Bite Toothpaste Bits Review

Toothpaste bits? What?!

Yes, toothpaste bits are the name given to these chewable toothpaste products created by US company, Bite.

It is another name for toothpaste tablets, which if you are not familiar you may first want to read our guide on the best toothpaste tablets.

Do they actually work?

Yes, they do.

Really simple to use, just place in the mouth, bite (hence the name) then mix with a bit of saliva to create the paste.

There is a nice minty freshness. Not too harsh, but strong enough that you get that just cleaned feeling.

How much do they cost?

1 months supply costs $12.

A ‘Duo’ pack costs $20.

4 months supply is $30 ($7.50 per month).

Shipping is around $3, or free when you spend $25.

Where can I buy them?

At the time of review, you can buy only from Bite’s official website. https://bitetoothpastebits.com/

Would I recommend them?

Yes, with a slight catch.

Despite being a tablet, upon chewing I did not experience that dusty, powder or clumping taste or texture of the powder that can exist with some other toothpaste tablets. There was a nice minty freshness and together this made the whole experience really good.

The previously mentioned list of pro’s, all add to the reason why I would recommend them.

However, I do so with caution around the lack of fluoride.

I am not here to debate the merits of fluoride, but most dental professionals and organizations advise using pastes with fluoride, for the health benefits it brings.

Update: Bite now offers an option with fluoride included in addition to the original formula without.

Be aware that opting for Bite toothpaste bits without fluoride may well not be met with the approval of your dentist.

*Bite now offers a variant of the tabs with and without fluoride. The fluoride free option (reviewed here) does now include nano-hydroxyapatite (N-Hap) which is a highly regarded alternative to fluoride. It is non toxic and 100% biocompatible. It provides a remineralization effect and some protection against cavities.

Video Review

Full Review

Chewable toothpaste tablets are not entirely new, but they are one of the newest types of products within the dental health industry.

There are a few different companies that make them as demonstrated in our best toothpaste tablets guide.

Although Lush cosmetics might be the most well-known brand selling them, it is American Lindsay McCormick who has grabbed the headlines more recently, in part thanks to Women’s Health featuring her.

The following video is taken from Facebook and at the time of writing has 13 million views!

It is a bit of a promotional video tied in with Lindsay’s story, but it tells you what you need and might want to know about the product.

How I tested the toothpaste

This review has not been conducted under any form of ‘clinical’ setup.

I have simply switched out my regular toothpaste for Bite toothpaste bits to see what they are like to use and my experience with them.

I bought and used the Mint flavor, although there is too a Mint Charcoal and Berry Twist option.

Aside from this, I have made no changes to my normal routine. I am eating and drinking the same sort of things, I am still flossing and using an electric toothbrush.

The test lasted for 2 weeks.

During this time I used the Oral-B Genius Pro 8000 electric toothbrush set to the ‘Daily Clean’ mode.

I brushed twice a day for 2 minutes each time and flossed once a day.

Summary How I tested the toothpaste

• The test lasted for 2 weeks
• Used Oral-B Genius Pro 8000 toothbrush on Daily Clean mode
• Cleaned twice a day for 2 minutes
• Flossed once a day
• No changes in diet

Daily Usage

So toothpaste bits is the name Bite have given to these small, tablet like, products.

Unlike a tablet you may take for your health or medical condition, the idea is not to swallow these, but instead place it in the mouth, bite, and begin brushing.

As the tablet is bitten into, it mixes with the natural moisture (saliva) that is in the mouth and the wet bristles of your toothbrush.

This results in the ‘bites’ changing from a compressed powder into a paste that you can clean your teeth with.

My previous experience of these toothpaste tablets have been mixed. Some have resulted in a very powdery taste when bitten into and some will then take on a bit of a clumpy texture as the powder mixes with the saliva.

For me, I did not experience this with Bite.

Within seconds, the tablet broke down and formed a minty fresh, watery paste.

The paste is not as thick as a paste from a tube, but it was not grainy or clumpy, just very smooth.

You might not be a big fan of the mint flavoring and it could be argued that it is somewhat of an unnecessary addition, but I like it.

Bite do offer a Berry Twist flavor option too, which might be more appealing.

It makes for a pleasant taste and post brushing leaves that minty freshness and a reminder you have cleaned your teeth.

Far from overpowering, it did not leave that burning freshness, but it was not as weak in flavor as some others I have experienced.

I didn’t expect the solution to forth and foam as much as it did. Whilst this serves no real purpose as I understand, it felt like it was giving a better coverage and helping to spread the freshness.

It did not froth quite as much as some other regular toothpastes, but compared to some other toothpaste tablets there extra volume to the paste/solution meant it was less watery and more easy to manage as you clean the teeth.

Having used for a couple of weeks in conjunction with an electric toothbrush my teeth have felt as clean as they would after brushing with a regular toothpaste.

At the time of writing, Bite offer a couple of different product options that you can buy.

There is the ‘Mint’, ‘Mint Charcoal’ and Berry Twist product options.

At certain times of the year, you can get seasonal flavors, such as Autum spice.

You can buy as single bottles for $12 each or you can buy a bottle of Mint and Mint Charcoal, known as ‘The Duo’ for $20.

In each case, you get a glass jar supplied with 62 toothpaste bits.

Shipping is approximately $3 subject to location, with free shipping available when you spend $25.

You can also buy a 4 month subscription plan of the Mint or Mint Charcoal flavor for $30 ($7.50 per month).

The Berry Twist is not currently available in a 4 month subscription option.

Sign up for the 4 month subscription and with your first delivery you get the glass jar, and then the 4 month supply of tablets supplied within biodegradable packaging. You then refill the jar as and when you need to.

When on the subscription plan, in 4 months time, the next delivery contains only a further 4 months worth of toothpaste bits in the biodegradable packaging. No glass jar is provided because you already have this.

This model has led Bite to describe their product as zero waste toothpaste, and indeed it seems a good way to save on packaging, especially compared to plastic toothpaste tubes.

You don’t need to be a genius to see that $12 for 1 months is expensive and the 4 month supply works out at a much better value of $7.50 per month.

This is similarly priced to other toothpaste tablets, but more expensive than a regular tube of paste.

It is worth noting that Bite toothpaste bits are sold only under their own name and are not made by or for any other companies, just in case you see others advertising or selling these to you.

The whole concept of Bite is that the toothpaste bits and their subscription model are a more natural and environmentally friendly way of consuming toothpaste.

Figures suggest globally we dispose of 1 billion toothpaste tubes a year, most of which go straight to landfill, so Lindsay and her team at Bite are trying to do their bit to reduce this impact on the environment.

All products are are made in the USA, in a cruelty free laboratory.

All the ingredients are organic, suitable for vegans and follow the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.

To get slightly technical for a moment. There is a method to measure how abrasive a toothpaste is.

Known as the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) a product can be scored on a scale. Leading dental organizations have bandings within the scale for low, medium, high and harmful.

The higher the score, the more abrasive and the more damage it could do to the surface of the teeth, but the better it is at removing surface stains. Leading whitening toothpastes often score around 100-150, which is classified as highly abrasive.

The Bite toothpaste bits fall well within the ‘low’ category, with the Mint scoring 43 and the Mint Charcoal just 24.

What this means is that you can use long term with no fear of doing damage to your teeth.

Bite say that their base of ingredients have been thoroughly researched and studied before we use them in our products.

The ingredients in each flavor are as follows:

• Mint
  • Erythritol
  • Xylitol
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Natural Flavor (peppermint)
  • Hydroxyapatite (nano)
  • Sodium Bicarbonate
  • Guar Gum
  • Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
  • Zinc Citrate
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Menthol
• Mint Charcoal
  • Erythritol
  • Xylitol
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Natural Flavor (mint)
  • Hydroxyapatite (nano)
  • Sodium Bicarbonate
  • Guar Gum
  • Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
  • Zinc Citrate
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Menthol
  • Activated Charcoal

What you may notice is that there is no fluoride included in these toothpaste bits. This is appropriate considering the very natural ethos on which Bite is formed.

Fluoride free tends to be the trend with toothpaste tablets and it does go against the advice of the American Dental Association and most dental professionals.

There is a lot of discussion on and offline about the need for fluoride and I am not here to argue either side.

However, personally, I believe the pros outweigh the cons and there is ultimately a reason that the majority advise its inclusion.

So, just be aware that if you want to opt for these, they are fluoride free.

Update 2020: Bite now included nano-hydroxyapatite (N-Hap) which is a form of calcium phosphate. Calcium phosphates help reharden the tooth surface in a similar way to fluoride. Fluoride has typically been the chosen product to assist, but considering that 97% of enamel and 97% of dentin that make up our teeth is made from hydroxyapatite (Open Dentistry Journal), nano-hydroxyapatite is an ideal alternative.

Update 2022: Bite now produce a variant with fluoride included. So, you can choose between fluoride free with nano-hydroxyapatite or those with fluoride.

A final main point and benefit to mention is that because the toothpaste bits are not a liquid or a paste, they technically do not count to any allowances you may have with travel by plane.

Bite suggests they are Transport Security Administration (TSA) approved and ready for take off.

I have not traveled with toothpaste tablets like Bite yet, but I suspect some security agents will question them as you go through the security gate as these are not really mainstream yet.

A blessing of tablets over tubes of paste is that they are smaller and you can take the number of tablets you need, rather than what the tube size dictates.

I have enjoyed using the toothpaste bits from Bite and aside from the fluoride have no complaints.

It is a shame that paying a premium is the necessity for products that are better for the world at large, but that is the situation today.

Whether you feel switching to tablets over paste is viable for you will be a personal decision, but I do believe it is a route well worth exploring.

Please be aware that should you notice any abnormalities or extra sensitivity from using a different toothpaste you should stop and consult your dentist.

Summary of Daily Usage

• Simple to use, bite and brush
• No powdery or clumping texture experienced
• Slight foaming to the paste
• 1 month and 4 month package options
• Glass jar provided for storage with additional bits delivered in biodegradable packaging
• 3 flavors – mint, mint charcoal, berry twist and seasonal options such as autumn spice
• Organic and suitable for vegans
• Options with and without fluoride
• Suitable for travel, TSA approved

The Results

Many toothpastes on the market today make bold claims like whiter teeth in X number of days.

Of course, this is a very compelling sales message and is usually asterisked with a caveat!

Reality tends to be that few people see results so quickly, unless teeth are really stained.

Whilst Bite does say they are ‘naturally whitening’ there are no specific claims of whitening effects within so many days or week.

Any toothpaste used regularly with a good brushing technique can ‘whiten’ teeth, by removing external staining on the teeth.

From daily use for the last 2 weeks have not seen any color improvement, but I didn’t expect to.

Where companies make such claims I usually show before and after images, but I have chosen not to here as there is really nothing to see.

I have been happy with the overall clean the paste has provided. I have not experienced any sensitivity not have I noticed any discoloration to the teeth.

Conclusion, are Bite Toothpaste Bits any good?

I can’t really fault Bite and what they offer with their toothpaste bits, which you can buy on their site here if you are interested in them.

They are nicely presented, taste good, create a nice paste with no clumping or powdery texture.

There are many positives such as the lack of chemical additions to the mix, suitable for vegans and generally made in a more socially responsible way.

The lack of fluoride does mean they are not the best option in my opinion, given leading dental bodies advise using toothpastes with this included. (Now overcome with new product that includes fluoride)

But, they do contain nano-hydroxyapatite which achieves many of the same things as fluoride.

If however, you are aware of the implications and are actively seeking fluoride free then these tablets are a great option.

There is a price to be paid for some of the benefits and you have to be passionate and able to afford this premium to justify the purchase.

However, it can be worth it for many, particularly regular travelers, who need to think smart about what is in their carry on.

Electric Teeth Rating

FAQ

• Where can I buy toothpaste bits?
  • You can only buy direct from Bite’s website.
• What does it taste like?
  • I tested the mint toothpaste bits.  They had a mild minty freshness, not too weak or strong.
• How abrasive are Bite’s toothpaste bits?
  • The mint bits have an RDA score of 43, whilst the mint charcoal are scored at just 24.
• Are toothpaste bits suitable for kids?
  • Yes, but ideally the child should be 3 years or older and capable of understanding how to use a chewable toothpaste tablet, parental discretion will be required.
• Are they Vegan?
  • Yes.
• Does it hurt?
  • I had no sensitivity, pain or side effects from using this paste, should you should gain additional sensitivity or side effects as a result of using it, stop doing so and consult a dentist.
• What are the ingredients in toothpaste bits?
  • The ingredients depend on the flavor you pick.
  • Mint
    • Erythritol
    • Xylitol
    • Calcium Carbonate
    • Natural Flavor (peppermint)
    • Hydroxyapatite (nano)
    • Sodium Bicarbonate
    • Guar Gum
    • Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
    • Zinc Citrate
    • Silicon Dioxide
    • Menthol
  • Mint Charcoal
    • Erythritol
    • Xylitol
    • Calcium Carbonate
    • Natural Flavor (mint)
    • Hydroxyapatite (nano)
    • Sodium Bicarbonate
    • Guar Gum
    • Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
    • Zinc Citrate
    • Silicon Dioxide
    • Menthol
    • Activated Charcoal