A Thoughtful Smile

Top Cruelty-Free, Fluoride-Free Toothpastes

Everyone wants a pearly smile they can be proud of.

But a toothpaste they can be proud of? Hear us out on this…

It shouldn’t come as shocking news that hundreds of varieties of toothpaste are available to the average consumer. Whitening, sensitive teeth, activated charcoal, fluoride-free, with-fluoride, anti-cavity; getting your head wrapped around the plethora of options is plenty to chew on (pun intended!).

When you’re shopping for your next tube of minty dental goop, you’re most likely going to think about how this toothpaste will positively affect the health and appearance of your smile. After all, a confident smile is a beautiful smile.

But before making that purchase official, we highly suggest challenging yourself to think outside of yourself by answering a few potentially complicated questions: how does the toothpaste you buy affect our planet as a whole? Do the product and brand live up to your ideal of a just and fair world? Is it possible to support the cause of sustainability and just treatment just by buying a particular style of toothpaste?

We believe so – by purchasing cruelty-free.

By purchasing and using products that have not been tested on animals, you’ve already made a healthier choice by avoiding many artificial ingredients that can be problematic, especially for sensitive mouths.

Buying cruelty-free is taking a stand by denouncing the act of subjecting animals to pain, torture, and unnecessary suffering. Many species of animals that we consider pets and friends, specifically cats and dogs, are continually abused victims in situations of product testing. In just the year 2013, statistics show that tens of thousands of cats and dogs were used in The United States to test ingredients and formulas for new cosmetic and hygiene products.

Your dollar is your voice – by purchasing and supporting cruelty-free brands, you’re voting with your hard-earned money to take a stand against brands that develop products stemming from the needless suffering of animals.

So if you’re on board with supporting cruelty-free brands, let’s get back to talking about toothpaste, specially fluoride-free toothpaste, and why it may be the right option for specific individuals.

But wait – why would someone choose fluoride-free over toothpaste with fluoride? It mainly deals with concern over overexposure to fluoride, a mineral that is routinely added to municipal water supplies. The American Dental Association suggests that it’s essential to get a least some fluoride exposure to take advantage of its ability to strengthen enamel. But individuals may be concerned that they are already engaging with a sufficient amount of fluoride just by drinking their tap water.

The other argument here is that, yes, fluoride can assist with preventing cavities, but it’s not the only path to keeping a healthy, happy, and cavity-free smile. Fluoride or not, regular brushing, flossing, and eating less artificially sugar-laden foods can all make a huge difference regarding the holistic well-being of your mouth.

It boils down to that it’s up to you to decide what’s suitable for your mouth and body. We always recommend first talking to your dentist about your options and do your own research to learn about the possible pros and cons of fluoride in toothpaste. On both sides of the debate, there are plenty of options.

Lucky for you, we’ve done your homework to help you find the best cruelty-free, fluoride-free toothpaste.

Bite is our overall winner for cruelty-free, fluoride-free toothpaste. Their chewable toothpaste bites are a minty-fresh take that’s not only cruelty-free but also vegan and low-waste. If you’re looking for a more traditional “tube” style of toothpaste, consider NATIVE, Davids, Hello, or Hey Humans.

OVERALL WINNER

Bite | https://bitetoothpastebits.com

“The future of personal care is here” – that may sound like a pretty bold statement. Still, if the quality of our future is focused on our current efforts regarding sustainability, Bite is making sure they are doing their part to lead the charge. The company is centered around producing plastic-free, sustainable products that only include clean ingredients.

It takes some getting used to, but Bite can significantly reduce their need for plastic because of this unique product’s composition. They win for originality, as their flagship product is not typical wet toothpaste; instead, they sell “bits,” small, hard toothpaste pieces that you chew up and lather up with a damp toothbrush. In fact, the bits, both toothpaste and mouthwash versions, both ship in small, mason-jar-like glass containers. And the brand is affordable, as subscriptions for toothpaste alone are $30 per four months.

We won’t fault you if brushing your teeth doesn’t typically score very high on the list of things you’re getting excited about today. But that’s one of the best aspects of Bite – they simplify the basics of dental hygiene in a way that focuses on the power of consistency and having fun.

EASILY FOUND IN STORES

Native | https://www.nativecos.com

Native, which burst onto the personal hygiene scene with its ultra-popular line of deodorants, has recently expanded by releasing various toothpaste options, both with and without fluoride. We appreciate that they carry two different varieties of fluoride-free toothpaste: a wild-mint style for whitening and a charcoal style for detoxifying.

Another breath of fresh air is the company’s transparency regarding ingredients. Each ingredient for each toothpaste is listed, including why the ingredient was included in the final formula. They really let their work speak for itself.

You can find Native toothpaste in retailers such as Target, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, and Walmart.

A COMPANY TO ROOT FOR

Davids | https://davids-usa.com

Whereas a brand like Native specializes in various hygiene products, Davids is laser-focused on what they call “natural toothpaste – elevated.” And you can tell right away that the company has thought long and hard about creating a toothpaste that doesn’t cut any corners. A great example of this is that instead of calling their product “natural” and not clearly defining what this means, they specifically lay out what “natural” means to them. They only use ingredients sourced from nature, utilize formulas free of artificial flavors, and only create vegan and cruelty-free products.

Coming up with a sustainable way to package toothpaste is typically a headscratcher. Davids has solved this problem by ditching plastic and instead utilizing a metal tube, which is easily recyclable. Yes, their toothpaste is one of the most expensive on this list, but their product is so clean and transparent, it’s easy to want to throw your money at a company with such attention-to-detail and moral fortitude.

GREATEST VARIETY

hello | https://www.hello-products.com

We here at Cruelty-Free Stuff really love puns – and hello hits the mark with gems like “we give a spit,” describing their organizational ethics and vision and how they plan to get there. Besides the excellent brand content, three cheers go out tohello for their incredible array of products and services. Toothpaste, toothpaste tablets (like Bite above), mouthwash, toothbrushes, deodorant, lip balm – all are made by hello to help empower your daily life.

Yes, they self-describe their fluoride-free options as “judgmint-free.” As you roll your eyes, take note that they feature unique flavors and offerings featuring exotic flavors and ingredients such as charcoal, white turmeric, watermelon, and hemp seed oil.

The company really stands out for its “hello friendly dental pass,” a method in which individuals can get partial coverage for their dental procedures without needing dental insurance. Coverage starts at $20 per month or $99 per year.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Hey Humans | https://www.heyhumans.com

Hey Humans is fueled by the ambitions of its founder and creative director, none other than famous actress Jada Pinkett Smith. She doesn’t focus on herself as the star of the show: the broad line of products featured by the brand do the talking by being all cruelty-free, vegan, and 99% plastic-free.

They feature varieties of toothpaste with and without fluoride, with a dispenser tube made of infinitely recyclable aluminum. Accessibility is a huge selling point for the brand, as all Hey Humans products are $6 and under.

Hey Humans is a house brand of Target and therefore can exclusively be found at Target retail locations.