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The 8 Best Fluoride-Free Toothpastes for Whiter, Brighter Teeth

Flash those pearly whites.

In This Article

In This Article

The 8 Best Fluoride-Free Toothpastes for Whiter, Brighter Teeth

Byrdie / Reese Herrington

We’ve tried every product and procedure—from teeth-whitening kits and DIY whitening to veneers—that holds the promise of a brighter smile, but the quest begins with toothpaste. While science hails fluoride as a cavity-fighting champion, if you’ve got sensitive teeth, prefer an all-natural approach to your oral care, or have kids in their early brushing years, a fluoride-free toothpaste may be your best bet.

We set out to find the top fluoride-free toothpastes on the market, evaluating dozens of options based on key ingredients, flavor, and additional smile-enhancing benefits. The result: Byrdie's list of the very best fluoride-free toothpastes for a healthy, happy mouth.

What We Like
  • Full of organic ingredients

  • Smells good

  • Perfect travel-size

What to Consider
  • Smaller in packaging size

Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, stevia, silica | Flavor: Peppermint | Size: 1.0 oz.

Hello has thoughtfully formulated this natural toothpaste with well-known ingredients like soothing aloe vera, stevia, and a silica blend that works together in this toothpaste. In addition to being fluoride-free, the paste is free of artificial flavors, dyes, microbeads, parabens, and gluten. Even better? It's vegan and never tested on animals.

What We Like
  • Whitens teeth

  • Contains no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors, or flavors

  • Fights tartar

What to Consider
  • Can leave a slight aftertaste

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, silica | Flavor: Peppermint | Size: 5.5 oz.

Naturally-derived ingredients like glycerin, peppermint oil, and zinc citrate combine in this plaque-fighting toothpaste from Tom's. Say goodbye to surface stains while simultaneously cleaning the teeth and gums.

What We Like
  • Tastes good

  • Lasts a long while

  • Leaves mouth feeling fresh

What to Consider
  • Not super minty

Active Ingredients: Vitamins A, C, and E | Flavor: Mint | Size: 3.8 oz.

Imported from Florence, Italy, this toothpaste will make you feel ultra-fancy every time you brush. It's designed to clean and whiten while protecting against tooth decay, tartar, and plaque. Not to mention the chic packaging you can feel proud displaying on your bathroom counter.

What We Like
  • Made with 70% organic ingredients

  • Whitens teeth

  • Reduces plaque

What to Consider
  • Not much taste

Active Ingredients: Baking soda, silica | Flavor: Peppermint | Size: 5.0 oz.

Brushing with this toothpaste might feel different at first because it doesn't contain synthetic foaming agents like most traditional toothpaste. Instead, it's made with 70 percent organic ingredients like coconut oil and stevia. The vegan, cruelty-free formula works to leave your mouth, teeth, and gums fresh and clean.

Best for Fresh Breath

Jason Tartar Control Toothpaste

Jason Healthy Mouth Anti-Cavity & Tartar Control Gel, Tea Tree Oil & Cinnamon, 6 Oz
PHOTO:

Amazon

What We Like
  • Fights tooth decay and plaque

  • Made with botanicals for fresh breath

  • Affordable

What to Consider
  • Taste might be poor to some

Active Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, glycerin, tea tree oil | Flavor: Cinnamon | Size: 6.0 oz.

Tea tree oil is the star ingredient of this fluoride-free option. This formula works to keep the mouth clean and protect against plaque and tooth decay. Beyond keeping your teeth and gums healthy, the formula contains clove and cinnamon oils to keep your breath fresh.

What We Like
  • Great taste

  • Made with plant-based ingredients

  • Vegan and non-GMO formula

What to Consider
  • Taste isn't long-lasting

Active Ingredients: Tea tree oil | Flavor: Peppermint | Size: 6.25 oz.

Desert Essence promises this formula will leave you with that coveted "clean-mouth feeling." The formula discourages the growth of bad-breath causing bacteria as it cleans the teeth. Reviewers also love the flavor of its peppermint essential oil.

What We Like
  • Freshens breath

  • Whitens teeth

  • Adds re-mineralizing strength to teeth

What to Consider
  • Could make some teeth sensitive

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, baking soda, silica | Flavor: Peppermint | Size: 5.25 oz.

This whitening formula contains high-quality natural ingredients that fight plaque and freshen breath. And you can say goodbye to wasted toothpaste thanks to the included tube key, which allows you to get every last bit of product out.

What We Like
  • Soothes the gums

  • Tastes good

  • Combats teeth ailments

What to Consider
  • Has a slight aftertaste

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, silica, aloe leaf extract | Flavor: Cool Mint | Size: 4.5 oz.

In this case, triple-action refers to removing plaque, whitening, and preventing tartar buildup—three essential benefits. It's made with tea tree oil, aloe vera, olive leaf extract, and peppermint, and delivers a cool mint flavor. And a bonus? It's free from triclosan and sodium lauryl sulfate, two chemical ingredients that are often found in other toothpastes. 

Is fluoride-free toothpaste safe and effective?

Fluoride-free toothpaste is generally considered safe for use, but it’s not as effective at preventing tooth decay. In fact, the American Dental Association only grants its ADA Seal of Approval to toothpastes with fluoride-containing compounds like sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride. Fluoride-free toothpastes use naturally-derived anticaries agents, including xylitol, miswak, hydrated silica, or calcium carbonate. While these alternatives offer some cavity-fighting benefits, that have not been shown to be as effective as fluoride.

Can fluoride-free toothpaste whiten teeth?

While fluoride isn’t directly responsible for whitening teeth, it does strengthen tooth enamel, which makes your teeth appear whiter. Fluoride-free toothpastes with mild abrasives like hydrated silica and calcium carbonate can gently buff away minor surface stains, but fluoride-containing toothpastes and professional whitening treatments will give you the most noticeable results.

What ingredients should you look for in a fluoride-free toothpaste?

When choosing a fluoride-free toothpaste, consider the key ingredients that can benefit your oral health:

Natural antibacterial agents: Both xylitol, a natural sweetener found in many fruits and vegetables, and miswak, an extract from the twigs of the Salvadora persica tree, have mild antibacterial properties that can help prevent plaque buildup and cavity formation.

Polishing agents: Hydrated silica and calcium carbonate are gentle abrasives that help remove surface stains and give you that freshly brushed feeling.

Soothing ingredients: If you have sensitive teeth, look for aloe vera and chamomile, which can soothe inflammation and provide relief for sensitive gums. 

What ingredients should you avoid in a fluoride-free toothpaste?

While they rely on naturally-derived ingredients to clean and brighten, many fluoride-free toothpastes still contain non-natural additives you might want to avoid:

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): SLS is a common foaming agent that can irritate gums and even cause mouth sores if you have a sensitivity or are allergic to it.

Harsh abrasives: Many toothpastes contain mild abrasives for stain removal and cleaning, but agents like aluminum oxide and pumice can actually damage tooth enamel. 

Artificial sweeteners (other than xylitol), colors, or dyes: Some fluoride-free toothpastes might use artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose to enhance flavor, and colors or dyes for visual appeal. None of these ingredients improve the cleaning or protective benefits of the toothpaste and dyes can actually cause irritation or staining.

Is fluoride toxic?

Fluoride can be toxic in high doses, but the amount in toothpaste is considered safe for adults and children to swallow in small amounts. It's also the only ingredient recommended by dentists and the American Dental Association for strengthening teeth and preventing cavities.

Why Trust Byrdie

Kara Cuzzone is a Byrdie contributor who covers beauty and wellness. She has bylines at Cosmopolitan and Forbes, with over five years of writing and editing experience. For this story, she read through hundreds of customer reviews to create a list of the best fluoride-free toothpastes on the market.

Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
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  2. Singh N, Hebbale M, Mhapuskar A, Ul Nisa S, Thopte S, Singh S. Effectiveness of aloe vera and antioxidant along with physiotherapy in the management of oral submucous fibrosis. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2016;17(1):78-84.

  3. Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006;19(1):50-62.

  4. Akkaoui S, Ennibi O keltoum. Use of traditional plants in management of halitosis in a Moroccan population. J Intercult Ethnopharmacol. 2017;6(3):267-273.

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