Natural Toothpaste Options

Natural toothpaste has come a long way since dipping your brush in baking soda and turmeric. There are now a range of options to choose from, and recipes that you can easily make at home, like this one on our blog made with coconut oil and cacao butter, or this cinnamon flavoured tooth powder.

I also read a study which said that turmeric can reduce plaque and inflammation, you can add it to the cinnamon tooth powder recipe or use it on its own – beware though – it’s very yellow and can stain clothing so.

When choosing a natural toothpaste the ingredients you do not want are triclosan, sodium laurel sulphate and parabens. I also do not agree with fluoride in toothpaste or in water so I always choose a toothpaste or powder that is free from fluoride.

This is my list of natural toothpastes available in NZ, in order of my personal favourites.

Maxwell & McIntyre Mineralising Toothpowder – this is my favourite, I love the flavour (cinnamon and aniseed) and how clean my teeth feel after using it. The toothpowder recipe I shared above is also very good, but with life being as hectic as it is I prefer to buy the ready made version.

Maxwell & McIntyre Toothpastes – if I’m going to use a toothpaste instead of a powder Maxwell & McIntyre have a great range, my favourite is the Sweet Peppermint, however the original mint is also good and they have a strawberry flavour which children often prefer.

Dr Bronner’s Peppermint Toothpaste is a nice tasting, toxin free toothpaste. It’s in a tube (which some people prefer) however Dr Bronner’s products are imported from America whereas Maxwell & McIntyre is a NZ brand.

Dental Tabs are great for travel, you have to chew the tab to create a paste in your mouth and brush, I don’t like the feel so much or the taste but they are very easy to pack and don’t come in plastic. You can also buy them in bulk from Good For.

Grin Toothpaste is available in some supermarkets and natural/organic stores, its triclosan, sodium laurel sulphate and paraben free however it does come in a tube so not eco friendly. I tried the mint toothpaste and liked the flavour.

Most of the Red Seal range of toothpastes have sodium laurel sulphate so I steer clear of this range.

A while ago we had an email from a reader who wanted to know where she can find a good toothpaste. I thought I’d share it here as her comments are relevant to this blog.

“I’m having a bit of an internal conflict trying to choose a healthy toothpaste for my family, curious to know your opinion on this, I know in the past you have suggested a recipe for homemade toothpaste with baking soda and natural sweetener. I’m curious if this is something you use daily and what have the results been?

I have been looking for something that is free of fluoride, SLS, glycerin, and of course parabens (makes me so angry these are in children’s toothpaste!). I’m curious to know if there is a product you use?
Curious as to your thoughts and I know others would be too.”

Personally I believe Maxwell & McIntyre’s Toothpowder is the best natural alternative to using a commercial paste, with the added benefit of the enamel building properties of NZ Kelp helping remove hot and cold sensitivity. A big plus is they all come in glass jars.

This blog also has helpful information Switch To Natural Toothpaste.