If you’ve been scrolling the oral care aisle (or let’s be real, adding to your cart online) you’ve probably seen Wellnesse Whitening Toothpaste and Boka Ela Mint pop up. Both are fluoride-free, both use a hydroxyapatite to strengthen enamel, and both have dental professionals behind them. And they both want to offer a better product than what is currently on store shelves.

But dig a little deeper and you’ll see they take very different approaches when it comes to ingredients, credentials, and brand philosophy. Let’s break it all down.

Hydroxyapatite Focused

Here’s where Wellnesse and Boka are totally on the same page… and also where they split paths. Both brands have ditched fluoride in favor of hydroxyapatite, the mineral your teeth are literally made of. Their stance is the same: hydroxyapatite is safer than fluoride, and they want to do better for your mouth.

Where they differ is in the type of hydroxyapatite they use. There are two main kinds: nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) and micro-hydroxyapatite. And they each offer you something different.

Boka and their Nano-hydroxyapatite – nHA has a pretty cool origin story – it was developed decades ago when NASA was looking for ways to prevent astronauts from losing bone density and tooth strength in zero gravity. A Japanese researcher later adapted the science into the first nHA toothpaste. What is important to note is that Nano-hydroxyapatite is lab-made (you won’t find it in nature). But because of the NASA connection, it has the most research behind it. Its ultra-small particle size is its biggest selling point – tiny enough to integrate with your tooth structure, which is why most hydroxyapatite studies focus on this form. But keep reading to learn more about why nano isn’t always better.

Wellnesse and their Micro-hydroxyapatite – This micro-hydroxyapatite formula, on the other hand, is the more natural cousin. It’s not as heavily studied as nano, but it’s mined from natural sources (like deposits in Europe) and is safe and effective. The particles are a bit larger than nano, which some say is a downside because they can’t penetrate as deeply or as easily. But others (including more cautious health advocates and European standards) see it as a plus: these micro particles are still small enough to fill micro-cracks in your enamel, but not so tiny that it can easily move around your body and brain. And this is where the nano vs. micro debate begins.

So while Boka goes with lab-created, research-heavy nano-hydroxyapatite, Wellnesse sticks to the natural, slightly larger micro-hydroxyapatite. Similar goal, but different philosophy and path .

Who takes the crown here? If you’re all about keeping things as natural and straightforward as possible, Wellnesse is definitely your pick. The micro-hydroxyapatite is effective, natural, and has no health concerns.

Brand, Dentist Board, and Certifications

When it comes to who’s actually behind the formulas and brand, Wellnesse and Boka both put dental expertise front and center. But they do it in different ways.

Wellnesse features a close-knit panel of dental professionals who are directly tied to natural oral care. They care about natural health and supporting oral health through research, but with wellness in mind. Their advisors include names like Dr. Griffin Cole, DDS, NMD; Dr. Meghna Dassani, DMD; Dr. Eric Roman, DDS; and Dr. Anthony Trovato, PhD, MSACN. This lineup leans holistic and functional in approach, blending traditional dentistry with whole-body wellness insights. You’ll find these advisors listed right on the toothpaste product page – no digging required, which makes it easy for customers to know exactly who’s giving their stamp of approval.

Boka, on the other hand, rolls deep with an Oral Health Advisory Committee that includes high-profile dentists and specialists like Dr. Rick Workman, Dr. Jon Marashi, Dr. Michael Apa, and Dr. Kami Hoss, among others. Their committee represents a range of expertise – from cosmetic and restorative dentistry to large-scale practice leadership. It’s an impressive lineup, leaning much more towards traditional/conventional dentistry with board members from Colgate, who is not known for their place in the natural products space. Again, leaning into the science and more conventional dentist views.

When it comes to certifications, Wellnesse is the clear leader. They’re a Certified B Corporation, meaning they’ve met rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. They’re also Leaping Bunny Certified, ensuring their products are cruelty-free with no animal testing at any stage. They are also Non-Toxic Project certified and these third-party stamps of approval speak to the brand’s values beyond just oral health – they’re committed to doing good for people and the planet.

Boka’s main certification is their cruelty-free status, which assures customers their products aren’t tested on animals. While that’s important, they don’t carry additional corporate-level certifications like B Corp, which means their broader environmental and social impact hasn’t gone through the same type of third-party audit.

The quick take

Both are fluoride-free, hydroxyapatite-based, and dentist-approved. Wellnesse pulls the “ethics and purity” card hard with their natural micro-HA and many brand and non-toxic certifications. They are leaders in this space and do it very well.

Boka leans into science and reach with nano-hydroxyapatite, a big-name dental committee, and national store placement. From our review, natural health and wellness feels to be more on the back burner and while it’s part of who they are, it’s not the full story.

Your choice comes down to which you want more: Clean formulations focused on your health, or a formula built on nano-hydroxyapatite research.

• Wellnesse leans “clean + family-first” with micro-hydroxyapatite, visible dental advisors, and third-party corporate ethics certifications (B Corp, Non-Toxic Project, Leaping Bunny).
• Boka leans “modern science + design”: nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA), a sizable Oral Health Advisory Committee, strong retail presence; cruelty-free, but no B Corp.

Who are you going to pick?