Recently I grossed myself out by reading the ingredient list on my tube of toothpaste. Mine had sodium saccharine in it, an artificial sweetener. Yuk. When I looked for an alternative, I was astounded by the number of natural toothpastes on the market today. I tested a dozen of them for my thrice-a-day brushing habit (gum just doesn’t cut it after lunch). Here are my favorites.

J/A/S/O/N
Power Smile All Natural Whitening CoQ10 Tooth Gel
$5.49
Where to find it: At natural food stores
Worth trying for the name alone— I mean, really, who doesn’t want a power smile? This gel with a faint amber tint had a slightly medicinal whiff, but it foamed up well and my pearly whites felt squeaky-clean afterward.

Kiss My Face
Triple Action Certified Organic Aloe Vera Toothpaste CoQ10 Tooth Gel
$6
kissmyface.com
Unlike many brands I tried, this sage-green gel left my gums feeling powerfully tingly. It does smell slightly of aloe vera, so don’t mistake it for your moisturizer.

The Natural Dentist
Healthy Teeth & Gums Toothpaste, fluoride-free with Xylitol
$5.99
thenaturaldentist.com
A good choice if you’re switching to a natural brand for the first time, this reassuringly familiar-looking white paste got the job done.

TheraNeem
Herbal Neem Toothpaste
$7.49
organixshop.com
Once I got past its unappetizing pinky-beige color, I liked this paste a lot. It produced a mouthful of very fine bubbles when I brushed. The company also sells a mouthwash and an herbal extract for dental health.

Weleda
Salt Toothpaste
$4.99
Where to find it: at Whole Foods nationwide
Who knew that good old table salt cleaned your teeth? The minty-salty taste is more refreshing than it sounds, and the slightly gritty paste was the most bracing of the bunch—an hour later my mouth still felt fresh.