FAQs

A: Healthy Gums Peppermint Twist contains and an ingredient called Copper Chlorophyllin, which is used for color. It is perfectly safe and natural. However, it can cause the rinse to appear 'clumpy' in the sink after you spit it out because it binds to proteins in your saliva.

A: If you follow a holistic treatment, we recommend trying our Healthy Gums Orange Zest rinse, which is fluoride free and has a light, citrus flavor. The Natural Dentist also offers Fluoride Free toothpaste. Our Fluoride Free toothpaste comes in Peppermint Sage flavor and is a great alternative if you simply want a non-fluoride alternative.

A: Vitamin B12 is a beneficial ingredient that supports healthy gum tissue and red blood cell development. We use cyanocobalamin B12, most commonly used in supplements and fortified foods.

A: Olivamidopropyl betaine (from olives) is a plant-based emulsifier. It has taken the place of Poloxamer 407 in our products and helps the essential flavoring oils combine with the water base of the rinse.

A: A demulcent soothes or protects irritated tissues. The two demulcents in The Natural Dentist products are vegetable glycerin and aloe vera gel.

A: For those who want to avoid mint, we do offer mint-free alternatives. Our Orange Zest Mouth Rinse, Original Orange Zest Toothpaste and Healthy Teeth Berry Blast Fluoride Rinse do not contain any mint or menthol.  Our Sparkle Berry Blast Toothpaste for kid's contains menthol but no mint.

A: At this time, our products are not certified kosher. However, all of our ingredients are plant-based (non-animal, no animal testing). Even our glycerin, a product commonly sourced from animals, is vegetable-based and comes from palm or canola oil.

A: All of The Natural Dentist Mouth Rinses contain all natural ingredients that are water soluble and do not cause staining of teeth or burning. Our rinses contain natural plant extracts that will not stain your teeth or your sink!

A: The Natural Dentist uses fluoride sourced from a natural mineral.We use sodium fluoride, derived from fluorite, a calcium fluoride-rich ore.

A: Unlike chemically-produced artificial colors, the botanical ingredients that we use to color our products sometimes differ from batch to batch due to natural variances caused by environmental factors. This will occasionally cause some differences in the color of our product from one bottle to the next. We strive to make our products as consistent as possible.

A: Unlike chemically-produced artificial flavors, the natural flavors and herbs that we use in our products sometimes differ from batch to batch due to natural variances caused by environmental factors. This will occasionally cause some differences in the smell or taste of our product from one bottle to the next. We strive to make the taste of our products as consistent as possible. We are happy to replace any bottle that you think tastes or smells different or unusual. Please contact us to return the unused portion of the bottle at our expense.

A: None have been reported, so we are not aware of any interactions. Your physician or pharmacist can help you answer any questions you may have about drug interactions.

A: Because Healthy Gums Mouth Rinse is safe and natural, you can use it as often as you like for good gum health and a fresh-feeling mouth. Routine use is 2 times per day. For special problems (sore or bleeding gums or after a dental procedure), dentists recommend using the rinse up to 4 times per day.

A: Brushing and flossing are the foundation of good oral health but rinsing offers many benefits that aren’t covered by brushing and flossing. The American Dental Association (ADA) now recommends a three-step oral care routine – brush, floss and rinse. Rinse allows you to get to hard-to-reach places and offers a more extensive period of contact than brushing and flossing alone. Bacteria cause gingivitis and more serious forms of gum disease. Dentists recommend The Natural Dentist rinse as an extra measure of protection for the soft tissue in your mouth and the health of your gums.

A: Toothpaste with fluoride always includes directions to spit, not swallow after brushing. The very small amounts that you might swallow as a result of brushing are perfectly safe.

A: We do not recommend drinking the rinse, but small amounts are swallowed whenever you rinse or gargle. This is perfectly safe.

A: Many products contain artificial and harsh ingredients, dyes, preservatives and alcohol, which can be absorbed through the soft tissue in your mouth. The Natural Dentist has equal or better results using natural ingredients and will contribute to the overall health of your body.

A: All of our products are natural and gentle, making them suitable for most users. Fluoride strengthens the enamel of your teeth. The Natural Dentist has both toothpaste and mouth rinse products that contain fluoride. If your sensitivity was caused by professional or home whitening products, you might want to use toothpaste without peroxide. The Natural Dentist products do not contain peroxide.

A: The mechanical act of brushing is the most important process for tooth whitening. Brushing is essential for healthy teeth and gums and also removes the daily build-up of stains from food and beverages. Whitening products whiten your teeth through a combination of abrasion and whitening agents. Most whitening products (gels, strips, rinse and toothpaste) contain a form of peroxide to whiten the teeth. The FDA considers whitening products to be safe when used as directed, but over use may result in gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. The Natural Dentist toothpaste does not contain peroxide. We use natural ingredients such as silica to gradually and effectively remove stains from your teeth. Our toothpaste has been proven to have a very low abrasion level as compared with other commercially available toothpastes. The silicas in our Whitening Plus Toothpaste have been specially designed to gently polish the enamel and remove stains without causing damage to the teeth.

A: Fluoride toothpastes and rinses are safe for adults to use on a routine basis, when used as directed. The recommended dosage is based on correct topical use, which does not include ingesting (swallowing) fluoride toothpaste. Supervise children when they brush or rinse with a fluoridated product, teaching them to spit, not swallow. For children under 2, consult a dentist or pediatrician.

A: We do not recommend rinsing with water after using our products because that will limit its effectiveness. If you do not rinse with water, The Natural Dentist will continue to remain effective, gradually diminishing as your saliva washes it away. For best results, don’t eat or drink anything for one half hour after you rinse. The longer the rinse can be in contact with the surfaces in the mouth, the longer it will help to soothe and cleanse your mouth.

A: For best and long-lasting results, we recommend using our rinse at the end of your oral care routine.

A: While The Natural Dentist products are formulated to be gentle and safe, we recommend that you check with your doctor before use during pregnancy.

A: All Natural Dentist products are formulated to aid in overall mouth and gum health. For targeting cavities specifically, we recommend using one of our fluoride rinses and toothpastes as fluoride is a cavity preventing ingredient. All of our toothpastes and a number of our mouth rinses also contains Xylitol, a natural sweetener and cavity preventing aid.

A: The Natural Dentist products are formulated with natural cleansing and soothing ingredients. Our herbal blend has been scientifically tested in leading laboratories and in clinical studies to assess its ability to kill germs and reduce plaque.  Click here to learn more about the benefits of the natural ingredients in our rinse: An In-Depth Look at the Most Popular Herbs Found in Oral Care Products

A: Our rinse products have gone through in vitro studies in a controlled laboratory setting with appropriate controls and some have also been tested through human clinicals, which are randomized, double-blinded, controlled (with a positive control or a placebo) and are performed with a statistically meaningful number of subjects.

A: The Natural Dentist products are used in dental offices nationwide and are enthusiastically recommended by dentists, dental specialists (periodontists, oral surgeons and cosmetic dentists) and dental hygienists.

A: The Natural Dentist products are tested in professional labs, dental schools and in studies conducted by universities. Products have been clinically proven effective in laboratory tests (in vitro) and with adult volunteers (in vivo). Our products are not tested on animals.

A: We are always seeking continual improvement in every aspect of our products—efficacy, flavors, color, texture, etc. If you are fond of a product we have discontinued, we apologize. But we hope you’ll try us again to see if you can find a “new favorite.”

A: We research customer preferences, and conduct tasting panels when we create flavors, but we also understand that taste is a very subjective matter and there are limits on number of flavors that we can offer. Our goal is to offer a variety of flavors with the hope that you’ll find a favorite. We currently have products with peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, sage, spearmint, wintergreen and berry flavor notes. You can always e-mail or call us with comments or flavor suggestions.

A: Our products are manufactured in the United States.

A: Bloodroot (sanguinaria) is a controversial oral care ingredient that has both supporters and detractors. After thorough testing, we found that bloodroot did not contribute to measurable efficacy, so we removed it from our formulations.

A: The Natural Dentist is committed to ingredient safety. As reported recently, a cheap and sometimes toxic ingredient, called DEG (diethylene glycol) was illegally substituted for vegetable glycerin in toothpaste manufactured overseas. The Natural Dentist routinely conducts two screening tests to confirm that our glycerin does not contain DEG, and our products are manufactured in the United States, according to FDA regulatory standards.

A: Our vegetable glycerin is not sourced in China.

A: It is not our intent or our policy to source any plants altered by genetically modified organisms (GMOs). However, agricultural experts believe that many American crops have been unintentionally affected because there are ultimately no barriers to cross-pollination. Therefore, we can not certify that our US-cultivated plant ingredients have not been affected.

A: All of our herbs are specially cultivated in the United States, not wild-crafted. This helps to make our products safe and consistent. Our practices of cultivation and sourcing are environmentally sustainable.

A: The Natural Dentist uses fluoride sourced from a natural mineral. We use sodium fluoride, derived from fluorite, a calcium fluoride-rich ore.

A: Poloxamer is derived from natural gas sources, and is found in most natural mouth rinse products as an emulsifier. While Poloxamer is widely used, with a long record of safety, we are pleased to say we have found a new natural replacement for it, now found in our most recent formulations (see our FAQ regarding Olivamidopropyl Betaine).

A: Due to the wide range of sensitivities to plants and natural ingredients, we can’t guarantee that our products are hypoallergenic (not allergy-causing) for every individual. Check our list of ingredients and contact your doctor or allergist if you have questions.

A: Certain medications interact negatively when taken with grapefruit juice. There is no grapefruit juice in our grapefruit seed extract and we have no indication that the grapefruit seed extract in our Healthy Gums Mouth Rinse has any interaction problems. Please check with your doctor/pharmacist if you have questions.

A: Our products do not contain any artificial coloring. Our rinse and toothpaste obtain their color from plant-based components.

A: SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a detergent used as a cleansing agent in most toothpastes that also helps to create foam when you brush.

Just as soap can be irritating to your skin because it removes natural oils, SLS is a detergent that can irritate the gums when used on a daily basis. It can cause sloughing of gum tissue and is also known to cause canker sores in the mouth. We offer a gentle, low-foaming alternative that is safe for everyone, including those with sensitive mouths.

A: All of our products contain herbs, spices, and natural flavors. If you are allergic to or sensitive to specific ingredients, we recommend that you call 1-800-615-6895 to double check which products are best for you.

A: Our vegetable glycerin comes from one of two sources – either canola oil or palm oil. It is a protectant that helps to soothe sore gums and mouth irritations. It also helps to balance and maintain moisture levels and is safely used in a wide variety of personal care products and foods.

A: Fluoride is the only cavity-prevention ingredient recognized by both the American Dental Association and the FDA. The amount and type of fluoride used by The Natural Dentist is regulated by the FDA and, when used as directed will help protect teeth against cavities. Toothpaste that contains fluoride always includes the direction to spit, not swallow after use. Children under 2 and those who are not fully able to spit out the product should not use fluoridated products. If you have questions about the use or safety of products with fluoride, consult your dentist.

A: Fluoride is the only cavity-prevention ingredient recognized by both the American Dental Association and the FDA. Fluoride’s cavity-fighting properties make it the most common ingredient that dentists recommend when selecting toothpaste. The fluoride we use meets all FDA standards for both safety and effectiveness. For customers who prefer products without fluoride, we offer the option of toothpaste and rinse formulations that are completely fluoride-free.

A: Alcohol is an astringent ingredient and can cause, or worsen, dry mouth symptoms. Saliva is your natural defense against bacteria and helps to keep your mouth healthy. Our products promote soothing and help to moisturize your mouth without the drying or burning effects of alcohol.

A: Titanium dioxide is a naturally-occurring mineral that is used to impart opacity to our toothpaste.

A: The Natural Dentist offers a number of products that contain cinnamon oil. You can use The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Mouth Rinse in Peppermint Twist or any of our peppermint flavored toothpastes.

A: Our products do not contain any artificial preservatives. Our product is naturally preserved through a combination of our herbal blend and other natural ingredients.

A: At this time, our products are not certified kosher. However, all of our ingredients are plant-based (non-animal, no animal testing). Even our glycerin, a product commonly sourced from animals, is vegetable-based and comes from palm or canola oil.

A: Our products are not certified organic presently.

A: Our products contain a low level of citric acid, which in combination with the natural herbal blend, helps to naturally preserve our products.

A: The sparkle that you see in The Natural Dentist Healthy Teeth Toothpaste – Sparkle Berry Blast comes from the addition of Mica, a safe and naturally occurring mineral.

A: When we refer to “natural flavors” we mean that all the components of the flavor can be found in nature. If you would like to find out which natural flavors are found in each of our products, please contact us via 1-800-615-6895.

Unlike chemically-produced artificial flavors, the natural flavors and herbs that we use in our products sometimes differ from batch to batch due to seasonal changes, crop variances and other natural environmental differences. This will occasionally cause some variation in the smell or taste of our product from one bottle or tube to the next. We strive to make the taste of our products as consistent as possible. We are happy to replace any bottle that you think tastes or smells different or unusual. Please contact us to return the unused portion of the bottle at our expense.

A: Both our Sparkle Berry Blast Toothpaste and our Orange Zest Toothpaste have a strawberry-based flavoring agent. If you or your child is allergic to strawberries, we would recommend that you use one of our mint varieties.

A: Our products are free of any soy, MSG, dairy, wheat or gluten based ingredients. However, the sorbitol in our toothpaste is sourced through the hydrogenation of corn oil.  If you have a sensitivity to corn, we suggest that you ask your doctor before using The Natural Dentist toothpaste.

A: Our products are completely free from animal-based ingredients making them both vegetarian and vegan. In addition, The Natural Dentist is a cruelty-free company and our products have been PETA certified.