce the presence and longevity of canker sores, says Dr. Stanley.
Pros
- Eco-friendly packaging
- Convenient tablets
Cons
- Slightly chalky
Great for traveling or an on-the-go freshening, these dentist-formulated, vegan-friendly tablets contain nothing but natural ingredients like coconut oil, guar gum, and xylitol. Still, they fight plaque and strengthen enamel just like traditional pastes.
Is Natural Toothpaste Good For Your Teeth?
Since you don’t swallow toothpaste or leave it on your teeth for very long, the chemicals most toothpaste products contain are not harmful, Dr. Stanley says.
But if you tend to experience sensitivity when brushing, natural toothpaste might be better for you. That's because some ingredients in traditional toothpaste, like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), can cause irritation in the oral tissues, says Lata Stefano, DDS, a dentist and owner of Stefano Dental in Sandusky, Ohio. Sweeteners, such as saccharin, and red or yellow dyes, preservatives, and artificial flavors can also cause irritation, says Stefano. "What's more, triclosan is a common foaming ingredient that has been thought to be carcinogenic," she says. "Additionally, plastic microbeads and titanium dioxide can be too abrasive for some people."
You may also want to try a natural toothpaste if you get a lot of canker sores, as foaming detergents and parabens have been known to cause irritation for some people, says Stefano.
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What To Look For When Shopping For Natural Toothpaste
If you're interested in switching to something more natural, Dr. Stanley recommends looking for something that still contains fluoride. (The American Dental Association doesn’t put its seal on toothpaste products that do not contain a certain amount of fluoride.) "Fluoride is the only natural ingredient that has a proven track record of preventing cavities," says Dr. Stanley. "Toothpaste without fluoride cannot do a better job of giving you a healthy smile (or fighting cavities) than toothpaste with fluoride."
Still, there are many people who are interested in toothpastes that don't contain fluoride, so if you do want to use something that's fluoride-free, Dr. Stanley recommends using it in the morning and using a product with fluoride in it at night to make sure you're not opening yourself up to cavities.
Other natural ingredients to keep an eye out for are aloe vera (which helps prevent gum disease), coconut oil, salt and tea tree oil. If you’re looking for a good natural whitening solution, try anything with baking soda, she says.
Daley Quinn
Daley Quinn is a Connecticut-born, Texas-bred beauty and wellness writer living in New York City. Her work has appeared in Family Circle magazine, WWD.com, TheCut.com, TheFinancialDiet.com, and San Antonio magazine. In her off hours, you can find Daley stalking her queen, Vanessa Carlton. You canfind more of her work on herwebsiteor check outher blog,The Daley Dose.
Emilia Benton
Contributing Writer
Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor. In addition to Runner's World, she has contributed health, fitness and wellness content to Women's Health, SELF, Prevention, Healthline, and the Houston Chronicle, among other publications. She is also an 11-time marathoner, a USATF Level 1-certified running coach, and an avid traveler.
Aryelle Siclait
Editor
Aryelle Siclait is the editor at Women's Health where she writes and edits articles about relationships, sexual health, pop culture, and fashion for verticals across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She's a Boston College graduate and lives in New York.