The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (2024)

Reviews Health

Written by Dominique Michelle Astorino; edited by Rick Stella

Updated

This article was medically reviewed by André V. Ritter, DDS, MBA, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care at the NYU College of Dentistry.

Medically Reviewed

Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board.

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (1)

Amazon; Bite; Aesop Toothpaste Dentifrice; Revitin; Alyssa Powell/Insider
  • Best overall
  • Best sustainable
  • Best natural
  • Best whitening
  • Best flavor variety
  • FAQs
  • What to look for
  • The experts

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Fluoride can be a polarizing topic when debating the best toothpaste. Although the naturally occurring mineral has been extensively studied and proven to strengthen teeth enamel and prevent cavities, not everyone needs it in their toothpaste. Some dentists say you may only need it if you're at a high risk of developing tooth decay.

For those who prefer fluoride-free toothpaste, we've included five of the best options below. Our top pick is Tom's of Maine Fluoride-Free Antiplaque and Whitening Peppermint Toothpaste; it has xylitol, which helps fend off cavities, plus it has a budget-friendly price. For a sustainable option, we recommend Bite's Toothpaste Bits; they also have xylitol but come in a reusable glass jar to help lower trash waste.

To find the best fluoride-free toothpaste, we tested nearly a dozen options and consulted four dentists for added insight. We've also includedanswers to a few FAQs, like who should use fluoride-free toothpaste, what side effects fluoride has, and what ingredients to look forwhen shopping.

Top picks for the best fluoride-free toothpaste

Best overall: Tom's of Maine Fluoride-Free Antiplaque and Whitening Peppermint Toothpaste - See at Amazon
This fluoride-free toothpaste from Tom's of Maine is an affordable option that has xylitol, which helps fight cavities, and it's available in a refreshing peppermint flavor.

Best sustainable: Bite Toothpaste Bits - See at Amazon
Bite Toothpaste Bits come in a glass jar to help lower trash waste and come in a few different flavor options like mint, berry, and coco-mango.

Best natural: Revitin Natural Toothpaste - See at Amazon
Revitin's Natural Toothpaste looks and feels different from most toothpaste but that doesn't make it any less effective. It uses calcium carbonate and dental silica to wipe away stains and achieve a fresh clean.

Best whitening: Lumineux Whitening Toothpaste - See at Amazon
This whitening toothpaste from Luminex is all-natural, featuring xylitol, coconut oil, and peppermint, and can help lift stains as it cleans.

Best flavor variety: Marvis Orange Blossom Bloom Toothpaste - See at Walmart
This line of toothpaste from Marvis comes in a diverse range of flavor options, like Orange Blossom, and features xylitol to fight cavities, silica for wiping away debris, and essential oils for fending off bacteria.

Best overall: Tom's of Maine Fluoride-Free Antiplaque and Whitening Peppermint Toothpaste

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (2)

Tom's of Maine

Tom's of Maine is one of our favorite natural brands among the best whitening toothpaste, with or without fluoride, and Sienna Palmer, DDS, agrees. Its fluoride-free variety here is also one of dentist Tina Saw's top picks and we love that it's quite affordable.

Tom's of Maine Fluoride-Free Antiplaque and Whitening Peppermint has xylitol (a plus for fighting cavities, according to the experts), but also contains SLS — sodium lauryl sulfate — which is thought to help remove debris (through that foaming saponification, or what we see as sudsing, bubbling, foaming texture).

However, it's worth noting SLS is a bit of a controversial ingredient, as it can be irritating to sensitive teeth and gums.

Best sustainable: Bite Toothpaste Bits

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (4)

Bite

One of the more popular of the best toothpaste tablets, Bite is a sustainable fluoride-free toothpaste that comes in a unique format, formulated with xylitol, and in many flavor options. I had the distinct privilege of trying the coco-mango flavor and it was perhaps the best fluoride-free toothpaste I've ever tasted. It also comes in a berry, fresh mint, and others.

Dr. Carrillo likes Bite, too: "[I tried] the fresh mint flavor, and I like that the tablets aim towards eliminating trash waste."

She pointed out these are not a good option for kids, though, as the tablets can be easily swallowed by children. Also, they don't foam much, so some people may miss that.

Best natural: Revitin Natural Toothpaste

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (6)

Amazon

Revitin looks more like a topical cream than a fluoride-free toothpaste, and it also tastes the least like toothpaste among those I've tried. It has no mint flavor or cooling effect and instead is more like a tasty, orange paste. I found the flavor and the experience to be excellent.

Revitin uses calcium carbonate and dental silica, which Dr. Saw said helps remove some stains and enhance the effect of other fluorides (like in your water), thereby lowering your cavity risk. Revitin also includes unique (and safe) plant-based ingredients for anti-inflammatory and remineralization properties.

That said, it has no xylitol or peppermint oil and does not provide saponification.

Best whitening: Lumineux Whitening Toothpaste

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (8)

Lumineux

Lumineux fluoride-free toothpaste has a slick texture and mint flavor. It contains xylitol, coconut oil, and peppermint — all-natural ingredients recommended by Dr. Saw and Dr. Palmer. These all-natural ingredients can also potentially help you whiten your teeth without the sensitivity that comes with chemicals.

This wasn't my favorite flavor of the bunch — the clove oil will certainly be polarizing — but I did like it enough that I'll continue to use the product.

Best flavor variety: Marvis Orange Blossom Bloom Toothpaste

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (10)

Marvis

You can find Marvis at both pharmacies and fashion retailers alike, but the ingredients hold up on dentists' guidelines for quality: The Italian brand's fluoride-free toothpaste contains anti-cavity xylitol; SLS, and silica for breaking up debris; and bacteria-fighting essential oils.

To match the beautiful, giftable packaging, Marvis also comes in artisanal flavors — I've been testing and very much enjoying "Orange Blossom Bloom" and "Royal," a combination of Italian lemon oil, tangerines, rose, nutmeg, and mint.

FAQs

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (12)

Amazon; Bite; Aesop Toothpaste Dentifrice; Revitin; Alyssa Powell/Insider

What does fluoride do?

"Fluoride helps protect the tooth's enamel and provides a natural protectant against cavities," said Dr. Carrillo.

Now, you might think brushing is solely meant to fight cavities but it serves a different purpose: "The goal of brushing your teeth is to have the mechanical action disrupt and remove the physical plaque that sits on our teeth," said Dr. Ogbevoen.

The goal of conventional toothpaste and mouthwashes with fluoride is to help remineralize and strengthen your enamel — which is constantly breaking down due to the foods and drinks we consume throughout the day, Dr. Ogbevoen explained.

Is it OK to use fluoride-free toothpaste?

Just like fluoridated varieties, fluoride-free toothpaste is completely safe, Dr. Saw tells Insider.

However, while fluoride-free toothpaste may be a safe alternative for some people, they're not necessarily the safest option for your oral health, said Yvette Carrillo, DDS, MS, a board-certified periodontist and implant surgeon in San Diego. If you're at high risk for tooth decay or cavities, your safest toothpaste is one with fluoride.

Is fluoride necessary?

Yes, fluoride is necessary and all our experts agree it's essential for dental health.

Nehi Ogbevoen, DDS, and certified orthodontic specialist at Barkate & Nehi Orthodontics in California told Insider, like many other dentists, feels that fluoride in your toothpaste specifically "is a must."

But other experts feel the mineral doesn't have to come via your toothpaste. Dr. Saw believes fluoride-free toothpaste can be safe for some patients, but she still recommends getting fluoride elsewhere for your teeth. "I always recommend to my patients to have fluoride varnish [a treatment applied by a dentist] at least once a year."

She also points out that some people get fluoride through their city water — but this isn't universally applicable. "If your water is fluoridated and you are always drinking that water, then you should be fine without a fluoride toothpaste," says Dr. Saw. "However, most people are drinking bottled or filtered water, and the fluoride is removed."

Why avoid fluoride in toothpaste?

In most cases, you shouldn't be using fluoride-free toothpaste. Fluoride is essential for healthy teeth and the concentration in toothpaste doesn't pose a risk, all our experts agree. That being said, there are a select few categories for whom it makes sense to avoid fluoride in toothpaste:

  • If you have fluorosis. "Fluoride can strengthen your existing teeth and make them more resistant to cavities; however, when fluoride is ingested in large amounts, it can cause a condition called dental fluorosis, which causes discoloration and pitting in the teeth along with brown or white spots," says Dr. Saw. This is pretty rare and comes from overconsuming fluoride in the past–so you're not going to develop it from using fluoridated toothpaste or water.
  • If you have a fluoride allergy. Some people are allergic to fluoride, but it's incredibly rare (Dr. Ogbevoen put that number at roughly 1% of people). Still, if this is you, you should switch to a fluoride-free option.
  • If you're a child under 6 who keeps swallowing the toothpaste. "The American Dental Association recommends a smear of toothpaste with fluoride from the eruption of the first tooth," said Dr. Palmer, adding this should be a pea size for children ages 3-6. That being said, if a child under six can't properly spit out the toothpaste, you can switch them to a fluoride-free toothpaste to avoid an upset stomach, Dr. Ogbevoen said.

Is it OK to ingest fluoride?

You do get some amount of fluoride from food and drinks. And for people who have perfect oral health and are at low risk for developing cavities, this may be enough, Dr. Saw says.

But if you aren't earning an A+ on your dental hygiene, every day, with a seal of approval from your dentist, you should still opt for fluoridated toothpaste.

"Patients who aren't cavity-prone, who are systemically healthy, don't have dry mouth, don't have acidic saliva, don't have hormonal imbalances, are not prone to stress, and who are effective brushers [are good candidates for fluoride-free toothpaste]," says Dr. Carrillo.

But this is a very small group of people.

For reference, "effective brushers" means those who "brush for the recommended two minutes twice a day and floss at least once a day, every single day without fail."

Who should not use fluoride-free toothpaste?

Most people should always use toothpaste with fluoride, especially if you're cavity-prone (think: if you have more than one to two fillings or crowns in your mouth).

"Fluoride makes tooth enamel more resistant to attaching acids," said Dr. Saw. "It works with saliva to protect tooth enamel from plaque and sugars."

You should also keep fluoride in the mix if you:

  • Have dry mouth (xerostomia)
  • Are undergoing radiation therapy
  • Have systemic or chronic illnesses
  • Are not effective at brushing (such as elderly patients)

If you're at high risk for cavities or have weaker enamel, your dentist may recommend an even higher fluoride content in your toothpaste to protect against future dental decay, says both Dr. Saw and Dr. Palmer.

What's wrong with fluoride in toothpaste?

Some people worry fluoride toothpaste is bad because they've heard stories about the potential side effects, but these only really happen with extreme over-consumption and usage, like fluorosis of teeth and bones causing poor mineralization, said Dr. Ogbevoen.

A 150-pound person would have to ingest around 340mg of fluoride to reach acute toxicity, and brushing twice a day with a pea-size of toothpaste delivers roughly 0.1mg per day.

For adults, the potential dangers of fluoride — chronic fluoride toxicity — typically do not come from toothpaste. They might come from fluoridated water ("groundwater with a fluoride concentration over 1.5 mg/L"), but Dr. Ogbevoen pointed out the current government-approved fluoride amount in the public water supply is just 0.7mg/L — "a much lower amount than what would cause concern for Fluorosis."

Sometimes people also fear the white and brown spots they may see on other people's teeth, but this is also a risk exclusive to fluoridated water (or poor-quality water in remote areas or certain countries), Dr. Saw added.

What to look for in fluoride-free toothpaste

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (13)

Dougal Waters/Getty Images

"Fluoride-free and natural products are increasing in popularity," says Dr. Palmer. As such, she explains, many brands use popular — and often effective — ingredients that'll help clean your teeth.

Xylitol — "My favorite fluoride-free toothpaste contains xylitol because it is a natural sugar that is anti-cavities," said Dr. Saw.

Erythritol — Similarly, Dr. Saw recommended looking for this sugar alcohol too; it's another 'metric' she said can make for a more effective fluoride-free paste. "Erythritol slows the growth of bacteria and decreases the acid that bacteria make," thus making it anti-cavity, she added.

Hydroxyapatite — "This is what teeth are made of, making these products biocompatible and safe to swallow," said Dr. Palmer. "Its intended purpose is to remineralize teeth (like fluoride would)."

Oils — Essential oils have their own beneficial properties: Peppermint oil fights oral pathogens and kills bacteria, Dr. Saw said. Dr. Palmer also shared that tea tree oil is antibacterial, while coconut oil can be used for reducing inflammation and bacteria.

Calcium carbonate (baking soda) — This abrasive agent is used to remove plaque, debris, and surface stains.

The experts

Tina Saw, DDS, general and cosmetic dentist, CEO, and Clinical Director of Oral Genome in Carlsbad, CA.

Nehi Ogbevoen, DDS, certified orthodontic specialist at Barkate & Nehi Orthodontics in California.

Yvette Carrillo, DDS, board-certified periodontist and implant surgeon in private practice in La Jolla, CA.

Sienna Palmer, DDS, founder of Palm Dentistry in Orange County, CA.

Dominique Michelle Astorino

Freelance Reporter

Dominique Michelle Astorino is a health, wellness, and lifestyle reporter based in La Jolla, California. She holds a degree from the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Journalism as well as her PN1, making her a certified health and nutrition coach via Precision Nutrition. Dominique is a regular contributor to Shape, InStyle, Huffington Post, PopSugar, Well+Good, Svn Space, and other outlets (as well as the host of The Space by Svn Space podcast). She has written over 5,000 stories to help educate readers on how to live a happier, healthier life, covering topics ranging from CBD and astrology, to medical conditions and mental health, to diet and exercise. You can keep up with her work (or see pictures of her golden retriever, with whom she has an unhealthy obsession) by following her on Instagram @dommymichelle. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.

Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (15)

Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (16)

Thanks for signing up! Go to newsletter preferences

Thanks for signing up!

Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go.

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (17)

The 5 best fluoride-free toothpastes (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6144

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Birthday: 1996-01-14

Address: 8381 Boyce Course, Imeldachester, ND 74681

Phone: +3571286597580

Job: Product Banking Analyst

Hobby: Cosplaying, Inline skating, Amateur radio, Baton twirling, Mountaineering, Flying, Archery

Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.