We took a deep dive to pick out the best toothpastes on the market, because if you’re like us, your oral hygiene routine likely hasn’t changed much since you were a kid: Flossing every night, brushing two times daily, and visiting the dentist twice a year for a checkup. And while you can pick from a variety of toothbrushes, mouthwash, and floss, toothpaste is where the rubber really meets the road.
Maybe it’s time to make some tailored changes to your toothpaste, too, depending on your particular needs. Say, for a sensitive smile, plaque proclivity, or even a bigger budget… Maybe you’re chasing a bright, made-for-TV smile? Or perhaps you’re prone to killer breath and need to counter the odorous bacteria? And, every so often, gingivitis comes for us all, whether we’ve been neglecting the floss, brushing with the same brush for too long, or ducking the dentist.
So we rounded up the very best toothpaste (and, more importantly, our most trusted dentists’ favorite toothpaste) that take aim at a variety of concerns. It’s time to brush up.
The Best Toothpaste, According to GQ
The Best Toothpaste for Gum Health: Crest Pro-Health Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste
Gum care is the key to perfect teeth. When gum tissue is strong, it prevents bone loss and tooth decay. “Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean toothpaste contains stannous fluoride, which has a greater range of benefits compared to the more common sodium fluoride,” says Dr. Keith Bracy, DDS, in NYC. “In addition to cavity and sensitive teeth protection, stannous fluoride fights bacterial endotoxins in your gums, reducing bleeding and inflammation.” In other words: better toothpaste means a healthier mouth. Dr. Michael J. Wei, DDS, FIADFE, at Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist, agrees, touting the fluoride toothpaste’s ability to prevent cavities and improve breath overall.
The Best Affordable Toothpaste: Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste
You’re not struggling with bad breath, gum health, or other oral health issues (congratulations), so all you really need is some regular ol’ toothpaste that doesn’t cost the same price as a non-insured trip to the dentist. All you need is something to get rid of plaque buildup because having to deal with tartar is no fun. Colgate’s affordable Cavity Protection toothpaste has what you need—i.e. classic fluoride—to make sure you’re not saying “ah” with a few holes in your teeth and it’ll keep you smelling minty fresh throughout the day, meal after meal. Plus, you’ll notice the ADA seal on the packaging, which means the American Dental Association deems this toothpaste as safe and effective—not bad for something that costs two bucks a pop.
The Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Mouths: Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste
According to the University of Utah, one in eight Americans have tooth sensitivity, which can be pain caused by extreme temperatures, certain foods, or any other stimuli. Sensitive toothpaste will help those with dentinal hypersensitivity to make sure they can take care of their teeth without being in agony. “No whitening toothpaste is strong enough to dramatically whiten teeth on its own,” says Dr. Timothy Chase, DDS, of Smiles NY in NYC. “But if you’re looking to achieve a brighter smile, I would recommend Sensodyne Extra Whitening toothpaste. It is one of the least abrasive options out there with fluoride, whitening and anti-sensitivity ingredients, for those with sensitive teeth. Many of the other whitening toothpastes are too abrasive and can cause loss of tooth enamel. Sensodyne helps remove stains for a whiter smile with twice daily brushing.”
The Best Toothpaste to Counter Bad Breath: Smartmouth Refreshing Mint
“SmartMouth’s toothpaste fights the real cause of bad breath: sulfur gas,” says Bracy. “Many oral care products mask bad breath with a clean mint flavor. This toothpaste contains zinc ions that bind to sulfur, eliminating a common source of bad breath.” If bad breath haunts you, consider investing in SmartMouth’s oral rinse as well, since it contains zinc ions. If you brush and rinse in the morning, you’ll have fresh breath all day, and if you do the same at night, you should wake without morning breath.
The Best Whitening Toothpaste: Opalescence Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
If your pearly whites aren’t so pearly, you’re probably in the market for a whitening toothpaste. Dr. Erin Fraundorf, DMD, MS, an orthodontist and the owner of BOCA Orthodontic+Whitening Studio, says that she’s hesitant about recommending whitening toothpaste because of the potential for causing permanent damage such as gum tissue loss and enamel abrasion. She’s also very against charcoal toothpaste, which use “large abrasive particles” that can cause severe damage to your teeth and gums. If she had to recommend a whitening toothpaste, however, she says Opalescence makes an excellent option because of its lower relative dental abrasion, or RDA, which means it’ll help remove stains (i.e. whiten your teeth) while being safe enough for daily use without the worry of wearing down the enamel. And pro tip: Fraundorf says the safest way to use whitening toothpaste at home is by using it with an electric toothbrush that has a pressure sensor so you don’t end up shaving your teeth down to a nub.
The Best Toothpaste for Cavity Protection: Twice Remineralizing Toothpaste
Truth be told, using any toothpaste is cavity protection in and of itself, yet while many on this list have their own specific targets, we like this one from Twice, which Dr. Mariam Zade, DDS, at JBL New York City, also recommends. “It contains high-quality, safe ingredients like fluoride and zinc citrate to strengthen enamel, fight cavities, and freshen breath,” he says. “It avoids additives like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and triclosan, and instead uses natural ingredients like aloe vera and vitamins for a gentle yet effective clean.”
The Best Fluoride-Free Remineralizing Toothpaste: Boka Nano Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
Boka ditches fluoride since the ingredient can cause sensitivities for some quarter of the population. This remineralizing toothpaste substitutes nano-hydroxyapatite (N-Ha) in place of fluoride. N-Ha is the foundation of our teeth and bones, and rebuilds tooth structure while reducing sensitivity. So, the more, the merrier! On top of that, peppermint oils provide a refreshing kick.
FAQ
What’s the best toothpaste?
We wouldn’t say there’s one toothpaste to rule them all as each person will have different oral health concerns—like cavity prevention, sensitivity, whitening, gum health, or using a natural toothpaste—that they’d want to address. Look at the active ingredients in all the toothpastes you’re choosing between and make sure the one you choose actually addresses your needs.
What’s the best toothpaste to whiten teeth?
Different types of toothpaste will advertise their ability to whiten teeth, but for serious teeth-whitening action, go to a professional. We think Opalescence makes the best whitening toothpaste based on Fraundorf’s recommendation, but she does want to clarify that there are two types of whitening: mechanical and chemical.
Mechanical whitening happens through “physical means,” which means you’re physically removing surface stains to get back to that pure sparkly white enamel. This will come in the form of ingredients like baking soda, calcium carbonate, or charcoal. Chemical whitening relies on some sort of solution, like hydrogen peroxide, which oxidizes stains to remove color and make teeth look whiter. You’ll recognize this kind of whitening if you’ve ever used a teeth whitening strip, which is basically a tamer version of what they’d use on your teeth if you were to go to the dentist’s office.
Why should I brush my teeth twice a day?
“The mouth is the gateway to your body, making it important to keep the oral microbiome balanced and healthy,” Zade says. “The primary function of brushing is to remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that accumulates on teeth throughout the day. When plaque is not adequately removed, it can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues.”
Brushing in the morning helps to get rid of bad breath and remove bacteria that’s built up overnight, while brushing at night will remove food and germs that have accumulated during the day. As Fraundorf reminds us: “The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes each time,” and taking care of your oral health will generally lead to better overall health.
What to Look For in Toothpastes
With all the toothpaste options that line the aisles and crowd Amazon’s search pages, it’s hard to know what exactly to look for to stock in your medicine cabinet. Typically, each brand will call their shot, and their ingredients back up any claims. One says it fights cavities by building enamel. OK, so is it heavy on fluoride? Another promises to “remineralize” your teeth by doing the same, but without potential fluoride sensitivity; alright, so it had better use hydroxyapatite to do so. In short, then, we looked at the key ingredients in each formula in order to position these pastes towards peoples’ particular needs. (Even the one that uses ghost pepper does so with good reason.)
How We Tested
We brushed. Sometimes more than twice a day. For years on end. Look, not all of these pastes are new to the market (Arm & Hammer, Colgate, Crest, Tom’s). This isn’t “best new toothpaste;” this is “best toothpaste.” And some of our old-school drugstore favorites will forever reign—they’re top-shelf despite being low-cost. And with a lifetime of experience, some added expertise from the dentists we trust most and a few focused years of testing the latest innovations, we found the best toothpaste for pretty much all oral health concerns.
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