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The 11 Best Organic and Natural Toothpastes for a Healthy Smile
Freshening picks for happy gums and teeth.
Brushing your teeth daily isn't just about achieving pearly whites—it's also key to maintaining a healthy smile and contributes to your overall well-being. Your choice of toothpaste is an essential part of the process. These days, it's common to find tons of tubes claiming to be the best organic toothpaste on the market. But does this mean they are truly natural and effective?
Generally speaking, natural toothpastes avoid synthetic ingredients like chemicals, artificial colors, and preservatives and instead use plant-based ingredients that tend to be gentler on the mouth. "In my opinion, it is okay to use natural or organic toothpaste, though it's not always ideal," Ilona Casellini, a dentist at Swiss Quality Smile in Los Angeles tells Bazaar. "Many people who are prone to gum disease and decay need toothpaste with fluoride, and most natural toothpaste do not have fluoride."
Since fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, it can be found in some natural toothpaste—so it depends on what you're comfortable using. Other natural ingredients, Casellini adds, will provide surface-level protection to the tooth but won't penetrate the structure in the same way as fluoride-based toothpaste to prevent tooth decay. "A natural toothpaste will still clean your teeth and remove plaque and bacteria, so if used properly, it will still do a decent job keeping your mouth healthy," she notes.
Are you interested in making the switch? We've compiled some of the best organic toothpaste options, ahead, to help gently brighten your smile.
Pros
- Multiple oral health benefits
Cons
- Minty flavor may be too strong for some
This editor-approved toothpaste uses stannous (rather than sodium) fluoride, which is clinically proven to ward off gingivitis and plaque all while preventing tooth sensitivity. Adding to its appeal, its formula also doesn't contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or flavors.
- Key ingredients: Fluoride, zinc
Editor review: "If you're looking for a no-frills, all-around toothpaste, try this multitasking formula from Hello. Its ingredient list is thoroughly streamlined and tastes quite nice." —Sarah Maberry, Hearst fashion & luxury editor
Davids Premium Natural Toothpaste
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Under $10
Cons
A favorite in the clean beauty community, adding a tube of Davids toothpaste to your routine is actually a double win, since its sustainable packaging is also earth-friendly.
- Key ingredients: Vegetable glycerin, baking soda, limestone abrasive
Customer review: "I love this toothpaste! My teeth feel cleaner with Davids than with any other brand I've used. Clean ingredients and appreciate the unique formulation." —Nadia V.
Pros
- Has fluoride-like benefits without the fluoride
Cons
- Over $20
This toothpaste uses a fluoride alternative called ano-hydroxyapatite (or n-HA) to help fill in the tooth surface, so it's safe for kids in case they accidentally swallow it. It also features 100 percent natural mint flavor and coconut oil to help balance the mouth's microbiome.
- Key ingredients: Nano-hydroxyapatite, xylitol, coconut oil, baking soda, aloe vera
Customer review: "This toothpaste is amazing. It’s been great for my sensitive teeth and has been the first whitening product I’m able to use. I believe it’s actually helping my teeth become stronger and healthier. I got a compliment recently on how white my teeth looked. I’m very happy." —Elissa
Dr. Bronner's Peppermint All-One Toothpaste
Pros
- Available in five flavor options
- Safe for kids and adults
Cons
- Some reviewers say toothpaste formula is very thick
Featuring 70 percent organic ingredients, Dr. Bronner's all-one toothpaste is highly popular among Amazon shoppers. It's also nicely free of fluoride, artificial flavors, sweeteners, and synthetic foaming agents.
- Key ingredients: Hydrated silica, aloe vera juice, baking soda
Customer review: "This toothpaste cleans teeth well without the stinging that you have with other toothpaste. Teeth feel clean and have experienced great breath." —MakeLifeLavish
Pros
- Helps strengthen weak enamel
Cons
- Contains flouride, which may be off-putting for some
Here's a sulfate-free toothpaste that's ideal for sensitive mouths. With nearly a five-star rating and over 6,500 customer reviews from Amazon shoppers. Its gentle, pH-balanced formula aims to restore eroded enamel.
- Key ingredients: Sodium fluoride, water-hydrated silica
Customer review: "[The] best toothpaste in the world! I can say that from a professional standpoint, since I have been a dental hygienist since 1984, and have used these products since the early 1990s. The inventor of this product was the doctor who wrote my 'Periodontal' college textbook." —Anonymous
Pros
- Recognized by the American Dental Association
Cons
- Features fluoride, which may be off-putting to some
Powered by calming aloe vera, this toothpaste is sugar- and paraben-free and contains a soothing formula that's optimized for sensitive teeth and gums.
- Key ingredients: Aloe, allantoin
Customer review: "I have been using Aloesense for several years and I love it! This toothpaste has a crisp, fresh, pepperminty taste and really leaves your teeth and mouth feeling completely clean. My dental check-ups have been great since using this product. It is nice to have an alternative to the usual toothpaste options." —Janet N.
Pros
- Great for whitening
Cons
Burt's Bees Purely White toothpaste is flavored with essential oils, and free from parabens, microbeads, sulfates, and dyes. And as an earth-friendly bonus, it even features a carton that's completely recyclable.
- Key ingredients: Hydrated silica
Customer review: "I really like the softness of the mint flavor. For now, it's the best cruelty-free paste I ever tried." —Alina
Tom's of Maine Fluoride-Free Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste (3-Pack)
Pros
- Pain relieving
Cons
If you cringe at the thought of eating ice cream straight out of the freezer, this natural toothpaste might be for you. Developed by the clean beauty experts at Tom's, its formula helps block exposed pathways to tooth nerves for sensitive mouths.
- Key ingredients: Arginine, calcium carbonate
Customer review: "I love everything about this product. The taste is great and it really works. Especially if you have sensitivity to cold and hot beverages. I can drink my ice coffee with no problem." —Stormy
Pros
- Stylish
- Great for breath freshening
Cons
- Over $10
Here's another beloved and top-rated toothpaste that removes surface stains on teeth over time, and leaves your breath smelling minty fresh.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, hydrated silica, titanium dioxide
Customer review: "I love this toothpaste, and have been using it for a number of years. It costs more than a drugstore product, but is really worth it." —Anonymous
Pros
- Helps strengthen enamel
- Great for whitening
Cons
- Over $10
This natural toothpaste combines a range of essential oils with a naturally derived version of the same mineral that makes up our bone and tooth enamel, making it an ideal choice to keep your smile bright and healthy. Its formula is also great for general whitening. “RiseWell makes a hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste which has natural whitening properties,” dentist Rich Lipari previously told Bazaar. “Although hydroxyapatite-based toothpastes are a newer product here in the United States, there are numerous studies showing that they may be a great alternative to traditional fluoride-based toothpastes.”
- Key ingredients: Silica, sorbitol, glycerin, xylitol, hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate
Customer review: "My husband and I both use it and we love it! It is one of our favorite natural toothpaste. It doesn't foam up, so you have to get used to that." —Paige
Pros
- Biocompatible and non-toxic
Cons
Boka's popular Ela Mint toothpaste is a hit among Amazon customers (over 38,000 and counting) for its tooth restoration benefits and fluoride-free formula. It uses nano-hydroxyapatite (n-Ha) to help fortify teeth, and can even close holes enamel to mitigate sensitivity.
- Key ingredients: Aloe, green tea, xylitol
Customer review: "I’ve been searching for a fluoride-free toothpaste that still leaves my teeth feeling fresh and clean, and this one absolutely delivers! After brushing, my teeth feel incredibly smooth and "squeaky clean," like I just left the dentist’s office. The natural ingredients give me peace of mind, and the taste is refreshing without being overpowering." —Reagan
How do natural toothpastes and regular toothpastes differ?
While "regular" toothpastes can contain a host of chemical cleansing agents and preservatives, natural options are usually formulated with organic and plant-based ingredients that tend to be gentler on gums and teeth overall.
"All toothpaste, when used with proper brushing techniques, will remove plaque and bacteria from the tooth surface," says Casellini, who stresses, "It is important to find a toothpaste you like so that you are motivated to keep up with your hygiene."
Is organic toothpaste better?
There are many factors that could influence someone to make the switch to organic or natural toothpastes. Those with fluoride sensitivities may prefer a natural, fluoride-free option. And since many natural toothpastes are made entirely with plant-based, cruelty-free ingredients, they can also be suitable for vegans.
Though not the case with all non-natural toothpastes, some may contain potential irritants or other harmful ingredients. A natural toothpaste can be a good option for children, since kids tend to be more prone to swallowing their toothpaste.
Ultimately, choosing to switch to a natural or organic toothpaste comes down to personal preference. If you have any questions or concerns, consulting your dentist is always recommended.
Do natural toothpastes contain fluoride?
If you're concerned about the ingredient, Casellini reinforces that "fluoride in small doses is important for oral health." And, if you're looking to swap out your go-to tube for a cleaner option, you can still find natural toothpastes featuring fluoride that are approved by the American Dental Association.
What are some of the top ingredients to look for in the best natural toothpastes?
Natural toothpaste can contain a host of useful ingredients, such as those that help with whitening and balancing the mouth's microbiome. "Since natural toothpastes lack many of the ingredients you would find in regular mainstream toothpastes, picking a natural toothpaste with ingredients such as baking soda, aloe vera, xylitol, tea tree oil or coconut oil, herbal extracts, and activated charcoal will help give you the best results," Casellini adds.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Ilona Casellini is a dentist at Swiss Quality Smile in Los Angeles.
- Dr. Rich Lipari is a cosmetic dentist at Lipari & Mangiameli Dentistry in Chappaqua, New York.
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