Earthsap Peppermint Toothpaste Review

Name of product

Earthsap Peppermint & Baking Soda Toothpaste (100ml).

Price

R46 for 100ml from Faithful to Nature.

My rating

4/5 stars

Will I buy this again?

Yes, I’ve used this product for about 3 years.

Review Criteria

1.) Cost

Despite being three times more expensive than your average tube of Colgate toothpaste, Earthsap still offers the best value for money compared to its other natural and organic rivals. A tube will last you the same amount of time as your standard tube – you don’t need to use more than you usually do.

Bottom line: Cheaper than other natural toothpastes, but triple the price of standard retail toothpastes like Colgate.

2.) Ingredients

Personally, I am not impressed by products with long lists of ingredients, even if they are organic. Hence, I appreciate that Earthsap has kept their ingredients to a simple and necessary few. My impression of the Earthsap brand is that it seems to embrace the principles of: “Do more with less”, and “Take only what you need”. So in other words, this product has all that you need in a natural toothpaste. The listed ingredients are Natural Gum, Vegetable glycerine, Calcium Carbonate, Xylitol (birch trees), Baking soda and Peppermint oil.

You will notice that like many natural toothpastes, this product is fluoride-free. I’m not sure where I stand on the fluoride debate, because my first-hand experience has shown me that fluoride definitely plays an important role in dental health. After using Earthsap’s toothpaste religiously for about 2 years, my partner and I had terribly brittle teeth. Considering that my last dental filling was ten years ago, the fact that I needed 4 fillings at my latest dentist appointment was an eye-opener (I go to the dentist every 2 years). The dentist told me that a lack of fluoride contributed to my brittle teeth, and she ordered me to start using a toothpaste with fluoride again. However, it is important to note that I also don’t get any fluoride from my drinking water either, because we live on rain water. So if you drink municipal water (which has added fluoride) or eat foods with fluoride, then you will probably get enough fluoride to be able to use a natural toothpaste. I have since started alternating between Earthsap‘s toothpaste and Sensodyne Repair & Protect every other day, at least until I can find (or formulate) a natural toothpaste that has the safe minimum dosage of fluoride that my teeth clearly need.  I was then forced to decide which synthetic toothpaste to use, and I found that Sensodyne has the least amount of worrisome ingredients, and the shortest list of ingredients too. I was also against fluoride when I started my natural journey, because most natural health circles are against it, but personal experience has taught me that I do need a little fluoride. So I’ve made the choice to include some fluoride in my oral care, but to limit it. Likewise, you need to make the best decision for yourself and your family, whether that be pro- or anti-fluoride. Get as much information from both sides of the debate, so that you can make an informed decision for yourself.

Bottom line: Simplest list of natural ingredients, but the exclusion of fluoride is an important issue to carefully consider before using any natural toothpaste.

3.) Flavour & Texture

I was a bit skeptical about both the taste and texture when I saw baking soda in the ingredient list. Many homemade recipes with baking soda tend to be salty and grainy. I was pleasantly surprised with the smooth texture and subtle sweetness of this toothpaste. It has a delicate peppermint taste, and is far from the strong minty flavour of Colgate, Aquafresh and the likes. The only other brand of natural toothpaste that I’ve tried at this point is Nature Fresh’s Herbal Toothpaste, which also had a stronger flavour than this product. I also noticed that the already mild minty flavour faded considerably over time. Considering this, you may find that you have to brush twice, or follow up with mouthwash for refreshingly fresh breath. On the other hand, if you find strong toothpaste flavours overpowering, and the sour taste after sipping orange juice intolerable – then this toothpaste is your solution. I prefer this toothpaste’s smooth and clean texture to the salty, muddy and even oily textures of other natural toothpastes and tooth powders like those made with coconut oil and activated charcoal.

Bottom line: Great toothpaste texture that is similar to most standard toothpastes, but a very mild flavour that tends to fade over time.

4.) Function

The paste foams up well, and that coupled with the baking soda undoubtedly makes this an effective cleaner, and tooth whitening agent. As mentioned above, I was disappointed at my latest dentist appointment to find out that I had brittle teeth and needed four fillings as a result from using a fluoride-free toothpaste for two years. However, many people who drink municipal water (or who get some other external supply of fluoride) may not experience the same problem. This is just something to be aware of when using a fluoride-free toothpaste.

Bottom line: Lathers and cleans well, but long-term use may result in more cavities if you receive no other source of fluoride externally through drinking water, mouthwash or food.

5.) Packaging

I imagine that it’s a bit difficult to move away from the plastic tube for toothpaste packaging, but at least the entire tube, lid and all, is made from recyclable plastic. Perhaps they can consider using a bio-plastic instead. The tube opening is sealed by a tiny foil film so that you know it hasn’t been tampered with.

Bottom line: Completely recyclable plastic, except for the tamper-proof film.

SUMMARY

Cherry on top:

• Affordable when compared to the cost of other natural & organic brands.
• Uses simple & necessary ingredients.
• Effective cleaner.
• Recyclable packaging.

Challenge:

• Very mild flavour that fades over time.
• Long-term use may result in more cavities (than your usual) due to the lack of fluoride, especially if you are not drinking fluoridated municipal water.

If you would like to try this product, you may buy it here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I have NOT been paid to write this post. I have purchased the product myself, and this review shares my individual experience and observations of the product.