Mineral Toothpaste

The active ingredient here is hydroxyapatite, a mineral that makes up a large portion of tooth enamel and dentin. Risewell uses a nano-scale form (nHAp), which is widely used in toothpastes sold in Japan and Europe and is the subject of ongoing dental literature. The fluoride-free formulation uses this mineral rather than synthetic fluoride compounds.

The rest of the formula skips the ingredients that flag most in clean personal care: no SLS or SLES (cited in skin care literature for stripping the skin barrier and irritating mucous membranes), no carrageenan (a thickening agent with a contested safety record, particularly the degraded form), and no synthetic fragrance (a category term that can contain dozens of undisclosed chemicals including known allergens). Flavor and freshness come from actual essential oils: peppermint, wild mint, cinnamon bark, citrus peel, tea tree, thyme, eucalyptus, and anise.

Sweetness comes from xylitol and stevia rather than saccharin or artificial sweeteners. Glycerin appears third on the ingredient list; we note it because it is sometimes a concern for people doing their own ingredient research. One real household safety point: xylitol is toxic to dogs, so this toothpaste needs to be stored out of reach of pets.