What is the Best Alkaline Non-Fluoride Toothpaste?
- Dr. Pearl E. Whites
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
Quick Summary: Of nearly 200 non-fluoride toothpastes in the USA market, only six toothpastes are not acidic and perform the four major categories needed in a toothpaste for adequate protection. The rest fall short. Results included how each toothpaste compares.
Researching 450 toothpastes, 40% do NOT contain fluoride, which shows a demand for alternative options. The FDA does not require a brand to clinically prove the efficacy of their non-fluoride toothpaste except that they are “safe to use.” Under this standard, cosmetic (natural) toothpastes can be sold without validated clinical benefits meaning what you pay for is not what you necessarily get--like buying a nice home only to discover it is full of asbestos.
Why Acidity Matters
Cavities need an acidic environment (0-5.5pH) to form and thrive. Sodas are typically 2-4pH so when someone has a flavored drink this bathes the teeth immediately initiating the cavity process. Brushing over time with acidic non-fluoride toothpastes lack the protective features and erode enamel more rapidly--essentially like brushing teeth with soda. Hence, non-fluoride toothpastes must be alkaline.
What Makes a Good Non-Fluoride Toothpaste?
Fluoride prevents cavities and is the most effective ingredient to do so. If you still choose to not use fluoride toothpastes, we highly recommend selecting a toothpaste that satisfies four major functions:
Reinforcement--provides molecules that fortify and rebuild enamel infrastructure
Ingredient options: hydroxyapatite, nano calcite, tricalcium phosphate
Note that some brands claim calcium carbonate or dicalcium phosphate clean and reinforce teeth. but these are not a sufficient reinforcement agent.
Cleanser--abrasives that remove external debris, stains, plaque, and tartar
Ingredient options: calcium carbonate or peroxide, chalk, charcoal, diatomaceous earth, dicalcium phosphate, hydrated silica, sodium bicarbonate
Plaque Inhibition--creates a slippery environment for plaque to not adhere
Ingredient options: papain, many phosphate or sodium derivatives, sodium bicarbonate
Antibacterial--alters the bacterial content that induce cavity formation
Ingredient options: citrate, lactate, lactoferrin, xylitol, zinc
**These ingredients are not comprehensive but are most commonly used
What is the Best Alkaline Toothpaste with No Fluoride?
The following natural toothpastes tested satisfy all four criteria at a healthy pH:
All other natural toothpastes tested contain 0-3 of those four criteria & are deficient in protection regardless of their packaging or marketing appeal. If you are not protecting your teeth with fluoride, you need a toothpaste with maximum alternative protection.
Testing Criteria References:
Score: Determined if a toothpaste contains 0-4 of the verified protective features. A score of 4 contains all four protective measures.
pH: Ideal pH is greater than 5.5pH. Toothpaste pH listed below is an average since all toothpastes have a range usually within 1.0-1.5 of their stated pH value.
🟢 Green (Healthy): Safely alkaline with a pH range entirely above the 5.5pH threshold
🟡 Yellow (Borderline): The average pH range dips below 5.5pH
🔴 Red (Acidic): The core pH average range is well below the 5.5pH safety zone
** We maintain a strict standard of editorial independence. We are not paid, sponsored, or endorsed by any of these oral care manufacturing brands to publish these clinical data findings.
Score | pH | Toothpaste Brands |
2 | 7.5 | |
2 | 8.3 | |
1 | 8.9 | |
1 | 8.9 | |
1 | 8.9 | |
1 | 8.9 | |
1 | 8.9 | |
1 | 8.9 | |
2 | 9.0 | |
4 | 9.0 | |
4 | 9.0 | |
4 | 9.0 | |
2 | 5.8 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
1 | 7.0 | |
1 | 8.2 | |
1 | 7.0 | |
2 | 6.8 | |
2 | 8.5 | |
4 | 9.0 | |
4 | 9.0 | |
3 | 7.0 | |
1 | 5.2 | |
1 | 6.3 | |
3 | 7.8 | |
3 | 7.8 | |
3 | 7.8 | |
3 | 7.8 | |
4 | 7.8 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
1 | 9.0 | |
1 | 9.0 | |
1 | 9.0 | |
2 | 9.0 | |
2 | 9.0 | |
2 | 8.7 | |
3 | 7.7 | |
3 | 7.7 | |
3 | 7.7 | |
3 | 7.7 | |
3 | 7.7 | |
3 | 7.7 | |
3 | 7.7 | |
3 | 7.7 | |
3 | 7.3 | |
3 | 7.3 | |
3 | 7.3 | |
3 | 7.3 | |
2 | 5.0 | |
2 | 5.0 | |
2 | 5.0 | |
2 | 7.3 | |
2 | 7.0 | |
2 | 7.0 | |
2 | 7.0 | |
2 | 7.3 | |
2 | 7.3 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
4 | 8.8 | |
3 | 8.8 | |
2 | 6.9 | |
2 | 6.9 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
0 | 7.3 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
1 | 7.8 | |
1 | 7.8 | |
1 | 7.8 | |
1 | 7.8 | |
2 | 7.8 | |
1 | 6.5 | |
1 | 6.5 | |
2 | 7.5 | |
2 | 7.5 | |
2 | 5.3 | |
3 | 5.3 | |
3 | 5.3 | |
3 | 5.3 | |
3 | 9.2 | |
3 | 9.0 | |
3 | 9.3 | |
3 | 8.7 | |
3 | 9.3 | |
3 | 7.5 | |
0 | 6.0 | |
0 | 6.0 | |
2 | 7.0 | |
3 | 7.0 | |
4 | 7.0 | |
4 | 7.0 | |
2 | 6.5 | |
1 | 8.3 | |
2 | 6.8 | |
1 | 6.8 | |
2 | 5.7 | |
0 | 5.6 | |
0 | 5.8 | |
0 | 5.8 | |
0 | 5.7 | |
1 | 9.3 | |
1 | 9.3 | |
1 | 9.3 | |
2 | 9.3 | |
3 | 7.3 | |
2 | 8.0 | |
2 | 8.0 | |
2 | 7.0 | |
2 | 7.0 | |
2 | 8.0 | |
2 | 8.0 | |
2 | 8.0 | |
2 | 8.2 | |
2 | 8.2 | |
2 | 7.0 | |
2 | 7.0 | The Natural Dentist Charcoal Whitening SLS-Free Toothpaste |
2 | 6.5 | |
2 | 7.5 | |
2 | 8.0 | |
3 | 8.6 | |
3 | 8.9 | |
2 | 8.0 | |
4 | 8.4 | |
1 | 9.7 | |
1 | 8.0 | |
1 | 9.8 | |
1 | 7.9 | |
2 | 7.0 |
**If a toothpaste is not on the list the company either refused to give measurable information, was discontinued, or was not easily found in the market. If you have a toothpaste you would like studied, please notify us to include in the list.
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