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You brush your teeth every day, so shouldn't you think about what you're putting on your pearly whites?
You brush your teeth every day, so shouldn't you think about what you're putting on your pearly whites?
A simple perusal of the ingredients list of a tube of commercial toothpaste can yield a laundry list of chemicals, additives, detergents and (shock!) sweeteners. That's why we decided to try out some natural pastes and put them to the test.
Typical toothpastes can contain some harsh abrasives and chemicals.
Among the worst ingredients to watch out for -- propylene glycol -- a solvent that is the active component in some anti-freezes, and is used in everything from makeup to mouthwash. Fluoride is also a questionable ingredient for some - it's used in commercial toothpastes to strengthen enamel, and many dentists recommend using a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is considered toxic when ingested in high levels and is a controversial additive in water. Accidentally ingesting high quantities of toothpaste -- as children sometimes do -- can be potentially toxic.
It's important to note that just because a product is sold at a natural foods store, it doesn't mean that its ingredients are all natural. In many of the "natural" toothpastes we tried, we found not-so-natural ingredients. Nearly all of the ones we reviewed contained sodium lauryl sulfate, a cleansing agent that creates lather. While not considered toxic, it's known to cause microscopic tears in mouths that can lead to canker sores. Sodium lauryl sulfate can be made from natural ingredients, like coconut oil or palm kernel oil. But while it might be "natural" it may still be irritating to the skin and body. That's why you should check the ingredients on the box before purchasing.
Here are our picks for the best toothpastes, based on the taste, feel and ingredients of a few of the most widely available natural brands.
Best Natural Toothpastes
Dr. Ken's All Natural Maximum Care in cinnamon scored high marks for flavor. "It has a fresh, natural cinnamon taste that's not overwhelming or sugary," said our tester. The toothpaste contains green tea extract to fight bacteria and bad breath; papaya plant extract to whiten teeth; and zinc oxide and citric acid to fight tarter. We tested one with fluoride, however Dr. Ken's does come in fluoride-free varieties.
Kiss My Face Triple Action Whitening aloe vera gel is fluoride- and sodium lauryl sulfate-free (though it does contain sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, a cleanser that's considered milder than sodium lauryl sulfate). Its minty-fresh flavor approximated conventional toothpaste brands, but has purportedly natural ingredients. Plus, it's not tested on animals, and contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Tom's of Maine also scored high -- our reviewer gave it a 10 for its "classic" flavor. Plus, Tom's takes pains to disclose all of its ingredients and where they come from. This paste does include "naturally sourced" fluoride.
Auremere Ayurvedic Herbal Toothpaste got high marks for flavor and is also free of fluoride, gluten, bleaches, artificial sweeteners, dyes, animal-derived ingredients and artificial preservatives. Instead, it uses Peelu, a natural tooth whitening fiber. Our reviewer noted it had a "licorice" flavor.
The Natural Dentist Peppermint Twist Whitening Toothpaste has an appealingly mild minty flavor. While it has fluoride for fighting cavities, it doesn't have sodium lauryl sulfate and it isn't tested on animals. Our tests had this note of caution: Don't choose this tube if you prefer gels over pastes, because it is a bit pasty.
Tell us: What toothpaste do you brush with?
