SLS free - we took the shampoo out of Davids. Davids toothpaste was formulated to be good for the environment and good for your body, so Davids toothpaste DOES NOT contain SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) like most other toothpaste. SLS is a chemical used to make toothpaste EXCESSIVELY foam in your mouth. It is the main chemical ingredient used for making hair shampoo... It what makes shampoo foam (check your shampoo label). For many people, it actually "burns" their mouth and causes mouth sores. Davids took the "shampoo" out of our toothpaste and uses a healthy alternative, Sodium Cocyl Glutamate (derived from coconut oil), that has a nice mild foaming action, which is better for your health and better for the environment! Yes, it is much more expensive to use this ingredient, but it is one of the things that makes Davids a Premium Natural Toothpaste.
Follow this simple Tip: Always wet your toothbrush with water PRIOR to putting Davids toothpaste on your toothbrush to get maximum mild foaming action. By following this simple tip, you will get the right amount of foaming action, and will come to appreciate the benefits of using Davids Premium Natural Toothpaste!
Andrew Talarzyk is a marketing leader at Davids Toothpaste, where he helps bring the brand’s clean, science-forward approach to oral care into sharper focus for consumers, retailers, and media partners. As Senior Manager of Marketing, Andrew supports a brand built on the belief that toothpaste can be both high-performing and thoughtfully made, combining naturally sourced and naturally derived ingredients with modern dental science.
Through his work with Davids, Andrew helps communicate the company’s broader mission: creating oral care products that prioritize ingredient transparency, sustainability, and everyday performance without relying on harsh chemicals, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. His leadership aligns closely with Davids’ position as an innovator in the nano hydroxyapatite space, particularly through the brand’s Hydroxi™ formulas.
Hydroxyapatite is especially compelling because it mirrors a mineral naturally found in teeth and is used in Davids products to support enamel health, help smooth micro-imperfections, and provide sensitivity support.
Andrew’s value as a spokesperson lies in his ability to connect product innovation with a broader consumer shift toward cleaner, more intentional personal care. He represents Davids as a brand that is not simply following the natural oral care category, but helping define where it goes next: toward formulas that are effective, transparent, sustainability-minded, and grounded in a more informed understanding of what people want from the products they use every day.
key takeaways
Prepare a few simple answers to common questions before holiday gatherings.
Eat beforehand and bring a dish or two so you know there will be something you enjoy.
Focus on shared traditions, thoughtful gifts, and the parts of the season that bring people together.
Keep your routine simple with vegan friendly everyday essentials, including oral care.
As a brand centered around cruelty free, vegan friendly toothpaste, Davids understands the importance and passion behind veganism. Whether you follow a vegan lifestyle or are simply trying to reduce your reliance on animal products, the holiday season can bring a few extra questions and planning decisions.
Food and gifts are a big part of many celebrations, and animal based ingredients or materials can show up in unexpected places. If you feel like you are the only vegan at the table, a little preparation can make a vegan Christmas feel more relaxed, inclusive, and enjoyable. A simple plan can also help you avoid last minute food stress.
That’s why Davids put together this quick guide with five practical vegan tips for the season. Use what works for you, skip what doesn’t, and give yourself room to enjoy the traditions and people that matter most.
1: prepare for questions
If you’re an experienced vegan, you probably already know that it can come with a lot of questions.
How do you get enough protein?
What do you eat every day?
Do you make exceptions for special occasions?
Why are you vegan, anyway?
Hearing the same questions repeatedly can be frustrating, but they can be easier to handle when you come prepared for a vegan Christmas. These reminders can help you shape a response without turning dinner into a debate.
Protein: foods such as lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds, beans, soybeans, tofu, and tempeh can all contribute protein to a varied plant based diet. There are also plenty of amazing athletes who follow vegan or plant based eating patterns.
Daily diet: if you don’t want to go through an entire “what I eat in a day,” simply explain that your meals can change from day to day and that you enjoy trying new recipes and ingredients.
Special occasions: your food choices are personal. You can decide how closely you want to follow your usual routine during a holiday gathering without needing to justify every decision.
Remember your why: whether your motivation centers on animals, the environment, personal values, or a mix of reasons, keeping it in mind can make questions easier to answer and help you stay grounded in your own choices.
You never know. A thoughtful answer at a vegan Christmas may even give someone a new perspective or encourage them to explore a plant based choice of their own.
2: never arrive hungry
This tip is straightforward: eat something satisfying before you head to a holiday event. That way, you’re not counting on the host having a full vegan spread or trying to build a meal from a few side dishes.
Planning ahead is one of the easiest vegan tips to use all season. It also takes some pressure off the gathering, so you can focus more on the people and less on whether every dish works for you.
3: bring your favorite festive vegan dish
Building on the last tip, bring a favorite vegan dish to share. Recreating a familiar holiday favorite with vegan ingredients can be a simple way to add variety to the table and make sure you have something you’re excited to eat.
If you want a few vegan holiday meal ideas, consider bringing both a savory dish and a dessert. Options include sweet potato lasagna, mashed potatoes & gravy, shepherd’s pot pie, and easy vegan pumpkin pie.
Those vegan holiday meal ideas can also make it easier to contribute something everyone can try, rather than treating your plate as a separate part of the celebration. For a vegan Christmas potluck, choose a dish that travels well and can be served alongside the host’s menu.
4: focus on the positive moments + common ground
Food is only one part of the holiday season. If a vegan Christmas gathering starts to feel overly focused on what you do or don’t eat, turn your attention back to the traditions you share.
festive decorations
seasonal songs
games and traditions
sports and activities
sledding and ice skating
holiday movies and shows
shopping small, local, and thoughtfully
There are plenty of festive ways to connect that have nothing to do with what is on your plate. For your vegan holidays, cherish the warm moments, enjoy your favorite traditions, and give yourself permission to move past conversations that make the day feel more complicated than it needs to be.
5: gift vegan friendly oral care
A useful everyday gift can be an easy choice for someone who appreciates vegan friendly personal care. Davids offers vegan friendly toothpaste with naturally sourced and naturally derived ingredients in recyclable metal tubes, making oral care a practical addition to a vegan Christmas gift list.
For more vegan tips and related reading, explore:
is your toothpaste vegan?
why are we so passionate about providing you with vegan toothpaste?
our top five tips for staying motivated on your vegan lifestyle journey
the ultimate holistic wellness gift guide: from natural toothpaste to aromatherapy
vegan vs. cruelty-free and why Davids is the best vegan toothpaste
10 easy vegan swaps for your everyday self-care products
spring clean your vegan oral care routine with Davids + these seasonal foods.
With a little planning, a vegan Christmas can still include the foods, traditions, and thoughtful moments you look forward to all year. Keep your choices practical, bring something you love to share, and focus on the parts of the season that make you feel connected.
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A mild, vegetable-derived surfactant and foaming agent that creates a smooth, clean lather for a gentler brushing experience.
the plant-based surfactant behind Davids clean lather formula
Sodium cocoyl glutamate (SCG) in toothpaste is a surfactant, a naturally derived compound that lowers surface tension between two substances. This allows air to enter the toothpaste solution, causing the foaming action in the toothpaste.
For Davids, an SLS free toothpaste brand, SCG provides a lather that helps toothpaste formulas coat the entire tooth. This helps other beneficial ingredients, such as nano hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate, and hydrated silica, to work close to the tooth’s surface, supporting enamel health and gently lifting away surface stains.
Ingredient Spotlight
We use sodium cocoyl glutamate in Davids toothpastes because it’s valued for its gentle profile. The plant-derived ingredient comes from coconut, and it meets EWG VERIFIED® standards while supporting a more comfortable and effective brushing experience.
Naturally derived from coconut oil and glutamic acid for a clean ingredient profile
Creates a smooth, even lather that helps the toothpaste coat the entire mouth
Gentle on soft mouth and gum tissue for a more comfortable brush
Meets EWG VERIFIED® standards for safety and ingredient transparency
Works alongside nano hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate, and hydrated silica in Davids formulas
what is sodium cocoyl glutamate?
Sodium cocoyl glutamate comes from renewable plant sources, specifically the fatty acids from coconut and the fermentation of plant sugars. To manufacture the ingredient, SCG is synthesized using a multistep process:
Extraction and isolation: Separating fatty acids from coconut oil
Condensation: Bonding coconut fatty acids with glutamic acid
Neutralization and purification: Refining the compound to meet clean ingredient standards
The sodium cocoyl glutamate in our toothpaste meets EWG VERIFIED® standards, is mild, and suitable for everyday use. It fits the Davids’ vegan, naturally derived, and cruelty-free promise.
how does it work?
SCG has dual-action molecules. Each molecule has a water-loving (hydrophilic) head and a water-fearing (hydrophobic) tail. The tails attach to food debris, oils, and residue on the surface of the teeth. The heads pull these trapped impurities into the water to help rinse them away.
That’s not all. Sodium cocoyl glutamate in toothpaste produces a fine, stable foam as it reduces surface tension. This keeps cleaning ingredients suspended and evenly distributed during brushing, helping to push the ingredients into the hardest-to-reach places.
why Davids uses it
Davids uses SCG because it’s naturally sourced and derived, and effective. It’s gentle on the soft tissues of the mouth, unlike SLS, which can cause irritation.
While the foaming action produces a milder lather, it doesn’t alter the effectiveness of the toothpaste. By foaming, SCG helps to push Davids’ other ingredients further across the teeth and gums for a more thorough clean.
More than that, however, sodium cocoyl glutamate in toothpaste is what our customers expect. We are a fluoride free, SLS free, cruelty-free, and vegan brand.
brush smarter with Davids clean ingredients
Davids is a vegan-friendly brand, focusing on naturally derived and scientifically supported ingredients. The sodium cocoyl glutamate (SCG) in our toothpaste complements our premium ingredient lineup, helping bolster our formulas while maintaining our promise to craft high performance oral care formulas using naturally sourced and derived ingredients. Explore our SLS free toothpastes, and choose ingredients your body can trust.
frequently asked questions
is sodium cocoyl glutamate gentle enough for everyday use?
Yes. Sodium cocoyl glutamate has a gentle profile that is ideal for everyday use. Because it’s an amino acid-based surfactant, it behaves differently from other chemical surfactants. SCG maintains a strong safety rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), confirming the ingredient is safe for regular use.
what is the difference between sodium cocoyl glutamate and SLS?
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a synthetic surfactant commonly used in conventional toothpaste. Sodium cocoyl glutamate (SCG) is naturally sourced and derived from coconut oil and plant sugars. Davids uses sodium cocoyl glutamate in its toothpaste because it aligns with the brand’s ingredient standards and EWG VERIFIED® requirements, offering effective foaming without irritating detergents.
is sodium cocoyl glutamate vegan?
Yes. SCG is entirely plant-based. It’s made by combining the fatty acids of coconut oil with glutamic acid from plant sugars. Davids uses SCG because it aligns with its certified vegan and cruelty-free standards. As a Leaping Bunny certified brand, Davids doesn’t use animal testing for its ingredients or products.
is sodium cocoyl glutamate safe for kids?
Yes. SCG is well-suited for everyday family use. With its mild, plant-based profile, it’s often a preferred ingredient in children’s oral care products. Davids uses sodium cocoyl glutamate (SCG) in our toothpaste for these reasons and because it is plant-derived, fitting the brand’s promise of premium naturally sourced, and vegan ingredients. SCG received a level 1 rating from the Environmental Working Group, meaning it is suitable for everyday use.
why do natural toothpastes use sodium cocoyl glutamate?
Natural and clean ingredient toothpastes use sodium cocoyl glutamate because it delivers effective foaming action without synthetic detergents. For brands committed to naturally derived ingredients, clean formulas, and ingredient transparency, SCG’s plant-based sourcing and mild profile make it appealing.
does sodium cocoyl glutamate in toothpaste affect its effectiveness?
No. While SCG produces a milder lather than other surfactants, it doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of the toothpaste formula. The foaming action helps to distribute the cleaning ingredients, such as nano hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate, and hydrated silica, evenly across the gums and teeth, even the hard-to-reach spaces, offering a more thorough and effective brushing.
which Davids toothpastes contain sodium cocoyl glutamate?
Davids doesn’t use SLS or other synthetic surfactants in its products. We use naturally sourced and derived ingredients. SCG is one of those ingredients found in our toothpaste products. We use this ingredient not only to maintain our promise to remain SLS free, but also because of its gentle profile and how it complements our other ingredients.
key takeaways
Removing animal products from your diet can limit the essential minerals you get, such as calcium and vitamin D, which changes how your body naturally reinforces tooth enamel.
Plant-based foods are often highly acidic, which can temporarily lower your mouth’s pH level and leave your teeth vulnerable to surface wear.
Switching to a premium, non fluoride, nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste provides the exact building blocks needed to safely remineralize and protect your teeth.
structural mineral patterns for vegan teeth
To keep your smile strong, look at the structural factors that influence the health of vegan teeth. Approximately 97% of your enamel is made up of a mineral called hydroxyapatite. In a traditional diet, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D work synergistically to support the body’s natural remineralization process.
Mindful meal planning is essential for anyone following a plant-focused lifestyle. Certain raw nutrients can become common dietary deficiencies when you exclude animal products. Embracing this intentional lifestyle directly influences your long-term wellness and helps you stay ahead of potential teeth issues that affect vegans.
natural enamel reinforcement
Your enamel, if it’s not too badly damaged, will undergo some remineralization every day using the minerals in your saliva. However, this inherent process is inefficient and insufficient if your body lacks an abundance of the right building blocks.
Monitoring calcium and vitamin D intake is highly recommended to support vegan teeth health. A drop in systemic calcium leaves your saliva without the necessary components to buffer everyday surface wear. Proactively protecting vegan teeth requires feeding your body calcium-rich foods like fortified plant milks, firm tofu, almonds, and dark leafy greens.
common vegan teeth issues and acidity
One immediate challenge for maintaining healthy teeth enamel on a vegan diet comes down to everyday chemical and structural exposure from plant-based meals. Plant-focused lifestyles naturally rely heavily on fresh fruits, citrus profiles, tomatoes, vinegar-based dressings, and complex carbohydrates.
While these options are packed with essential nutrients, they possess a high level of natural acidity and complex sugars. When acidic components frequently enter your mouth, they temporarily lower the structural pH baseline.
If pH levels drop consistently below 5.5, the highly structured minerals that preserve your teeth begin to weaken. Snacking routinely on dried fruits or consuming acidic fruit juices leaves natural sugars lingering on the surface of your teeth, which can give rise to common vegan teeth issues.
saliva flow and protection
Eating lots of dense or starchy meals means your body relies on an active oral defense to naturally wash away debris. If your hydration drops, temporary dry mouth can occur.
This environment accelerates vegan teeth issues by allowing plaque to form more rapidly on susceptible enamel surfaces. However, you can reduce your vulnerability to long-term surface wear. Integrating an advanced non fluoride toothpaste into your routine is vital to support a healthy oral environment and provide high-performance care for those choosing to avoid fluoride.
choose a premium toothpaste for vegan teeth health
When managing the specific physical demands of vegan teeth, your choice of daily brushing products matters immensely. Surprisingly, many conventional toothpastes contain hidden animal byproducts or harsh chemicals that conflict with a clean approach.
Common non vegan ingredients hidden in typical tubes include animal derived glycerin, propolis, and carmine. Generic whitening pastes often rely on aggressive bleaching chemicals or coarse polishing agents that can damage your enamel.
Opting for Davids premium toothpaste establishes a highly effective, completely ethical routine that nurtures your vegan teeth health. Adopting thoughtful formulas addresses lifestyle-specific concerns while preserving future enamel integrity. All of our toothpaste formulas are fluoride free, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) free, and made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
We put performance first by sourcing the highest quality, food-grade ingredients possible. This includes plant-based vegetable glycerin and high-quality essential oils grown in the USA.
how nano hydroxyapatite elevates vegan oral health
Upgrading to an advanced mineral toothpaste directly safeguards vegan teeth from daily environmental wear, making it an excellent long-term investment. This is where modern dental science and premium ingredients seamlessly align to protect your smile and support long-term vegan teeth health.
Our proprietary Hydroxi™ collection features rod shaped nano hydroxyapatite (nHA) particles designed to bind directly to the tooth surface. Because nano hydroxyapatite is a nano sized form of the same mineral that naturally makes up your enamel, it acts like a missing puzzle piece.
These rod shaped nHA particles help seal microscopic cracks and fill exposed dentin tubules, which are a common source of sensitivity. This advanced remineralizing action supports overall enamel strength, leaving teeth smoother, shinier, and significantly more resistant to surface stains and plaque accumulation.
gentle surface polishing
Maintaining a pristine surface without damaging your enamel is easy with our formulas, which use ultrafine natural limestone (calcium carbonate) and hydrated silica. These gentle micro abrasives polish away daily surface stains cleanly and safely to protect your vibrant smile.
By combining rod shaped nHA with pure, premium mint oils, you can easily neutralize the bad bacteria in your mouth. This helps you support sensitive vegan teeth and achieve a brighter smile without relying on harsh chemicals.
The nano hydroxyapatite we use at Davids features the specific rod shaped particle structure researched and deemed safe by the SCCS under strict European safety standards. It offers advanced, science-backed care for your routine.
curate your clean oral care routine with Davids
Consistency and proper tools are vital to achieve optimal oral health while thriving on a plant-based routine. You can completely master the unique lifestyle factors surrounding vegan teeth by taking a proactive approach.
Build a comprehensive daily ritual with intentional, value-aligned oral care kits by following a straightforward process.
Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day using an EWG VERIFIED® choice, such as our peppermint nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
Use an expanding dental floss infused with nano hydroxyapatite to remineralize tight areas where brushes simply can’t reach, lifting plaque safely from hidden gaps to mitigate vegan teeth issues.
Introduce a professional-grade stainless steel tongue scraper into your morning ritual to gently lift structural accumulation and debris, instantly elevating the freshness of your breath.
Complete your routine by swishing with an alcohol free, non burning mouthwash to completely soothe your gums and support a clean, balanced oral environment for vegan teeth.
Embrace wellness, one brush at a time, and let your healthy, plant-powered smile reflect your mindful lifestyle. Discover how our thoughtful formulas transform your ritual, and explore the complete Davids collection of dental care products today.
