Toothpaste Alternatives: Non-Toxic Toothpaste Brands You Should Know About
Dental hygiene is undoubtedly one of the most important steps in our overall health. By ensuring that your teeth and gums are healthy, conditions such as cavities, infections, and gingivitis can be avoided. Eating a healthy diet low in sugar can certainly help lower the risk for these problems to occur, good oral hygiene simply starts with a good toothpaste (Toothpastes, n.d.). With so many brands of toothpaste on the market, it is easy to feel overwhelmed about finding one that best suits your needs. Toothpastes that aid in teeth whitening, enamel restoration, and gum health are all readily available in your nearest pharmacy section. However, among the specialty toothpastes on the market one should also consider the quality.
Despite all of the health benefits that toothpaste offers to consumers most toothpastes are also filled with toxic chemicals (which I discussed extensively in my article Toothpaste: Friend or Foe?), such as fluoride, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), artificial sweeteners, and propylene glycol that may be detrimental to your health (Toxic, n.d).While choosing a safe toothpaste may feel like a daunting task there is hope for those seeking non-toxic alternatives. Like their traditional counterparts, non-toxic toothpastes come in an assortment of flavors for both adults and children and provide various health benefits. Most of these toothpastes can be found in grocery stores, retail stores, and online retailers in many different prices ranges.
In an effort to help kick off the search for a non-toxic toothpaste I have compiled a list of 3 toothpaste brands that I believe are worth looking into. My goal was to find products that were easily available to consumers both online and at big box retail stores, and meet the needs of all budgets. All of the products listed below are made from natural ingredients and are fluoride free.
Non-Toxic Toothpaste Alternatives
- Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Antiplaque & Whitening Peppermint Toothpaste
“In making products for you, we strive for transparency and quality in ingredients. We want to help you make the choices that are right for you and your family!”(Natural Ingredients, n.d.)
Product Details:
-Natural Ingredients
-Fluoride Free
-No Artificial Dyes or Sweeteners
-Cruelty Free
Ingredients:
Calcium carbonate, Glycerin, Water, Xylitol, Hydrated Silica, Natural Flavor, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Zinc Citrate, Carrageenan, Sodium Bicarbonate
Price: Budget Friendly $
Available at Target.
Tom’s of Maine is another well-known brand that has produced a number of quality natural products since the 1970s. This fluoride free toothpaste stays true to the brand as it offers a quality toothpaste that is free of artificial dyes and colors (Fluoride-Free, n.d.). The natural sweetener xylitol is used to give this toothpaste a great taste and prevent tooth decay (Nayak, Nayak, & Khandelwal, 2014). It also contains baking soda, a natural abrasive, to help keep your teeth white (Hara & Turssi, 2017). One of the drawbacks with this toothpaste is that it does contain SLS, a chemical linked to health concerns such as hair loss, reproductive issues, and organ toxicity (Bondi et al 2015). However, Tom’s of Maine does carry other versions of this toothpaste that do not contain SLS, and is also available in other flavors (Fluoride-Free, n.d.). Tom’s of Maine is available in both retail and online stores, and sits at the lowest cost point of the 3 selected brands, at around $3.79 (Tom’s of Maine, n.d.).
2. Dr. Bronner’s All-One Peppermint Toothpaste
“Only the purest organic and fair trade ingredients — most products vegan and certified to the same organic standards as food! No synthetic preservatives, no foaming agents.”(About, n.d.)
Product Details:
-Fluoride Free
-Vegan and Cruelty-Free
-No Artificial Colors, Sweeteners, Flavors, and Preservatives
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
*Certified Fair Trade Ingredient
Price: Mid-Range $$
Available at Dr. Bronner’s.
Dr. Bronner’s brand is best known for providing a variety of products from soaps to lotions that are derived from organic ingredients. With the need for more non-toxic toothpastes on the market, they have now formulated their own all in one, fluoride free toothpaste. This product comes in 3 different flavors that provide consumers with a high quality toothpaste that is free of the dangerous chemicals found in traditional toothpaste. Like, Hello it has opted to use safer alternative ingredients in their formula (All-One, n.d). One of the more well-known ingredients on the list is baking soda. Baking soda is a natural abrasive and has been proven to be an effective tool for stain removal (Hara & Turssi, 2017). Its antibacterial properties, along with the use of coconut oil, also make this brand of toothpaste effective in the prevention of tooth decay (Peedikayil, Sreenivasan, & Narayanan, 2015). Dr. Bronner’s toothpaste is available at most retail chains in the United States, as well as online, and is listed at $6.49 on the product’s website (Dr. Bronner’s, n.d.).
3. Hello Fluoride Free Whitening Sweet Mint Toothpaste
“hello is a new kind of naturally friendly™ oral care, created by a small, independent crew using thoughtful ingredients so delicious you’ll rush to brush. for reals.”(About Hello, n.d.)
Product Details:
-Fluoride Free
-Triclosan Free
-Sulfate Free
-No Artificial Sweeteners or Flavors
Ingredients:
Sorbitol (Humectant), Hydrated Silica (Polishes and Cleans Teeth), Purified Water, Vegetable Glycerin (Soothes and Moisturizes), Aloe Vera Gel (Soothes and Moisturizes), Xylitol (Sweetener), Erythritol (Sweetener), Natural Flavor (Yum), Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate (Coconut/Palm-Derived Cleanser), Xanthan Gum (Thickener), Calcium Glycerophosphate (Mineral), Titanium Dioxide (Mineral), Potassium Sorbate (Maintains Stability) and Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf Extract (Sweetener)
Price: Cost Is No Issue $$$
Available at Amazon.
Hello is a fluoride free toothpaste that does not contain harmful chemicals like SLS, artificial sweeteners, and triclosan. Hello is cruelty free and packaged in BPA-free materials that are made in the United States. It can also be found both online and in retail stores in a variety of flavors. What makes this brand of toothpaste appealing is its use of natural ingredients (Fluoride, n.d). While traditional toothpastes use harmful artificial sweeteners to enhance flavor and fluoride to prevent tooth decay Hello opts to use safer alternatives like xylitol and coconut oil. Xylitol and coconut oil both aid in the prevention of tooth decay. Xylitol, a natural sweetener that is found in fruits and plants, has the ability to enhance the saliva production needed to prevent bacteria overgrowth (Nayak, Nayak, & Khandelwal, 2014). While, coconut oil contains lauric acid that provides it with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties (Peedikayil, Sreenivasan, & Narayanan, 2015). Due to its use of natural ingredients, the cost of Hello toothpaste varies from retailer to retailer but does tend to sit at the higher end of the price scale, at $10.00 (Hello, n.d.).
When trying to choose the best toothpaste to suit your needs it is important to weigh all of the pros and cons before determining what brand of toothpaste will work best for you. While traditional toothpaste is more than capable of helping you maintain a healthy mouth and gums individuals must be aware of the potential health concerns that may arise as a result of their use. Alternative toothpaste brands offer consumers good options for those who are looking to stay clear of chemically filled toothpastes. While some of these products do tend to cost more than their traditional toothpaste counterparts, many of them are also able to provide products made with quality ingredients that carry little to no risk of serious health concerns, and still, offer the best possible care in terms of dental health and hygiene. At the end of the day, consumers are really the only ones that will decide which toothpaste they will purchase. Whether they choose to go with a traditional toothpaste or a non-toxic alternative they will certainly have a wide variety of options to select from. Either way, they will ultimately need to conduct their own research to ensure that they are making the right decision because not only will your oral hygiene be on the line but also your overall health.
References:
About hello products. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2018, from https://www.hello-products.com/about/
About: our six cosmic principles. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2018, from https://www.drbronner.com/about/
All-one toothpaste. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2018, from https://shop.drbronner.com/toothpaste
Amazon. Com : hello oral care fluoride free toothpaste, natural sweet mint, 4. 2 ounce : beauty. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2018, from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B4OB28E/ref=twister_B01N5C178N?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
Amazon.com: Tom’s of Maine fluoride-free antiplaque and whitening toothpaste, peppermint, 5. 5 oz: prime pantry. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2018, from https://www.amazon.com/Toms-Maine-Fluoride-Free-Antiplaque-Toothpaste/dp/B00I8YJZ4M/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1544841744&sr=8-2&fpw=pantry&keywords=tom%27s+of+maine+toothpaste+Fluoride-Free+Antiplaque+%26+Whitening++Toothpaste
Bondi, C. A. M., Marks, J. L., Wroblewski, L. B., Raatikainen, H. S., Lenox, S. R., & Gebhardt, K. E. (2015). Human and environmental toxicity of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): evidence for safe use in household cleaning products. Environmental Health Insights, 9, EHI.S31765. https://doi.org/10.4137/EHI.S31765
Dr. Bronner’s peppermint all-one toothpaste — 5oz. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2018, from /p/dr-bronner-s-peppermint-all-one-toothpaste-5oz/-/A-51122008
Fluoride free whitening toothpaste. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2018, from https://www.hello-products.com/product/fluoride-free-whitening-toothpaste/
Fluoride-free antiplaque & whitening toothpaste in peppermint — Tom’s of Maine. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2018, from https://www.tomsofmaine.com/products/oral-care/antiplaque-whitening-toothpaste/peppermint
Hara, A. T., & Turssi, C. P. (2017). Baking soda as an abrasive in toothpastes. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 148(11), S27–S33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2017.09.007
Hello fluoride free whitening sweet mint toothpaste 4. 2oz. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2018, from /p/hello-fluoride-free-whitening-sweet-mint-toothpaste-4–2oz/-/A-18791063
Mercola. (2014). The toxic truth about fluoride and its health dangers. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7stVUb5TSA
Natural ingredients in tom’s of maine products. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2018, from https://www.tomsofmaine.com/our-promise/ingredients
Nayak, P. A., Nayak, U. A., & Khandelwal, V. (2014). The effect of xylitol on dental caries and oral flora. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry, 89. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCIDE.S55761
Peedikayil, F., Sreenivasan, P., & Narayanan, A. (2015). Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis — A preliminary report. Nigerian Medical Journal, 56(2), 143. https://doi.org/10.4103/0300-1652.153406
Tom’s of maine® antiplaque and whitening peppermint natural toothpaste — 5. 5oz. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2018, from /p/tom-s-of-maine-174-antiplaque-and-whitening-peppermint-natural-toothpaste-5–5oz/-/A-14230119
Toothpastes. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2018, from https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/toothpastes
Toothpastes. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2018, from https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/toothpastes
[Toothpaste surrounded by plants]. (2017, March 31). Retrieved November 18, 2018, from https://www.revitin.com/FeedItem/The-Natural-Toothpaste-Movement-is-Gaining-Momentum/
Toxic toothpaste ingredients you need to avoid. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2018, from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/09/09/toxic-toothpaste-ingredients.aspx
