Updated Oct 22, 2026. I’ve tried a ton of non-toxic toothpastes over the last six years and I’m sharing the best ones. The best non toxic toothpaste is made with plant based goodness and without harsh foaming agents, artificial sweeteners, synthetic dyes, and preservatives.

Why Switch to a Non-Toxic Toothpaste?

You brush your teeth twice a day, every day, and the lining of your mouth is one of the most absorbent surfaces in your body. That makes toothpaste one of the most worthwhile swaps in a non-toxic routine. Kids often swallow quite a bit. Over a lifetime that adds up!

Ingredients to Avoid in Toothpaste

What to Look For in a Non-Toxic Toothpaste

Fluoride vs Hydroxyapatite

Fluoride has decades of research showing it prevents cavities, and it’s still the standard recommended by the American Dental Association. Some people prefer to avoid it, though, especially for kids who tend to swallow toothpaste, since too much fluoride during childhood can cause dental fluorosis, or white spots on the teeth. In 2024, a report from the National Toxicology Program also linked high fluoride exposure, at levels above what’s in US tap water, to lower IQ in children, which renewed the debate.

Hydroxyapatite is the most popular fluoride-free alternative. It’s a form of calcium phosphate that makes up about 97% of your tooth enamel, so it helps fill in tiny cracks and rebuild enamel, and it’s safe if swallowed. Short-term studies have found it remineralizes about as well as fluoride, but it doesn’t have fluoride’s long track record yet. If you’re prone to cavities, talk to your dentist about which is right for you.

Nano vs Micro Hydroxyapatite

This is a touchy topic in the natural oral care community right now. Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) uses extremely small particles that can fill in microscopic gaps in enamel, while micro-hydroxyapatite uses larger particles. The concern with nano particles is that they’re small enough that they could potentially be absorbed into the body.

The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety reviewed nano-hydroxyapatite and concluded it’s safe in toothpaste at concentrations up to 10%, as long as the particles are rod-shaped and meet specific size requirements. Needle-shaped nano particles were not considered safe. Many brands use nanoXIM, a nano-hydroxyapatite made in Portugal that meets these EU standards. If you’d rather avoid nano particles entirely, look for brands that use micro-hydroxyapatite, like RiseWell’s original line and Evenmouth.

What Independent Lab Testing Has Found

Most “best non-toxic toothpaste” lists only look at the ingredient list, but ingredients don’t tell you about contaminants. Tamara Rubin, the consumer advocate behind Lead Safe Mama, has crowdfunded independent lab testing on more than 100 toothpastes and tooth powders for lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. Only eight came back with no detectable levels of all four metals.

Her findings suggest that mineral ingredients like bentonite clay, calcium carbonate, hydrated silica, and hydroxyapatite can carry trace heavy metals, since they’re mined or derived from natural minerals. She reports that every hydroxyapatite toothpaste tested so far has shown detectable heavy metals. Keep in mind that some brands had one of their toothpastes test positive while another didn’t, that the levels are still trace amounts and this is not a peer-reviewed study but 3rd party lab testing. Still, it’s worth knowing, and you can check her full chart at tamararubin.com. If heavy metals are a top concern for you, ask brands whether they test every batch and share their results.

How I Chose These Toothpastes

I brushed with each of these toothpastes myself and reviewed every ingredient list, looking for formulas without SLS, artificial dyes, artificial sweeteners, triclosan, parabens, or titanium dioxide. I also looked at which remineralizing ingredient each one uses, whether brands disclose nano versus micro hydroxyapatite, and how each one felt and tasted day to day.

I did use Hello Activated Charcoal Toothpaste since it’s so budget friendly, but it made my sink a mess to clean up and I didn’t notice much whitening.

I Tried Before n-HA Whitening Toothpaste

Before Whitening Toothpaste stands out in the crowded toothpaste world because it uses nanoXIM nano-hydroxyapatite and is made in Portugal to meet EU safety standards. I love that it’s also fortified with L-arginine and zinc to support the oral microbiome and fight bad breath, plus xylitol, aloe, and coconut oil. It’s fluoride-free and free of SLS, parabens, dyes, and PEGs. They’re also mindful with their packaging and their tube is made from sugarcane instead of plastic. This is a white paste with a silky texture that feels smooth and creamy and it’s got a refreshing mint flavor that isn’t overwhelming.

I Tried OLAS Marine Bio-Active Toothpaste

OLAS is a dentist-formulated toothpaste that focuses on gum health. Its proprietary marine bio-active complex is made with seaweed and sea salt, and it includes micro-silver to help reduce inflammation and biofilm, plus sea buckthorn for gentle whitening. Tea tree oil, licorice root, rosemary, and thyme round out the formula. It’s free of fluoride, SLS, artificial colors and flavors, and triclosan. It doesn’t contain hydroxyapatite, so it’s a better fit if gum health is your main focus than if you’re looking to remineralize. This has a true creamy paste like consistency, doesn’t foam and feels very gentle. The taste is also on the gentle side too.

I Tried Evenmouth Duo Biotic Toothpaste

Evenmouth Duo Biotic Toothpaste is one of the most advanced and interesting toothpaste I’ve seen launch in the natural toothpaste world. It was created by board-certified dentist Dr. Eve Lofthus (whom I’ll be interviewing very soon, so check back!), and It’s the first toothpaste with S. dentisani 7746, a beneficial strain first found in the mouths of people who don’t get cavities (some people are just God’s favorites). It’s paired with 1.5% L-arginine, an amino acid naturally found in saliva that feeds good bacteria and helps balance your mouth’s pH after meals, is fluoride-free and uses micro-hydroxyapatite. Their main focus is the oral microbiome, not killing bacteria. This has a true gel consistency that I find very pleasant while brushing and a subtle minty taste.

I Tried RiseWell Mineral Toothpaste

RiseWell is an OG in the non toxic toothpaste world and one of the first I used six years ago. Their Mineral Toothpaste is a great choice if you want to avoid nano particles and uses 10% micro-hydroxyapatite along with calcium carbonate and silica to gently clean and remineralize. It’s sweetened with xylitol, erythritol, and stevia, and it gets a light foam from potassium cocoate instead of SLS. The flavor is a mild sweet, natural mint from wild mint, peppermint, and citrus oils. It’s got a more creamy-gel consistency than a true gel or paste one. Overall, it’s very pleasant to use with the right amount of creaminess and refreshing taste and an overall crowd-pleaser.

I Tried Boka Ela Mint Toothpaste

Boka’s Ela Mint is another OG natural toothpaste, widely available at Target, Walmart, CVS and Erewhon, and probably the best tasting nontoxic toothpaste I’ve tried. It;s made with nano-hydroxyapatite, fluoride-free and SLS-free, using sodium lauroyl sarcosinate for a gentle foam. This has more of a gel like consistency than a cream paste one. It’s an all-time favorite for its refreshing mint flavor and a texture that feels like a silky gel, which makes it an easy switch. They also have a ton of fun flavors and kids flavors too like Bubblegum, Ela Mint, Coco Ginger, Lemon Lavender, Cherry Blossom, Blueberry Dragonfruit, Strawberry Mango, Cinna Mint, Mint Cream, Orange Cream, Peppermint Blossom, and Citrus Mint. The two downsides are that Boka doesn’t disclose how much hydroxyapatite it uses, and it’s preserved with sodium benzoate.

I Tried Davids Premium Natural Toothpaste

If you love a strong, classic mint, Davids is hard to beat and they make the best natural mouthwash I’ve tried. Davids Natural Toothpaste is EWG Verified, made in the USA with about 98% USA-sourced ingredients, and it comes in a recyclable metal tube instead of plastic. It cleans with calcium carbonate, baking soda, and hydrated silica, and it uses sodium cocoyl glutamate, a gentle cleanser made from coconut, instead of SLS. This has got a white creamy consistency that feels kinda pastey. The trade-offs are that it doesn’t contain a remineralizing ingredient like hydroxyapatite, and it uses carrageenan as a thickener. Davids also makes Hydroxi, a separate hydroxyapatite line, if you want enamel support.

I Tried Cocolab Cocoshine Whitening Toothpaste

Cocolab, the brand behind Cocofloss, which is a floss I love, created their new Cocoshine toothpaste with dentists. It’s one of the gentlest whitening natural toothpastes out there and uses 3% nanoXIM nano-hydroxyapatite to remineralize and brighten, along with coconut oil, xylitol, and aloe. Its RDA score is just 37, which is considered low abrasion, so it whitens without wearing down enamel. Cocolab says it’s been tested to respect the oral microbiome, and it’s free of fluoride, peroxide, sulfates, parabens, triclosan, propylene glycol, and artificial dyes.

I tried Bite Toothpaste Bits (plastic free!)

Bite Toothpaste Bits are one of my favorite swaps for cutting down on plastic and they’re 100% vegan, palm oil free, gluten-free, and cruelty-free, and they’re made in the USA by Bite, a woman-owned, certified B Corp. Instead of a tube, they’re little chewable tablets. You simply pop one in your mouth, bite down, and brush with a wet toothbrush, and it dissolves into a paste. Keep in mind that it doesn’t magically turn into a cream but has a gentle foamy liquid texture to it. The fluoride-free version uses nano-hydroxyapatite to help remineralize enamel and reduce sensitivity, plus xylitol, zinc citrate to freshen breath, and sodium cocoyl glutamate, a gentle cleanser made from coconut, instead of SLS. Bite also makes a version with fluoride if you prefer it. The Bits come in a reusable glass jar with plastic-free refills, which makes them so perfect for travel. I just keep these in my organic Terra Thread travel bag actually so I never have to think about packing toothpaste.

Frequently Asked Questions