Xylitol toothpaste is super popular because it’s natural and prevents cavities. Used in combination with xylitol lozenges, breath mints or gum, it can also reduce plaque and strengthen tooth enamel. Its popularity is part of the problem – with so many toothpastes jumping on the xylitol bandwagon, how do you identify the one that’s right for you?
Well, that’s where we can help. In this article we tell you what xylitol is, how it works, whether it’s safe and 3 key facts you need to take into account when choosing a xylitol toothpaste.
We’ve also done all the hard work and summarized the six of the best xylitol toothpastes of 2020 in a handy table. Each one addresses other needs to help you find a toothpaste that meets all your oral health requirements.
And we provide quick reviews to help you further narrow down your choice.
What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol. It comes from hardwood trees and plants. It tastes like sugar.
How does Xylitol Prevent Tooth Decay?
Xylitol tastes like sugar, but doesn’t act like sugar
Cavity causing bacteria love sugar. When sugar ferments, bacteria feed off it, multiply and produce acid which erodes tooth enamel and causes tooth decay and other oral health problems.
But xylitol does not ferment, so cavity causing bacteria can’t use it. In fact, they waste energy trying to get rid of it, lose their ability to stick to teeth, starve and die off. But that’s not all. The mouth’s natural pH level is restored, more saliva is produced and tooth enamel is remineralized (strengthened). This stops cavities forming in the first place.
Various studies have supported the use of xylitol to prevent cavities.
So all in all it’s good news… as long as you use enough xylitol – often enough!
How to Find a Good Xylitol Toothpaste
Finding the right xylitol toothpaste, and using xylitol to its maximum advantage, involves understanding three key facts:
- Xylitol must be among the first ingredients shown. If it’s too far down the ingredients list there won’t be enough of it to work.
- Xylitol needs to be in contact with your mouth often enough, and in in big enough doses, to work. So, you should consider using other xylitol products during the day – like gum, mints or lozenges.
- Lastly, you should think about whether you want to combine the benefits of xylitol with fluoride.
Xylitol alone, or with Fluoride?
Xylitol reduces the growth of bacteria that cause cavities, can prevent plaque from forming, stabilize the pH value in the mouth and help to strengthen tooth enamel.
If you want to boost this enamel strengthening capacity, you may want to consider combining the power of xylitol with fluoride. Fluoride helps to harden enamel and repair existing damage, as well as preventing future damage.
There are some concerns over the addition of fluoride to toothpaste. If you share these, xylitol only toothpaste could be the solution you are looking for. Our best xylitol toothpastes include both fluoride and fluoride free options to help you identify the right product for you.
Is Xylitol Safe?
Xylitol has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. The main side-effect of xylitol is that, in large amounts, it can cause gas, loose stools or diarrhea.
Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. If your dog eats xylitol in any form, you must seek veterinary assistance immediately.
Best Xylitol Toothpastes
Squigle Enamel Saver Toothpaste
Pros
- 36% by weight of Xylitol – the most available in any brand
- Inhibits plaque growth and protects against cavities
- Sodium lauryl sulfate free
- Relieves canker sores, dry mouth and ulcers
- Contains fluoride
- Very mild flavour
- No artificial colors, flavours or sweeteners
- Patented foaming system is mild enough to be used in artificial tears
Cons
- Cost
- Ingredients are not listed on the product (but we have included them below)
Is Squigle Enamel Saver Toothpaste right for me? Squigle enamel saver has the greatest xylitol content of any brand on the market. Combined with sodium fluoride it will both prevent cavities and repair damage already done. It has very positive reviews on Amazon and is especially good for relieving sore or dry mouth conditions. If you are serious about xylitol, this is a product well worth considering. It is expensive but has more xylitol for your buck than its competitors so is worth the investment.
Ingredients 0.24% sodium fluoride, 36% xylitol, water, silica, glycerin, poloxamer, cellulose gum, flavor, anatase, Methocel, glycyrrhizin, sodium hydroxide.
- Squigle contains no sodium lauryl sulfate so it is ideal for Canker Sore sufferers
- Helps prevent Canker Sores, Dry Mouth, Mouth Ulcers, Perioral Dermatitis
- SQUIGLE has 36% by weight of Xylitol (Made from birch and beech trees). The more Xylitol in your toothpaste,...
Epic Dental Xylitol Toothpaste with Fluoride
Pros
- 31% of xylitol by weight, a high value
- Gluten, sugar and sodium lauryl sulphate free
- Refreshing spearmint flavor
- Contains fluoride
Cons
- Contains carrageenan (a natural seaweed product that can cause irritation)
- Contains sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (better than sodium lauryl sulphate but can still be an irritant)
Is Epic Dental Xylitol Toothpaste with Fluoride Toothpaste right for me? This is a product with a high percentage of xylitol so you will get more benefit from this than from others with lower content. Combined with fluoride it will help to repair as well as prevent cavities and reduce plaque. A fluoride free version is available but the xylitol content is less, at 25%. The taste is refreshing and stronger than Squiggle, it is also slightly cheaper. There are one or two slightly questionable ingredients (see cons above).
Ingredients Sodium Fluoride, Purified Water, Xylitol, Hydrated Silica, Vegetable Glycerin, Natural Flavors, Cellulose Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Calcium Glycerophosphate, Carrageenan, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA.
- Toothpaste contains NO Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Twice a day aids you with Dentist-Recommended 6 Daily Grams of Xylitol
- Toothpaste containts 31% Xylitol
Spry Kid’s Xylitol Tooth Gel
Pros
- Fluoride free
- All-Natural Ingredients
- Safe enough to swallow
- Sodium lauryl sulfate free
- Xylitol is the second listed ingredient so the content is high
- 90% positive rating on Amazon
- Variety of mild flavors
- Suitable for adults
Cons
- Actual percentage of xylitol is not stated
- Lack of fluoride may be an issue for some
Is Spry Kid’s Xylitol Tooth Gel right for me? This is a delightfully natural gel product which is available in three great flavors, original, strawberry banana and bubblegum. Though it does not contain fluoride, the plaque/cavity reducing properties of xylitol are boosted by the addition of calcium. If you can get on board with the flavors, it’s suitable for adults too and safe enough to swallow. With its 90% five star rating on Amazon, it’s a definite for kids and a definite maybe for the whole family!
Ingredients: Purified water, xylitol, calcium glycerophosphate, cellulose gum, natural flavoring, grapefruit seed extract.
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Spry Xylitol Toothpaste Fluoride Free
Pros
- Cooling spearmint flavor
- High Xylitol content
- Aloe soothes irritation and moisturizes mouth
- Anti-Plaque and Tartar Control formulation
- Cranberry Extract adds protection against bacteria and irritation
- Foaming ingredients are not irritants
- Non-GMO Ingredients
Cons
- Recent change in formula has led to a change in taste that some users dislike
- Expensive and tube size is small
Is Spry Xylitol toothpaste right for me? Spry is a popular brand of toothpaste. There are lots of ingredients in the tube and the formulation is thoughtful. The foaming ingredients are not irritating and the addition of aloe helps to moisturize the mouth and relieve the symptoms of dry mouth. If you suffer from plaque or tartar build up, this is toothpaste has been put together with that in mind. Xylitol is fairly high up the list of ingredients, though the actual percentage is not given. It’s a pricey product and the tubes are small – but it is very favorably reviewed on Amazon. In addition, a fluoride version is available.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Silica, Xylitol, Erythritol, Lauryl glucoside, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, zinc citrate, Cranberry fruit extract, aloe leaf juice, xanthan gum, cellulose gum, stevia, natural peppermint, sodium benzoate, titanium dioxide.
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Now XyliWhite Platinum Mint Toothpaste Gel
Pros
- 25% xylitol
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphate free
- Uses whitening power of baking soda and papain (from papaya)
- Fresh mint taste
- Fluoride, gluten and paraben free
- Safe for adults and children
Cons
- Contains carrageenan (a natural seaweed product that can cause irritation)
Is Now XyliWhite Platinum Mint right for me? Baking soda is a hugely popular and effective ingredient for whitening teeth. XyliWhite boosts its power with the addition of papaya. If you want to add the natural powers of xylitol to this heady mix, then XyliWhite is a toothpaste you should definitely consider. It won’t break the bank yet contains a high percentage of xylitol so represents good value for money. And since it’s fluoride free and naturally formulated it can be used by the whole family.
Ingredients: water, xylitol (25%), hydrated silica, sodium bicarbonate (whitening), glycerin, sorbitol, natural peppermint flavor, sodium coco-sulfate, chondrus crispus (carrageenan), potassium sorbate, papain, sodium carbonate, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, papain (whitening).
- CLEANSES AND WHITENS: XyliWhite is a remarkable fluoride-free toothpaste gel that uses xylitol as its main...
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- FRESH TASTE: Formulated with the purest ingredients. Free of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate).
Probiotic Charcoal Toothpaste
Pros
- Promotes beneficial bacteria
- Controls harmful bacteria using xylitol and coconut oil
- Maintains healthy pH balance
- Fights bad breath at source
- Whitens with activated charcoal which absorbs stains and gently polishes teeth
- Safe for adults and children
- Free of fluoride, sodium lauryl sulphate, harsh detergents and artificial coloring
- All natural, non GMO ingredients
Cons
- Cost
- Black paste – takes a bit of getting used to
Is Probiotic Charcoal Toothpaste right for me? This toothpaste is formulated on the basis that great oral health depends on not just killing bad oral bacteria, but also increasing good oral bacteria. So if you are looking for an all natural toothpaste which encourages your body’s own defenses to work to the max, this is the product for you.
There has been no 3rd party testing of abrasivity, but the abrasives used (activated charcoal and Diatomaceous earth) were chosen because they are so mild.
Probiotic helps to repopulate your mouth with beneficial bacteria which go head to head with problems like bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. At the same time it uses the power of activated charcoal and xylitol to starve off and eliminate the bad guys that cause oral health issues. It’s gentle spearmint flavor and all natural formulation make it safe for the whole family. It is pricey but multi packs can cut down on cost.
Ingredients: water, diatomaceous earth, xylitol, organic coconut oil, activated charcoal, baking soda, citric acid, Dental-LacTM (deactivated Lactobacillus paracasei, tapioca maltodextrin), spearmint oil, tea tree oil and xanthan gum.
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Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hi!
I’m interested in using the Probiotic Charcoal Toothpaste, however, I’ve read that activated charcoal may be abrasive on the teeth? Is there a way to find out what the RDA is for the toothpaste?
Thanks.
Hi Maimoonah. Thanks for your question. Whenever we write reviews for toothpaste we do our best to find the RDA for each product. Sadly, we were unable to track one down for Probiotic Charcoal Toothpaste. I have asked the question on https://www.hyperbiotics.com/pages/customer-center and will add the RDA to the review if I hear. You could perhaps ask yourself, if two of us ask, we stand a better chance of a response!
Hi Maimoonah, I have received this message from the manufacturers after following up your enquiry, “We have not had our Activated Charcoal Probiotic Toothpaste tested by a third party for RDA, but the abrasives we use (activated charcoal and Diatomaceous earth) were chosen because they are so mild. This product is gentle yet effective, can be used twice daily, and was designed to be a natural solution to polishing and whitening teeth without any of the harsh bleaches and abrasive chemicals used in most toothpaste and whitening products today.”
I object to any sweetener but xylitol being added to toothpaste. Every since toothpaste started having aspartame and sucrolose added I had to start making my own.
I have developed a great formula for myself using xylitol. I like xylitol a lot I wish there were more mints and gums that had it in it. I can’t eat anything that has aspartame in it I am terribly allergic to it.