Through the years of practicing dentistry I would get asked by patients and friends alike for "clean" toothpaste options. I'm the first to admit that I would not look twice at the ingredients in my makeup, skincare, or even dental products for that matter. I would buy what my friends were buying or what was trending and pick up any old toothpaste at the drug store.
But as I have gotten older, and wiser (I hope!), I am taking a closer look at the ingredients. In my personal process of getting fit and healthy, I do believe what I put on my body is just as important as what goes in my body. This also applies to your toothpaste!
As the "clean beauty" movement has picked up in the skin and makeup industry, many dental companies have also adapted this perspective. It's really refreshing to know that dental health companies are being more conscious of the ingredients and consumers needs. So what should you look out for when searching for natural, clean toothpaste?
SLS, or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is found in many products from shampoo to toothpaste. This is the chemical in many products that gives you the "foaming" sensation. SLS acts also as a surfactant which disperses the toothpaste throughout the mouth, thus making brushing more effective.
SLS gets a bad rep - it is a chemical that sometimes is sourced from other artificial sources, thus not making it "clean". But most of the time it is made from more natural sources.
In terms of your dental health, SLS products in rare cases have been found to cause minor oral allergic reactions. Moreover, if you have a history of canker sores, SLS can aggravate and increase the longevity of these sores.
With SLS being the prime player, there are other ingredients to look out for when looking for natural toothpastes. You want to look for toothpastes free of artificial flavors and food colorings, parabens, gluten, and preservatives.
Fluoride is always a hot topic when it comes to dental products. Numerous studies have shown that fluoride has been and is an effective way to battle cavities. These studies have also shown the risks of fluoride to be minimal. With that being said, if you are looking for an alternative, toothpastes containing hydroxyapatite is good option rather than fluoride free toothpaste in terms of caries prevention.
These are a few natural toothpastes I particularly love and recommended:
I love this brand. They are really an innovative and fresh company offering natural and effective dental products. This one I particularly love since it helps with sensitivity. It contains potassium nitrate that helps manage sensitivity, which is something I suffer from. I received this product as #freesample from the company and fell in love. Its has a nice light taste, definitely my new go to for sensitive relief toothpaste!
This is a fairly new, family owned company. They reached out to me on instagram asking me to try their new toothpaste that is completely natural with the active ingredient being hydroxapatite. In Japan, hydroxapatite is the active ingredient in fighting decay. Studies have shown this mineral has been effective in strengthening and protecting teeth. I really love this toothpaste and my girls love the cake batter toothpaste. The whole line of toothpaste, floss and mouthwash is great, with the mouthwash being my personal favorite. If you are looking for a fluoride free option, I definitely recommend Risewell toothpaste!
Arm & Hammer is an old brand that has been making toothpaste with baking soda for years. It was really nice and refreshing to see that they are offering a natural line of toothpaste. This toothpaste contains baking soda so it still gives you the "foaming" effect. I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this and definitely go to this a few times a week for that baking soda clean feel!
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