Nowadays, no one is a stranger to the next new environmentally-friendly product being introduced. From electric toothbrushes to re-usable ways to remove your makeup, most people are actively seeking out the best new way to become more sustainable. Now enter the toothpaste tablet. These pill-like tabs are the most recent way to brush your teeth without having the typical plastic tube of toothpaste. However, the question remains, are they better for your oral health, do they work as well as normal toothpaste, and are they worth the price? 

What Exactly are Toothpaste Tablets?

Toothpaste tabs are essentially dehydrated toothpaste. They normally include similar ingredients to traditional toothpaste such as xylitol, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and tartaric acid. However, water is not included so that way the mixture is able to be pressed into a tablet similar to a medicinal pill. There are both fluoride and fluoride-free options available, and tabs do not include preservatives, making them a popular choice for those looking for natural products. 

Pros

Like everything in life, there are both positive and negative attributes to toothpaste tablets. Some positive aspects include:

• They are environmentally-friendly due to not using water, as well as using reusable packaging. 
• They can be helpful for traveling, as they do not take up as much space and do not require water to be used if none is available. 
• They do not contain preservatives 

Cons

Sometimes with trendy products, the excitement behind trying them can be more intense than the results that the product gives you. Some negatives to toothpaste tabs can be:

• Those with dry mouths will have trouble getting them to work and dissolve, causing them to have to add water which can get messy. 
• Since there is no added water to form a smooth paste, tabs can be too abrasive for those with sensitive teeth. 
• There isn’t clinical research showing the effectiveness of toothpaste tabs yet, and they are not approved by the American Dental Association. 
• They can be more expensive than traditional toothpaste, making them possibly not accessible by all. 

Clearly, there is no one size fits all when choosing your oral hygiene products. What works for others, might not necessarily work for you and that is okay. What is currently the most trendy product out there, might not offer the same benefits as the other options. Like all choices out there, research, trial, and error are going to be your best option.