Sustainable Dental Care: Vegan Xylitol-Free Toothpastes
As awareness grows surrounding personal health, environmental sustainability, and pet safety, many consumers are re-evaluating their daily hygiene routines. Toothpaste is a prime area for this swap: traditional options often come in multi-layer plastic tubes that end up in landfills.
Many contain synthetic harsh foaming agents, or rely on ingredients like xylitol—a sugar alcohol that, while beneficial for human cavity protection, can pose severe toxicity risks to domestic household pets like dogs if accidentally ingested. Also found in gum and some baked goods.
Finding a toothpaste that meets all specific standards – vegan and free from xylitol and made with natural ingredients in zero waste packaging can feel daunting. But pioneering oral care brands have risen to the challenge, creating eco-conscious alternatives without compromising on performance.
Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing. Avoid any dental care products sweetened with xylitol (lethal to pets – use a gum drop bin for chewing gum, to avoid littering). Do not compost floss, as it would tangle (essential oils can harm compost creatures).
Should you use fluoride or not?
Holistic dentists say flouride is not needed, simply avoid refined sugar and soda, brush your teeth regularly and have regular dental check-ups. Conventional dentists recommend fluoride, it’s up to you.
But spit out toothpastes containing them, and always supervise older children (and only use for age 7+).
How to recycle toothpaste packaging
You can now recycle toothpaste tubes and bottles at most kerbside collections. If not, recycle at Boots or Superdrug collection boxes.
ZING (a natural toothpaste to strengthen teeth)
ZING is a fresh-tasting toothpaste brand from Yorkshire, again vegan and free from harsh foaming agents. It contains a naturally occuring mineral to repair enamel and ‘fill in exposed dentine’ to prevent sensitive teeth. Papain enzyme (from papaya) helps to gently remove tea/coffee stains.
Use coupon code England10 for discount
Choose from several flavours:
- Peach
- Mint
- Apple Kiwi
- Lemon
Waken Sensitive Care Toothpaste
Waken Sensitive Care Toothpaste is free from fooaming agents and titanium dioxide (so it won’t foam and isn’t white), flavoured with spearmint, and contains chamomile and candula, with a toothpaste squeezer key.
It’s the only xylitol-free option in the range.
Waken Kids Toothpaste is also free from xylitol, in a watermelon flavour. Contains fluoride, so ensure children spit out excess.
Waken sensitive mouthwash (no alcohol)
Again, only the sensitive mouthwash is free from xylitol. Alcohol-free, it contains chamomile and calendula extracts to help prevent cavities, reduce plaque and support healthy gums. The floss is made from plastic and xylitol, so not recommended.
Georganics Zero Waste Dental Care
Georganic toothpaste tubes are made from natural ingredients including hydroxypatite, pre and probiotics and free from harsh chemicals. Free from harsh foaming agents. Contains fluoride.
Use discount code AWIN15 for 15% discount on all Georganics toothpastes. Avoid the gum near pets, as it contains xylitol. If using this brand’s sunscreens, wash off skin before letting pets kiss you, due to zinc oxide (same with deodorants, cosmetics and cocoa butter creams).
What is hydroxyapatite?
Hydroxyapatite is a natural mineral in tooth enamel that can strengthen teeth, protect against cavities and reduce tooth sensitivity. It can remineralise enamel, so is a great ingredient in natural toothpaste.
It works by forming a protective layer over teeth to fill in microscopic cracks and delivers minerals that protect against acidic foods and hot/cold foods.
This toothpaste is available in four types. Expect one toothpaste tube to last around 8 weeks, if used twice a day:
- Fennel (without fluoride) tastes like aniseed.
- Prebiotics/probiotics (without fluoride) with peppermint oil.
- Fresh Mint (with fluoride)
- Activated charcoal (with fluoride)
Sold with an optional tube squeezer
The optional tube squeezer enables you get every last drop of toothpaste from the tube, to avoid waste. Just order with your first purchase, to last a lifetime.
Slide the key at the top of the tube, then roll the key up or down to get the last toothpaste out. It’s recommended to use this at the beginning, not just when you reach the end of the tube.
You can also use the key for tubes of tomato paste.
Children’s toothpastes (with or without fluoride)
This toothpaste is also available in a strawberry version for children (with or without fluoride). It contains erythritol to help reduce plaque and protect against bacteria.
Georganics Natural Toothpastes (in glass jars)
Georganic toothpaste in glass jars are made from natural ingredients including coconut oil as a base, calcium carbonate and essential oils for a gentle and thorough clean. They are free from water, foam and harsh chemicals, just ingredients designed to work with your body.
These toothpastes use coconut oil to replace water and synthetic gels as a base. This way they also don’t need any artificial preservatives, and oil has a natural affinity with soft tissue in your mouth. Coconut oil is also naturally anti-bacterial and acts as a great carrier for calcium carbonate
To use, you just use a small spatula (included in many jars) to scoop the toothpaste onto your brush (use separate spatulas for hygiene, if sharing a jar). If you don’t have a spatula, just use a clean finger.
These toothpastes have no foam or minty taste, but they work just as well. But may just take a few days to adjust to new habits!
The range includes:
- Peppermint (fresh taste)
- Charcoal peppermint (natural whitening)
- Spearmint
- Tea Tree
- Orange (with fluoride)
Children’s toothpastes (with or without fluoride)
This toothpaste is also available in a strawberry version for children (with or without fluoride). It contains remineralising hydroxyapapite.
Georganics Natural Toothpaste Powders
Georganics Natural Toothpaste Powders feature concentrated active minerals, calcium carbonate, sodium biocarbonate and essential oils, in a waterless format. No paste, foam or fillers.
Just dip a wet toothbrush into the jar, and let the ingredients get to work. They polish the tooth surface, help to break down plaque and tartar, and naturally whiten teeth. As there are no fillers to dilute the active ingredients, these are very effective to clean your teeth.
The tooth powders are in five flavours:
- Activated charcoal for natural whitening with peppermint oil
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Tea tree
- Orange
Georganics Toothpaste Tablets (in glass jars)
Georganic toothpaste tablets are made from natural ingredients including calcium carbonate, pressed into tabs that you simply chew in your mouth, then use a wet toothbrush to use just like toothpaste.
Ideal for travel, in easy-to-recycle glass jars. Once you have run out, just order the refill packs in brown paper bags, to save buying new jars.
The range includes:
- Activated charcoal (natural whitening)
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
Denttabs (stevia-sweetened toothpaste tablets)
Denttabs are liquid-free toothpaste tablets that you chew in your mouth, then use with a wet toothbrush, to replace conventional toothpaste. In a fresh minty flavour or fruity strawberry, these tooth tablets (designed for adults) have a high cellulose content, so gently polish your teeth. Contain fluoride.
The sodium bicarbonate reacts with citric acid, to adjust the PH of the tab to a neutral value, during tooth brushing. Naturally sweetened with stevia.
