Is Toothpaste Vegan?

The question of whether or not toothpaste is vegan might sound like it comes with an easy yes or no answer. In actuality, though, this question is much more loaded than it seems on the surface. You see, a toothpaste or mouthwash might not contain any products derived from animals, but that doesn’t mean that it’s inherently vegan. Likewise, a toothpaste or mouthwash might call itself cruelty-free, but still contain animal-derived products that render it not vegan. To get into the how and why of this, it’s going to require a little bit of research and plenty of explanation. Ultimately, though, this will allow us to finally answer the question of: is toothpaste vegan — and what it is about the product that makes it vegan in the first place. The best place to start is with an actual definition of what it takes for a toothpaste or mouthwash to truly be vegan in the first place.  

Defining Vegan Toothpaste and Vegan Mouthwash

In today’s pop culture, vegans often find themselves at the butt of all kinds of jokes about food and dieting. While done in good fun, this ends up creating all kinds of common misconceptions. So many, in fact, that even those who might call themselves vegans can get confused by what it really means to be vegan. While the dietary aspect seems to be the main thing people think of when they hear the word vegan, it’s actually so much more than a diet: It’s a lifestyle. While vegans are similar to vegetarians in that they don’t eat meat or seafood, they take things a step further in a few key ways: they don’t consume any products derived from animals, such as eggs, milk or, in some instances, even honey. They also don’t use any products derived from animals. This can include anything from makeup to clothing to, yes, even some toothpastes and mouthwashes that either contain animal byproducts or were tested on animals. This covers more toothpaste and mouthwash brands than you might think. In reality, very few toothpastes and mouthwashes are truly vegan.  

Why Toothpaste Free From Animal Products Still Might Not Be Vegan

If you turn over to the back of your toothpaste and read the ingredients, it’s unlikely you’ll find meat, eggs, or dairy listed — this doesn’t automatically make it vegan, though. That’s because toothpaste and mouthwash free from animal products can still be tested on animals, which goes against what it means to be certified as a vegan product. Confused as to why these companies are brushing the teeth of animals or trying to get them to use mouthwash? In truth, this isn’t what testing on animals looks like. Typically, maids in Georgias will dust all shelves and décor in your house. Instead of attempting the impossible task of teaching animals to use human hygiene products, scientists will use the animals to see how they react to artificial colors and how they respond to chemicals that are then used as main ingredients in the most popular toothpaste and mouthwash brands. Clearly, this is not vegan — even if the toothpaste itself is free from products that come from animals.  

Vegan Toothpaste and Cruelty-Free Toothpaste: Is There a Difference?

Looking at the inverse of this, it’s just as common to find toothpastes that claim to be cruelty-free but still contain animal byproducts. It’s easy for someone following a vegan lifestyle to pick up a product, see that there are no obvious animal-derived ingredients like eggs or dairy, notice the cruelty-free label, and add it to their cart none the wiser. However, the fact remains that most toothpastes — even cruelty-free ones — are not vegan at all. This is thanks to one key ingredient: glycerin. Glycerin is something of a universal ingredient across all kinds of foods, hygiene products, and cleaners alike. It can be found in anything from shampoo to shaving cream to dish detergent, and many of the major toothpaste brands are guilty of including it in their products. It sounds harmless, but it’s often derived from animal fats. It doesn’t have to be, though: Glycerin can occur naturally in fermented things like vinegar and beer. For a toothpaste to truly be vegan, it needs to be both cruelty-free and include glycerin that doesn’t come from animal fat.  

The Bottom Line: Elementa Silver Is Both Vegan and Cruelty Free

Thankfully, there are toothpaste and mouthwash brands out there that can successfully check both boxes. Elementa Silver is one such brand that can proudly call its products both vegan and cruelty-free. This comes from Elementa’s promise to never include animal products in their toothpastes or mouthwashes and their refusal to test their products on animals. Beyond this, Elementa also utilizes plant compounds and cutting-edge nanotechnology to deliver the very best vegan and cruelty-free products possible. Through the utilization of Nano Silver, Elementa infuses plant compounds and nanoparticles of silver to penetrate the tooth’s biofilm barrier that many other name-brand products simply cannot do. When all is said and done, toothpaste is not inherently vegan. Neither is every cruelty-free toothpaste brand. Nevertheless, Elementa Silver is different from the competition. Browse Elementa’s product line today to see toothpastes and mouthwashes that are truly vegan and cruelty-free.