Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you, and for many of us, it’s the first thing we notice about ourselves, too. Did you know that over 99% of people believe an attractive smile is an important asset to your appearance? But achieving that perfect smile involves a bit more than just brushing your teeth every day (remember that pesky floss?).

From the foods you eat to the toothpaste you use, oral health is a full-time job. First things first? Let’s talk about your toothpaste. There have been quite a few discussions around fluoride lately, to use or not to use? That seems to be the question. While there’s no wrong answer, knowing the difference between fluoride-free toothpaste and fluoride toothpaste can help you make the right decision for your oral health and oral care routine.

Fluoride vs. Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

There are many benefits to using both fluoride and fluoride-free toothpaste, it just depends on what you and your teeth are looking for. Let us help you break it down.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and freshwater sources like lakes and rivers (sometimes it even occurs naturally in the ocean). As we go about our day-to-day lives, consuming our favorite foods and beverages, minerals are constantly being added to and lost from, our tooth’s enamel layer.

Acids from plaque and sugars that stay in our mouth attack our enamel and wear it out over time. Minerals like fluoride and calcium can help protect this important layer of our teeth and help them become more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and other bacteria that live in the mouth. Small amounts of fluoride exposure can help protect our teeth from cavities by keeping them strong.

Why Are People Choosing Fluoride-Free Toothpaste, Then?

While small amounts of fluoride are recommended, the amount of fluoride in many common toothpaste brands tends to be a bit on the heavy side. Because we can get fluoride naturally from some of the foods we eat and much of the water we drink, many people believe this is enough! Cavities aren’t caused by a lack of fluoride, but a combination of bacterial build-up on the teeth that ultimately weakens them, which can be attributed to our brushing and flossing habits, food choices, and much more.

Much of the fluoride toothpaste on the market today also contains sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), as well as artificial sweeteners. These are what’s known as ‘surfactants,’ and they can interfere with how our taste buds function (like enhancing bitter tastes. You know how sometimes it’s tough to eat right after you’ve brushed? The above surfactants may be a contributing factor.)

Fluoride-free toothpaste options are great when it comes to improving the look and feel of your teeth. They still do the same work and achieve the same results of regular toothpaste, but with different ingredients.

Plant-Based Alternatives

Plant-based, fluoride-free toothpaste offers the same clean feeling our teeth crave with no compromise when it comes to foam or flavor. Additionally, being plant-based, there’s no sodium laurel sulfate (SLS), triclosan, carrageenan, gluten or harsh abrasives. Himalaya’s botanical toothpaste relies on neem, cinnamon, mint, pomegranate and many other plant-based ingredients for their cleansing and whitening abilities.  

Many of these ingredients have a long history of oral health benefits. Fluoride-free toothpaste from Himalaya includes:

• Neem + Pomegranate
  • Neem has been used in toothpaste for quite some time, and is one of history’s favorite ingredients for oral care. Neem is a tropical plant from Asia, whose twigs have been used as toothbrushes by native populations for thousands of years. Many people still continue this practice today, even though modern dental care products are available to them. This “antiquated” method results in excellent shining smiles, even by modern standards, for its fluoride-free tooth whitening boost. Pomegranate adds antioxidant content and plaque fighting ability.

• Bamboo + Sea Salt
  • Bamboo is gentle and famous for its strong fibers and silica that help to give teeth that smooth, clean feeling. By infusing it with purified sea salt for fresh breath and coconut oil for soothing comfort, this toothpaste provides a fresh-brushing experience.

• Charcoal + Black Seed Oil
  • Combining the whitening power of charcoal from coconut seed powder with the cleansing ability of black seed oil and neem, you’ll get the foaming ability of regular toothpaste with a clean and flavorful taste.
    
    
• Cinnamon
  • Wake up your taste buds with this combination of neem and tingling cinnamon to fight plaque, whiten teeth and leave you with extra fresh breath.
    
    
• Mint & Spearmint
  • Long-lasting fresh breath, cool, sweet and subtle. We then add neem for its famous cleansing ability and pomegranate for antioxidant content and plaque-fighting properties.
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• Peppermint Whitening Toothpaste
  • Leverages enzymes from papaya and pineapple to whiten teeth and remove surface stains with the bracing peppermint flavor for a refreshed mouth.
    
    
• Turmeric + Coconut Oil
  • The botanical boost from golden yellow turmeric, known for generations for cleansing and wellness, combined with coconut oil, stevia, and mint-fresh flavor brightens teeth and helps fight plaque.

Himalaya fluoride-free toothpastes are free from triclosan, carrageenan, SLS, and gluten, and loaded with the foamy texture (thanks coconut oil!) and great taste (plant-based ingredients) you’ll love. Each toothpaste leverages the time-honored cleansing abilities of neem to leave you feeling great about your toothpaste and even better about your smile.

Fluoride-Free Oral Health Care from Himalaya

If you’re looking for a plant-based alternative or need to reduce your fluoride intake, try one of the Himalaya Botanique fluoride-free toothpastes. Your new smile is only a few brushes away.

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_{*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.}