10 Dentist-Approved & Eco-Friendly Toothpastes in 2024 (Review) (2024)

Eco-friendly toothpaste is something we all need to be using – for the planet, and our health!

Conventional toothpaste is full of unnecessary ingredients that are often harmful to our health, and the environment. Foaming agents like SLS, preservatives, thickeners, artificial flavors, and fragrances… The list is long, and hard to pronounce!

None of those ingredients have anything to do with actually cleaning your teeth. They’re just there to make the paste taste and feel nice, artificially creating that ‘clean’ feeling.

The UK alone sends 300 million toothpaste tubes to landfills every single year. That is enough plastic to circle the whole planet, twice!

Globally, around 20 billion tubes of toothpaste are used and discarded every year. In landfills, toothpaste tubes take more than 500 years to degrade.

And that’s just the paste—there’s still the whole toothbrush to consider. With experts recommending toothbrush replacement every 3–4 months, these often non-recyclable items contribute to landfills.

Electric toothbrushes with reusable bases are slightly less wasteful, but even these options require head replacements just as frequently.

When we see a place in our lives that causes non-recyclable waste, it’s common to want to cut out the habit completely. In this case, for obvious reasons, it would be detrimental to your health and your social life to cease brushing your teeth entirely.

But if we have to live with this often non-sustainable ritual, how can we shift our habits to be better for the planet?

There has to be a better way, right?

Thankfully, there are some really great brands making awesome eco-friendly toothpaste alternatives!

Today, we’re looking at some of the best eco-friendly toothpaste options out there. They’re all safe, sustainable, and ethical choices. They’re also all completely safe for your teeth, and your overall health.

Let’s bite right in!

Shortlist: Best Eco-friendly Toothpaste Brands

Here is our shortlist of the best zero-waste and eco-friendly toothpaste alternatives that we have reviewed in more detail below:

• Best Non-Toxic: Butter Me Up Organics – Tooth Powder
• Best Flouride Tooth Tablets: Denttabs – Toothpaste Tabs
• Best Plastic-Free: Bite – Toothpaste Bits
• Best Remineralising: Battle Green – Mineral-rich Cinnamint Natural Tooth Powder
• Best Vegan + Cruelty-Free: Unpaste – Tooth Tabs
• Best for Gum Health: Weldental – Chewtabs
• Best for Zero-Waste: Dirty Hippie – Mint Vegan Tooth Powder
• Best for Whitening Sensitive Teeth: Davids – Sensitive & Whitening Premium Toothpaste
• Best Organic: Scentcerae – Matcha Mint Natural & Organic Tooth Nibs

Selection Criteria: How We Chose the Best Brands

When we selected the brands on this list, we looked for brands that meet as many of the following criteria as possible:

• Non-toxic ingredients (e.g., no triclosan)
• Responsibly sourced ingredients
• Natural ingredients – no synthetic flavors or fragrances
• Palm oil-free or certified as responsibly sourced Palm oil
• Zero-waste packaging that is reusable or recyclable
• Sustainable shipping materials that are plastic-free, biodegradable, or compostable
• Refill options
• Concentrated formulas with a lighter impact from shipping and transportation
• Vegan and/or cruelty-free options
• Brands that are actively managing, reducing, and mitigating their impact on the environment
• Socially responsible and ethical brands

We have chosen a variety of shapes, forms, flavors, and textures – so there is bound to be something for every preference on this list!

When it comes to toothpaste, fluoride is a contentious topic. However, the general consensus is that fluoride in toothpaste is completely safe and that it is highly beneficial for preventing tooth decay.

That said, we have included both fluoride and fluoride-free toothpaste options so you can choose for yourself, based on your preferences and your unique oral hygiene requirements.

Before we get into the reviews, let’s take a quick look at a short video by to see the life cycle of a conventional tube of toothpaste:

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-byTwgEhv78[/embedyt]

As you can see, there are much better ways to brush your teeth!

The following eco-friendly toothpaste options are safer for you, do not use unrecyclable plastic tubes, and are made by eco-conscious brands that care about the environment:

10 Eco-Friendly Toothpaste Options for a Bright Eco-Smile

1. Butter Me Up Organics – Bentonite Clay, Cinnamon & Charcoal Tooth Powder

Butter Me Up Organics is a zero-waste business, and all products are made with natural, responsibly sourced ingredients. Most of their products are certified organic, cruelty-free, and fair-trade.

They use only sustainable packaging materials for their products, and their shipping materials are all 100% plastic-free, recycled, and recyclable.

Butter Me Up Organics’ all-natural, vegan and cruelty-free Bentonite Clay, Cinnamon & Charcoal Tooth Powder is made with organic essential oils, Kaolin clay, Bentonite Clay, activated charcoal, and baking soda. It does not contain fluoride.

The proprietary ayurvedic formula cleans, polishes, and remineralizes teeth while promoting gum health and freshening breath.

Ingredients: Kaolin Clay, Bentonite Clay, Activated Charcoal, Organic Ceylon Cinnamon, Sodium Bicarbonate, Non-GMO Calcium Carbonate, Organic Peppermint, Myrrh, and Clove Essential Oils.

Butter Me Up Organics Customer Review Score: 5/5 Stars

Price: $15.95

Where to Buy: Butter Me Up Organics

2.NOBS Toothpaste Tablets by Biom

Biom is a fluoride-free personal care brand with a focus on effective, remineralizing toothpaste to prevent tooth decay, soothe hypersensitivity, and strengthen teeth without using harsh chemicals.

Their zero waste, eco-friendly toothpaste comes in reusableand recyclable glass jars making them perfect for our health and the planet. Their toothpaste contains xylitol, a natural sweetener that supports your oral microbiome and has been proven to fight tooth decay. It also contains nano hydroxyapatite, a safe and effective alternativeto fluoride to strengthen and whiten your teeth without adverse effects.

You’ll also find zinc citrate to prevent plaque buildup and sodium bicarbonate as a gentle polishing agent to remove stains without damaging your enamel.

These toothpaste tablets are easy to use – simply pop one in your mouth, chew until it dissolves into a foamy paste, and brush your teeth as usual. They leave your mouth feeling fresh and minty clean all day long.

3. Denttabs – Mint Toothpaste Tabs

Denttabs is a Berlin-based brand that makes sustainable oral hygiene products, including toothpaste tablets for adults and children, and bamboo toothbrushes.

They first developed their Denttabs as a way to eliminate all the unnecessary and potentially unhealthy ingredients in conventional toothpaste.

They kept only the ingredients necessary for tooth and gum health, and ditched the rest!

Denttabs Mint Toothpaste Tabs contain plant cellulose, which acts as a very gentle abrasive and polishes your teeth while you brush! They’re also vegan, naturally minty-fresh, non-foaming and they do contain fluoride.

Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Magnesium Stearate, Organic Aroma (Natural Mint Flavour), Menthol, Xanthan-Gum, Stevioside, Citric Acid, Sodium Fluoride, Eugenol (Naturally Occurring)

Denttabs Customer Review Score: 5/5 Stars

Price: £4.99

Where to Buy: Circla (London) or Denttabs

4. Bite – Fresh Mint Toothpaste Bits

Bite is a plastic-free, vegan, and cruelty-free brand that makes toothpaste bits (and other oral hygiene products) using only safe, natural ingredients. Their products contain no harsh chemicals, no SLS, and no Palm oil.

Bite is strictly plastic-free and none of their packaging, or their shipping materials, contain any plastic. They use glass and aluminum, and fully recyclable or home compostable materials only.

Bite’s Fresh Mint Toothpaste Bits do not contain fluoride and are fortified with calcium carbonate, zinc, and nano-hydroxyapatite to protect and strengthen enamel, while effectively cleaning and brightening your teeth.

You can also get Bite Toothpaste Bits as a zero-waste refill subscription service!

Ingredients: Erythritol, Xylitol, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Flavor (peppermint), Hydroxyapatite (nano), Sodium Bicarbonate, Guar Gum, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Zinc Citrate, Silicon Dioxide, Menthol

Bite Customer Review Score: 4.9/5 Stars

Price: $12.00

Where to Buy: Bite

5. Battle Green – Mineral-rich Cinnamint Natural Tooth Powder

Based in North Wales, Battle Green stocks a wide range of eco-friendly, plastic-free, and zero-waste products.

Every product they sell is certified vegan and cruelty-free, and they focus on products that are safe, natural, and non-toxic.

Battle Green is a zero-waste store their products can be bought naked or packaged in glass or recycled paper. They use plastic-free, compostable, and recyclable packaging for shipping. Battle Green also offers refills and bulk purchases.

Battle Green’s Mineral-rich Cinnamint Natural Tooth Powder is made with Bentonite clay, Calcium, and Sage to clean and polish teeth, while soothing gums and balancing the pH in your mouth to protect the enamel from the effects of overly acidic food and drinks that we all love.

It contains no fluoride, no SLS, and no Palm oil.

Ingredients: Bentonite, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Chloride, Xylitol, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil

Etsy Customer Review Score: 4.9/5 Stars
Price: £6.65

Where to Buy: Battle Green or Etsy

6. Unpaste – Tooth Tabs

Unpaste Tooth Tabs are vegan, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, and contain no artificial flavors, colours, SLS, sodium saccharin, preservatives, aluminum, or nanoparticles. They make them with or without fluoride, so you can choose your preference.

Unpaste Tooth Tabs are completely plastic-free and they come in sachets printed with soy ink, on recycled paper, and lined with a fully compostable non-GMO lactic acid biofilm.

They’re FDA approved, and they’re made in Europe and meet strict European health codes. The ingredients that use are chosen to make your teeth as healthy as possible, while also whitening and polishing your enamel.

Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda), silica, Amisoft (sodium lauryl glutamate), Magnesium Stearate, Natural Mint Flavour from essential oil, Menthol, Xantham Gum, Stevia, Citric Acid, Sodium Fluoride

EarthHero Customer Review Score: 4.5/5 Stars
Price: $8.99

Where to Buy: EarthHero

7. Weldental – Chewtab Gentle Whitening Toothpaste Tablets

Weldental makes a variety of dentist-approved oral hygiene products, including a range of eco-friendly, zero-waste products!

Their toothpaste tablets are designed to balance the alkalinity in your mouth and promote the growth of healthy bacteria while killing the unhealthy bacteria that lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

They do not contain any ingredients that promote inflammation, they’re completely enamel-safe and they contain no SLS, fluoride, or silica.

Weldental Chewtab Gentle Whitening Toothpaste Tablets are available in several flavors, and come in a reusable glass jar that can be ‘refilled forever’. Refills come in cardboard and plastic-free compostable bio bags.

Ingredients: Xylitol, Natural Peppermint Flavor, Calcium Phosphate, Calcium Stearate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Xanthan Gum, Quillaja Saponaria Extract, Stevia

Amazon Customer Review Score: 4/5 Stars

Price: $11.95

Where to Buy: Amazon or WELDENTAL

8. Dirty Hippie – Mint Tooth Powder

Based in Waipu, New Zealand, Dirty Hippie sells a wonderful range of personal care products, including natural soaps, zero-waste shampoo bars, and, of course, tooth powder and eco-friendly floss.

Their products are handmade and contain only safe natural ingredients. Most of their products are vegan, and most contain organic ingredients.

Dirty Hippie’s Mint Tooth Powder is vegan, and made with Bentonite clay and activated charcoal for whitening and remineralizing your teeth. The minty flavor is from ground mint rather than essential oil, which makes the flavor mild and suitable for kids.

Ingredients: Organic Bentonite Clay, Organic Baking Soda, Himalayan Sea Salt, Activated Charcoal, Ground Organic Peppermint

Dirty Hippie Customer Review Score: 4.5/5 Stars

Price: $17.00 (40g in glass jar)

Where to Buy: Dirty Hippie

9. Davids – Sensitive + Whitening nano-Hydroxyapatite Premium Toothpaste

Davids uses only ingredients that are sourced and derived from nature. They’re vegan and cruelty-free and contain no SLS, fluoride, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or sweeteners.

Unlike most eco-friendly toothpaste alternatives, Davids comes in a tube. However, the tube is made of recyclable metal and comes with a key to roll the tube and get every last bit out – no wastage, and easy to clean and recycle!

Davids Sensitive + Whitening Premium Toothpaste is made with nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) to repair sensitive teeth and help remineralize the enamel. It is naturally whitening, without any harsh chemicals, and flavored with soothing natural peppermint oil.

Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate (Limestone Abrasive), Vegetable Glycerin, Purified Water, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Xylitol (Birch Derived), Hydrated Silica, Hydroxyapatite, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Carrageenan (Seaweed Derived), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint Oil), Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Pimpinella Anisum (Anise) Seed Extract, Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Oil, Stevia (Leaf Extract).

Amazon Customer Review Score: 5/5 Stars

Price: $9.95

Where to Buy: Amazon or Davids

10. Scentcerae – Matcha Mint Natural and Organic Tooth Nibs

Scentcerae is an eco-friendly, zero-waste brand that makes a variety of self-care products. They use minimal packaging, and source products from only sustainable and ethical suppliers.

Scentcerae uses clean, plant-based ingredients and does not use any triclosan, SLS, SLES, petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, palm oil, gluten, synthetic fragrances. All their products are vegan and cruelty-free and suitable for sensitive skin.

Scentcerae’s Matcha Mint Natural and Organic Tooth Nibs are packed full of beneficial ingredients like coconut oil, mineral clays, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and botanical extracts and essential oils. The formula is non-abrasive, remineralizing, and promotes the right pH balance in the mouth.

Ingredients: Cocos Nucifera, Matcha Leaf Powder, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, White Kaolin Mineral Clay, Illite/Sea Mineral Clay, Organic Birch Xylitol, Organic Pure Peppermint, and Spearmint Essential Oils, Menthol

Etsy Customer Review Score: 5/5 Stars

Price: $5.40

Where to Buy: Esty or Scentceare

Final Thoughts on Zero-Waste and Eco-Friendly Toothpaste

Conventional toothpaste often contains undesirable ingredients and comes in non-recyclable plastic tubes.

Not only do plastic toothpaste tubes go straight to landfills after use, but it is also difficult to get all the toothpaste out of them, causing unnecessary wastage.

Luckily, there are now many great alternatives that are healthier, more eco-friendly, and zero-waste. From powders to tablets, soft nibs to pastes, there is something perfect for everyone!

Zero-waste toothpaste alternatives highlight natural and organic ingredients that are kind to the world and your teeth, in addition to being ecologically beneficial. Compostable cardboard or reusable containers are among the sustainable packaging options for many eco-friendly toothpaste substitutes, which helps to minimize their negative environmental effects.

Making the move to zero-waste toothpaste is an easy yet significant step towards a more sustainable dental care routine, regardless of whether you enjoy the classic feel of a paste or the convenience of toothpaste pills. Encourage others to join the shift towards a more environmentally responsible future by sharing your favorite eco-friendly toothpaste in the comments section below!

Which one is your favorite zero-waste, eco-friendly toothpaste?

We’d love to hear from you, so let us know in the comments!

References and Useful Resources

American Dental Association: Toothpaste

Brightly: 6 Things to Consider About Zero Waste Toothpaste

Brightly: From Toothpaste to Floss, This Low-Waste Oral Hygiene Routine Is Dentist-Approved

Earth 911: How Clean Is Your Toothpaste?

Healthline: Should You Be Worried About Fluoride Toothpaste?

Insider: What Should You Look For in a Toothpaste? The Best and Worst Ingredients, According To Dentists

Medical News Today: Why Do We Have Fluoride in Our Water?

Nature: British Dental Association – 300 Million Toothpaste Tubes Go To Landfill

Reusable Nation: Is Your Homemade, Zero Waste Toothpaste Ruining Your Teeth: How Effective Is Homemade Toothpaste?