One of my most frequently asked questions is what toothpaste Kevin, my girls, and I use. Toothpaste is product we use multiple times a day, so scrutinizing ingredients is important to avoid environmental toxin exposure and foster optimal health. I’m sharing my top considerations when choosing a solid natural toothpaste and what my family uses everyday.

Hydroxyapatite

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a naturally occurring calcium phosphate mineral that makes up bones and teeth. It is used in various dental applications such as tooth remineralization, the reduction of tooth sensitivity, oral biofilm control, and tooth whitening.

Many natural toothpastes have hydroxyapatite in them, which is a great thing. Understanding the particle size in important as companies use nano hydroxyapatite and micro/non-nano hydroxyapatite. There are various opinions about which particle size is best. Unfortunately, we just don’t have long term safety data on these particle sizes. One concern with nano hydroxyapatite is that we know nanoparticles pass the blood brain barrier. I opt for choosing the particle size that is effective while being less likely to pass the blood brain barrier-micro or non-nano hydroxyapatite.

Supports the Oral Microbiome

The oral microbiome, the microorganisms within the mouth, plays an important role in oral health. In fact, the mouth is one of the most heavily colonized within the body. If there is dysbiosis in the oral microbiome, pathogenic organisms are left unchecked. This can cause numerous oral concerns such as gum disease, tooth decay, and systemic problems beyond the oral cavity. Studies also show that the oral microbiome plays an important role in gut health, brain health, cardiovascular health, blood sugar regulation, immune system function and so much more. A thriving microbiome protects the mouth and body from disease.

No Glycerin

Glycerin is a controversial toothpaste ingredient. Some argue that it leaves a residue on the teeth that can hinder remineralization and can cause pathogenic bacteria on the teeth to thrive. There is concern that non-organic glycerin is a petroleum product derived from GMO oils. In my experience, our family does not love the feeling glycerin leaves on our teeth, so we opt for non-glycerin toothpaste to be cautious.

No Fluoride

Fluoride is a potent neurotoxin and can lead to mitochondrial damage. In fact, in a report put out by National Toxicology Program (NTP), fluoride was found to be toxic at any level. Over time, fluoride accumulates in the body, mostly in calcifying tissues such as the bones. Chronic exposures may be associated with decreased intelligence/IQ, memory deficits, learning difficulties, ADHD, infertility, hypothyroidism, certain cancers, and more.

Wellnesse

What toothpaste checks all of these boxes? Wellnesse. Our family has used many top natural toothpastes over the years, and Wellnesse has been our favorite in taste, texture, and effectiveness while remaining non-toxic and health-promoting. The highlights: