Safest Non-Toxic Toothpaste For Kids & Toddlers

Choosing toothpaste for kids and toddlers requires a completely different safety lens than choosing toothpaste for adults.

Young children swallow toothpaste. In fact, toddlers are expected to swallow it. That changes everything. Ingredients that may be acceptable in adult products do not automatically belong in a toothpaste meant for a two-year-old.

Since 2012, I have been researching ingredient safety using my 5-Step Signature Research Method. I do not rely on marketing claims like “natural” or “clean.” Instead, I contact companies, analyze their integrity and ingredient lists, review toxicology data and regulatory opinions, and take into consideration use patterns — especially when products are likely to be swallowed.

Based on this method, Risewell is the safest toothpaste for kids I found for many years, and recently Pure Haven introduced another hydroxyapatite option worth mentioning.

Is Risewell Toothpaste Safe For Kids?

In my opinion, Risewell toothpaste is safe for kids.

As you can see, Risewell Kids Mineral Toothpaste – also known as Risewell Kids Cake Batter hydroxyapatite toothpaste – is free from:

• fluoride
• sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
• propylene glycol
• artificial flavors
• dyes
• essential oils.

If you are looking for kids toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or toothpaste without propylene glycol—this one checks those boxes. It’s best not to include these ingredients in a children’s formula to avoid potential risks (source and source).

Importantly, Risewell Kids toothpaste contains no essential oils. That is a good thing in a product designed for toddlers who may swallow it. Essential oils can be potent and are unnecessary in training toothpaste.

The flavor comes from vanilla extract and sweeteners like sorbitol, xylitol, stevia, and erythritol. It tastes like cake batter, and my son loves it, which makes brushing much easier.

The key ingredient in this best non-toxic toothpaste for kids is hydroxyapatite. Let’s talk about it next.

Does Hydroxyapatite Belong In The Best Non-Toxic Toothpaste For Toddlers?

Yes, I believe hydroxyapatite belongs in non-toxic toddler toothpaste.

To begin with, hydroxyapatite is a calcium phosphate mineral that makes up most of our tooth enamel. In toothpaste, it helps fill microscopic defects in enamel and supports remineralization (source, source, and source).

The two main types – nano-hydroxyapatite and micro-hydroxyapatite (also called “non-nano”) – differ in particle size. Nano-hydroxyapatite particles are smaller and can penetrate deeper into early enamel lesions. Micro-hydroxyapatite works more on the surface.

Studies show that 10% hydroxyapatite toothpaste — both micro and nano — can be as effective as fluoride or even better in remineralizing early enamel lesions when used consistently. In some studies, nano-hydroxyapatite penetrated deeper than fluoride, which tends to act primarily on the surface (source, source, source, and source).

Now let’s address fluoride.

Research regarding potential effects of ingested fluoride on human microbiome, gut microbiota, IQ scores, neurodevelopment, and thyroid dysfunction is ongoing. Therefore, daily fluoride exposure through swallowed toothpaste raises legitimate safety questions (source, source, source, and source). 

Hydroxyapatite, on the other hand, is biocompatible. It is chemically similar to the mineral already present in teeth and bones. Current safety data supports its use in daily toothpaste, including as a training toothpaste for young children. Nano-hydroxyapatite should be rod-shaped, not needle-shaped, though (source and source).

In short, hydroxyapatite toothpaste is considered both safe and effective for kids when properly formulated and used.

You now have another safe hydroxyapatite option as well. Pure Haven recently introduced a kids toothpaste formulated with 10% micro-hydroxyapatite (non-nano). From an ingredient-safety standpoint, this concentration is consistent with what studies suggest can support enamel remineralization. If you prefer a formula made with micro-hydroxyapatite only, Pure Haven’s toothpaste may be another good option to consider.

Risewell Kids Toothpaste: PRO Vs. Original

The ingredients in Risewell Kids PRO Mineral Toothpaste are similar to those in Risewell Kids Mineral Toothpaste (Original).

The key difference is that the PRO version uses nano-hydroxyapatite in addition to micro-hydroxyapatite. Specifically:

• Risewell Kids Original Mineral Toothpaste contains 10% micro-hydroxyapatite.
• Risewell Kids PRO Mineral Toothpaste contains 10% micro-hydroxyapatite + 5% rod-shaped nano-hydroxyapatite.
• Pure Haven Mineral Vanilla Toothpaste contains 10% micro-hydroxyapatite

Nano-hydroxyapatite is smaller and can penetrate deeper into enamel defects. The rod-shaped form is considered safer than needle-shaped particles according to European safety authorities (source and source).

Who is PRO best for?

It is ideal for kids with higher cavity risk, early enamel weakness, or sensitivity. For most toddlers, the Original formula is already excellent. For extra enamel support, PRO provides an added boost.

Both versions remain free from fluoride, SLS, propylene glycol, artificial flavors and dyes. They both taste like cake batter and are labeled as safe to swallow.

Jack N’ Jill Toothpaste Vs. Risewell Kids Non-Toxic Toothpaste

Jack N’ Jill is fluoride-free and is positioned as a natural kids toothpaste. The ingredient list is short, but it does include a preservative called potassium sorbate. While it’s considered a food-grade preservative, if you prioritize whole, organic foods, you may prefer not to see it in your child’s toothpaste.

Also, it does not contain any enamel supporting components, like hydroxyapatite. In other words, it cleans teeth but does not actively remineralize or strengthen enamel.

Hence, I believe Risewell is a better choice for safe kids toothpaste.

Cheery Cherry Toddler Toothpaste Organic Vs. Risewell Best Non-Toxic Kids Toothpaste 

Cheery Cherry Toddler Toothpaste Organic is fluoride-free and USDA-certified organic.

But is it the best organic toothpaste for toddlers? 

It contains “natural flavors” with undisclosed ingredients and no enamel-protective agents such as hydroxyapatite.

Organic kids toothpaste does not automatically mean protective. Without remineralizing ingredients, it cannot support enamel repair.

In my opinion, Risewell is a better choice for a safe toothpaste for kids and toddlers because it combines safety with proven remineralization support.

Hello Dragon Dazzle Kids Toothpaste Vs. Risewell Kids Cake Batter Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

Is Hello toothpaste non-toxic?

Personally, I consider the following ingredients in Hello Dragon Dazzle Kids Toothpaste concerning:

• sodium fluoride
• flavor with undisclosed components
• cocamidopropyl betaine
• mica, and
• titanium dioxide.

Fluoride poses ingestion concerns for toddlers. Flavor mixtures lack transparency. Cocamidopropyl betaine can be contaminated with allergenic impurities. Mica and titanium dioxide are not necessary in products for kids likely to be swallowed.

For these reasons, I believe Risewell hydroxyapatite toothpaste is the safest kids toothpaste in this comparison. It avoids questionable additives while actively supporting enamel health.

My Final Take On The Safest Toothpaste For Kids And Toddlers

After reviewing ingredient lists, safety data, and remineralization research, I conclude that Risewell offers the safest and healthiest toothpaste options for kids and toddlers.

Your options include:

• Risewell Kids Original Mineral Toothpaste (10% micro-hydroxyapatite)
• Risewell Kids PRO Mineral Toothpaste (10% micro-hydroxyapatite + 5% rod-shaped nano-hydroxyapatite)

To give yourself and your child extra dental care, use Risewell Varnish. It provides a concentrated dose of 5% micro and 8.5% nano-hydroxyapatite (rod-shaped) for at-home care.

For toothpaste options for grownups, visit my detailed review of Risewell Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste.

Please remember that I am not a dentist. My recommendations are based on careful analysis of scientific studies and ingredient safety data. The final decision about toothpaste should always be made in partnership with your dentist.

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