ENML’s toothpaste tablets are convenient for travel. Pam LeBlanc photo

I travel frequently, and always look for ways to lighten the load. I wondered if toothpaste tablets might work for me.

I recently tested a jar of ENML “luxury toothpaste tablets,” and while I like the idea of leaving a squishy tube of toothpaste at home, these particular tablets left me missing my Crest.

First, the tablets are fluoride-free. Instead, they contain hydroxyapatite, a mineral that makes up 90 percent of tooth enamel.

That might be a plus for some users, but not for me. The American Dental Association recommends using fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities. According to a study in the National Institute of Health’s National Library of Medicine, some medical professionals believe too much fluoride can cause fluoride toxicity, but it points out that that’s unlikely just from toothpaste.

Second, the ENML toothpaste tabs are expensive – as in about $25 for a jar of 60 tabs. That’s $25 a month (if you brush twice a day), when a tube that lasts just as long costs about $5.

Other brands, like the one my sister uses called Bite are less expensive – and you can buy them with or without fluoride. A jar of 248 tablets, a four-month supply, regularly costs $48, but you can find them on sale for $32. That makes more economic sense.

The ENML tabs themselves are convenient. They come in a small (refillable) glass jar, with a small metal travel case that I used when I hit the road.

To use them, pop one in your mouth, chew it up and brush. I had to take a sip of water to get the tabs to foam up enough, but that was easy.

Final review? I love the concept, but I want fluoride in my toothpaste tablets. And the ones made by ENML are too expensive for my budget.