These Natural Toothpastes Freshen Breathe and Are Dentist-Recommended

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Brushing teeth helps prevent the buildup of plaque, which if left unattended, may lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Along with brushing twice a day, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly, what you use to clean your teeth matters. The best natural toothpaste can play an important role in maintaining your smile and overall well-being.

“Toothpaste inevitably gets absorbed into your body due to the highly vascular nature of the oral cavity, therefore it’s extremely important to ensure that a product you use daily is not toxic and not disruptive to your overall health,” says Marina Gonchar, D.M.D., a board-certified orthodontic specialist and founder of Skin to Smile.

Meet the experts: Marina Gonchar, D.M.D., a board-certified orthodontic specialist and founder of Skin to Smile; Kevin Sands, D.D.S., a board-certified cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills, CA; and Brian Kantor, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist at Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor in NYC

But, there’s some gray in the “green” market. When it comes to the use of the term “natural” it’s crucial to carefully read ingredient labels since greenwashing (the practice of marketing a product to appear more environmentally friendly or less environmentally damaging than it really is) is a real practice. The word can be a loaded term that oftentimes is left up to interpretation since there is no regulation on how the word is used.

Our top picks

What is “natural” toothpaste?

When we generally speak about natural toothpaste, natural typically means that the toothpaste’s ingredients are not derived from synthetic or chemical components. “Natural toothpaste often includes plant-derived ingredients, such as herbal extracts, essential oils, or plant-based sweeteners,” says Kevin Sands, D.D.S., a board-certified cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills, CA. For this story, we classify a personal care product as “natural” when its key and main ingredients come from nature. Examples include ingredients derived from plants, minerals, water, among other natural sources. In addition, our criteria on natural expands to personal care products that are also free of certain synthetic or man-made ingredients such as artificial dyes, triclosan, gluten, certain preservatives, and more.

Ahead, explore some of the best natural toothpaste to combat bad breath, tooth stains, and more.

Cocoshine Whitening Toothpaste

This toothpaste is one of Gonchar’s favorites because it contains a great list of ingredients including coconut oil, which works as an antibacterial, and xylitol, a natural sugar substitute that has been shown to effectively prevent cavities. “The star of the show is nano-hydroxyapatite, which replaces fluoride and acts as a naturally occurring substance that is effective in preventing tooth decay,” she says.

User review: “This toothpaste is pretty awesome! It tastes good. It’s light and refreshing. It really cleans my teeth, it gives them extra sparkle and whiteness. It was gentle and soothing on my gums. I’m very happy!” Wrote one shopper.

Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste

Sands recommends toothpaste from this brand because they contain hydrated silica, which helps to gently whiten your teeth by removing surface stains. It also has tea tree oil and peppermint to keep bad breath at bay. Plus, it’s a good option for brushing away plaque while helping to whiten teeth with minerals.

User review: “I’m THRILLED. The taste is great, the anti-plaque and whitening properties seem to be working (it’s only been a week.) Try it—great value, great product!” wrote one shopper.

Twice Naturally Whitening Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

Co-founded by Lenny Kravitz (yes, you read that right), this oral care brand gets two thumbs up from Kantor. “This toothpaste is effective for people with sensitive teeth as it contains potassium nitrite, which at concentrations of 5% can reduce sensitivity over time,” he says.

User review: “First of all, the flavor is less extreme than my normal toothpaste. Then theirs the fact that normally after I brush my teeth they feel super sensitive, they actually feel pretty good after brushing my teeth this first time. Plus my teeth got a lot whiter after just one use than my normal toothpaste does after several,” wrote one Walmart shopper.

Made by Dentists Total Care Toothpaste - 4.2oz

Fluoride Free Toothpaste

The main ingredient in this option is nano-hydroxyapatite, which helps re-mineralize teeth. Plus, this toothpaste also contains essential oils. “It has spearmint and peppermint to achieve that minty fresh feeling after brushing, which can be important to a lot of people,” says Gonchar.

User review: “I prefer non-mint toothpaste whenever possible. This flavor is really nice. And my teeth feel super clean, even the next morning when I wake up. They even feel really smooth and nice later in the day after eating a few times,” wrote one shopper.

Peppermint All-One Toothpaste

The simple formula in this toothpaste is a winner for Sands. This fluoride-free option contains baking soda and coconut oil. “Baking soda can help remove the stains on the surface of the teeth and coconut oil is highly antimicrobial,” he says.

User review: “My favorite toothpaste. Been using it for a lot of years. I’ve tried at least four other brands of toothpaste that are supposed to be healthier and better for you than the mass-produced stuff with all the chemicals. This is my preferred,” wrote one shopper.

Whole Care Natural Toothpaste

Kantor likes that this popular toothpaste contains no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors, or flavors, while Sands says, “If you’re into natural ingredients, Tom's of Maine toothpaste is a good choice. Their anti-cavity toothpaste contains natural ingredients but doesn't eliminate effective fluoride.”

User review: “This is my favorite toothpaste of all. Excellent cleaning, nice, and not overly sweet flavor, NO...ingredients (like saccharine or other artificial sweeteners or colors), but with fluoride for decay prevention. Not overly abrasive. Only downside: rather expensive,” one shopper wrote.

Natural Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

This toothpaste uses silica and calcium carbonate to gently clean teeth without damaging the enamel. Gonchar likes that it also has essential oils, which may contribute to antimicrobial properties and taste factor.

User review: “My husband and I have been using this, and it has been great! Our teeth look and feel clean. I was nervous the flavor was going to be weird because I always go with straight mint. Some of the reviews talk about how it tastes sweet or citrus-like, but if it does, it’s so mild, I don’t even notice it,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

Nano Hydroxyapatite Natural Toothpaste

Both Sands and Kantor like that this formula has nano-hydroxyapatite. “This formula works overtime to repair enamel and plugs up nerve passageways that are exposed from receding gum lines, minimizing sensitivity and pain,” Sands explains.

User review: “I’ve been using Davids Nano Hydroxyapatite Natural Toothpaste for over 30 days, and it has proven to be a fantastic addition to my oral care routine. The remineralizing properties are noticeable, and I've experienced relief from tooth sensitivity,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

Antiplaque and Whitening Natural Toothpaste

Tom’s of Maine made our list based on a dentist’s recommendation, but this version of the toothpaste is a favorite among Amazon shoppers. With 45,000 ratings and nearly five stars, shoppers appreciate this fluoride-free, antiplaque, and whitening toothpaste. It’s available in two flavors: peppermint and spearmint.

User review: “I made the switch to fluoride-free and don't plan on going back. I’ve enjoyed this product as it doesn't taste as sweet as other brands. It still does a good job and keeping my teeth white and has good flavor,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

Clean Toothpaste

With only nine ingredients, this toothpaste is free of preservatives, artificial flavors, and colors. One of its unique ingredients is kaolin clay, which according to Gonchar has been touted as a re-mineralizing agent. “Kaolin clay is slightly abrasive and can impart whitening properties to the toothpaste,” she says. Plus, Gonchar likes that it has a blend of peppermint and coconut oils, which are anti-bacterial and anti-microbial.

User review: “If you are looking to try a ‘clean’ toothpaste this should be one that you try. You only need a pea-sized amount on your brush to get your teeth clean and your mouth feeling fresh. The flavor isn’t strong or overbearing. The texture of the toothpaste is a little different than regular toothpaste but not in a bad way,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

How to choose the best natural toothpaste

Look at the ingredients. Some natural toothpaste may also use mineral-based abrasives, like baking soda or calcium carbonate, instead of synthetic abrasives, explains Sands.

Consider flavor. If you’re looking for a unique flavor, plenty of natural toothpaste offers essential oil-flavored options.

Beware of greenwashing. The word “natural” can be a loaded term that oftentimes is left up to interpretation since there is no regulation on how the word is used. When in doubt, ask your dentist for their recommendation and cross-reference the ingredient list with the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Does natural toothpaste include flouride?

The use of fluoride can spur debate. However, it’s important to note that fluoride is a mineral recommended by the American Dental Association to prevent cavities and improve overall dental health. “When used in appropriate concentrations, fluoride is safe and effective,” says Brian Kantor, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist at Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor in NYC. Many natural toothpastes have fluoride and fluoride-free options. If you prefer to go fluoride-free look for fluoride alternatives like xylitol, calcium and phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and arginine in your toothpaste’s ingredient list.

How we chose the best natural toothpaste

We consulted Marina Gonchar, D.M.D., a board-certified orthodontic specialist and founder of Skin to Smile; Kevin Sands, D.D.S., a board-certified cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills, CA; and Brian Kantor, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist at Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor in NYC and scoured through countless online reviews to find the best natural toothpaste available.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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