Wait—What Is Natural Toothpaste and Should I Be Using It?

If you're trying to be more conscious of what exactly you use and put on your body every day, you've probably sworn off your old faves and switched to natural and organic beauty products instead. And while you were cleaning out your medicine cabinet, you might've paused when you came across your toothpaste (you know, the one you've been using your whole life) and wondered if you should swap it for a natural formula. I mean, what ingredients are even in toothpaste? Ahead, I enlisted help from Dr. Lawrence Fung, cosmetic dentist and founder of Silicon Beach Dental, to get some answers. Find out which ingredients to look for (and just as important, which ones to avoid), then shop the nine best natural toothpastes, below.

What ingredients should you avoid in toothpaste?

Well, that depends. If you're looking for a natural toothpaste, Dr. Fung says you'll generally want to avoid any artificial flavors, preservatives, or chemical-based active ingredients. Where things get a little confusing is that some natural toothpaste brands include fluoride in their formulas while others don't. So what's the deal? "Fluoride is a natural mineral that not only helps prevent cavities, but also helps remineralize teeth at the very beginning stages of tooth decay," says Dr. Fung. For this reason, Dr. Fung is a fan of fluoride in toothpaste, but he recommends alternating between a fluoride and non-fluoride formula for patients who are cautious.

Is natural toothpaste good for your teeth?

If they contain the right ingredients, then yes. Dr. Fung says natural toothpaste can "fight cavities, strengthen enamel, freshen breath, and fight off gum disease without using any chemicals that have been linked to some less than pleasant events." Some ingredients Dr. Fung suggests seeking out are controlled amounts of fluoride (for cavity protection), xylitol or stevia rebaudiana leaf extract (for sweetening and cavity control), potassium nitrate and coconut oil (for a soothing effect and sensitivity control), and peppermint oil (for flavoring).

Don't have time to comb through a bunch of toothpaste labels for those ingredients? I did it for ya. Here are nine natural toothpastes worth checking out.

Hello Oral Care

amazon.com

$5.99

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As explained by Dr. Fung, fluoride in a controlled, small dose will provide the best protection against cavity formation. There's also been research that shows when cavities are starting, fluoride can assist in the remineralization process. For that reason, Dr. Fung recommends this formula, which has potassium nitrate and fluoride as well as aloe vera gel and coconut oil to help soothe the gums and teeth. What it doesn't have are added synthetic ingredients, like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), artificial flavoring, and artificial coloring.

feelsgoodtosmile.com

$9.99

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Tube of toothpaste? More like tub of toothpaste with this metal tin full of natural ingredients and no questionable ones. One of the hero ingredients in this pick is peppermint essential oil, which Dr. Fung loves because it's a flavor derived from actual mint and not a combination of chemicals. This vegan, cruelty-free toothpaste also contains coconut oil and xylitol.

Spotlight Oral Care

ulta.com

$10.00

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If you like your toothpaste to be as good for your teeth as it is for the environment, give your attention (and money) to this one. Made without parabens, sulfates, gluten, artificial dyes, and preservatives and bottled in 100 percent recyclable, biodegradable packaging, this vegan, natural toothpaste is one you'll want to incorporate into your sustainable beauty routine. It also contains one of Dr. Fung's go-to ingredients: potassium nitrate.

hello

amazon.com

$15.88

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Another one of Dr. Fung's top formula picks, this natural toothpaste has the same effects as other whitening toothpastes but without the sudsy sodium lauryl sulfate (which Dr. Fung says has been shown to cause adverse effects like causing allergies or a sensitivity to the toothpaste). Bonus: The mint flavor really helps with bad breath control.

Native

target.com

$9.99

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You already know and love Native's natural deodorants, but have you tried the brand's natural toothpaste? This formula doesn't contain sulfates but does contain a lot of ingredients Dr. Fung recommends, like fluoride, peppermint oil, stevia rebaudiana leaf extract, and xylitol. Another fun fact about xylitol is that it boosts the production of saliva, which helps prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth and maintains a neutral pH level in the mouth, says Dr. Fung.

SprinJene

amazon.com

$11.98

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If you're looking for another great sustainable product, pick up a tube of this natural, eco-friendly toothpaste, which is certified USDA BioPreferred. It's free of sodium lauryl sulfate, artificial preservatives and dyes, saccharin (an artificial sweetener), and animal byproducts, but it's full of all-natural ingredients, like coconut oil and xylitol.

publicgoods.com

$5.50

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Not only is the packaging of this toothpaste clean and simple, but the formula is too. You won't find any fluoride, SLS, parabens, phthalates, or formaldehyde in this vegan-friendly toothpaste that hasn't been tested on animals, but you will find naturally derived ingredients, like xylitol and peppermint essential oil, and an amazing, fresh flavor.

bitetoothpastebits.com

$30.00

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Not your traditional toothpaste by any means, these tablets activate once you bite 'em and wet 'em with your toothbrush. The natural toothpaste bits, which are free of gluten, fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate, and harsh ingredients, come in a refillable glass jar. Bonus: You can pack this toothpaste in your toiletry bag and bring it in your carry-on without worry.

IVYEES

amazon.com

$6.95

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Dr. Fung says it's okay to use fluoride-free toothpaste for plaque removal and stain control, so if you're looking for an option that doesn't contain the traditional toothpaste ingredient, try this formula, which uses xylitol and peppermint oil, along with many other natural ingredients.