The Natural Whitening Toothpaste That Made A Difference In My Smile

If you've followed my work here, you know I have a few precious products that I fawn over—and tend to restock the second I get low. This effortlessly chic natural defining mascara comes to mind.

Or a more recent addition to my routine: this top-rated retinol-vitamin-c-niacinamide hybrid serum that makes my complexion vibrant and glowing practically overnight. 

Here's the deal: I don't have knock-you-out-of-your-seat shiny whites, but my teeth do garner the occasional compliment for their bright hue. I don't get them professionally whitened, nor have I used at-home brightening treatments in the last few years.

I just rely on whitening toothpaste, diligent oral hygiene, and lifestyle choices (read: limit my dark-colored drinks to my morning cup of coffee; the rest of the day is water). This is all to say: My toothpaste of choice does a ton of heavy lifting. 

Wellnesse's formula uses a combination of hydroxyapatite for oral health and aloe vera for its brightening abilities. (No strong bleaching agents here, in case that's a concern.) The two work synergistically to build up the tooth's natural enamel—as well as prevent and buff away stains. The hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral actually found in that protective outer layer and has the ability to strengthen teeth when used topically. Additionally, the aloe vera may have natural brightening abilities thanks to its ability to remove plaque and reduce tartar formation.

I spend a lot of time talking about the skin microbiome in my work, as I believe it is one of the most underappreciated yet emerging areas of skin health discovery. How we treat our microbiome—in both positive and negative ways—affects our overall health. And the more we learn, the more we come to realize how modern lifestyle habits and products we come to rely on may be inadvertently doing more harm than good to our precious flora. 

Well, the same goes for your oral microbiome. Much like sulfates and harsh detergents strip your skin of its natural ecosystems, the SLS in traditional toothpaste is likely doing similar harm to your mouth, including leading to chronic bad breath in the long run, say some experts!