If you’re someone who tries to avoid harsh chemicals or stick with more natural oral care products, you’ve likely heard of The Natural Dentist mouthwash. For years, it’s been one of the most recognizable “natural” mouth rinses on store shelves its peppermint and orange spice versions are especially popular among people looking for alternatives to big brands.
But lately, regulars are saying the same thing: it’s hard to find anywhere. You go to your usual grocery, pharmacy, or order online, but it’s just not there. Turns out, there’s a real reason for that.
How Hard Is It to Find?
Here’s what we know if you’re out looking for a bottle. At Walmart, you might get lucky. They still list The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums Antigingivitis Rinse in Peppermint Twist, and it carries a legit 4.7 out of 5 rating from almost 600 buyers. So, some fans are still getting their fix, at least for now.
If Walgreens is your go-to pharmacy, you’ll see similar results. Their site lists the same Peppermint Twist mouthwash as available and shippable. That’s a surprise given how many places have run dry, and the reviews there are also solid.
But then you check Target one of the country’s largest retailers. If you punch in “natural dentist mouthwash” on their site, nothing pops up from that brand. Instead, you’ll see shelves filled with Crest, Listerine, TheraBreath, and other big names. Not a single bottle of The Natural Dentist.
So for most shoppers, it’s like the product is playing hide and seek. And lately, it’s been doing a lot more hiding.
What About For Dentists and Pros?
When something disappears from store shelves, there’s a chance it’ll show up through dental suppliers or the manufacturer directly. Henry Schein is a massive supplier for dentists and hygienists, and for years they carried The Natural Dentist line including Healthy Gums Oral Rinse, Healthy White Mouth Rinse, and others.
Now? Every Natural Dentist product on Henry Schein’s site is labeled “no longer available.” The listings are still there so that professionals can refer to their order histories, but you can’t put anything in your cart or get a shipment. That usually means the manufacturer has stopped sending new shipments entirely, not just for one flavor or retailer, but for the whole product line.
So for professionals, the out-of-stock issue isn’t an accident. The supply from the top dried up, which usually means production itself has been paused or ended entirely.
What’s Behind the Shortage?
Here’s where things get interesting, especially if you like a little business drama with your shopping news. Natural Dentist the company that makes the mouthwash recently bought another oral care company, Caldwell Consumer Products. Caldwell runs the “Revive” brand, which also focuses on holistic dental products.
When a company does an acquisition, things get messy in the background. They might rethink which brands to keep, change factories, merge ingredients lists, or even switch up their distribution channels.
This kind of shakeup can mean big delays at the shelf level. If they’re trying to integrate Caldwell’s unique products, figure out which lines to keep, or redo packaging, things slow down. Retailers and suppliers end up left waiting. Sometimes, if the new parent company decides to retire old brands or recipes, that can mean a permanent goodbye to products that used to be everywhere.
At the time of writing, Natural Dentist hasn’t put out a clear statement about the shortage. There’s nothing on their website or official press releases that clears up if it’s a short-term hiccup or a sign that these mouthwashes are gone for good. For fans, it’s basically radio silence.
How Are Shoppers Reacting?
You can see the impact just by checking reviews and discussion forums. The Natural Dentist Healthy Gums rinse still gets love from long-time users. People mention it’s the only rinse that doesn’t give them mouth burn, and others say it actually helped with gum sensitivity.
But now, you’ll see a wave of one-star reviews not for the mouthwash itself, but for its sudden disappearance. People are frustrated, especially those with sensitive mouths who searched a while to find something without alcohol, SLS, or artificial dyes. Some users buy multiple bottles at a time when they do spot stock, expecting another dry spell to hit soon.
For some, it means switching back to mainstream mouthwashes or trying smaller “natural” brands that are still on the market though not always with the same results or trust in the ingredients list.
How Is the Market Responding?
If you check the oral care aisles in a big store right now, you’ll notice two things: more shelf space for new “natural” brands and almost nothing from The Natural Dentist.
TheraBreath, Hello, and Tom’s of Maine have all taken up prominent positions. Even large brands like Crest now push “natural” lines with botanical ingredients. These brands clearly see there’s a big demand for less intense, plant-based formulas and they’re happy to take The Natural Dentist’s place.
For people committed to specific ingredients like aloe vera or CoQ10 it’s a game of compromise. Some alternatives are close, but not quite the same. But overall, the demand for gentle, non-burning mouthwash is only growing.
Will The Natural Dentist Mouthwash Come Back?
There is no clear answer right now. From what we see on every major supplier Henry Schein, Target, smaller online stores it looks like the manufacturer stopped shipping out fresh product. At retail, it’s mostly just older inventory circulating.
The recent business changes, like acquiring another holistic oral care company, are the biggest hint that brand restructuring is happening. Sometimes, companies use these chances to quietly discontinue slow sellers or rebrand classic products under a new name.
It’s possible that once the dust settles, a new formula or different label will turn up at chains like Walmart, Walgreens, or even at The Business Hustler. But if you’re loyal to the older formula, you may have to start bracing for it being gone.
For now, the shortage isn’t about shipping delays or pandemic backups. It seems to come from the top: either the old line is being paused for a revamp, or it’s being phased out entirely.
How to Score The Natural Dentist Mouthwash (If You Can)
If you’re set on getting another bottle before it disappears for good, your best bets are Walmart and Walgreens. Both are still listing the Healthy Gums Peppermint Twist version as of this week.
Sometimes, small neighborhood pharmacies or independent health food stores still have a few bottles on hand especially if they don’t move through inventory as quickly. It’s worth calling ahead if you’re in a big city.
You can also try online marketplaces like eBay, but be careful. Prices might spike, and you should always double-check expiration dates before buying from resellers.
If you can’t find The Natural Dentist, consider other natural mouthwashes from brands like TheraBreath, Tom’s of Maine, or even looking at specialty health stores. You may not get an exact match for ingredients or flavor, but there are still options for folks who want to avoid harsh chemicals.
Where Things Stand
Right now, The Natural Dentist mouthwash shortage seems pretty definitive. The manufacturer isn’t supplying major wholesalers, and big retailers like Target have already filled the empty shelf space with other brands.
Walmart and Walgreens still have some stock, but it’s unclear how long that will last given the uncertain future of production. If the brand is planning a comeback, they’re keeping the details quiet. For now, it looks like fans will have to keep a lookout or start experimenting with new options in the ever-crowded “natural” mouthwash space.
That’s where things stand: a once-favorite is becoming a rare find on shelves, even as more people seek out gentler, greener ways to rinse. If you see a bottle, grab it you might not see another for a while.
Also Read:
