Oral health—so hot right now.
Healthy teeth and gums play an important role in our overall health and wellness, so establishing a good oral care routine is crucial. Yes, buzzy techniques like oil pulling and tongue scraping can work wonders, but we should also pay attention to the most basic foundation of oral hygiene—brushing our teeth.
Namely, what we’re using to brush our teeth.
There have been increasing concerns surrounding the potential effects of excessive fluoride consumption, which can lead to health issues. Studies in rodents have reported that fluoride can affect the reproductive system. Fluoridated toothpaste can also make perioral dermatitis worse. There are promising alternatives to fluoride, though. For instance, hydroxyapatite has been shown in studies to be just as effective as fluoride at certain concentrations.
If you’re looking to make the switch to fluoride-free toothpaste, we’ve done the legwork already and rounded up our favorite ones.
Ready for a brushing experience that’s transcen-dental? (ha!) Shop our picks for the best fluoride-free toothpastes.
Frankincense Fresh Sensitive Toothpaste
Price: $17
Living Libations
Star ingredients: baking soda, frankincense, myrrh, peppermint, tea tree, sweet thyme, kaolin clay
Flavor: mint
Other: contains a smorgasbord of ingredients that improve oral health, including balancing thyme, tartar-preventing tea tree, purifying kaolin clay, and a breath-freshening trio of mints
We may associate frankincense and myrrh with the holidays, but these two botanicals have been used for thousands of years to support clean teeth and a healthy mouth. Combined with baking soda, they help neutralize acidic saliva and get rid of bad breath-causing bacteria. A little bit of this paste goes a loooooong way.
Triple Mint Enamelizer Toothpaste
Price: $25
Living Libations
Star ingredients: baking soda, sweet thyme, mint, nano-hydroxyapatite, tea tree
Flavor: super minty
Other: use to brush normally or leave on teeth for a few minutes as a deep-cleaning mask
Get a minty fresh tingle with this peppy paste that contains a blend of peppermint, spearmint, and wild mint. It has the benefits of sweet thyme and tea tree noted in the previous product, along with nano-hydroxyapatite (the main mineral in enamel) to help seal and smooth the surface of the teeth.
Brilliant Black Toothpaste
Price: $16
Terra & Co.
Star ingredients: charcoal, hydroxyapatite, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, baking soda, xylitol
Flavor: mint
Other: packaged in a sugar cane tube to reduce plastic waste
This paste gently whitens teeth with charcoal (a magnet for plaque, tartar, and oral toxins) and helps keep cavities away and strengthen enamel with hydroxyapatite. Follow with the brand’s oil pulling for extra detoxing.
Mineral Toothpaste
Price: $12
Risewell
Star ingredients: silica, calcium carbonate, hydroxyapatite, xylitol, tea tree, lemon oil
Flavor: wild mint
Other: great for kids
This toothpaste is packed with antibacterial and antimicrobial oils and extracts, plus gentle scrubbers to brush away grossness. It’s mildly minty, perfect for those of us who don’t want to be smacked in the face with flavor, but still want our mouths to feel clean after brushing.
ExtraBrite Toothpowder
Price: $9
Ecodent
Star ingredients: baking soda, calcium peroxide, minerals, peppermint oil, myrrh
Flavor: peppermint
Other: comes as a powder that can be applied to a damp toothbrush or on top of another toothpaste
This small but mighty package contains enough powder for up to 200 brushings. The gentle formula whisks away buildup without being too harsh on enamel and leaves you with minty fresh breath.
MI Paste Mint
Price: $22
GC
Star ingredients: bio-available calcium and phosphate
Flavor: mint
Other: this “topical tooth crème” is water-based and sugar-free
If you have sensitive teeth, this paste may become your new BFF. It can help relieve sensitivity over time, giving teeth the minerals they need to be strong and healthy. Because this isn’t a “toothpaste” per say, you don’t use a toothbrush. Instead, it’s recommended to apply using a gloved finger or cotton swab.
Natural Prebiotic Toothpaste
Price: $16
Revitin
Star ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin E, cranberry seed oil, CoQ-10
Flavor: citrus
Other: a “no-kill” toothpaste that focuses on supporting oral health by balancing the mouth’s microbiome
Not a mint person? Try this citrusy toothpaste. It’s got a mild flavor that still leaves your mouth feeling fresh. Plus, it contains prebiotics (via cranberry seed oil) to help the good bacteria in your mouth flourish.
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