6 Best Non-Toxic Toothpaste Brands For Kids

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The world of non-toxic toothbrush brands has really skyrocketed in the past few years. People are starting to realize that the conventional toothpaste they have used their whole lives might not be the best for their health, dental health, or their children’s health. Toothpaste was definitely one thing I didn’t really think about a ton in the beginning of my non-toxic journey. I never thought about the ingredients in the toothpaste I used twice daily might not be the best for my overall health, and especially the health of my microbiome. I did eventually make the switch, but this was over 10 years ago, and let me just tell you, there was really only one brand of “non-toxic” toothpaste on the market, and it was pretty awful. Thankfully, they have come a long way in the non-toxic toothpaste world, and there are some awesome options out there, especially for our kids. This blog post will outline the best non-toxic children’s toothpaste brands for kids. 

Why make the switch to non-toxic toothpaste?

Oral health is so important, and unfortunately, just like our food system, there are a lot of crummy ingredients in our personal care products as well. There are several ingredients in conventional toothpastes that can disturb the precious microbiome we have in our mouths. Our microbiome and digestion start in our mouth. When we use abrasive chemicals in our mouth to brush and mouthwash, we disturb those good bacteria that are helping us stay healthy. We can clean our teeth without using harsh ingredients or toxic chemicals. Here are some of the common harmful ingredients found in most conventional toothpastes:

Synthetic dyes– FD&C, and titanium dioxide to give that attractive color appearance

Foaming agents– SLS or sodium lauryl sulfate, these ingredients can be very irritating to the oral mucosa

Artificial sweeteners– synthetic flavoring to give the toothpaste a good taste

Preservatives– sodium benzoate, methylparaben, parabens- a common cause of endocrine disruption

Propylene Glycol– synthetic liquid alcohol used in antifreeze 

Triclosan– an antimicrobial found in personal care products and plastics- possible increase the risk of breast cancer

Fluoride– fluoride was added to be beneficial to the teeth enamel, and to prevent dental caries and tooth decay

The Problem with Fluoride Toothpaste

While fluoride is American Dental Association approved, fluoride on its own is not the true issue here; the overusage of fluoride is. Fluoride is added to our drinking water, and with daily use, especially in children who tend to swallow their toothpaste, they can consume too much fluoride. Fluoride can be toxic when ingested. If we are drinking tap water and brushing our teeth with fluoride twice daily, we most likely are getting too much fluoride. According to a study done by the NIH(National Institute of Health)

More than 80% of fluoride toxicity is seen in children before the age of 6 yearsdue to ingestion of fluoride

The good news is there are a bunch of great fluoride-free options on the market now, using an ingredient called hydroxyapatite that is made up of the same structural component of tooth enamel that also strengthens and remineralizes tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay. It can also contribute to a whiter appearance of the teeth. This allows for a great fluoride-free toothpaste. Now, there is hydroxyapatite and nano hydroxyapatite toothpastes, both of which include the same active ingredient. However, nano-hydroxyapatite contains smaller particle sizes, thus being able to penetrate enamel more effectively. 

Ingredients to look for in a non-toxic natural toothpaste brand

Essential oils- essential oils have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which are superb compared to natural ingredients and natural flavors

Xylitol– a natural sweetener that can also help reduce tooth decay and remineralization

Coconut Oil– Coconut oil is a wonderful natural antibacterial and antimicrobial substance that can also help reduce plaque and whiten teeth naturally.

Hydroxyapatite– as mentioned above, hydroxyapatite is made of the same structural component of tooth enamel to strengthen and remineralize teeth. Using a toothpaste that utilizes nano-hydroxyapatite 10% will offer the most benefits.

All right, let’s get into the results!

Best Non-toxic kids’ toothpaste brands

Happy Tooth Kids

This was the only 10% hydroxyapatite toothpaste out of the 6 we tested. I am a big fan of this, as 10% is more effective at the remineralization and protection. This toothpaste is dentist-formulated and clean-label certified, which is also awesome. It is safe and effective from a baby’s first tooth all the way to adulthood. They recommend only using a pea-sized amount on the toothbrush with no water needed. My kids enjoyed this toothpaste with the “vanilla frosting flavor.” 

Check Out Happy Kid Toothpaste

Risewell Kids Toothpaste

This is my kids’ favorite toothpaste and the best non-toxic toothpaste in my opinion! They love the taste of it, it tastes like cake batter! I think the most important thing for good oral hygiene practices in young children is to get them a toothpaste that they enjoy using. There are definitely a few non-toxic options of toothpastes my kids absolutely did not want to brush their teeth because they didn’t like the taste.

This brand was one of the first non-toxic toothpastes we tried, and we love sticking with it! It has no added fluoride, is 100% safe to swallow, dentist dentist-developed, and recommended. It contains calcium carbonate and silica, which are natural scrubbers that clean teeth without stripping or damaging enamel. Hydroxyapatite is the main ingredient.

Check Out Risewell Toothpaste

Boka Kids Toothpaste

This is another great brand my kids enjoy using, another safe to swallow child’s toothpaste. Boka does use the nano-hydroxyapatite, which is great. Fluoride-free, SLS-free, paraben-free, and bacteria-fighting xylitol. My kids like the strawberry mango flavor.

Check Out Boka Toothpaste Here

Super Teeth

picture of Super Teeth non-toxic hydorxyapatite toothpaste

This toothpaste is awesome! It uses prebiotics to naturally balance the oral ecosystem, helping to rid the mouth of bad bacteria causing gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. Addressing the root cause of cavities and poor oral hygiene, which is pathogenic bacteria, is so important. It also uses hydroxyapatite, xylitol, and CoQ-10. CoQ10 is amazing for reducing inflammation caused by pathogenic bacteria in the mouth. This toothpaste is great for both adults and kids and has 100% non-toxic ingredients.

Check Out Super Teeth Toothpaste Here

Just Ingredients Remineralizing Tooth Powder

This toothpaste was formulated by a holistic dentist, Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, who is a leader in holistic dentistry. It uses calcium carbonate to strengthen enamel,  xylitol to fight cavities, bentonite clay to detoxify and rebalance, hydroxyapatite for remineralizing the enamel, and plantain leaf extract to soothe gums and support oral health. Free from fluoride, harsh chemicals, and harsh abrasives. This toothpaste is also good for both kids and adults alike. What I also like about this toothpaste is that it will last up to 3 months and is a lot less messy than a tube of toothpaste! It is a fine, non-clumping formula that makes it easy to dip a damp toothbrush into the powder. Comes in Cool mint, fresh citrus, and even a sensitive formula.

Check Out Just Ingredients Here

LOL! Kids’ Toothpaste

This is another good option and the most budget-friendly option for kids. The only problem was that 2 of my 4 kids did not like the taste of it. This was the first time they asked to use a different toothpaste. We got the watermelon flavor, so I am not sure exactly why they didn’t like it. Like the other brands, this is fluoride-free, SLS-free, alcohol free, triclosan-free, and uses nano-hydroxyapatite. It also has vitamins A, C, and E to promote healthier gums, reduce inflammation. This toothpaste does use a vegetable-based foaming agent to give a more foamy experience than standard non-toxic toothpastes give. It is still nontoxic and safe to swallow. Available in 4 flavors.

Check Out LOL Toothpaste Here

What do you need to know about switching to a non-toxic toothpaste brand?

Just like most things, when switching from conventional to non-toxic products, you will notice a difference at first. Switching from conventional toothpastes to non-toxic toothpastes, you will notice that the non-toxic toothpastes don’t “foam” like the conventional toothpastes. You will think that the teeth are not being cleaned, but they are! Just like switching to non-toxic laundry is a change, you immediately love it! Check out my post on the best non-toxic baby laundry here!

​You also might notice that non-toxic toothpastes don’t have artificial coloring. Foaming agents and synthetic dyes are ingredients we don’t want cleaning our mouths, let alone our children’s!

Conclusion

Nowadays, there are numerous great non-toxic children’s toothpastes available. I hope that this blog post has helped with some options that might fit for every budget. Taking the step to replace your child’s conventional toothpaste is a great choice! If you are up to taking the next step after that, I would recommend seeing a holistic-minded dentist. They will be the ones more on board with the hydroxyapatite toothpastes over fluoride. They also focus more on airway health, which can be a big contributing factor to our oral health.

About The Author

Taylor Moya RN, BSN IHP

Taylor is a registered nurse, wife and mom of 4 who learned about the power of clean and non-toxic living after her first daughter was born. Her goal is to help people make small, sustainable but yet super powerful changes to help them live the healthiest life possible.