Not too long ago, “natural toothpaste” wasn’t even a thing. You just grabbed whatever was on the store shelf and called it a day. Fast forward to now, and the options have exploded. There are dozens of tubes promising to be clean, natural, and good for your smile. But here’s the tricky part: we all want a toothpaste that keeps our mouth healthy, and we want it to be truly natural. So… which one actually does both?
Today we’re diving deep into five natural toothpastes: Wellnesse Toothpaste, Boka, Dr. Jen Natural, RiseWell Toothpaste, and Davids Hydroxi.
These aren’t your everyday tubes; they each bring a unique combination of clinical promise and are some of the most popular brands in the natural space. We compared their science, brand values, and yes, even their taste, to help you figure out which one’s the perfect match for your smile.
Wellnesse Whitening Toothpaste
Overall Rating – 4.9/5.0
Science & Ingredients
Wellnesse packs their formula with a powerhouse trio: micro-hydroxyapatite, xylitol, and aloe vera, all in a gentle, low-abrasion base that cleans and whitens without being harsh. It’s fluoride-free, but makes up for it with micro-hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral that’s literally the building block of enamel, helping to strengthen and remineralize your teeth.
One thing we really love? How open they are about their ingredient choices. They clearly explain why they choose micro-hydroxyapatite (natural) over nano-hydroxyapatite (synthetic) through their site, blog, and newsletters, and they don’t shy away from giving you the details. Their Ingredients page even shares sourcing information – now that’s transparency.
And while xylitol might be best known for its sweetness, in toothpaste its real superpower is fighting cavities. It’s been shown to help reduce cavity risk, and while some people avoid it in foods, using it in toothpaste is a totally different, and beneficial, story.
Brand Quality & Certifications
Founded by a team of natural health researchers and dentists, Wellnesse is all about keeping things clean – no SLS, no triclosan, no fluoride, no dyes. They’re proudly cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny Certified) and have earned two big badges of honor: B Corp Certification and Non-Toxic Project Certification. Add in their backing from a Dental Advisory Board and well-known health advocates, and it’s clear they’ve carved out a league of their own.
They publish lab results for contaminants like heavy metals, PFAS, molds, and pathogens, consistently showing levels well below acceptable limits. Their packaging also embraces recyclable materials, adding that “feel-good” buying factor.
Taste & Experience
Think gentle minty freshness, like a soft whisper of peppermint, not a punch. Texture is silky, not gritty, and it feels exactly like….. toothpaste! The whitening effect feels mild but builds over time, giving that natural glow rather than bleaching your smile into a spotlight glare. It’s just enough polish and brightness without feeling harsh.
Overall Vibe
Wellnesse nails the sweet spot between science, clean ethics and brand quality, and a smooth user experience. Star of the show in our opinion, but we’ll let you be the judge.
Boka Ela Mint n-Ha Toothpaste
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0
Science & Ingredients:
Boka leans heavily on nano-hydroxyapatite (nHa) – a super tiny version of hydroxyapatite – along with xylitol, green tea, and aloe vera. Like the other toothpastes in this review, it skips fluoride and instead relies on hydroxyapatite for remineralization. In the natural health world, that’s a mixed bag: people are happy there’s no fluoride, but there’s still debate over the safety of nano-hydroxyapatite.
Here’s why: nano particles are so small they can potentially travel beyond the teeth and into other parts of the body. That’s the very feature Boka promotes as a benefit – deep penetration to strengthen enamel. But it’s also a reason Europe has placed restrictions on nano in cosmetics and personal care products. The EU specifically bans nano-hydroxyapatite in any product that could be inhaled and enter the lungs.
Boka’s tagline, “a breakthrough material inspired by nature and backed by science,” hints at its origins – inspired by nature, yes, but made through a synthetic process. For us, that’s where it loses its “natural” credibility. While the science is interesting, we’d like to see more research on long-term safety before calling it a truly clean option.
Brand Quality & Certifications
Boka leans on its “clinically proven” ethos, pointing to studies that back nano-hydroxyapatite’s ability to reduce sensitivity and strengthen enamel. They’re cruelty-free, avoid harsh chemicals, and have an Oral Health Advisory Committee guiding them. It is worth noting that several on their Oral Health Committee come from Colgate, which is not typically associated with natural oral care.
What they don’t have? Recognized health-related certifications. Instead, they highlight pop-culture nods and media mentions. Fun and great, but not exactly a stamp of clean-health credibility.
Taste & Experience
Flavor-wise, Boka scores high. The mint is crisp and refreshing without being overpowering, and the texture is silky-smooth with zero grit. If you like your toothpaste to feel clean and polished without numbing your mouth, this one’s a win.
Overall Vibe
Boka brings lab-level science, but for us, it leans more into high-tech formulation than true holistic or natural health. The missing certifications leave a gap for anyone wanting verified “clean” credentials, and it feels like they haven’t fully put in the work to deliver a truly non-toxic formula from the ground up. We’d love to score it higher, but right now, there are just a few too many gaps to overlook.
Dr. Jen Fluoride-Free Cool Mint 10% Premium Nano Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
Overall Rating: 4.4/5.0
Science & Ingredients
Created by Dentist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, Dr Jen’s Toothpaste blends 10% nano-hydroxyapatite, xylitol, and aloe vera – designed to clean, protect against plaque, and support enamel. On paper, it’s impressive. But like with Boka, we can’t ignore the lingering question marks around nano particles. We’re not debating that they can be absorbed into teeth to help strengthen them. We’re simply following the information in Europe and wondering where else in the body they might end up. With the mouth being one of the most absorbent parts of your body, can we be 100% sure they’re not creating issues somewhere else? The jury’s still out for us.
Brand Quality & Certifications
There’s no denying the credibility factor here. This is a brand founded and fronted by a real doctor with her name on the product. The formula is SLS-free, artificial-color-free, and rooted in evidence-based ingredients. But if you’re looking for third-party “clean” certifications, you won’t find any listed on their site.
Taste & Experience
Fresh, minty, and familiar. This feels like the classic creamy paste most of us grew up with. If you’ve been missing that fluoridated “kick,” this one brings it back. Price-wise, it’s on the higher end for nano-hydroxyapatite pastes, though you can save a bit with their subscription program.
Overall Vibe
Dr. Jen sits comfortably between the natural and conventional worlds. For those chasing the purest, fluoride-free route, it won’t check every box, but it does come with solid clinical credibility.
RiseWell Mineral Toothpaste
Overall Rating: 4.3/5.0
Science & Ingredients
RiseWell leans heavily on calcium carbonate paired with hydroxyapatite to help strengthen enamel. But here’s the thing – we can’t quite tell where they stand when it comes to the science behind their hydroxyapatite. There are two main types, and they seem to hover somewhere in between without fully committing to one. That lack of clarity leaves us feeling a little uneasy.
Brand Quality & Certifications
RiseWell highlights it is naturally-derived, non-toxic, and paraben/SLS-free. They are also fluoride-free, gluten-free and vegan. We didn’t see formal testing like EWG or USDA-organic, but they do highlight clean lab testing and safety documentation on their site. There’s less formal certification, but their approach appeals to wellness-minded users. They do have a Scientific Counsel listed on their website and they are dentist-founded.
Taste & Experience
The taste leans slightly earthy, with a mild mint taste. This could be a good option for anyone wanting a very mild flavor in their toothpaste. Our team found it a little “wet” and unfortunately did not enjoy the after-taste – It didn’t leave us with a long-lasting fresh feeling.
Overall Vibe
RiseWell is a good choice for folks who appreciate that mild toothpaste taste. They feel to be just a step behind on taste, branding finesse, and certification, though.
Davids Hydroxi Toothpaste
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0
Science & Ingredients
Davids takes the fluoride-free route, relying on nano-hydroxyapatite for enamel support, along with xylitol, baking soda, and essential oils. One ingredient worth a closer look is carrageenan – likely there as a thickener, but it does come with some potential health concerns, particularly around gut health, that are still being debated.
While Dr. Jen’s formula packs in 10% nano-hydroxyapatite, Davids intentionally keeps theirs lower to align with European regulations. Their stance? More isn’t always better. That said, they don’t disclose exactly how much nHa is in the mix, so we’re left guessing on the specifics.
Brand Quality & Certifications
Davids claims they are SLS-free, made in the USA, fluoride-free, EWG Verified, vegan, and never tested on animals. There are no other health certifications on their product page.
Davids also mentions that they “created our own definition of “natural toothpaste”. On one hand, creating your own path is admirable. On the other, it means you’re trusting their version of “natural,” which might not line up with what every consumer expects.
Taste & Experience
Lightly minty with a cool, almost clay-like undertone. The texture leans a little grainy but not in a scratchy way – more of an “earthy clean” feel. Packaging is classic old-school aluminum, which some love for its eco-vibe and others… not so much. It’s definitely a love it or hate it kind of packaging. A tube key definitely comes in handy to squeeze out every last bit.
Overall Vibe
Davids has a science-meets-clean vibe, but between certain ingredient choices, unique branding decisions, and their self-defined take on “natural,” there are a few lingering question marks.
Choosing the Best Fit
Picking the right natural toothpaste is really about finding the balance that works for you. Whether that’s effectiveness, ingredient safety, or just peace of mind. What matters most is personal. Are you after proven purity, a bold texture, solid science backing, trusted certifications, or eco-friendly practices?
Any of the options here definitely beat the run-of-the-mill big-box brands in thoughtfulness and care. Just remember to keep an eye out for transparency, testing, and certifications along the way. Here’s to smiles that are healthy, happy, and totally intentional!
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