Best Fluoride Free Toothpaste: For Your Optimal Oral Health

Fluoride. This once miracle element, touted by dentists since the early 1900s to reduce cavities, has come under scrutiny in the last decade. Many dental professionals now question its once obvious health benefits.

Is it harmful? And if so, are there alternatives that clean your teeth and prevent cavities similarly to fluoride toothpaste?

It turns out that the answer is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. But in many circumstances, reducing your intake of fluoride seems like a sound decision.

But cutting out fluoride is only one step. You need to replace your traditional toothpaste with something just as good. And like any other product, not all fluoride free toothpastes are alike. In fact, they can differ in subtle yet profound ways.

Below, I provide everything you need to be informed about fluoride and how to choose the best alternative based on your specific needs. Let’s get started.

Best Fluoride Free Toothpaste Comparison Chart

NameBest For Key FeatureSizePrice
Cali White Coconut OilWhiteningActivated Charcoal4 oz Check Price
Tom’s of Maine ToothpasteAnti-CavityXylitol5 oz Check Price
Dental Expert ToothpasteWhiteningActivated Charcoal4 oz Check Price
Davids Natural ToothpasteAnti-Cavity100% Natural5.25 oz Check Price
Marvis Whitening ToothpasteWhiteningFDA Approved3.8 oz Check Price
Himalaya Neem ToothpasteAnti-CavityNeem & Pomegranate5.29 oz Check Price
Hello Oral Care ToothpasteAnti-CavityTea Tree Oil4.7 oz Check Price

The Top 7 Fluoride Free Toothpastes Review

Cali White Activated Charcoal & Organic Coconut Oil

Cali White Activated Charcoal & Organic Coconut Oil

Cali White is a dental company hailing from Southern California. They are a popular pick for social media influencers who crave the photogenic appeal of white teeth and natural ingredients.

Topping their list of ingredients is activated charcoal. Ditching the fluoride but wanting to enhance the whitening experience, they found that no other natural compound whitens like charcoal.

This gives the toothpaste a sooty black color. But don’t worry, it won’t stain your teeth. Instead, the charcoal lifts away plaque and bacteria as you brush. Charcoal doesn’t mineralize like fluoride. Instead, it strips stains by penetrating deep into the enamel of your teeth.

Also included in this toothpaste is coconut oil. Long known for its antioxidant qualities, this natural oil reduces bacteria that causes bad breath, and strengthens the natural bonds in teeth.

Cali White toothpastes are vegan friendly, made in the USA, and use no latex, parabens or sulfates. By cutting away the excess ingredients, they provide their customers with a clean as deep and pure as mother nature.

Get Cali White Toothpaste at Amazon

Why I Like this Toothpaste

This is a great toothpaste to kick off the list. It contains everything that a baseline natural toothpaste should have. You get xylitol and tea tree oil for bacteria control. Combined, they also do a lot of the work to stave off decay from sweet foods and drinks.

The charcoal, while it may seem like a gimmick, has garnered some strong preliminary data in the last few years. If you want to reduce your fluoride intake but you’re still concerned with whitening your teeth, charcoal stands out as a good option.

You’ll find none of the concerning ingredients in this formula. Gone are the parabens, sulfates, and peroxides found in traditional whitening toothpastes. So, you can brush comfortably aware of the fact that your gums and mouth are going through a lot less stress than they would otherwise.

What I Don’t Like

The black toothpaste can take some getting used to. And although Cali White claims the charcoal isn’t too abrasive, some customers have complained about soreness after prolonged use. If you have a sensitive mouth, this may not be the best choice.

Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

Where would the trend of fluoride free, natural toothpaste be without Tom’s of Maine? I mean, they practically invented the all-natural toothpaste movement.

The company started out of Tom and Kate Chappell’s home in 1970. From the very beginning, they strove to cut the unnecessary ingredients found in traditional toothpaste products.

Today, they’re part of the Colgate-Palmolive umbrella of brands, but still give some of their proceeds to environmental and community programs around America.

This fluoride free formula includes xylitol and baking soda. Both ingredients reduce harmful bacteria and limit the speed of tooth decay. Their claims of anti-plaque and whitening derive mostly from these two ingredients.

Tom’s states that the product contains no artificial dyes, sweetener, or flavors. The all-natural peppermint oil freshens breath without the need of synthetic flavorings.

This toothpaste is also gluten-free, cruelty-free, and certified for both halal and kosher customers. The package includes two tubes of toothpaste.

Get Tom’s of Maine at Amazon

Why I Like this Toothpaste

I think Tom’s of Maine offers a great all-around product. They’re known for their short ingredient lists, and this toothpaste holds to that claim. With only 10 ingredients, it cuts your average fluoride toothpaste list in half.

The flavor is mild and won’t bother anyone with sensitivity issues to breath-freshening additives. The two key ingredients are xylitol and baking soda. Both are proven to help fight tooth decay and protect teeth between brushing.

I recommend this toothpaste for anyone who wants your basic fluoride free toothpaste. This is a product that stands by its thousands of dedicated customers. It adds nothing new to the category, nor does it stand out in any way except by providing the basic necessities. But sometimes, that’s all you need, right?

What I Don’t Like

This formula from Tom’s of Maine contains SLS, which may or may not matter to you. It helps the toothpaste to foam up and reach in between teeth, but some customers have complained that it can cause minor irritation along their gums.

Dental Expert Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Dental Expert Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Dental Expert is an Amazon exclusive brand with a reputation for delivering dental hygiene products to thousands of happy online customers. They use all-natural ingredients that are friendly to vegans and those with a gluten intolerance. Like a few other options on my list, this toothpaste uses charcoal to strengthen and whiten teeth instead of fluoride.

They opted for bamboo activated charcoal instead of coconut because they believe it dampens the abrasion you may find in other brands. Included in the toothpaste is a pleasant mixture of mint and coconut oil which wards off bacteria known to cause bad breath.

Although this is a whitening toothpaste, it does not contain peroxide. Thanks to Dental Expert’s charcoal formula, you can whiten your teeth without relying on the potentially harmful side effects of this chemical.

Included with this package is a no-drip lid that helps you conserve your toothpaste. The toothbrush comes with black bristles and a protective plastic cover.

Get Dental Expert Toothpaste at Amazon

Why I Like this Toothpaste

This is a great alternative whitening toothpaste with a low abrasion-count form of activated charcoal. And like Dental Expert advertises, the formula seems to have less grit than some other brands.

I like that the toothpaste is free of many allergens and potentially harmful chemicals, like SLS, triclosan, and peroxide. This last one is especially problematic, with a reputation for causing premature wear on enamel.

Because this brand focuses on whitening, I think it’s best for those that have a healthy mouth to begin with. The oral health ingredients are slim, with the basic peppermint essential oil being its main breath freshening ingredient.

So, if you require strong tooth decay control, I’d suggest checking elsewhere on my list. But those of you that need optimal whitening in a few short weeks, this is a great option.

What I Don’t Like

Dental Expert designed its charcoal toothpaste mainly for whitening. Consumers looking for general oral health should be okay with this toothpaste. But if you want to ditch fluoride and prevent the most tooth decay possible, this may not be the best option for you.

Davids Natural Toothpaste

Davids Natural Toothpaste

The founder of David’s toothpaste, Eric Davids Buss, began this company after discovering that many toothpastes deemed natural were filled with harmful chemicals. Not just harmful to people, but the environment.

And this is something you’ll notice about David’s toothpaste. Since it’s inception in 2011, the primary goal of this brand has been sustainability. They provide jobs for Americans, and a product to customers that is not harmful to them or their environment.

This toothpaste is not only made in the USA, it’s sourced here, too. Nothing in David’s toothpaste was shipped from overseas. Americans mine and farm 98% of the ingredients found on the back of the box.

This includes their wholesome mint oil gathered from multiple regions within the country and then blended into a product so fresh you’ll notice the difference after one use.

Natural ingredients also mean the toothpaste is SLS free. The product is not tested on animals.

Why I Like this Toothpaste

I like how David’s toothpaste not only lists their ingredients, but they explain why they use all 13 of them. This is extremely rare in the industry and admirable.

From the moment I saw the tube of toothpaste I knew it was one of the best toothpastes without fluoride. The entire toothpaste tube is metal. Real metal! And you need to roll it with the included pin as it depletes.

It’s one of those tweaks to an industry standard that makes you wish every brand has a metal tube because most of the plastic tubes are not recyclable and end up in a landfill.

David’s toothpaste contains all the anti-cavity protection that a fluoride free toothpaste requires. It has xylitol, baking soda, stevia, and a blend of mint oils so fresh tasting I wanted to use it again at lunch just to taste it.

I think this toothpaste is a fantastic option and well worth investing in for anyone looking for fluoride free oral care.

What I Don’t Like

While I really enjoyed this brand of toothpaste, I can see some customers finding the metal tube annoying to deal with. Because it holds its shape, the toothpaste has a tendency to ooze out once you open the top.

Marvis Whitening Mint Toothpaste

Marvis Whitening Mint Toothpaste

The Marvis brand revels in the unusual, the quirky, and the strange. They’re a Florence-based company that’s probably been to one too many modern art exhibits. Their flavors include Jasmin Mint and Amarelli Licorice, which you’ve probably never thought could be a toothpaste flavor until now.

But despite their quirky sensibilities, they care about their toothpaste and their customers. None of their products contain fluoride because they don’t believe in the data that suggests its required for healthy teeth and gums.

This is an FDA approved product, so don’t worry too much about it being from overseas. And their list of ingredients matches the best that America offers.

You won’t find any parabens, no SLS, zero fluoride. Marvis also doesn’t test their products on animals, nor do they add any animal by-products. That means it’s also vegan friendly and gluten-free.

Despite the lack of fluoride, Marvis claims their toothpaste will keep your breath fresh all day and that it will prevent cavities between brushing.

Why I Like this Toothpaste

My Marvis tester was their whitening mint blend. But having tried it, I’d love to taste test some of their other flavors. This has to be one of the better tasting toothpastes I’ve come across.

The thick paste is a feat on its own. Without the use of traditional thickeners, they’ve been able to maintain a paste that doesn’t goop up or spill over my toothbrush.

They buffed the ingredients with cavity fighting protection to offset the lack of fluoride. And by ditching the SLS and parabens, this toothpaste stands out as a great natural option.

I won’t deny that this is one of the pricier options on the list. But as you know, things often cost more in Italy yet are often worth it.

What I Don’t Like

Some customers report that Marvis sometimes ships their toothpastes to the USA without quality seals on the lids. Marvis says that the EU doesn’t require safety seals, so don’t be shocked if you come across a tube sans seal.

Himalaya Neem and Pomegranate Toothpaste

Himalaya Neem and Pomegranate Toothpaste

The history of Himalaya toothpaste dates to the early 1900s. The founder, Mr. Manal, studied the plant that would later become Serpina, an early drug for relieving hypersensitivity.

Today, Himalaya is a world renown herb and wellness company, with products ranging from supplements to oral care.

This gluten-free and vegan-friendly toothpaste contains no fluoride or harsh abrasives. And although it has no SLS, they’ve unlocked a formula that foams up just as good as the pharmacy brands.

The key ingredients in Himalaya’s toothpaste are neem and pomegranate. Neem is an Indian evergreen plant that works like spearmint. It cleans your teeth and freshens breath. Pomegranate is a well-known antioxidant and cleanser.

Another main ingredient is triphala. This is actually three fruits famous for their cleansing properties. Combining these three unique ingredients makes for a powerful addition to your oral care regime.

Why I Like this Toothpaste

The cleansing ingredients to this toothpaste set it apart from the other brands on my list. Many customers have raved about this products ability to not only freshen their mouth but promote healthier oral hygiene.

The flavor of the paste isn’t as strong as you’d think. Being a natural toothpaste, it doesn’t tingle your tongue like a store brand. But the freshness continues long into the day, more than I expected.

Also included in the toothpaste is one of my favorite ingredients, xylitol. This natural alcohol promotes good bacteria in your mouth and prevents nasty acid build up.

I’d recommend this toothpaste for those with sensitive mouths or bad breath problems. The stacked cleansing ingredients really make a difference.

What I Don’t Like

While the lack of a strong mint flavor should be fine for most customers, some may dislike how mild it is. Regardless of the initial taste, I found it kept my breath fresher much longer than the pharmacy brands.

Hello Oral Care Fluoride Free Toothpaste

Hello Oral Care Fluoride Free Toothpaste

Hello Oral Care is a people-focused company. They’re driven not by statistics and Google trends, but by their return customers, employees, and families. And their way of doing business has paid off. Hello Oral Care is one of the leading new brands in this space since its inception in 2017.

Although they are known for their charcoal toothpaste, this is a fluoride free formula. Instead of charcoal Hello uses coconut oil, xylitol, and tea tree oil.

All three ingredients have proven to reduce plaque buildup and lower oral acidity so that cavities cannot fester and erode your teeth.

Their mint flavoring is farmed and harvested from mint plants grown on a farm in upstate Oregon. They even give a shout out to the farmers by name in their advertising copy. Cool, right?

This formula is paraben free, SLS free, and certified vegan and not tested on animals.

Why I Like this Toothpaste

I had to include Hello Oral Care on my list because it has such a great track record. Yes, it’s the newest brand by far here, but when a company innovates, it’s only right to give them some love.

The tea tree oil does a lot of the work in this formula. This healing oil is proven to not only freshen breath but balance your oral biome to keep your breath fresh longer.

Same goes for the coconut oil and xylitol. It really has all the key ingredients you need if you plan to ditch fluoride. Its whitening agents do not come from peroxide. Instead, they use natural polishers and abrasives to agitate and lift stains on the surface of your enamel.

I recommend this product for general oral care needs. The whitening effects aren’t as pronounced as other brands on my list, so if you need whitening best to choose a different toothpaste.

What I Don’t Like

There’s lots to love about Hello Oral Care’s products, but the consistency of the paste is not one. It’s runny and goopy. Thankfully, you only need a pea-size amount, so there’s no need to lather it on the toothbrush.

What Are the Dangers of Using Fluoride Toothpaste?

Despite what you may read elsewhere on the internet, fluoride is a natural compound that comes from the element fluorine.

There are many forms of fluoride in toothpastes, but they all derive from this element found in soil, water, and foods. For decades Americans have assumed fluoride is good for your teeth. But recent evidence suggests otherwise.

One search on fluoride can begin a journey down a rabbit hole of new information. Did you know that the US is one of the few developed countries that still puts fluoride in the water supply? Many European countries stopped this practice because there’s little to no evidence that the chemical aids in protecting teeth or overall health.

And a 2009 study found that the ingestion of fluoride had little to do with cavity prevention. The only clear effect of fluoride exposure was dental fluorosis, which is a disorder that disrupts the normal mineralization of developing teeth often weakens them.

Other studies have linked high doses of fluoride to thyroid dysfunction, acne, and cardiovascular problems. Scary, right? So why do companies still include fluoride in water supplies and toothpastes?

Well, if you’re already exposed to fluoride in your drinking water, it can benefit you to brush with a fluoride free toothpaste. That way, you limit your exposure fluoride.

The Complete Buyer’s Guide to Fluoride Free Toothpaste

Just because you’re leaving fluoride behind doesn’t mean there aren’t other things to consider with your toothpaste. In fact, it matters even more that you know what’s in your toothpaste. You’ll need cavity fighting agents, either natural or synthetic, to combat tooth decay. Below, I describe the six key ingredients and tips to help you buy the right product.

  • Pick a Brand with Xylitol

You want this naturally occurring alcohol found in lots of different plants, including most fruits and vegetables. The name may seem familiar to you. That’s because it’s also used in sugar-free gums as a natural sweetener substitute.

But unlike sugar, your saliva doesn’t convert xylitol into an acid that erodes away your teeth. In fact, saliva reacts in the exact opposite way. Xylitol reduces the amount of bad bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay.

  • Check for other Plaque Reducers

To balance out the lack of fluoride that usually combats plaque, toothpaste brands will add other chemicals or minerals to protect your teeth. One of the main ones you’ll see is activated charcoal. This is an abrasive substance that lifts plaque off your teeth, especially in the hard to reach spots between your teeth.

It doesn’t re-mineralize, but it removes harmful substances that can break down your teeth. Baking soda is another natural option found in many toothpastes. Either way, you’ll need something to fill the position.

  • Limit the SLS

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is the substance in many toothpastes that foams in your mouth. Without it, you’ll notice toothpastes are less thick and they don’t puff up and bubble as you brush.

Most fluoride free toothpastes also cut out SLS. That’s because many consumers complain that it irritates their gums and clogs their salivary ducts, causing painful abscesses. There are more natural foaming agents available, and the products on my list often choose them over SLS.

  • Cut out the Parabens

Think of parabens as preservatives found in foods with long shelf lives, like jams and cookies. Consumer companies have used them in cosmetics and toothpastes since the 1950s to extend the expiration date. Without them, companies argue, harmful mold and bacteria can fester inside the toothpaste tube.

These chemicals can penetrate your skin and linger inside your body. They’ve also found parabens in sea mammals, like whales and dolphins. Many health products now eliminate parabens from their ingredients at the cost of a smaller shelf life. But nothing lasts forever anyway, right?

  • The Fresh Breath Factor

Most of the best non fluoride toothpastes are some variation on a mint flavor. But there’s a whole range of mint flavors, and some of them can be better for your pallet than others.

In combination with your basic peppermint oil or spearmint oil, toothpastes will add tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is great for fresh breath, but it can irritate a sensitive mouth. Other breath fresheners include cinnamon, clove, and fennel. These all have unique flavors. Check the label before buying a toothpaste. It may say mint, but you could have many other flavors bolstering the mint.

  • Limited Ingredient List

Over the last few decades, traditional toothpaste ingredient lists have bloated. You don’t want to go through the trouble of eliminating fluoride by adding other harsh chemicals. Thankfully, many fluoride free toothpastes have limited ingredient lists.

But that doesn’t mean they all opt for the same combination of chemicals, both natural and artificial. I do my best to explain the key ingredients in my reviews, but I don’t explain them all. So, if you note chemicals on the list that seem strange, perform a quick Google search. It may be a chemical that’s safe for people but effects the environment in a way you aren’t happy about.

Why Should You Try Fluoride Free Toothpaste?

Curious what good can arise from cutting fluoride out of your toothpaste? Below I go over some things customers rave about when they reduce their exposure to fluoride. Remember, you may not experience everything I mention, but this should help you on your way to choosing the right toothpaste.

  • Control Your Dose

Some dentists believe we’re overdosing on fluoride, up to three times the recommended dose.

This is easily the most important benefit to cutting out fluoride from your toothpaste. Americans can have potentially high doses of the element in their food and water.

It’s very difficult to control the amount of fluoride you consume in water, so removing it from your toothpaste allows you to regain that control.

  • Boost to General Health and Wellbeing

By eliminating fluoride from your toothpaste, you give your body a change to recuperate from the constant and potentially high doses of fluoride it has been exposed to.

Some customers report a more vibrant complexion with less acne. Others have found that the lower levels of fluoride reduce their symptoms of an overactive thyroid.

  • Perfect for Child’s Oral Health

Children are especially prone to the harmful effects of fluoride overdosing. Fluoride toothpastes even have a label that warns of fluoride poisoning in children.

For adults, the previously mentioned dental fluorosis is the most common ailment. But it isn’t the only one. Too much fluoride can affect their bones and kidneys. By swapping their normal toothpaste for a fluoride free variety, you limit how much of the chemical they swallow.

  • Whitening and Fresh Breath

It’s a common misconception that fluoride is the only way to whiten your teeth and freshen your breath. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Fluoride-free toothpastes can contain healthy alternatives that work just as well. Some consumers have stated that ingredients like activated charcoal work great as an abrasive and whitener. And other toothpaste companies pack their toothpastes with probiotics for powerful tartar and bad breath control.

Conclusion

Going out on your own can be daunting. The established toothpaste companies employ many tactics and advertisements to convince you that you must use fluoride toothpaste. Other dental professionals argue that fluoride in toothpaste is useless when it’s already present in tap water and food.

Like most answers, we can likely find the truth somewhere in the middle. Everyone’s body processes fluoride differently. The only way to truly know is to try one of my options for yourself. You can always fall back on your original toothpaste later.

If you’ve read through my reviews and tips and are still on the fence, it’s worth talking to your dentist. Bring up the facts you’ve read about here, and the toothpaste brand you’re thinking of buying. I find most dentists are open to the idea, and they can monitor your oral health as you enjoy your new toothpaste.

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