The Best Natural Toothpastes Reviewed

Why go natural and organic when it comes to toothpaste? Considering how often we brush our teeth, it is important to ensure the ingredients we are putting in our mouths are as pure and natural as possible. Once you realise what is in mainstream and conventional toothpastes you will certainly be more inspired to make the switch to natural toothpastes, if you haven't done so already.

Concerning ingredients in popular toothpastes:
SLSs - foaming agents that 'alter skin structure'
Triclosan - 'probable endocrine disruptor and carcinogen'
Parabens - preservatives that 'may alter hormone levels'
Phthalates - 'immune system toxicant' and 'possible carcinogen'.
Propylene glycol - solvent that 'keeps products from melting in high or freezing when it is cold.'
Chitosan - fiber derived from crustacean shells
Fluoride - 'strong evidence of human neurotoxicity'

- information from Teens Turning Green and Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

Finding a toothpaste with the aforementioned pure and natural ingredients, with an appealing taste and the ability to actually perform and clean like the conventional toothpastes you once knew and loved can be difficult.

I have frothed and foamed my way through a plethora of natural toothpastes much like Goldilocks over the past year, classifying some as either 'too chalky', 'too pepperminty', 'not pepperminty enough', 'what do I have to do to get a lather going on here?' or 'you have the nerve to call yourself a toothpaste?'.

After many altercations with many different toothpastes (don't get me started on the one that had crustacean shells in it and appeared to be lacking a glaringly obvious label on the front that said 'Attention Vegetarians: you are about to brush your teeth with a crab, if this concerns you put the tube down, if not, happy brushing!') I have actually found a few great natural toothpastes that may also be of interest to you. Here is my pick of the Top 3.

FOR MINTY FRESHNESS

Green People Mint Toothpaste

This is a great mint option which is suitable for sensitive teeth and gums. Not only is the taste and cleansing ability impressive but so too is the teeny ingredient list and fact that Green People use 'recyclable and non air-freighted' packaging.
Score: 8/10
Purchase online at Green People for £3.19 or find at your local health food store.

Ingredients
Calcium carbonate (chalk), Aqua (pure water, micro-filtered), Glycerin (derived from plant materials), Xanthan gum (corn sugar gum), *Mentha piperita (peppermint oil), Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Commiphora myrrha (resin from myrrh), *d-Limonene (from essential oils). *Organically grown

Weleda Plant Gel Toothpaste (first image)
Green Lashes and Fashion Favourite
This pinky gel (courtesy of krameria) feels tremendously refreshing and powerful. Natural silica is used in a 'gel formation' which is 'gentle on tooth enamel and ideal for those with delicate gums'. Other natural ingredients such as myrrh, horse chestnut and chamomile extracts work together to be antiseptic, astringent and anti-inflammatory! (wow, that's impressive and that's a lot of As). I love the great spearmint flavour!
Purchase online at Weleda UK for £3.25 or find at your local health food store.
Score: 9/10

Ingredients
Glycerin, Water (Aqua), Hydrated Silica, Algin, Matricaria (Chamomilla Recutita) Extract, Krameria (Krameria Triandra) Extract, Myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha) Extract, Alcohol, Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) Oil, Spearmint (Mentha Cordiaca) Oil, Fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare) Oil, Aesculin, Limonene*.
*natural constituent of the essential oil (i.e. naturally present in the essential oil).

FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Green People Citrus & Aloe Vera Toothpaste
Sometimes minty toothpastes are a bore, so if you want a toothpaste with a bit of je ne sais quoi, try this citrus flavour! This Green People toothpaste feels refreshing, light and cleansing. I love the orange taste (very natural and not too sweet), foaming capabilities and the fact there is soothing and anti-microbial aloe vera included. Teeth feel very clean afterwards! This toothpaste is suitable for sensitive teeth and gums.
Score: 8/10
Purchase online at Green People for £3.19

Ingredients
Calcium carbonate (chalk), Aqua, Glycerin (derived from plant materials), *Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) powder, Xanthan gum (corn sugar gum), Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), *Citrus medica limonum (lemon) oil, *Citrus grandis (grapefruit) oil, *Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) oil, Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) oil, *Citral, *d-Limonene (from essential oils). *Organically grown

WOULD YOU LIKE AN ECO FRIENDLY TOOTHBRUSH FOR YOUR NATURAL TOOTHPASTE?

I'm not sure if you caught my tweet awhile ago on Twitter about an alarming toothbrush discovery I had made.

'I don't eat meat, I don't wear leather but I just found out I've been brushing my teeth with a pig (specifically boar bristles). Ewwww!'

So traumatising but after a few months I have recovered and can now look at toothbrushes and pigs without shrieking, shaking or flashbacks.

I thought I was queen of scanning labels but I again missed the label that should have read, 'Attention Vegetarians: boar bristles are about to make contact with your mouth. If this does not gross you out or compromise your morals, please proceed with brushing'.

Thankfully, I have now discovered Preserve toothbrushes which I wrote about briefly last week. They are made from recycled plastic and yogurt cups and can even be sent back to Preserve to be 're-processed into plastic lumber for picnic tables, boardwalks and decks'. The toothbrush also comes in a great reusable container which is perfect for travelling.

The Preserve toothbrush has a 45° degree curved handle which makes it 'easy to reach every part of your teeth and gums' and also has 'virgin nylon bristles'. It is made in the USA and is BPA free.

Purchase at health food stores or online at Preserve for US$2.79

Next week's eco dental post: The exciting world of dental floss! (just kidding, I think today's post was enough to meet our natural dental needs for awhile, hopefully).

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