Ultimate Vegan Toothpaste Guide: Is Toothpaste Vegan?
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Time to read 5 min
Brushing our teeth is a daily ritual that most don’t think twice about. Every day we reach for our toothbrush and toothpaste to freshen up, kick that morning breath, and tackle the day ahead.
If you’re like most of us, you’ve likely tried numerous brands of toothpaste until you found one that tastes good, whitens your teeth, and foams up just the way you like it.
But have you ever stopped to ask yourself if you’re currently using vegan toothpaste and what exactly is in it?
As an increasing number of consumers are choosing to pursue a cruelty-free, vegan lifestyle, there’s been a shift in consumer behavior that includes dental care.
So whether you’re in the process of trying different kinds of vegan toothpaste or considering making a change altogether – we’ve created the ultimate vegan toothpaste guide to help you next time you’re toothpaste shopping.
Why Isn't Toothpaste Vegan?
In most households, toothpaste is an everyday necessity. It’s deeply rooted in our daily routine, and we don’t give it much thought. And while it seems as though the ingredients should be pretty straight forward, it’s not that simple.
There are two main reasons why most toothpaste isn’t vegan.
- 1. Animal-derived ingredients
- 2. Animal testing
Let’s take an in-depth look at both of these so you can make an informed decision about your next toothpaste purchase.
Non-Vegan Toothpaste Ingredients
There are a few common animal-derived ingredients to be on the lookout for when buying toothpaste.
Glycerol (or glycerin) is a fat compound derived from plants or animals. In toothpaste, glycerol helps to sweeten the paste. It also preserves it and keeps it from drying out. Glycerol is what gives the toothpaste its smooth texture and allows it to glide across the surface of your teeth. The problem with this ingredient is that most manufacturers don’t specify whether it comes from plants or animals.
Propolis is a resinous material that bees create by mixing their saliva and beeswax. Propolis has been shown to slow the accumulation of calcium phosphate precipitates in oral tissues. Because of this, it can be used as an ingredient in mouthwash or toothpaste to reduce plaque buildup.
Natural Flavors (or flavoring) are defined by government regulations as those that derive their aroma or flavor from plant or animal sources such as fruit, meat, spices, herbs, roots, leaves, buds, or bark. On most toothpaste labels, it’s unclear whether the natural flavoring comes from plants or animals.
Unless it’s specified on the toothpaste label whether the ingredients are derived from plant or animal sources, it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Is Toothpaste Cruelty-Free?
Unfortunately, there are a lot of popular toothpaste brands that test artificial colors and the chemicals used in their products on animals. What’s worse is that many of the chemicals tested on animals have already been tested for safety and approved for use in the past.
Here is a list of some large name brands that still conduct animal testing:
- – Aquafresh
- – Crest
- – Mentadent
- – Pronamel
- – Sensodyne
- – Colgate
- – Arm & Hammer
It’s important to remember that even toothpaste labeled as vegan doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cruelty-free. Always check the label to ensure it is both vegan and cruelty-free.
Benefits Of Vegan Toothpaste
There are many benefits to swapping out your old toothpaste with a vegan and cruelty-free alternative. Your choice to make the shift directly impacts the animals used as ingredients and for testing. Most vegan brands also use natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals and dyes, which is beneficial to your overall health.
Also, vegan brands are typically more environmentally conscious and make an effort to ensure their products come in eco-friendly and sustainable packaging.
Two great alternatives to some of the more popular and conventional toothpaste are vegan toothpaste tabs and some fantastic zero-waste toothpaste brands.
The Rise Of Vegan Chewable Toothpaste Tabs
As consumers demand more environmentally friendly products, more and more companies are rising to meet them. And in recent years, the vegan chewable toothpaste tab has been getting a lot of attention.
So what are they, and why are they so trendy now?
Toothpaste tabs are a pretty simple concept, really. They are toothpaste in tablet form, similar to a pill, without the added water. They are compact and packed full of nutrients for your teeth. The tabs come in biodegradable or reusable packaging so you can continuously refill them.
Not only do they contain all-natural ingredients and are free from preservatives, sulfates, and parabens, but they are very travel-friendly. No more sticky messes in your suitcase!
If you’re interested in giving toothpaste tabs a go, here’s a list of some vegan, cruelty-free, eco-friendly brands you can try:
- – Bite
- – Unpaste tooth tabs
- – Dentos eco toothpaste tabs
- – Hello activated charcoal toothpaste tablets
- – Georganics toothpaste tabs
What Is Zero-Waste Toothpaste?
Each year 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes are discarded globally. Due to their complex composition of mixed-materials packaging, they are challenging to recycle. A large majority end up in landfills and our oceans. Once there, it can take up to 500 years for just one toothpaste tube to break down.
Zero-waste toothpaste aims to prevent harmful plastics from going to landfills to protect the environment. Eco-friendly toothpaste brands create their products with the goal that they are biodegradable, compostable, and reusable.
Some companies out there, such as Tom’s and Colgate’s new vegan line, make their toothpaste tubes out of #2 HDPE plastic. And while HDPE plastic is recyclable and can be reused, it’s important to note that it’s not biodegradable.
Typically, zero-waste toothpaste containers are made from glass, recyclable metal, or compostable bags.
When in doubt, always make sure you’re checking the label to ensure it’s 100% recyclable or compostable.
5 Best Vegan Toothpaste Brands
Choosing to switch up your routine and try different alternatives can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, some incredible companies are out there creating easy-to-use, innovative, and environmentally friendly options.
Wherever you are on your toothpaste journey, Vegancuts is here to help keep you fresh! We’ve partnered with some fantastic brands that share our values and want to make a difference.
So if you’re not ready to give up paste altogether but want to take action to live a more sustainable, cruelty-free lifestyle, check out some of our favorite vegan, eco-friendly toothpaste products.
And as a bonus to ramp up your oral hygiene regimen, you can shop in our market for zero-waste dental floss.
1. Terra & Co. Black Charcoal Organic Toothpaste
- ✅ Vegan
- ✅ Cruelty-free
- ✅ Sustainable packaging
- ✅ Recyclable tube
2. Davids Premium Natural Toothpaste
- ✅ Vegan
- ✅ Cruelty-free
- ✅ Sustainable packaging
- ✅ Recyclable tube
3. Hello
- ✅ Vegan
- ✅ Cruelty-free
- ✅ Sustainable packaging
- ✅ Offers recycling program for all products
4. Tom’s Of Maine
- ✅ Vegan
- ✅ Cruelty-free
- ✅ Sustainable packaging
- ✅ Recyclable tube
5. Nelson Naturals
- ✅ Vegan
- ✅ Cruelty-free
- ✅ Sustainable packaging
- ✅ Reusable jar
Jillian Kincaid
Jillian is a freelance writer based out of Portland, OR. She has been vegan for 7 years and passionate about the written word for as long as she can remember. In her free time she enjoys reading, traveling, loving on her pup Nala, and exploring new vegan restaurants!
