From shampoo bottles to deodorant sticks, when shopping for daily personal hygiene, it can be hard to find products you love and trust without accumulating waste. Considering the average person goes through six tubes of toothpaste a year, toothpaste tablets are a new and convenient alternative to the thick plastic tubes.
Toothpaste tablets are composed of the same cleaning ingredients for healthy teeth without the mess of traditional tubes. They’re held together by a plant material called microcrystalline cellulose to keep their solid shape.
Instead of putting toothpaste directly on your toothbrush, simply grab a tablet, softly bite down and then chew for a few seconds. When the toothpaste tablets are exposed to your saliva, the plant material naturally breaks down to create a foamy and minty liquid just like traditional toothpaste. Below are five eco-friendly toothpaste tablets that can leave you with a clean conscience and smile.
Why Switch to Toothpaste Tablets?
Simple and small changes in product size, shape and material are known to lead to lower carbon emissions. Traditional toothpaste is usually composed of about 20 to 40% water in order to keep the product from drying out. Waterless, compact hygienic products such as natural shampoo bars, eco-friendly laundry detergent tabs and toothpaste tablets are another way to reduce the need for excessive plastic packaging.
Other than toothpaste tablets being effective at reducing waste, they also have benefits where traditional toothpaste falls short. For example:
- When in tablet form, you can always count on having perfect portions and never have to worry about squeezing the last few drops out of the bottom of the tube.
- Tablets lower the risk of accidental messes that traditional toothpaste tubes present, especially with kids.
- If you share a sink with someone else in your household, using tablets eliminates the contact between the toothpaste tube and your toothbrush, preventing bacteria from spreading.
- The compact size also makes these perfect for traveling, as they can be taken almost anywhere for on-the-go oral care.
4 Best Toothpaste Tablets
When choosing our top recommended toothpaste tablets, we looked at factors including:
- Ingredients: We checked products for key ingredients for a healthy smile, such as baking soda and xylitol. Fluoride is recommended by most doctors to strengthen enamel, but those with sensitive teeth may prefer to choose products without fluoride.
- Packaging: All of the products listed below come in plastic-free or eco-friendly reusable packaging such as glass jars, tin cans and recycled paper containers.
- Effectiveness and customer satisfaction: Cleaning power, taste and fresh feeling all play an important role when choosing a personal hygiene product. We looked for dentist recommendations and positive customer reviews.
Based on these criteria, we’ve determined these four products to be the best toothpaste tablets available today:
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Best Overall: Weldental Chewtab
weldental.com
The Weldental Chewtab gentle whitening toothpaste tablet is our best overall recommendation because of its outstanding customer satisfaction and benefits for those with sensitive teeth. This company makes it a goal to use simple but effective all-natural ingredients. Weldental Chewtabs are one of the only silica-free toothpaste tablets on the market. Silica is a commonly used mineral, but it can actually damage your enamel due to its abrasiveness.
The toothpaste tabs are sealed in a BPI-certified compostable bag and are shipped in Amazon-certified Climate Pledge Friendly packaging. They also come in a refillable glass jar. Adults and kids can find a flavor they love with options peppermint, bubblegum, vanilla and cinnamon.
Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars with about 700 Amazon ratings
Why buy: Made and manufactured in the US, Weldental tablets have compact and low-emission packaging. They are fluoride- and sulfate-free, don’t contain artificial sweeteners, and use sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, as a gentle whitening agent.
Best Fluoride Tablets: GloBoid Toothpaste Tablets With Fluoride
GloBoid
The plastic-free toothpaste tablets from GloBoid come in an airtight cardboard tube. The packaging is designed to conveniently take the bottle anywhere you go, then recycle it when you’re finished. They also include the dentist-recommended amount of fluoride per tablet.
GloBoid’s tablets come in a natural mint flavor for a fresh feel, or there’s a charcoal toothpaste tab option for a whiter smile. And if you’re not happy with the product, GloBoid offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars with over 275 Amazon ratings
Why buy: Globoid tablets are non-GMO, cruelty-free, vegan and sulfate-free. Their packaging is 100% recyclable, and the formula of the tabs promotes a healthy and strong smile.
Best Flavor Variety: t-brush Whitening New Generation Toothpaste Tablets
T brush
T-brush Whitening New Generation Toothpaste Tablets were developed by pharmaceutical professors at Hacettepe University and Yeditepe University in Turkey. They come in an abundance of flavors such as spearmint, activated charcoal, strawberry and orange. These easy-to-chew tablets and fruity flavors are a perfect way to help keep kids’ teeth healthy. For those who have sensitive teeth, t-brush offers fluoride and fluoride-free tablet options.
Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars with over 100 Amazon ratings
Why buy: T-brush toothpaste tablets are sulfate-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free and vegan. The tablets are packed in a small glass jar that comes in a box made with Forest Stewardship Council-certified materials to ensure environmental responsibility.
Best Environmental Impact: Pure Earth Biodegradable Toothpaste Tablets with Fluoride
pureearthessential.com
Developed by dentists in the United Kingdom, the Pure Earth fluoride toothpaste tablets have a minty flavor and the recommended amount of fluoride per tablet. One of the main ingredients is a naturally occurring white clay packed with minerals called kaolin. This natural cleaning agent is completely safe and works to polish teeth gently. The 60 teeth whitening tablets are packed in a paper bag that can be recycled after use.
Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars with about 75 Amazon ratings
Why buy: These toothpaste tablets are Amazon-certified Climate Pledge Friendly, cruelty-free, non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan. Pure Earth also donates a portion of its proceeds to charity partners such as Wells on Wheels and Plastic Oceans.
Frequently Asked Questions: Toothpaste Tablets
Are toothpaste tablets good for you?
Toothpaste tablets have the same benefits as regular toothpaste, just without the tube. The same essential ingredients such as baking soda, potassium nitrate, calcium carbonate and sometimes fluoride can be found in tablets. These tablets are designed to be effective and clean thoroughly in order to promote strong and healthy teeth as well as fresh breath.
Why are toothpaste tablets better?
Toothpaste tablets’ most noted benefit is their reduced carbon footprint. Eliminating plastic packaging plays a large role in producing fewer carbon emissions. Toothpaste tablets also have benefits traditional toothpaste doesn’t, such as set portions, less mess and travel convenience.
Do toothpaste tablets have fluoride?
Not all toothpaste tablet companies include fluoride in their products, but many do. Some companies have fluoride and fluoride-free options. Others, such as Weldental, use an alternative to fluoride called nano-hydroxyapatite that can be a better choice for those with sensitive teeth or fluoride allergies.
Can you swallow toothpaste tablets?
Although toothpaste tablets usually have more gentle ingredients than traditional toothpaste, it is still recommended for the toothpaste to be spit out after brushing. Most ingredients in toothpaste are slightly abrasive in order to properly clean plaque and stains off of teeth. These abrasive ingredients can be toxic if ingested regularly.
How can I make my oral care more sustainable?
If you’re looking to increase the sustainability of your oral health routine, we recommend looking for products like zero-waste toothpaste tablets, compostable dental floss and bamboo toothbrushes.
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