4 Questionable Ingredients in Kids Toothpaste and a Better Swap
Flip over the tube in your kids' bathroom before you read this.
You read the labels on snacks. You skip the dyes in cereal. But the toothpaste your kids put in their mouths twice a day often gets a pass.
Look at the back of many popular kids' toothpastes and the same four ingredients keep showing up. None of them are there to make teeth healthier. Most are there for color, foam or taste.
Here's what they are, why a growing number of parents are skipping them, and the simple swap thousands of families have already made.
1.Artificial dyes
Synthetic dyes don't do anything for teeth. They're there so the paste looks fun on the brush.
Regulators have started moving synthetic dyes out of the food supply, and many parents already avoid them in snacks and drinks. Toothpaste is one more easy place to skip them.
2.Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
SLS is a detergent that makes toothpaste foam. Foam feels clean, but it isn't what cleans teeth.
Some studies have linked SLS to mouth irritation and canker sores in people who are prone to them. Happy Tooth skips SLS altogether. Hydrated silica and baking soda gently help clean away everyday buildup, without relying on a foaming agent to make your mouth feel clean.
3.Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide is a white pigment. It makes paste look bright and opaque, and that's all it does.
The European Union stopped allowing it as a food additive in 2022. Since kids swallow some toothpaste every time they brush, many parents would rather it wasn't in there either.
4.Saccharin and artificial sweeteners
Toothpaste has to taste good or kids won't use it. That part is fair. But it doesn't take artificial sweeteners to get there.
Happy Tooth is sweetened with xylitol, stevia and erythritol, in flavors like Vanilla Frosting and Mint Brownie that kids actually ask for.
Happy Tooth hydroxyapatite toothpaste
Happy Tooth was started by a dentist, Dr. Tyler Hanks, who wanted a toothpaste his own family could use without reading the label twice. It skips all four ingredients above and is built around hydroxyapatite, the mineral tooth enamel is made of.
The bundle also includes a bottle of Mineral Mouthwash with Hydroxyapatite, made for ages 8 and up.
How it compares
| Happy Tooth | Regular fluoride toothpaste | Big-brand "natural" | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroxyapatite | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Fluoride-free | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| No artificial dyes | ✓ | Varies | ✓ |
| SLS-free | ✓ | ✗ | Varies |
| No titanium dioxide | ✓ | Varies | Varies |
| No artificial sweeteners | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Kid-favorite flavors | 5 flavors | Limited | Limited |
Based on common formulations. Always check individual product labels.
Get the Happy Tooth bundleWhat parents are saying
"I finally read the back of my son's toothpaste and was shocked. Switched to Happy Tooth and he actually likes it better."
Jenna R. · Verified buyer"Vanilla Frosting is the only thing that ended the bedtime brushing fight in our house."
Marisa T. · Verified buyer"No dyes, no SLS, and it doesn't taste like a mouthful of mint. All three of my kids use it."
Kayla B. · Verified buyer"The subscription is so easy. It shows up right when we're running low."
Amanda L. · Verified buyer"My daughter gets canker sores easily. Since switching we've noticed a real difference."
Stephanie W. · Verified buyer"I bought it for the kids and ended up stealing the Mint Brownie for myself."
Lauren P. · Verified buyerA note from our founder
Ever read a toothpaste label?
It's bonkers. Most toothpastes are full of synthetic chemicals that foam and tingle to fake a clean feeling, and many actually hurt your oral health.
We made toothpaste that's just as effective, with natural ingredients that are safe to put in your mouth. This is that tube.
Dr. Tyler Hanks, DMD, MPHHappy Tooth Founder
Toothpaste + Mouthwash Bundle
$47.70 per delivery
- 2-pack of Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
- 1 bottle of Mineral Mouthwash
- FREE $20 e-gift card on your first order
- Automatic shipping on your schedule
Ends Sunday.
Claim My BundleSubscription terms: This is an auto-renewing subscription. You'll be charged $47.70 today and $47.70 plus any applicable tax at each delivery on the schedule you choose, until you cancel. Skip, pause or cancel anytime from your account before your next order processes. The $20 e-gift card applies to your first order only.
Common questions
Is Happy Tooth okay for toddlers?
Happy Tooth is fluoride-free and made with ingredients you can read. Use a small smear for young children and supervise brushing.
Does fluoride-free toothpaste still work?
Happy Tooth uses hydroxyapatite, the mineral enamel is made of, in place of fluoride. Talk with your dentist about what's right for your family.
What age is the mouthwash for?
The Mineral Mouthwash is recommended for ages 6+. It's pretty minty!
Which flavors can I choose?
Vanilla Frosting, Mint Brownie, Sweet Orange, Lemon Twist and Fresh Mint.
How does the subscription work?
Your bundle ships automatically on the schedule you choose. Skip, pause or cancel anytime from your account before your next order processes.
What if my kids don't like it?
Every order is backed by the Happy Promise. If you're not happy for any reason, let us know and we'll make it right.
