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It was a chilly Saturday morning in February earlier this year. My friend and I had just gotten off of a long overnight flight from Cincinnati, Ohio to Paris, where we were spending a 15-hour layover exploring the iconic city.
Given that we were going to be overseas for a week, one would’ve assumed that we packed everything we needed. And we did, almost. Everything except: Toothpaste.
Having not freshened up for almost a day at this point, we swiftly walked into a corner drugstore and I picked up a tube that instantly caught my eye. The brand was one that I had vaguely heard of, Marvis (which I quickly became aware is a luxury Italian cult favorite), and my friend and I awkwardly brushed our teeth with bottled water in the middle of the street.
I joyfully used that round of Marvis Classic Strong Mint for the following months and now, as a newly self-proclaimed toothpaste connoisseur, I was curious. What is a natural toothpaste? What actually makes toothpaste good? (and a long list of many more questions).
Fast forward to now, and I’ve tested dozens of formulas, interrogated ingredient lists, and spoken with dental experts to bring you this 2026-ready guide of the best natural toothpastes.
What Dentists Mean When They Say “Natural Toothpaste”
One reason “natural toothpaste” can feel confusing is that there’s no single marketing definition. Dentists, however, do rely on established standards and clinical outcomes.
According to Raj Kohli, PhD, Member of the Boka Oral Health Advisory Committee, “there are guidelines that are available that define the criteria for ‘natural’ cosmetic ingredients and products. These are set by the International Standards Organization and would be applicable to products such as toothpaste.” He explains that natural ingredients are typically sourced from plants, minerals, animals, or microorganisms, but still require processing for safety and purity. “All ingredients require some kind of processing to ensure purity and safety, though the guidelines suggest that a minimum amount of chemical modification is undertaken.”
From a clinical perspective, Dr. Victoria Sampson, BDS MFDS RCS Ed PgDip, Member of the Boka Oral Health Advisory Committee, adds that the real issue isn’t just whether ingredients are natural, but whether they respect the mouth’s biology: “To me a ‘natural toothpaste’ is free from ingredients known to disrupt the oral microbiome, irritate oral tissues, or interfere with normal physiological processes in the mouth.”
Best Natural Toothpastes At A Glance
- Best Overall: Davids Natural Toothpaste
- Best Balanced Formula: Boka Toothpaste
- Best Luxury: Marvis Classic Strong Mint
- Best Budget: Public Goods Toothpaste
- Best Whitening: Supersmile Professional Whitening
- Best Unique: Cocofloss Cocoshine
The Best Natural Toothpastes of 2026
Best Overall:
Flavor: Spearmint | Size: 5.25 ounces | Fluoride: No
Best for: Daily brushing if you want a truly natural formula that still feels like it’s doing something.
Davids Natural Spearmint Whitening + Antiplaque Toothpaste is designed to remove plaque buildup and provide effective whitening. Its gentle fluoride- and sulfate-free formula helps reduce discomfort and avoid irritation, while the natural spearmint oil freshens up your smile without harsh ingredients. It’s naturally sweetened, so you won’t feel any hints of fake tastes in your mouth. It’s available in a convenient 5.25-ounce tube and you can access a 20% discount when subscribing and purchasing on the brand’s website.
Tester’s Take: “From a specs standpoint, Davids is clearly a winner. It doesn’t have fluoride and it does whiten. That being said, it is a little runny and at over five ounces, you can’t travel with it. But, I do love the metal tube and included tube squeezer.”
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Best Balanced Formula:
Flavor: Mint | Size: 4 ounces | Fluoride: No
Best for: Those who want the best of both worlds - natural ingredients with real protective power.
Boka’s Ela Mint is a standout in the natural toothpaste field precisely because it strikes a smart balance between clean ingredients and clinical efficacy. With hydroxyapatite to help rebuild enamel, this formula feels modern while maintaining a fresh mint flavor that’s never overpowering. Boka combines dentist-approved performance with natural sensibilities giving us real cleaning power without aggressive abrasives that can leave sensitive mouths unhappy.
What sets Boka apart clinically is its thoughtful formulation approach. As Dr. Kohli explains, “Boka for example only uses ‘natural flavors.’ These flavors are based on various oils that have been sourced from plants… processing is required [to ensure purity and safety].”
Dr. Sampson also points to hydroxyapatite as a major reason she recommends Boka specifically: “Hydroxyapatite is particularly compelling because it is biomimetic - it is the same mineral that teeth are naturally made from.”
Tester’s Take: “Boka feels like the rare natural toothpaste that actually delivers on performance. The mint is clean without being overpowering, the texture is smooth (not gritty), and after a week of use my teeth felt noticeably stronger rather than just fresh. I like that it’s doing real enamel work without relying on harsh abrasives. It feels like a smarter, modern upgrade from traditional toothpaste.”
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Best Luxury:
Flavor: Mint | Size: 3.8 ounces | Fluoride: No
Best for: People who want their oral care routine to feel as luxurious as a Parisian vacation.
The Marvis Classic Strong Mint Toothpaste offers a bold flavor that leaves your breath fresh long after brushing. Its gluten-free, paraben-free formula combines a dense, creamy texture with vegan ingredients, providing effective cleaning and long-lasting freshness. It’s crafted to remove plaque and tartar while protecting against cavities. Packaged in a sleek, retro-inspired tube, Marvis Strong Mint offers both style and quality, making your oral care routine feel like you’re staying at a five-star European boutique hotel.
Tester’s Take: “This was the one I bought in Paris and used extensively after. The consistency is closer to traditional toothpaste (thicker), which I appreciate. The brand also gave me some of their other flavors to try and they’re awesome. Marvis will always have a place in my rotation.”
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Best Budget:
Flavor: Peppermint | Size: 6 ounces | Fluoride: No
Best for: Minimalists and anyone who wants a clean formula at a reasonable price.
With a formula enhanced by peppermint essential oil, the Public Goods Toothpaste fights bad breath, plaque, and stains while being gentle to your teeth and gums. Its natural ingredients are free from sulfates, parabens, and fluoride, which can cause irritation or unpleasant burning sensations while and after brushing. Unlike other toothpaste brands, Public Goods is cruelty free and vegan friendly. It comes in a sleek, 6-ounce tube that will always look good on your countertop.
Tester’s Take: “This toothpaste is pretty basic, but in a refreshing way. The flavor isn’t overpowering, but it still tastes good. I appreciate the thicker texture and priced at just a few bucks, it’s a great value—especially if you’re already a PG customer.”
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Best Whitening:
Flavor: Cinnamon | Size: 4.2 ounces | Fluoride: Yes
Best for: Whitening-focused users who don’t want to compromise enamel health.
If you’re looking for the brightest, whitest teeth, then Supersmile is the best place to start—it claims to have started the teeth whitening movement. Besides having an enamel-restoring formula and being suitable for sensitive teeth (it’s “75% less abrasive than the limit set by the American Dental Association”), this toothpaste promises to remove plaque 10 times better than other plaque-removing competitors. Its formula, powered by fluoride, calcium, and phosphates, protects your teeth against bacteria and cavities—all while leaving a unique, pleasant taste of cinnamon in your mouth (three other flavors available online).
Tester’s Take: “While I didn’t use it over a long enough period to really comment on the effects, almost all of the customer reviews are fantastic and advocate for its whitening power. It’s pretty big at eight ounces so you won’t be able to travel with it, and at the $50 price tag, you probably wouldn’t want to…”
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Best Unique:
Flavor: Piña Colada | Size: 3.4 ounces | Fluoride: No
Best for: Anyone bored of mint but serious about oral care.
Cocofloss feels like the funnest, sweetest brand in toothpaste. Aside from its bold packaging and fruity flavors, it repairs enamel, restores sensitivity, and claims to whiten your teeth after just a week of regular use. Besides Piña Colada, it’s also available in Delicious Mint and Lychee Breeze. It also has a smooth, foaming texture that doesn’t feel gritty and is safe to swallow, traits that are hard to find in conventional toothpastes.
Tester’s Take: “I’m a big fan of Cocofloss now, while it appears to be geared to female consumers, I find the flavors to be quite tasty. It’s gentle on the gums and I’ve noticed a slight improvement in discoloration after a few days of use.”
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How To Choose The Right Natural Toothpaste
When shopping for a natural toothpaste, focus less on buzzwords and more on what your teeth actually need:
- For cavity prevention: Look for fluoride unless your dentist advises otherwise
- For sensitivity: Avoid highly abrasive ingredients like aggressive charcoal
- For whitening: Prioritize low-abrasion formulas over instant-brightening claims
- For gum health: Essential oils and xylitol can be helpful when properly balanced
Dr. Sampson advises shoppers to read beyond front-label claims: “Free of harsh surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), unnecessary antibacterials, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives [is key]. Make sure there is some sort of remineralising agent in your toothpaste like hydroxyapatite or fluoride.” She cautions that many “natural” options skip enamel protection entirely: “There are a lot of toothpastes on the market that are ‘natural’ but do not remineralise or strengthen the teeth - leaving you worse off in the long run.”
Tip: If you have specific oral concerns (sensitivity, gum recession, cavities, etc.), consult your dentist about which natural formula works specifically for you.
Natural Toothpaste FAQs
What do dentists say about natural toothpaste?
Most dentists agree natural toothpaste can be effective, but formulation matters more than marketing. Dr. Kohli emphasizes that skipping fluoride or hydroxyapatite altogether can be a problem: “Some natural toothpastes have neither fluoride nor n-Ha [nano-hydroxyapatite]. This means they may provide little to no benefit to the enamel and therefore oral health.”
Dr. Sampson adds clinical nuance: “For patients with a balanced diet, good saliva flow, and regular dental care, hydroxyapatite is an excellent alternative.” However, if a patient has a high risk of decay, she still recommends a fluoride toothpaste.
Is natural toothpaste as effective as traditional toothpaste?
Yes, depending on the formulation. Effectiveness varies widely across brands, which is why ingredient transparency matters more than the “natural” label.
Are whitening natural toothpastes safe?
Whitening is one of the most misunderstood toothpaste claims. Dr. Sampson explains: “Most whitening toothpastes only work on surface stains and don’t truly change the internal colour of the tooth.” She warns against aggressive formulas: “Many toothpastes on the market use abrasive chemicals to polish away surface stains however at the expense of damaging the surface enamel. After time, this can actually make the tooth more yellow.”
Considerations When Switching
Ingredients
Unlike traditional toothpaste, natural toothpastes are formulated without harsh chemicals that could cause irritation or other oral problems, including fluoride and calcium hydroxide. Many natural toothpastes contain baking soda, activated charcoal, coconut oil, tea tree oil, and xylitol as active ingredients. All of these can promote healthier oral hygiene. However, we do recommend that you seek professional advice to make sure you’re giving your teeth the proper care.
Flavor
Mint is the most common flavor in toothpaste. It makes sense, it makes your mouth feel fresh! But if you’d like to try something out of the norm, natural (and sometimes traditional) toothpaste also comes in other flavors that can be equally pleasant, including cinnamon and fruits. The one that’s best for you will depend on your personal preference.
Quick Tips
- You may notice less foam, that’s normal
- Whitening may take longer but is often gentler
- Always consult your dentist if you’re prone to cavities
Why You Should Trust Us
Joe Niehaus is an experienced product tester and reviewer, with expertise in home goods, personal care, and health and wellness. He also contributes to sites like GQ, Men’s Health, and more.
This guide also incorporates expert commentary from practicing dental professionals and members of the Boka Oral Health Advisory Committee to ensure clinical accuracy alongside real-world testing.
We’re regularly reviewing new wellness products – check them out here!
