Best natural toothpastes, tested and reviewed
We’ve brushed up on the research to help you find the best natural toothpaste
Article content
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
When it comes to both oral health and overall wellness, dentists, functional medicine doctors and holistic health coaches agree: what you put in your mouth matters and can either contribute towards healing or harming you — and your toothpaste is no exception.
Recommended Videos
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Best natural toothpastes, tested and reviewed Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Research continues to raise concerns about common toothpaste ingredients like triclosan, artificial sweeteners and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), which have been linked to everything from gum irritation, hormone disruption and even antibiotic resistance.
Natural ingredients like coconut oil, tea tree oil, clove, neem and baking soda have been shown to help reduce harmful bacteria, support gum health and naturally whiten teeth.
If you’re considering switching your toothpaste to a natural one free from artificial ingredients, you’re not alone. In 2023, only 37 per cent of global consumers opted for natural toothpaste over conventional formulas. But here’s the scrub — I mean, rub. Not all “natural” toothpastes are created equal. The global natural toothpaste market now offers over 2,000 products, and the industry has grown by an estimated 60 per cent in the past decade, now projected to surpass $2 billion USD by 2032, making for an overwhelming shopping experience with endless options.
To help you navigate the world of natural toothpastes, we combined first‑hand testing with research and customer insights to land on this definitive round‑up. Whether you want something fluoride‑free, neem-oil based, whitening, bubblegum, sensitive‑friendly or tablet‑style, there’s an option to fit your likes, your lifestyle, and yes — even your flavour preferences.
Best natural toothpastes, summary
Best overall: Before Toothpaste
Best toothpaste in a jar:Nelson Naturals Spearmint Toothpaste
Best tablet‑style toothpaste:Bite Toothpaste Bits
Best for sensitive teeth:Boka Fluoride Free Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
Best with tea tree oil: Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil & Neem Toothpaste
Best bubble gum flavour (for kids at heart):Jack N’ Jill Natural Toothpaste in Bubblegum
Best natural toothpastes, explained
Best overall: Before SuperMint Fluoride-Free Whitening Toothpaste
Key details:
- Formulas: Fluoride-free or with fluoride, whitening, Nano-Hydroxyapatite
- Flavours: Lemon Coconut, SuperMint, Cinnamon Orange
- Notable ingredients: Aloe vera, baking soda, calcium carbonate, zinc, arginine
- Bonus points: Canadian, Leaping Bunny certified, 1 per cent giveback
Why buy: Free of harmful ingredients like SLS and parabens, Before offers a variety of flavours and varieties (with fluoride and without) that deliver a foamy, fresh taste and powerful results thanks to its aloe-infused formulas, which soothe gums and support tissue repair.
The brand’s effective, dentist-approved blends boast a silky texture that helps fight cavities, decay, and gum disease without compromising your health — or the planet. With Leaping Bunny certification, vegan ingredients, low abrasion, and gentle whitening from baking soda, this brand of paste is a crowd-pleaser. We appreciate their sleek, sustainable packaging (hello, recyclable plant-plastic tube), and wide range of bold but natural flavours, including Lemon Coconut and Cinnamon Orange for those averse to traditional mints.
It also has fantastic bamboo toothbrushes and accessories, giving back one percent of all sales goes to partnering with like-minded environmental organizations to make a positive impact on global ecosystems, and we love that they’re a Canadian, female-founded brand. Before simply checks all the boxes.
Price: From $11.99
Where to buy: Amazon, Before
Best toothpaste in a jar: Nelson Naturals Moringa Mineral Rich Toothpaste
Key details:
- Formula: Mineral-rich, fluoride-free, paste
- Flavours: Fennel, Mint Charcoal, Spearmint, Citrus Spice, Peppermint
- Notable ingredients: Bentonite clay, moringa powder, spruce oil, colloidal silver
- Bonus points: Canadian, vegan, eco-friendly, plastic-free
Why buy: If you’re ready to ditch plastic tubes and harsh foaming agents, Nelson Naturals Moringa Mineral-Rich Toothpaste is a smart, sustainable switch. Packaged in a recyclable glass jar, it blends moringa plant powder, bentonite clay, and trace minerals to gently tackle plaque and support remineralization — without irritating sensitive gums. The texture is smooth and low-foam, a great alternative for those who find traditional toothpaste too harsh. While the clay feel might take a few brushes to get used to, most users say they quickly converted and don’t look back. With unique, high-impact natural ingredients and a planet-friendly format, Nelson Naturals is a great pick — and offers a variety of flavours including Fennel and Mint Charcoal.
Price: From $11.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Best tablet‑style toothpaste: Bite Toothpaste Bits
Key details:
- Formula: Fluoride-free or with fluoride, tablets
- Flavours: Mint, Mint Charcoal, Berry Twist
- Notable ingredients: Nano-Hydroxyapatite, baking soda, xylitol
- Bonus points: Certified B-Corp, women-owned, eco-friendly
Why buy: Minimalist, mess-free and made for those on the move, Bite Toothpaste Bits are the ultimate travel-friendly solution for clean, effective brushing — without the tube. Formulated with Nano-Hydroxyapatite, a safe, non-toxic alternative to fluoride, these bits help remineralize enamel, reduce sensitivity and keep your teeth feeling fresh and polished.
Just pop a tablet in your mouth, chew, and brush with a wet toothbrush. The clean minty flavour is refreshing, and while the texture can feel slightly gritty if not fully chewed, it does an impressive job of cleaning. The jars they come in are recyclable glass, and refill packs ship in cute, plastic-free padded envelopes or metal tins. Great for backpacking, flying, or just simplifying your countertop routine. Available in fluoride or fluoride-free options, Bite wins at sustainability and simplicity, and as a bonus, the portioned bits are ideal for germaphobes.
Price: From $32 a jar
Where to buy: Bite
Best for sensitive teeth: Boka Fluoride Free Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
Key details:
- Formula: Fluoride-free, paste
- Flavours: Charcoal Yuzu Mint, Coco Ginger, Ela Mint, Lemon Lavender, Mint Ginger & Lavender & Whitening
- Notable ingredients: Xylitol, Nano-Hydroxyapatite, green tea extract
- Bonus points: #1 in toothpastes on Amazon, over 7,000 5-star reviews
Why buy: Boka Ela Mint Toothpaste combines soothing aloe and antioxidant-rich green tea extract with mint and cardamom to deliver a cult-favourite natural toothpaste with over 7,000 5-star reviews. Created with a healthy dose of Nano-Hydroxyapatite (n-Ha), a biomimetic mineral form of the same ingredient that naturally makes up 97 per cent of your teeth material and 70 per cent of your dentin, we love the fresh, mild minty taste (akin to a Tic-Tac), smooth texture and clean mouth-feel of this formula.
Long-time users also mention how it has helped decrease their tooth sensitivity. If you’re change-averse and seeking a natural fluoride-free mint paste that’s reminiscent of traditional synthetic mint pastes, this one is our pick for you. And if you’re willing to venture into new flavour territories, it also comes in fun varieties like Coco Ginger and Lemon Lavender.
Price: $15.29
Where to buy: Amazon
Best with tea tree oil: Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil & Neem Toothpaste
Key details:
- Formula: Fluoride and gluten-free, paste
- Flavour: Wintergreen
- Notable ingredients: Tea tree leaf oil, neem oil, baking soda, sea salt
- Bonus points: Ayurvedic, non-GMO, USDA organic, Leaping Bunny Certified, B-Corp
Why buy: A staple for anyone seeking a fluoride-free, botanical-based clean — without breaking the bank — usher in Desert Essence Neem & Tea Tree Oil Toothpaste. This paste uses Ayurvedic, plant-based ingredients, including neem, known as nature’s toothbrush, which helps neutralize bacteria and cleanse the mouth, Eco-Harvest Tea Tree Oil, which fights cavity-causing acids and a blend of baking soda and sea salt to gently help reduce plaque buildup, keeping your teeth feeling smooth and polished. For those who aren’t fans of spearmint or peppermint, which are sweeter, this pick is our only wintergreen flavour pick, which offers a more mellow menthol taste that leaves your mouth feeling cool and your breath feeling fresh.
Price: $12.70
Where to buy: Amazon, Well.ca
Best bubble gum flavour (for kids at heart): Jack N’ Jill Natural Toothpaste in Bubblegum
Key details:
- Formula: Fluoride-free, sugar-free, colour-free
- Flavour: Bubblegum, Strawberry, Blueberry, Unflavoured
- Notable ingredients: Calendula, xylitol
- Bonus points: Organic, safe to swallow
Why buy: If you’ve got a picky brusher in your household — or you’re just nostalgic for a little bubblegum bliss — Jack N’ Jill’s Bubblegum Toothpaste might be your new bathroom hero. Made in Australia and packed with parent-approved ingredients, this formula blends 40 per cent xylitol to fight tooth decay with organic calendula to soothe tender gums — all in a flavour kids actually look forward to.
It’s fluoride-free, SLS-free and safe to swallow, making it ideal for toddlers learning the ropes. The easy-open flip cap and BPA-free recyclable tube add convenience, and the minimal ingredient list means no dyes, no sugar, and no questionable additives. With rave reviews from parents and kids alike, this toothpaste turns brushing from a chore into a treat.
Price: From $9.99
Where to buy: Well.ca
Shopping Essentials, a category written by research-obsessed shopping fanatics, is now on Canoe. Explore in-depth product reviews, expert recommendations and exciting collaborations — plus get behind-the-scenes info on your favourite brands and trending products — learn more here or sign up for our newsletter
Looking for savings? Look no further than our coupons page for discounts on your favourite brands.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.