It takes a lot of products to turn us from fluid-excreting, bump-covered, odor machines into clean, polished humans ready to walk through the world. Even if your hygiene routine is fairly light, you’re still using shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap and toothpaste on a daily basis — and those just cover the bare minimum. Likely, your routine is comprised of many more products, and it’s likely more than one of those products contain chemicals that could be harmful to your body in the long term. Deodorant, shampoo and conditioner can contain ingredients like aluminum, sulfates, preservatives and artificial fragrances, all of which can disrupt your endocrine system or worse. Toothpaste typically has ingredient lists that could fill volumes, and contain chemicals like triclosan that can mess with your hormones, cause bioaccumulation of harmful substances in your body and aquatic toxicity. No thanks, better to go the earth-friendly route and try one of the best all natural toothpastes out there.
Yes, it is possible to get a bright white smile without sloshing artificial sludge around in your mouth for four minutes every day. Whitening toothpastes, charcoal toothpaste and even toothpaste tablets are all great options for keeping your mouth healthy, but when it comes to the rest of your body the all-natural route might be better. There are plenty of highly-rated, dentist-approved all-natural toothpastes out there that have shorter ingredient lists, have rid their recipes of harmful ingredients and keep the brushing process simple. Now, it is important to note that the word “natural” is thrown around a lot in the grooming and cosmetics world without much regulation on it. The FDA has a very broad definition of what the word means, and, unlike with the word “organic,” has no restrictions on when, where and how it’s used. For the purpose of this article, we’re going to focus on including toothpastes with relatively short ingredient lists, little to no harmful chemicals like triclosan, and missions to cut down on chemical use in the grooming world. Here are the best natural toothpastes for keeping your mouth and body clean in 2021.
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1. Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
BEST OVERALL
Tom’s pretty much had to be in the top spot, they’re one of the O.G all-natural grooming brands, and they’re got a super highly-rated product that’s widely beloved. Their formula is fluoride-free, antiplaque and whitening as well despite the clean ingredients. The toothpaste is formulated to fight the buildup of tartar and remove surface stains so your teeth will shine brighter. All of the ingredients are natural or naturally-derived, and the paste contains no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and is also never tested on animals. Now that’s clean.
2. Hello Oral Care Whitening Toothpaste
RUNNER UP
Hello makes excellent all-natural dental products including this antiplaque toothpaste that’s SLS-free and designed to whiten teeth. The refreshing flavor of the toothpaste comes from farm-grown peppermint and is combined with tea tree oil for keeping bad breath at bay and coconut oil for keeping everything moisturized. The toothpaste brushes away plaque and tartar, and naturally whitens via peroxide-free minerals. Hello’s blend is also triclosan-free, dye-free, paraben-free and gluten free. The formula also contains no artificial sweeteners or flavors and is Leaping Bunny certified for never testing on animals.
3. Dr. Sheffield’s Certified Natural Toothpaste
BEST FOR WHITENING
This toothpaste is named after the original creator of toothpaste, Dr. Sheffield, who combined some ingredients together in 1850 to create a version of the cleansing paste we use today. This brand is all about continuing his legacy with a natural blend that avoids harmful chemicals and preservatives. The formula is fluoride-free and contains nothing artificial. It’s extra strong when it comes to whitening and removing stains on teeth, and promises to keep your mouth feeling fresh for hours after using it. It’s “Certified Natural” by the Natural Products Association, an organization that holds brands to a standard when it comes to the use of the word — so it’s been verified that at least 95% of their ingredients are, in fact, natural.
4. Burt’s Bees Toothpaste
QUALITY PICK
Burt’s Bees is another tried and true natural brand in the grooming space that makes an excellent “Zen Peppermint”-flavored toothpaste. Their formula is made without the usual gunk — sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), triclosan and parabens, but is also flavored with essential oils so you avoid artificial flavorings. This toothpaste is also made with hydrated silica, an ingredient that’s derived from sand and great for removing surface stains from teeth. This pack includes three cartons of it so you’ll be set for a bit with just one purchase.
5. Tom’s of Maine Whole Care Toothpaste
BEST FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE
Alright I know we’re trying to avoid fluoride, but it’s an ingredient many dentists recommend for healthy teeth and a strong link to cancer hasn’t been found, so a little added to your natural toothpaste probably won’t kill you. This natural toothpaste from Tom’s contains fluoride, restores minerals in teeth, strengthens your enamel and cleans effectively between teeth as well. The toothpaste still contains zero artificial fragrances, sweeteners, colors and preservatives. It was also featured in Time’s list of the best inventions of 2020 for the recyclable tube it comes in — a win-win.
6. Bite Toothpaste Bits
ECO-FRIENDLY CONTAINER
Toothpaste bits are the new plastic-free way to clean your teeth, and they’re creating a new wave of eco-friendly dental hygiene. These bits from the brand Bite are also made with clean ingredients, and contain vegan-friendly ingredients like coconut oil, guar gum, xylitol and other healthy ingredients. Their latest addition to their formula, nHAp or Nano-Hydroxyapatite is a non-toxic mineral and an effective fluoride alternative that strengthens while it remineralizes enamel, fighting sensitivity. The bits come in a plastic-free glass jar and are easy to use, all you do is bite down and brush with a wet toothbrush for an eco-friendly brushing experience that closely mimics the real thing.
7. Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil & Neem Toothpaste
BEST BUDGET
You don’t have to spend a fortune to go eco-friendly, with anything, especially grooming products. Many of them are simpler, and contain fewer ingredients than other mixes and are therefore cheaper. This toothpaste from Desert Essence is a great example of that, as it costs a little more than $12.00 for a 3-pack. The tea tree oil is the key ingredient here, as it’s got naturally antiseptic properties and fight plaque buildup. The paste is flavored with wintergreen leaf for a naturally refreshing feel, and it deep cleans your gums while you brush so your whole mouth gets a worthwhile scrub. It doesn’t contain sweeteners, parabens, abrasives or other harsh ingredients, and many of the ingredients are harvested in sustainable methods.
8. Hello Oral Care Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
BEST CHARCOAL OPTION
Activated charcoal is a popular and trendy ingredient for its natural whitening abilities as well as its ability to polish, remove stains and freshen breath. Like all of Hello’s oral care products, this toothpaste is also made without SLS, fluoride and other potentially harmful ingredients. The toothpaste has a natural fresh mint flavor and is made with coconut oil for moisture. It tastes awesome, keeps bad breath at bay and keeps your mouth clean with clean ingredients.
9. Boka Ela Mint Natural Toothpaste
BEST FOR WEAKENED ENAMEL
This toothpaste is made with nHa, a mineral that revitalizes, strengthens and remineralizes enamel in your teeth. Weakened enamel is what contributes to teeth sensitivity, amongst other problems, making this a great addition to your eco-friendly bathroom counter. This is one of the only natural toothpastes backed by modern science for its ability to strengthen enamel, rebuild teeth and reverse micro cavities before they become bigger problems. It’s a non-toxic, 100% biocompatible formula that contains antioxidants and prebiotics as well to aid with digestion. It’s also free from SLS, parabens and artificial colors and flavors.
10. Himalaya Botanique Complete Care Toothpaste
BEST VARIETY PACK
This toothpaste brand Himalaya fights plaque and cleans teeth via all-natural, plant-based ingredients like neem and pomegranate. The toothpaste contains no unwanted extras or unnecessary ingredients, tastes great and foams like regular toothpaste does! This variety pack comes with four different flavors so you’ve got choice with every brush. Mint, peppermint, spearmint (yes, there’s a difference between those) and cinnamon is what you’ll get with this purchase, so you don’t have to settle for a flavor you don’t love. You can buy a pack with each, or 4-packs of one flavor if you already know there’s one you prefer over the rest. Every tube is free from SLS, fluoride, triclosan and is cruelty-free.
11. Cali White Vegan Toothpaste
VITAMIN-INFUSED
This toothpaste is made by vegans in California, so you know when they say natural they mean it. This toothpaste goes beyond trying to clean your teeth with clean ingredients and infuses its formula with B12, an essential vitamin, so you can absorb it while you clean your teeth underneath your tongue. The mucus membranes in the mouth absorb things quickly into the bloodstream, making this an effective strategy. This toothpaste has been clinically proven to increase B12 levels by 50% and is free of all potentially harmful ingredients like SLS, fluoride, triclosan, etc. The Malibu Mint flavor is deliciously refreshing and the toothpaste detoxifies with xylitol and stevia.