Pros
- Has fluoride-like benefits without the fluoride
Cons
- Pricey compared to other toothpastes
This toothpaste uses a fluoride alternative called ano-hydroxyapatite (a.k.a n-HA) to help fill in 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
Pros
- Helps whiten teeth
Lumineux’s peroxide-free whitening strips are a favorite among those with sensitivity, and their toothpaste is the perfect complement. The ingredients may seem humble, but reviewers swear it helps brighten and strengthen teeth as well as—or better than—traditional products.
Key ingredients: Dead Sea salt, coconut and lemon peel oils
Customer Review:
“I would recommend this product to anyone in need of a good toothpaste. What I loved most about it was the whitening without sensitivity; it’s not often you find that. Also, the fact that it’s safe for daily use is a bonus. The certification of non-toxicity further adds to its appeal. To sum it up, an amazing product that offers whitening without any sensitivity. Worth every penny!”—Claudine
Pros
- Eco-friendly
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 also happens to be 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
- Available in five flavor options
- Safe for babies and adults
Featuring 70 percent organic ingredients, Dr. Bronner’s all-one toothpaste is highly popular on Amazon, as it’s 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
Best Toothpaste for Surface Stain Removal
Burt’s Bees Purely White Toothpaste in Zen Peppermint (3-Pack)
Now 25% Off
Pros
- Great for whitening
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
Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
Tom’s of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste
Now 13% Off
Pros
- Pain relieving
If you cringe at the thought of eating ice cream straight out of the freezer, this natural toothpaste from the clean beauty experts at Tom’s 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
- 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
- Smaller tube size than other toothpastes
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
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.
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
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.”
Do natural toothpastes contain fluoride?
They can. 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 toothpastes 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,” says Dr. Casellini.
Meet the Expert
Why trust Harper’s BAZAAR?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
Jenna Rosenstein is the Beauty Director at Harper’s BAZAAR across both print and digital. While attending NYU, she held internships at Women’s Wear Daily, Bloomingdale’s, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Allure, the latter of which she parlayed into her first job as the Beauty Assistant. She left Allure three years later as the Senior Beauty Editor. She spent a few months at Refinery29 overseeing branded content in the same title, before finally landing back at BAZAAR to manage all beauty content. When she’s not testing every lipstick known to mankind, getting zapped by new lasers, or interviewing experts and celebrities, you can find Rosenstein at home in New Jersey with her son, husband, and black cat named Maddie.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany’s work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she’s been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
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