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Boka is an oral care brand focused on improving the ‘oral-systemic relationship.’ This refers to the link between your overall health and oral health.
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Best Taste — Boka Toothpaste (use code NewMouth for 15% off your purchase)
Best Value — Boka Kit (use code NewMouth for 15% off your purchase)
Boka believes that innovation is essential in reducing the most prevalent and preventable diseases in the body. This led them to create a best-in-class complete oral care line with clean, non-toxic ingredients and modern science.
Boka stands out in the oral care industry because they use remineralizing ingredients to strengthen and protect your teeth.
Unlike many products, Boka toothpastes are 100% fluoride-free and non-toxic. So if you are looking to skip fluoride but still want to protect your teeth, Boka is an excellent alternative.
The toothpastes come in two flavors: Ela Mint (which contains mint, green tea, and cardamom) and Coco Ginger (which contains coconut, spicy ginger, and chamomile). They are also:
Boka’s innovative oral care products have been featured in Vice, Forbes, GQ, Fast Company, Vogue, Business Insider, and Esquire.
Boka toothpastes are backed by scientific research and contain innovative ingredients specifically designed to remineralize and strengthen tooth enamel.
Boka Ela Mint toothpaste is the first non-toxic toothpaste to compete with fluoride-containing products. The toothpaste is made with only natural ingredients and essential oils like peppermint and mint. It also doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), triclosan, artificial flavors, or parabens.
Instead of fluoride, Boka products contain the mineral nano-hydroxyapatite (nHa). In terms of dentistry, current research shows that nHa is superior to conventional fluoride, helps reduce tooth sensitivity, and protects against plaque build-up and cavities. It also has significant remineralizing effects on tooth enamel.5
NASA originally developed nano-hydroxyapatite (nHa) for astronauts because they lost teeth and bone density after gravity-free missions.1 nHa actually mimics your natural tooth enamel (the outer layer of your teeth), which is what protects them.
Boka’s Ela Mint and Coco Ginger toothpastes also contain the mineral calcium, which is essential for building strong bones, including your teeth. In fact, over 99% of calcium is stored in the bones and teeth.4 The mineral helps harden your enamel and strengthen your jawbone.2
Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHa) is a mineral that makes up tooth enamel, so it is capable of ‘healing’ your teeth. It also occurs naturally in the body, making it a safe and effective ingredient for enamel strengthening.5
Fluoride is a common ingredient found in nearly every oral care product on the market. Its primary purpose is to protect against cavities and strengthen tooth density. Fluoride helps prevent decay by making enamel more resistant to acids. Studies have even shown that fluoride can halt damage in already damaged teeth (in some cases).6
Although fluoride is adequate for dental protection, it does have some downsides. Fluoride doesn’t exist naturally in the body, so it can be dangerous in high concentrations. Some negative effects of fluoride include decreased thyroid function and issues with the skeletal and reproductive systems.7
The main downside of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHa) is that it is less studied than fluoride. However, current research shows that nHa is more effective in remineralization than fluoride and may also be safer.1, 5
According to Boka’s website, “nHa has been safely used internationally for 38 years. It’s also non-toxic and 100% biocompatible. Fluoride was first formulated 100 years ago, yet oral diseases are still the most prevalent and preventable. It’s time that the industry starts innovating instead of just marketing.” 1
We asked Dr. Greg Grillo of Express Dentist his thoughts on nHa toothpaste. Here's what he says:
"NHA provides an excellent alternative to fluoride. While early studies suggested fluoride offered superior protection against tooth decay, more recent studies have shown a comparable benefit. Both are capable of protecting teeth against acidic breakdown from certain bacteria, foods, and drinks. But it's significant to note that NHA is non-toxic."
Dr. Greg Grillo
Fluoride kills bacteria, including a few of the beneficial species. But nHa prevents adherence of the bacteria to the tooth surfaces, so it's less likely to disrupt the oral microbiome.
As an added benefit, some studies have shown that the nHa toothpastes may slightly whiten teeth over time. On the other hand, too much exposure to systemic fluoride can cause discoloration of the teeth, known as fluorosis, Grillo adds.
He also says that both formulations provide excellent benefits, and fluoride has a long history as the gold standard in cavity prevention. But the science shows that nHa toothpaste protects teeth with less risk, so it's definitely worth consideration in your daily routine.
Other ingredients found in Boka toothpaste include:
Here are five reasons why you should try Boka toothpaste:
All medical content on this site, including this guide and other product reviews, is written by our team of experienced writers and researchers. All NewMouth writers vet products that are recommended and reviewed in the industry. In cases where this is not possible, our team will:
Every piece of content is heavily reviewed before publication. All content on NewMouth is also medically reviewed by a licensed dentist, specifically any content where we recommend products. Our dentists are specifically instructed to flag any recommendations they don’t agree with. Any products that don’t meet their professional standards are removed.
Many of the products we recommend have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. These products are proven to be effective in preventing gum disease, cavities, and other oral health conditions.
When we recommend products that do not include this seal of acceptance, we conduct further research to ensure reputability. This may include speaking with company leaders, reading hundreds of customer reviews, and ensuring they provide quality customer service.
Based on our research, these are the products NewMouth recommends from Boka:
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Boka toothpastes are unlike any other toothpaste (by design).
Instead of fluoride, they contain nano-hydroxyapatite (n-Ha), which makes up the primary foundation of teeth and bones. This means it is naturally restorative and helps reduce sensitivity. Plus, the toothpastes are 100% biocompatible and non-toxic.
Boka's Coco Ginger toothpaste has a subtle coconut flavor paired with spicy ginger and notes of chamomile.
The Ela Mint toothpaste contains aloe vera, bacteria-fighting xylitol, green tea, cardamom, and refreshing mint.
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The Boka Kit includes a sonic-powered electric toothbrush, one tube of Ela Mint or Coco Ginger toothpaste, two additional brush heads, and Ela Mint floss.
Boka’s electric toothbrush is the first to feature activated charcoal bristles to help limit bacteria growth. The Boka Brush also has a rechargeable battery that lasts over 25 days. The floss is made from natural vegetable wax and is petroleum-free.
You can choose a ‘one-time purchase’ or ‘subscribe & save’ to receive a delivery every one, two, or three months. The refill bundle includes one toothpaste, a floss pack, and two replacement heads for 20% off the retail price.
Read our review of the best toothpastes to buy.
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