So—you hear from a friend that she’s going all natural. She’s switched all of her beauty products to ones labeled things like “organic” and “eco-friendly.” She promises she feels healthier, cleaner, and happier than ever before. Now you’re wondering if maybe there isn’t something to this all-natural stuff, and you’re thinking about giving natural toothpaste a try.

            If that’s you, stick around.

            Toothpaste has an important job in fighting plaque, so which toothpaste you use is an important question. Today we’ll learn just what natural toothpaste is and the pros and cons of making the switch.

What is natural toothpaste?

            It’s easy to throw out the term, but which brands really fit the bill?

Well, it’s subjective. As the popular natural toothpaste brand Tom’s explains,

“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently regulate the use of the natural label in personal care products. According to the Environmental Working Group, the FDA has never legally defined the term.”

            Toothpaste companies are free to define for themselves what they feel is “natural.” Sometimes, this is more about where they source the ingredients from; other times, it may be more about which ingredients they use or leave out. Often, natural toothpastes will provide information on the tube itself or the company website about what the ingredients are, where they came from, and why they are used. Dentist Bobbi Stanley says, “Natural toothpaste is really just toothpaste that uses things like charcoal or coconut oil instead of more traditional ingredients.”

You may look down on so-called “natural” toothpastes, thinking that surely, they can’t work like the real stuff. If that’s the case, you’d be surprised to know that there are natural toothpastes out there that have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance, according to Tom’s of Maine. This coveted stamp of approval means the toothpaste is scientifically proven to be both effective and safe. Natural toothpaste is more mainstream than you might think.

Why switch?

            There are many reasons to consider switching to a natural toothpaste!

Avoiding Harmful Chemicals.

The most obvious benefit of going all-natural, whether for you or for your kids, is skipping out on the stronger ingredients that can be found in traditional toothpastes. For instance, Sodium Laurel Sulfate, or SLS, is commonly used to make toothpaste foam. But as one dentistry explains, it’s actually a detergent. And not a harmless detergent at that—it’s contained in many shampoos and is a skin irritant for many.  SLS is just one ingredient that your body may be happier if you skip out on.

Being Gentle to Sensitive Teeth

 It’s not just your body that could benefit. While many people have no problem with traditional toothpaste, some find the textures or ingredients hurt their teeth. If you have sensitive teeth, you may want to consider testing out a natural toothpaste option.

Benefitting the Environment

Of course, being branded as “natural” does not directly translate to responsible manufacturing. But for many companies, as Tom’s explains,

“…a commitment to natural ingredients translates into a respect for the earth.”

Things to Consider

            If you’re thinking about making the switch to all-natural when it comes to your toothpaste, there are a few things to keep in mind as well.

Fluoride is your friend.

This is the most important one. Fluoride is a mineral found in traditional toothpastes. Your dentist probably puts fluoride on your teeth when you go for checkups. You may even take fluoride supplements. Some natural toothpastes are marketed as “fluoride-free,” as if this were another harmful chemical you should be wary of. These are not the natural toothpastes you should opt for, unless specifically recommended by your dentist.

Tyrone Rodriguez is a dentist and a spokesperson for the ADA. In an article for Healthline, he states,

“It’s vital that everyone uses a toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride is a natural cavity fighter that helps strengthen tooth enamel and fight decay. In fact, it has been responsible for a significant drop in cavities since 1960. This is why all toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance contain fluoride.”

            If you see a toothpaste that boasts being “fluoride-free,” discuss with your dentist whether that would help or hurt your teeth. This leads us to the second thing to keep in mind when opting for a natural toothpaste:

Your dentist knows best.

            If you’re unsure about the best toothpaste option for your teeth, speak with your dentist. If your dentist provides you with guidance, (for example, recommending that you steer clear of fluoride-free toothpaste), be sure to follow it! There are many options out there on the market, and it can be difficult to discern which will actually benefit your teeth. Natural toothpastes can have great benefits, but be sure to follow the advice of dental professionals and use discernment before trying something new.