What's in your toothpaste? (And what would you rather not have in it)
What's in toothpaste? The main ingredients
Most toothpastes consist of a solid base of ingredients. Each has a clear function.
Fluoride
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and reduces the chance of cavities. Adult toothpaste usually contains around 1350-1500 ppm fluoride.
For children, this is lower, as they tend to swallow toothpaste more often.
Important to know: fluoride works primarily locally (on your teeth), not systemically. Therefore, spitting it out after brushing is recommended.
Abrasives
Abrasives remove plaque and stains. The following ingredients are often found in toothpaste:
- silica (silicon dioxide)
- sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
They polish your teeth, so to speak. The nuance: too mild is ineffective, too coarse can cause wear and tear in the long term.
Foaming agents (surfactants)
These create foam, allowing toothpaste to spread better.
Common examples:
- sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
- cocamidopropyl betaine - natural alternative
They have no direct impact on your dental health, but they do affect the user experience. Some people develop canker sores from SLS.
Other common ingredients explained
Flavorings and sweeteners
Without flavor, toothpaste would be quite bitter. That's why aromas, such as mint oil, are added.
Sweeteners like saccharin or xylitol make it more pleasant without adding sugar.
Humectants and binders
These ensure that toothpaste does not dry out and maintains a good consistency.
Examples:
- glycerin
- sorbitol
- xanthan gum
Functional, but not very exciting from a health perspective. A sorbitol allergy occurs with some regularity.
Preservatives and colorants
Preservatives prevent bacterial growth in the packaging.
Colorants give toothpaste a fresh appearance. Think of CI numbers on the packaging.
Some substances, such as titanium dioxide (CI 77891), are under scrutiny. It is prohibited in the EU to process titanium dioxide in food.
Are chemical substances in toothpaste safe?
The short answer: usually yes, provided you use it as intended.
When it IS safe
- You use a normal amount (pea-sized)
- You spit out the toothpaste
- You choose a product that falls within EU regulations
Within Europe, toothpastes are strictly controlled. This does not mean that everything is "perfect", but it does mean that it remains within safe margins.
When to pay more attention
There are situations where it makes sense to look more critically:
- young children who swallow toothpaste
- sensitive mouth (e.g., prone to canker sores → watch out for SLS)
- preference for as few synthetic additives as possible
This is less about "dangerous" and more about personal tolerance and preference.
What about polymers and microplastics?
This is what many conscious consumers have questions about.
Polymers are plastics used as binders or for texture. Some of these are soluble (and therefore not microplastics), others are not.
Microplastics are small, non-biodegradable plastic particles. They used to be more common in toothpaste, for example as scrubbing particles.
- In the EU, many of these applications have now been restricted or banned.
- Nevertheless, certain synthetic polymers may still be present.
Also read the article about polymers and microplastics.
Fluoride: useful or to be avoided?
When fluoride makes sense
For most people, fluoride remains the standard, as it demonstrably helps prevent cavities.
Especially for:
- increased risk of caries
- less optimal oral hygiene
- children (in adapted dosage)
If you want to read more about fluoride, you can find it here on the website of the Voedingscentrum.
Alternatives to fluoride
More and more people are consciously choosing differently. Known alternatives:
-
Hydroxyapatite
Resembles natural tooth material and is used to support enamel -
Herbal extracts and minerals
Aimed at mild care without protection or restoration
Want to know more about fluoride or hydroxyapatite? Read this blog.
Animal ingredients in toothpaste: is it vegan?
What many people don't know: toothpaste is not automatically vegan. Many formulas contain animal ingredients. For example, glycerin, which can be both plant-based and animal-based, or calcium compounds that are sometimes derived from animal sources. Certain colorants or excipients can also have an animal origin, although this is less common.
If you want to be sure that a toothpaste is vegan, look for:
- an explicit "vegan" claim or certification mark
- transparency about the origin of ingredients
- brands that actively communicate about this
So, it comes down to this: most traditional toothpastes are not inherently vegan, but there are definitely plant-based options on the market.
How to choose a toothpaste that suits you?
A simple way to choose:
Step 1: Determine your priority
- maximum protection against cavities → fluoride
- natural & mild → alternative like nano hydroxyapatite
Step 2: Check the ingredient list and country of origin
Pay attention to:
- SLS (for sensitive mouth)
- Titanium dioxide
- synthetic substances
- polymers (if sustainability is important)
- plant-based or vegan
- made within NL/EU or outside
Step 3: Look at user experience
Taste and mouthfeel determine whether you stick with it. That is ultimately decisive.
Practical: what to look for when buying online?
Not every toothpaste online meets the same standards.
Pay attention to:
- sale within the EU (stricter regulations)
- transparent ingredient list
- clear origin of the brand
With dropshipping webshops, quality control is often more limited.
A safe choice: ReBloom Care
ReBloom Care is a Dutch brand that produces its toothpastes in the Netherlands. ReBloom Care focuses on oral care with attention to people and the environment.
The focus is on:
- no unnecessary additives and 100% plant-based
- effective formulas developed with dentists
- sustainable packaging choices
Want to experience for yourself how a toothpaste without unnecessary additives feels? Then it might be interesting to compare an alternative like ReBloom Care with your current toothpaste and notice the difference.
Summary
- Toothpaste usually contains fluoride, abrasives, and foaming agents.
- With normal use, toothpastes in the EU are safe, the question is only which ingredients you might prefer not to use yourself.
- Some ingredients (such as SLS or certain colorants) may be less pleasant for individuals.
- Microplastics have largely been phased out, but polymers (also a form of plastic) are still present.
- Fluoride is effective, and there are alternatives such as hydroxyapatite.
- The best choice depends on your personal preference, oral health, and values.
Micro-FAQ
1. Is fluoride-free toothpaste worse?
Not necessarily, but fluoride has the strongest evidence for cavity protection.
2. Are microplastics banned in toothpaste?
Yes, but synthetic polymers are still widely used.
3. How do I recognise a mild toothpaste?
Look for a low abrasion value, no SLS, and a short ingredient list.
4. Is natural toothpaste always better?
Not automatically. "Natural" says little about effectiveness. So it depends on the composition.