roesch - natural toothpaste

Organic toothpaste from the Ore Mountains

Ore Mountains

Dr Britta Rösch, from Schwarzenberg in the Erzgebirge mountains, has been a dentist for around 25 years and established her natural personal care brand “roesch” in 2018. She has developed an innovative oral care range without artificial ingredients. Every tube is 100 per cent natural and 100 per cent produced in the Erzgebirge mountains.

We spoke to Dr Britta Rösch

When and where did you come up with the idea of developing this toothpaste?

I’ve always been interested in alternative medicine. I’ve noted what grows in the countryside and seen what effects the various herbs have ever since I was young. I’ve made my own tinctures and salves from these herbs, especially for my children, for minor illnesses, bumps and scrapes. Then, in 2015, I had the idea of developing a completely new dental care concept. So I started to experiment with my herbs and other substances to develop a product for everyone.

roesch - Natural dental care made in Germany.

The name “WAYT?” stands for “What about your teeth?” Why did you choose an English slogan?

It’s because we felt it would appeal specifically to a younger target audience that these days is often unaware of what is growing right outside their front door. Many people are keen to wear synthetic leather instead of real leather, or that their food contains no flavour enhancers. But hardly anyone applies that approach to their toothpaste. I chose this slogan to ask the question that everyone should be asking: What about your teeth? Obviously, it’s also a play on the English word “wait”, intentionally misspelled, so that people stumble over it while reading and it grabs their attention.

What ingredients did you choose and why?

It’s based on a blend of different mineral clays that I selected for their fineness. The grain size was chosen to clean the teeth thoroughly without damaging them. It also contains coconut oil, which is very good for the teeth. I would have loved to use a locally-produced oil, but up to now the available processing technology means that’s not possible. The plant minerals we use can also be found in the human body. They’re looking for something to lock onto, you might say. If the minerals get all around the teeth, they can settle wherever the tooth needs them. Any unused minerals are absorbed by the body, where they are also beneficial. Other ingredients include several herbs and plants that can still be found in the Erzgebirge mountains: oregano, dandelion, yarrow and pellitory. These herbs and their healing properties have been valued since Hildegard von Bingen’s day. Why shouldn’t we go back to using them? I believe that we should preserve these ancient medical traditions.

Innovative recipes with the best from traditional medicinal herbalism

"WAYT! - What about your Teeth?" 100 percent natural ingredients — "WAYT! - What about your Teeth?" consists of 100 percent natural ingredients

How important is sustainability to you, personally?

If you hadn’t considered it already, when you have children you start to think about what kind of planet you want to leave to them and their children. I believe in sensible sustainability. I’m interested in a healthy and careful lifestyle, being aware of what I take from nature and what I give back.

Your toothpaste is described as organic and ecological. Is the packaging also made from sustainable materials?

Yes, the tube is predominantly made from a plastic produced using granules of sugar cane waste. This waste comes from Brazil. I’m still looking for a European alternative. Apart from that, I’m working closely with waste management company Kunststoffschmiede in Dresden, who make the WAYT! tube squeezer from returned empty toothpaste tubes, for example.

Where is “WAYT?” made and do you take care to ensure fair working conditions?

We’re a six-strong team and all have our roots in the Erzgebirge mountains. We have an agricultural engineer/alternative practitioner on board; one colleague is responsible for shipping, another for social media, and my main job is still my dental practice. We do all our manufacturing and packaging in the Erzgebirge mountains.

How long did it take you from coming up with the original concept to having a finished product?

About three years.

What do consumers think of your toothpaste?

We’ve only been on the market since June 2019 and sales have been growing all the time, especially via our online shop. I’m sure that my entry for Saxony’s prize for women business founders helped, alongside our active social media work. We’re now receiving orders from all over Europe, and selling around 100 tubes a day. Selected shops and pharmacies, especially in the local area, also sell our oral care range.

Are you planning more products?

Yes, our next product will be an essence made from almost forgotten medicinal plants that can be used as a mouthwash or applied directly to minor wounds. After that, I’m planning to develop a children’s toothpaste, where the flavour will be key.

By the way, the price per tube (€10) is a round figure because the profit on the calculated price is passed on to the Saxony Nature Conservation Association, which buys local land and rewilds it, with large areas used as bird reserves, for example.