Davids blog
how our new USDA BioPreferred Certification sustains nature+you
Did you know that all of the Davids flavors are officially USDA certified biobased products? Meaning, they all sport the USDA BioPreferred Certification. Have no idea what that means? Don’t worry, you’re not alone, and we’re going to cover all of the details in this article. But you have to admit, “biobased” and “biopreferred” sound like pretty important stamps of approval, right? To get started on this topic, let’s go back to the basics. The root word “bio” means “life.” So naturally, “biobased” and “biopreferred” are labels for products derived from living things (plants, minerals, etc.), and they avoid the use of chemicals, fossil fuels, and other harmful materials. We hope this is already reassuring, especially when it comes to toothpaste that you put into your mouth every single day. When it comes to everyday self-care, you want your products to be biocompatible, meaning they work well with your body’s living tissue. And they don’t cause your body to produce a toxic response. You can rest assured knowing that Davids Natural Toothpaste is biobased, biopreferred, and biocompatible. In other words, we care deeply about sustaining nature+you. what exactly is the USDA BioPreferred Certification? The certification is a product of the USDA BioPreferred Program, which was created by the 2002 Farm Bill to generate new jobs in the farming industry and reduce our nation’s reliance on petroleum and other fossil fuels. The program’s goal is to increase the use of biobased products which utilize ingredients derived from raw materials instead of fossil fuels. Some of these raw materials include plants and matter generated through renewable agriculture, marine systems, and forestry. So far, biobased products are responsible for displacing 300 million gallons of petroleum every year in the U.S., the equivalent of removing 200,000 cars from our roads! The program aims to prioritize our individual, economic, and environmental health. You can trust products (like Davids) that sport the USDA Certified Biobased Product label because it confirms that the product: Contains a certain amount of renewable biological ingredients. The contents of the biobased product are third-party certified. The product is continuously and strictly monitored by the USDA. In short, USDA certified biobased products are a vetted alternative to petroleum-based products! You can find the extensive biobased products list here. are USDA certified biobased products better for the environment? Because sustainability is such a complex topic, the answer to this question is not straightforward. The USDA BioPreferred Certification may not guarantee that a product is safer for the environment, but it does certify that the product uses renewable resources over petroleum-derived resources. And we think that’s a great start! Moving forward, our friends at the USDA are also committed to monitoring the environmental benefits of biobased products based on criteria such as the ones outlined below. carbon dioxide: biobased products come from living organisms, mostly plants (and in our case, only plants). Plants remove carbon from the atmosphere, while petroleum-derived products add carbon to the atmosphere. Even at their end of life, petroleum-based products can take thousands of years to decompose, adding more carbon to the atmosphere long after the products are done doing their job. Biobased products typically either remain in circulation (through recycling) or return to nature (through decomposition). energy: the growth of plant-based ingredients (like those found in Davids) requires the sun’s energy, while petroleum-based products utilize countless fossil fuels to power their operations. water: fossil-fuel-based products are usually made using natural gas which is typically extracted through fracking (an extremely destructive and water-intensive process). Companies that offer USDA certified biobased products are always looking for ways to reduce and reuse water supplies. end-of-life: is the product compostable or recyclable? Unlike petroleum-based products, biobased products do spend 1,000+ years in landfills after use. Instead, biobased products either remain in circulation (through easy reuse/recycling) or decompose in nature. This way, they’re not harming the environment all throughout their afterlife. By continuing to monitor these factors, we can better understand the impacts of biobased vs. petroleum-derived products. Remaining diligent and informed about a product’s entire lifecycle is the best way to identify products that fortify the carbon cycle and promote the health of nature+you. how does Davids Natural Toothpaste uphold these standards? What makes Davids a USDA certified biobased product, and how does our natural toothpaste uphold the standards described above? natural ingredients: Davids replaces petroleum based ingredients with naturally sourced & naturally derived ingredients. What does that mean? Our ingredients come from plants and the earth, and they’re carefully processed to meet the strictest purity standards. We leave harmful petro base chemicals out of the equation…a great example of how sustainability isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for your body too. Not to mention, our natural ingredients all come from plant-based sources, so all of our flavors are 100% vegan! USA-made with 98% USA-origin ingredients: this is important for many reasons. First, sourcing domestically allows us to stimulate the American economy. Second, it eliminates the need for us to ship ingredients around the world, so we reduce our overall carbon, water, and energy footprint. sustainable packaging: in a world that sends 1.5 billion plastic toothpaste tubes to landfills every year, we’re extra proud of our sustainable packaging. Not only does our toothpaste come in aluminum tubes that are infinitely recyclable, but our plastic caps and FSC certified paperboard boxes are also recyclable. On top of that, our metal tube keys can be returned (when you collect 20) for a free tube of toothpaste. note: you can request to buy Davids without the plastic cap, metal tube key, or paperboard box. When placing an order on our website, just enter the following message(s) on Line 2 of the address field at checkout: ***REMOVE CAP*** ***REMOVE TUBE KEY*** ***REMOVE BOX*** And there you have it! A natural toothpaste that has always been committed to sustaining nature+america+you. The USDA BioPreferred Certification is just an extra reminder of that! buy now.
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our top 5 tips for a fresh start + smart mouth in the new year
The new year is upon us! We’re celebrating this fresh start by sharing our top tips for prioritizing self-care and achieving optimal oral+overall health this year. While that may sound daunting, we want to reassure you that we’re focusing on simple fundamental tips that can be implemented immediately! No stress, no complicated jargon, no overwhelm...just a few shifts in focus that can deliver incredible results. During a time when resolutions can get a little crazy, we want to encourage you to consider small, incremental changes that can turn into long-term self-care practices. You see, your body is an intricate system whose components overlap and interact constantly. Once you learn to approach each system from a holistic perspective, amazing things can happen! 1: practice mindfulness Mindfulness is one of the most accessible ways to enhance your overall health. It’s the act of grounding yourself in the present moment, tuning into your body, your breath, your senses, and your surroundings...resisting the urge to dwell on the past or stress about the future. It’s a great way to identify what your body truly needs at any given moment. Maybe you’re holding tension in your shoulders, abdomen, or jaw. Or maybe you have oral discomfort that has gone under your radar because there’s so much other stuff on your plate. Don’t worry, mindfulness meditation doesn’t have to be a super time-consuming thing. By simply practicing micro self-care and self-compassion rituals during your oral care routine, you can be well on your way to calming your stress+anxiety, improving your focus, memory, and clarity, and tuning into your oral (and overall) needs. 2: channel your inner minimalist At Davids, we love minimalism. Living with less stuff and more intention is our favorite. Minimalism inspires our formulas, our branding, and our overall approach to life. Fewer, more thoughtful ingredients can pack a ton of health benefits without harming your body or the planet. Consuming fewer (higher-quality) products can boost your self-care rituals. And adopting the “less is more mindset” can improve your life by reducing anxiety, limiting judgement+comparison, and allowing you to find more meaningful ways to measure value+purpose in your life. In the world of oral care, minimalism can give you a fresh start by encouraging you to examine the products you’re using, get rid of the ones that are not serving you, and seek products like Davids that pack a ton of benefits without chemical, artificial, or toxic ingredients. 3: focus on sustainability Caring for the environment is more important than ever, and sustainable decisions begin with consciousness. Whenever you use a self-care product, buy a new piece of clothing or furniture, sift through foods in the grocery store...ask yourself, is this good for the environment? If the answer is no, it’s probably not good for you either! The natural world lends us shelter, inspiration, beauty, oxygen, peace of mind, healing elements, and so much more! Safeguarding the natural world is an act of self-care, which is a huge reason why we’re proud to live by the motto “sustain nature+you.” Our innovative natural toothpaste removes the toxic ingredients found in conventional toothpaste and replaces them with naturally sourced & naturally derived ingredients that outperform outer formulas in lab tests. Not only are these ingredients amazing for your oral+overall health, they’re gentle on the planet. A perfect example of the idea that sustainability is self-care. 4: nourish your microbiomes Not exactly sure what we mean when we say microbiomes? No worries, we’re referring to your gut microbiome and your oral microbiome. By the way, “microbiome” is just a fancy word for an environment (e.g. your mouth or gut) and all of the microorganisms that allow the environment (and the rest of your body) to thrive. Your gut microbiome plays a massive role in your mood, weight, brain health, heart health, liver function, immune system function, and beyond...and your oral microbiome is directly linked to it. In obvious ways, your mouth is the window to your gut. Digestion begins in your mouth, and the microorganisms in your mouth can interact directly with those in your gut. If there’s an unhealthy balance of bacteria in your mouth, it can disrupt the delicate system in your gut. Doctors and researchers have found oral bacteria when investigating diseases like diabetes, colon cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. Long story short, you’ll want to do everything you can to make sure that both systems are balanced, healthy, and flourishing. Here are a few simple tips to get you started. Avoid processed foods with preservatives+artificial additives. Avoid simple carbs+sugars and focus on getting fiber through veggies. Prioritize probiotic foods (yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, tempeh, and more). Ditch the idea that you need to wipe out all bacteria in your mouth with harsh products like mouthwash. Remove plaque while balancing the good bacteria in your mouth with natural products like Davids Natural Toothpaste, natural floss, tongue scrapers, and more (outlined in the next section). When these intricate systems are balanced, it paves the way for optimal oral+overall health! 5: optimize your oral care routine Let’s complete your smart mouth routine! Choose the right toothbrush for you. You can find our guide here. Grab a spool of vegan floss, a tongue scraper, some oil pulling, and a breath spray. You can find our top brand recommendations here. Last, but certainly not least, get yourself the best natural toothpaste out there! Davids Natural Toothpaste is fortified with naturally sourced+derived ingredients that reduce bad bacteria, break down plaque, whiten+polish your teeth, freshen your breath, and promote oral+overall health. It’s the perfect product to inspire you to start fresh in the new year and maintain a smart mouth for years to come. Oh, and Happy New Year from the Davids family to yours! buy now.
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three reasons Davids is a great natural toothpaste for kids
There are so many clear benefits to Davids Natural Toothpaste....no chemicals to disrupt your delicate oral microbiome, no fear that these chemicals will be absorbed by the rest of your body, peace of mind knowing your choice is better for the environment....the list goes on! But one of the lesser-known benefits is that Davids is a safe, gentle, and effective natural toothpaste for kids! It’s no secret that kids are always curious. It’s natural for them to think, “hmm this tastes good, so I may as well try to eat it.” We don’t blame them, it does taste good. Plus, we love curious minds! Curiosity is actually a huge part of the story of Davids (our founder, Eric, was very curious and determined to create the best natural toothpaste out there). So, needless to say, we’re very considerate of how our natural toothpaste performs in the hands of young, curious minds. That’s exactly why we believe Davids is a great natural toothpaste for kids. Free from fluoride, SLS, and other chemical ingredients....you can feel reassured knowing that the toothpaste in the hands of your little ones....also ensures that your little one is in good hands. Davids is a fluoride-free, SLS-free natural kids toothpaste Davids only contains quality, sustainably sourced, natural ingredients…..leaving out sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and fluoride. SLS is a chemical ingredient used to make toothpaste foam (and other cosmetics like soap and shampoo). In the world of toothpaste, SLS can make sensitive mouths burn and/or blister. You don’t have to worry about that with Davids. We replace SLS with sodium cocoyl glutamate, a mild foaming ingredient naturally derived from coconut oil. It’s better for your health (and your tiny human’s health)...and it’s better for the environment, too! Plus, less excessive foaming means less of a mess when your kids get used to brushing on their own. Speaking of kids brushing on their own....let’s be honest, curious kids aren’t afraid to swallow toothpaste. That’s one great reason we leave fluoride out of our natural toothpaste. While fluoride is known to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent decay, who knows how much toothpaste kids may swallow from brush to brush. Ingesting too much fluoride can lead to stomach pain and intestinal discomfort. Davids utilizes natural ingredients to break up plaque, eliminate bad bacteria, and polish teeth....so you and your kids can prevent buildup that could lead to tooth decay in a natural way. You can think of Davids as your go-to fluoride-free toothpaste for kids. Davids is verified by the environmental working group Davids is an EWG verified toothpaste. What does that mean? It means that our natural toothpaste meets the environmental working group’s strictest standards for health and transparency. Davids avoids ingredients of concerns regarding human health (specifically, carcinogens, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, allergies, and more), eco-toxicity, and other contamination concerns. This verification reaffirms that our entire supply chain is transparent. Our manufacturers are open and honest, and our ingredient sources are no secret. Davids uses 98% USA-origin ingredients from the highest-quality sources and suppliers. We follow manufacturing best practices to ensure the safety and efficacy of our ingredients. Nothing but the best for your little ones....every step of the way. In other words, Davids contains ingredients that make it the best natural toothpaste for kids! Davids uses premium natural ingredients We’ve talked about the chemical ingredients we leave out, so it’s only fair to touch on some of the amazing ingredients that make Davids an amazing natural kids toothpaste. xylitol: this is a gentle but mighty natural sweetener that gives Davids a delightful taste while reducing bacteria, soothing gum inflammation, and balancing your oral pH. essential oils: Davids avoids chemical flavors and only uses premium peppermint oils sourced in the USA. These gentle flavors work to kill bacteria in your (and your kid’s) mouth, leaving behind a mild, invigorating freshness. stevia leaf extract: this is another safe+natural sweetener that enhances the amazing taste of our peppermint essential oils. micro-abrasives: these gentle teeth exfoliators (namely, hydrated silica and calcium carbonate) are naturally derived. Davids uses only the highest quality, USA-made, ultra-fine micro-abrasives, designed to safely clean and polish your child’s pearly whites. With all of that being said, we recommend our herbal citrus peppermint flavor for your curious kids. With subtle hints of fruity sweetness and calming peppermint....it’s sure to be a natural hit with your little ones! buy now.
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fact or fiction? things you should know about natural teeth whitening
We’re thrilled you’re interested in natural teeth whitening. We’re all about ditching chemicals, but do you know which ingredients are safest for your smile?
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family owned + operated | handcrafted, natural toothpaste
At Davids, we take “Family Owned+Operated” very seriously. It’s why our toothpaste is still made by humans, not machines. Call us old-fashioned, we don’t mind! Check out more info about our human-powered operations in our latest blog article.
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our top tips to get natural relief for your sensitive teeth
Tooth sensitivity is a sore subject, but 1 in 8 Americans will experience it at some point. That’s why we’re sharing our top tips for natural toothache relief.
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does toothpaste expire? how natural ingredients promote oral health and toothpaste quality
Does toothpaste expire? See why our answer is unique. Hint: Davids extends your toothpaste’s shelf life without artificial preservatives.
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products you need to complete your holistic oral care routine
We always talk about the importances of a healthy, holistic oral care routine...one that not only cares for your mouth but promotes full-body health. While Davids Natural Toothpaste is a great place to start with this holistic routine, we realize that natural toothpaste can only take you so far. So we compiled a list of some of our favorite brands and products to help you create the optimal oral health toolkit. zero waste cartel bamboo toothbrush You probably already know how we feel about the fact that 1.5 billion plastic toothpaste tubes end up in landfills every year in the U.S. alone. But if everyone in the U.S. followed recommendations to replace their toothbrush every 3-4 months (which....you definitely should), that would leave around 1 billion toothbrushes in U.S. landfills every year, too! Plus, if all of these toothbrushes are plastic, this would generate roughly 55 million pounds of plastic waste. Once in the landfill, these plastic toothbrushes don’t decompose, and their corresponding microplastics end up polluting rivers and oceans. That’s why it’s so important to seek biodegradable options...like the bamboo toothbrush from our friends at Zero Waste Cartel. By choosing this option, you’re not only helping to fight plastic pollution...you’ll also be planting a tree! Well, Zero Waste Cartel and its partner organization will be planting a tree in your honor. They have a goal to plant 30,000 trees in 2021, and you have the chance to help! cocofloss refillable vegan floss Similar to conventional toothpaste+toothbrushes, conventional floss contributes a great deal of plastic pollution. If everyone flossed according to ADA recommendations 2.5 billion plastic floss dispensers would end up in landfills every year in the U.S. The plastic just keeps adding up… Plus, many conventional flosses are coated in PFAS, synthetic chemicals that are known to have various harmful effects. Many of these traditional flosses also use animal-based wax coatings, so they’re also not vegan. If you’re thinking you could solve this problem by not flossing, we’re here to remind you that brushing your teeth only reaches 65% of your tooth’s surface, leaving tight crevices untouched...the perfect place for harmful bacteria to fester. On a lighter note....by switching to a non-toxic, vegan floss option like Cocofloss, you can still clean those tight spaces while avoiding harmful chemicals. Cocofloss itself is made of non-toxic, and thoughtfully-sourced ingredients...free of PFAS. It’s fortified with coconut oil...a natural, soothing, and antimicrobial ingredient. Plus, their floss refills allow you to reuse your floss dispenser, instead of throwing it in a landfill every time you’re done. banyan botanicals tongue cleaner Do you only use your toothbrush+toothpaste to clean your tongue? That’s a great start, but cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraper is an amazing way to promote your oral+overall health. After all, your tongue is the first large organ to come in contact with the food+drinks you consume. Particles tend to linger on your tongue and can create a film that can host unwanted bacteria. These bacteria can throw off your oral microbiome, impact your gut health, cause bad breath, and prevent your taste buds from performing their best. A tongue scraper can help with all of these things...in ways that your toothbrush can’t! A few specific things we love about Banyan....they follow an Ayurvedic approach to self-care. For those who don’t know, Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest medical practices. It is a holistic approach to physical and mental health that uses naturally-derived ingredients to promote a healthy lifestyle. According to dental Ayurveda, cleaning your tongue every morning is an essential part of a healthy oral care routine. Plus, Banyan’s tongue cleaner is made in the U.S. with premium quality stainless steel! dr.tungs oil pulling If you’ve never heard of oil pulling before, get ready to be impressed. We’ve mentioned before that most of us have been taught to use harsh products...like alcohol mouthwash...that completely wipe out the bacteria in your oral microbiome. Oil pulling is an amazing substitute that allows you to get rid of bad bacteria in your mouth...without harming the good ones. In the eyes of dental Ayurveda, it’s another essential part of a healthy oral care routine. DrTung’s Oil Pulling Concentrate is fortified with 24 herbs and botanicals. When mixed with other oils, the concentrate works to remove toxins, eliminate bad bacteria, prevent dry mouth, strengthen your teeth, and transport the health benefits of Ayurvedic herbs into your gums, mucous membranes...and consequently, the rest of your body. Now that’s holistic oral care. remedy rx breath freshener spray This SuperFood Breath Freshener by Remedy Rx is packed with natural, superfood ingredients that fight bad breath and keep you feeling fresh. Remedy uses xylitol...one of our own favorite, naturally-derived ingredients...to help eliminate bacteria, fight cavities, and freshen your breath. This spray is the perfect alternative to chewing gum as it eliminates the potential harmful effects of gum, such as cavities (if the gum contains sugar) and tight jaw muscles. davids natural toothpaste This one goes without saying, but we couldn’t leave without mentioning it. Davids (the best natural toothpaste) is the glue...oops, we mean paste...that holds this holistic oral care routine together. buy now.
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what are the benefits of charcoal toothpaste, and is it safe for your teeth?
Charcoal made its claim to fame in the self-care industry in the last few years. From seeing people relaxing with charcoal face masks to smiling with dark charcoal toothpaste covering their teeth....charcoal has the ability to easily grab people’s attention. So you may have wondered before....what’s the hype? Is it effective? Is it safe for my teeth, or should we just stick to using charcoal for firing up the grill? Well, you probably already know that we wouldn’t offer charcoal toothpaste if it wasn’t both effective and safe, but it’s important to know that not all charcoal toothpastes are created equal! So let’s take a look at why Davids is the best charcoal toothpaste option out there. what is charcoal toothpaste? Charcoal toothpaste is toothpaste with activated charcoal, a form of carbon that’s heated to create “pores” that absorb harmful substances. It can be made from a number of organic substances including hardwood, moss, bamboo, coconut shells, olive pits, and more. Activated charcoal is famous in the medical world for its role in saving people from poison and overdosing...with its amazing ability to detoxify the body from chemicals. In the dental world, it’s known for its ability to effectively remove surface stains and freshen your breath. what are the benefits of charcoal toothpaste? The primary benefit of charcoal toothpaste is its ability to remove surface stains and whiten your teeth. Because of its porous nature, activated charcoal is highly absorbent. If you’ve ever opened up your Brita or Pur water filter, you’ve probably noticed the fine black particles that sometimes escape from the filter into your water. These black grains are charcoal, absorbing and filtering odors and impurities that pass through. In other words, it acts kinda like a “magnet” for odors, bacteria, viruses, surface stains, and other tiny particles in your mouth. So on top of removing surface stains from your enamel, other charcoal toothpaste benefits include absorbing odor in your mouth and leaving you with sparkling teeth and fresh breath. is charcoal toothpaste safe? The short answer is: not always. Unfortunately, some charcoal toothpastes can damage the enamel of your teeth, so it’s critical to choose your charcoal toothpaste carefully. First, you’ll want to make sure the toothpaste brand comments on the grade, particle size, and source of the charcoal they use. If your charcoal toothpaste feels gritty on your teeth, this is a sign of low-grade charcoal. You’ll want to stay away from that! Low-grade charcoal has a large particle size (aka, high abrasiveness), which can scratch or “wear down “ your enamel, kinda like sandpaper. While this will obviously rid your teeth of surface stains, it’ll damage your enamel...which we never want. In terms of the source of the charcoal...charcoal toothpastes made from hardwoods tend to be denser, and the higher density of the charcoal can make it more likely to scratch and harm your enamel. Also, you’ll notice that a lot of charcoal toothpaste products on the market are dark black. While this makes for a funny selfie, this often indicates that there’s too much charcoal in the product...another warning for your enamel. Remember, healthy teeth depends on strong enamel. This hard outer surface of your teeth is essential in protecting the sensitive nerves in your tooth’s center...protecting you from sensitivity and other complications that come with tooth decay (trust us, there are a lot). So is charcoal toothpaste safe? Absolutely not if it’s full of low-grade, high-density, and overall too much charcoal! That being said, charcoal toothpaste can be safe if formulated correctly, and you can rely on Davids Natural Toothpaste for that. what makes Davids the best charcoal toothpaste? To help you avoid that gritty feeling in your mouth, Davids uses high-grade charcoal that undergoes extensive grinding processes. This extra grinding further reduces the particle size, so that the resulting charcoal that goes into our toothpaste is a micro-abrasive. Instead of feeling gritty, our activated charcoal feels buttery and soft....like baby powder. Because of the ultra-fine particle size, our charcoal produces a unique and gentle polishing effect, so surface stains are lifted from your enamel without scratching or harming it in the process. Think of it like a gentle exfoliation for your teeth, rather than a rough sandpaper-scratch. Also, Davids charcoal toothpaste is dark gray instead of dark black. This is because we use less charcoal....an amount that’s safe for everyday toothpaste use. Of course, we expect you to be able to use your toothpaste every single day without worry, which is why we only use a safe amount of charcoal...more isn’t always better! The activated charcoal used in Davids is made from coconut shells, making it softer and safer than other toothpastes that use charcoal from sources like hardwood. Davids charcoal is USP-grade (pharmaceutical-grade) meaning it’s pure and safe for everyday use. As you can see, not all charcoal toothpastes are created equal. We’re proud that Davids is one of the safest options out there...through thoughtful sourcing, ultra-fine processing, and careful formulation, you can rest easy knowing Davids charcoal toothpaste is safe for everyday use... And will leave your teeth feeling shiny and fresh and your enamel feeling strong and fortified!
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