Grind, now trading as Grind Goods, makes a straightforward fluoride-free toothpaste built on hydroxyapatite, theobromine and xylitol, sold in nine flavors online and in Walmart stores. It is one of the more affordable ways into hydroxyapatite toothpaste, and its veteran-led ownership and giving mission add appeal, though the vitamin add-ons in some flavors are more marketing than meaningful nutrition.
What we like
- Fluoride-free formula with dual hydroxyapatite, theobromine and xylitol
- Nine flavors, including an activated charcoal version
- Widely available in Walmart stores as well as online
- Veteran-owned, with a giving program for veterans' dental care
- Free shipping when you buy three or more tubes
Keep in mind
- Vitamin add-ons in toothpaste are unlikely to affect your nutrition
- Charcoal toothpaste can be abrasive and has limited whitening evidence
- Online range is toothpaste only, with no floss or mouthwash
- Brand rename from Grind Oral Care to Grind Goods can be confusing
Grind started with a single toothpaste and a mission. Its founder, a retired US Army special operations veteran, set out to make a fluoride-free paste based on hydroxyapatite and theobromine, a compound found in cocoa, and to use the business to help veterans get dental care. The company won a place on Walmart shelves through the retailer's Open Call program and has since grown its range to nine flavors.
Today the brand operates as Grind Goods, and the old grindoralcare.com address leads to its new site. In our research we looked at what goes into Grind's toothpaste, how the flavors differ, how it compares on price with other hydroxyapatite brands, and who it suits best.
A veteran-led toothpaste company
Grind was co-founded by Roger Gindlesperger, who served 20 years in the US Army, including 13 in special operations, and his wife, Mary Ann. The idea took shape in 2020, and the founders say it took nine months and seven formulation versions to arrive at the original paste. The company was based in the Salt Lake City area, and later reporting describes its toothpaste being manufactured in Utah.
The ownership group includes several other veterans, among them Dr. Jay Grossman, a dentist and US Navy veteran who founded the nonprofit Homeless Not Toothless, and celebrity chef Andre Rush, alongside former NFL player Marques Ogden. In 2023 the company said it donated 25 percent of profits to Homeless Not Toothless, which provides free dental care to homeless veterans.
What is in the formula
Every Grind flavor shares the same base, which the brand calls a patent-pending formula:
- Droxy dual hydroxyapatite: the brand's name for its hydroxyapatite blend, a mineral that mirrors the main component of enamel
- Theobromine: a cocoa-derived compound studied as a possible enamel-supporting ingredient
- Xylitol: a sugar alcohol that cavity-causing bacteria cannot ferment
The formulas are fluoride-free and described as vegan. Grind says the paste is suitable for the whole family, including children under six with parental supervision.
About the vitamin flavors
Several flavors add vitamins or extras, such as vitamins K2 and D3 in Coastal Crush, vitamin C in Citrus Burst and CoQ10 in Lemon Love. Toothpaste is spat out after brushing, so these additions are unlikely to make a meaningful difference to your vitamin intake. Choose your flavor for taste rather than for the add-ons.
See Grind Oral Care's current range
The flavor lineup
All nine flavors on the brand's site cost $12.99 a tube:
- Advance Mint: an upgraded cool mint and the safest first pick
- Cinnamon Kick: spicy cinnamon with B vitamins
- Mint Chip and Berry Dip'd: dessert-style and berry flavors
- Citrus Burst and Lemon Love: bright citrus options
- Coastal Crush and Purple Pop: fruity flavors, the latter with prebiotics
- Achieve Mint: an activated charcoal version
The original activated charcoal hydroxyapatite paste, Mint Elevated, is sold at Walmart. If you are new to the brand, start with Advance Mint, or buy three flavors at once to qualify for free shipping and find your favorite.
Should you choose the charcoal version?
Activated charcoal pastes are popular for whitening, but dental organizations note that the evidence for charcoal whitening is limited and that some charcoal products can be abrasive. If you like the taste and feel of Grind's charcoal flavors, consider alternating with a non-charcoal paste rather than using charcoal exclusively, and brush gently with a soft brush. Anyone with enamel wear, receding gums or sensitivity is better off with the non-charcoal flavors.
Price, shipping and where to buy
At $12.99 a tube online, Grind sits in the same bracket as other direct-to-consumer hydroxyapatite pastes, and buying three or more tubes unlocks free shipping. In stores the price can be noticeably lower; when the brand launched at Walmart in 2023, its paste retailed for about $6.47. That makes Grind one of the most affordable ways to try hydroxyapatite toothpaste if a nearby store stocks it.
The brand's site links to a refund policy, and earlier coverage described returns as hassle-free, but the terms were not set out on the pages we reviewed, so check them before placing a large order.
Who it suits
Grind is a good fit for families looking for a fluoride-free paste at a fair price, for shoppers who want their everyday purchases to support veterans, and for anyone who enjoys rotating flavors. Its availability in Walmart makes it easy to restock without a subscription.
It is less suited to people at high risk of cavities whose dentist recommends fluoride, and to shoppers who want a full routine from one brand, since Grind's site focuses on toothpaste alone.
How Grind compares
Against other fluoride-free brands, Grind's appeal is simplicity and price. Boka offers a broader routine with mouthwash, floss and a dedicated kids' range, and Better Biom's NOBS tablets suit travelers and low-waste households, while Grind keeps things to a single familiar paste in a tube. Its in-store price can make it the cheapest of the three, and theobromine sets its formula apart from most rivals. If you want one tube to keep by the sink, Grind is a sensible, low-risk choice; if you want a complete system, look at the broader brands.
Our verdict
Grind delivers what matters in a fluoride-free toothpaste, with a sensible hydroxyapatite, theobromine and xylitol base, at a price that undercuts many rivals in stores. The vitamin flavors are more about taste and fun than nutrition, and the charcoal option is best used sparingly. For a dependable everyday paste with a mission behind it, Grind is well worth a try.
As with any switch away from fluoride, mention the change to your dentist at your next checkup so they can keep an eye on how your enamel responds.
Grind Oral Care products at a glance
| Product | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Advance Mint Toothpaste | Upgraded cool mint flavor of the fluoride-free hydroxyapatite and theobromine paste. | $12.99 |
| Cinnamon Kick Toothpaste | Spicy cinnamon flavor with added B vitamins. | $12.99 |
| Achieve Mint Toothpaste | Activated charcoal version of the hydroxyapatite formula. | $12.99 |
| Coastal Crush Toothpaste | Fruity flavor with vitamins K2 and D3 added. | $12.99 |
| Purple Pop Toothpaste | Fruity flavor with vitamins A, C and E plus prebiotics. | $12.99 |
| Mint Elevated | The original activated charcoal hydroxyapatite paste, sold at Walmart. | varies by store |
Prices as listed on the brand's site at the time of our research and may change. Check the store for current pricing.
Grind Oral Care FAQs
Is Grind Oral Care legit?
Yes. Grind is a veteran-owned US toothpaste company, now trading as Grind Goods, whose products are sold online and in Walmart stores. Its old grindoralcare.com address redirects to the current site.
Does Grind toothpaste contain fluoride?
No. Grind uses hydroxyapatite, theobromine and xylitol instead of fluoride. If you are at high risk of cavities, ask your dentist whether you also need a fluoride product.
Is Grind toothpaste safe for kids?
Grind says its paste is suitable for the whole family, including children under six with parental supervision. Use a small amount and follow your dentist's guidance on fluoride for children.
Where can I buy Grind toothpaste?
On the brand's website, where all nine flavors cost $12.99 and three or more tubes ship free, and in many Walmart stores, where prices are often lower.
Does Grind support veterans?
Yes. In 2023 the company said it donated 25 percent of profits to Homeless Not Toothless, a nonprofit that provides free dental care to homeless veterans.
Budget-conscious families who want a fluoride-free hydroxyapatite paste with a purpose
Disclosure: InhouseHeal may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. Our score is based on research of the brand's products, evidence, pricing and policies. How we review.
