We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Dental & Oral Care Products The 10 Best Toothpastes for Healthy Teeth and Gums, Tested and Reviewed We tested 35 toothpastes and these were the best for all sorts of oral health concerns. By Isabella Ubaldi Updated on April 19, 2024 Medically reviewed by Brian T. Luong, DMD Fact checked by Marley Hall Print Verywell Health / Ashley Craiger Toothpaste is a no-brainer when it comes to improving your oral hygiene. The fact that it’s such an essential personal hygiene item is precisely what can make it so overwhelming to buy. Erinne Kennedy, DMD, a dentist and spokesperson of the American Dental Association (ADA), says that it’s important to make sure you’re looking for ingredients that make you healthier. Meanwhile, Edmond Hewlett, a Professor at UCLA and spokesperson of the American Dental Association, says that finding the right toothpaste, being consistent with oral hygiene, and maintaining checkups are important for prevention because your teeth and gums should last you a lifetime. To help you find the best toothpaste for you, we tested 35 toothpastes at home and conducted hours of research to help you decide. We picked these 10 as our favorites based on criteria such as effectiveness, comfort, and taste. Ingredients When searching for a toothpaste that will meet your needs, these are the ingredients to keep an eye out for: Fluoride: This ingredient is a must-have, safe and effective way of preventing cavities. Dr. Hewlett says that of all the active ingredients in toothpaste, fluoride has the largest body of evidence for its effectiveness. Surfactant: Most Americans are accustomed to sudsy toothpaste. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant ingredient that creates the foaming action in conventional toothpastes. Some dentists believe it helps to clean teeth and the mouth more thoroughly, but it’s also shown to remove the mucin layer in your mouth’s soft tissues and may cause irritation. Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide removes both surface and intrinsic stains, leaving noticeably brighter, whiter teeth. Xylitol: Another beneficial ingredient often found in toothpaste. It's a sweetener that gives toothpaste its flavor while also helping to mitigate tooth-decaying bacteria. Abrasives: Abrasives are ingredients like calcium carbonate, silicate aluminum carbonates or aluminum hydroxide. These are cleaning and polishing agents added to toothpaste to remove surface stains and break up bacterial colonies. ADA-Acceptance Cheryline Pezzullo, DDS, director for community-based programs and clinical assistant professor of General Dentistry & Comprehensive Care at NYU College of Dentistry, suggests that while it’s ideal for toothpastes to have the mark of approval by the ADA, it’s not necessarily the only indicator of whether a toothpaste will be good or bad. The main factor of a good toothpaste is whether or not it contains fluoride and if it meets your preferences so that you will use it consistently, twice per day. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Colgate Total Fresh Mint Stripe Gel Toothpaste at Amazon ($13) Jump to Review Best Budget: Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint Toothpaste at Amazon ($9) Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Teeth: Sensodyne Repair and Protect Deep Repair Whitening Toothpaste at Amazon ($7) Jump to Review Best Whitening: Colgate Sensitive Prevent & Repair Toothpaste at Amazon ($21) Jump to Review Best Tablets: Tidalove Toothpaste Tablets with Fluoride at Amazon ($12) Jump to Review Best for Bad Breath: TheraBreath Fresh Breath Toothpaste at Amazon ($16) Jump to Review Best for Gum Disease: Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste at Amazon ($28) Jump to Review Best Natural: Arm & Hammer Essentials Whiten & Strengthen Fluoride Toothpaste at Amazon ($25) Jump to Review Best for Kids: Hello Kids Magical Mermaid Fluoride Toothpaste at Amazon ($13) Jump to Review Best Non-Mint: HiSmile Everyday SmileCare at Amazon ($14) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Ingredients ADA-Acceptance Our Picks We Also Tested How We Tested Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Colgate Total Fresh Mint Stripe Gel Toothpaste Target View On Amazon $13 View On Walmart $8 View On Colgate.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 5/5 Pros Reduces sensitivity Long-lasting mint flavor Great texture Cons Not whitening Contains palm oil Key Specs Active Ingredients: Stannous Fluoride | SLS-Free: No | Size: 4.8 oz | ADA-Accepted: Yes Why We Recommend It What makes for a good overall toothpaste? One that ticks all the boxes and is accepted by the American Dental Association. Colgate Total Fresh Mint Stripe Gel takes the top spot for our best overall toothpaste because it reduces sensitivity, has a classic mint flavor, and has a pleasant texture. In our tests, it left our teeth feeling smooth and clean while providing long-lasting breath freshness. The gel formula was smooth enough to coat the mouth and foamed up well. It also didn’t increase the underlying sensitivity of our editors’ teeth and, since it’s a household name, it’s easy and accessible to buy. Keep In Mind While this toothpaste is great for cleaning your teeth, it won’t necessarily whiten them. Also, our tester noted that the long-lasting mint taste sometimes interfered with the flavors of drinks and food after brushing. Verywell Health / Rachel Marek Verywell Health / Rachel Marek Verywell Health / Rachel Marek Best Budget Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint Toothpaste Crest View On Amazon $9 View On Crest.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Comfort 4.5/5 Taste 4.8/5 Pros Fights gingivitis Sensitivity relief Gentle whitening Cons Not ADA-accepted Contains SLS Key Specs Active Ingredients: Stannous Fluoride | SLS-Free: No | Size: 4.3 oz | ADA-Accepted: No Why We Recommend It Crest calls this their Pro-Health toothpaste because it covers the whole health of your mouth: It works against plaque and combats sensitivity while preventing gingivitis and even whitening the teeth. There are many toothpastes on the market that offer this kind of protection, but at under $10, this one is the best toothpaste if you’re on a budget. In our tests, the texture was slightly thinner than other brands’ products, and it was relatively low-foam, which is perfect if your toothbrush is electric. It also helped to whiten teeth slightly but didn’t increase sensitivity, which is great for coffee drinkers. The mild mint flavor was enjoyable in our tests, and the small packaging details made a difference; the snap closure lid was particularly appreciated. Keep In Mind The product isn’t ADA-accepted and it contains sodium lauryl sulfate—a strong cleaning agent which may be irritating to some. Also, those who like a strong mint taste should know this one is relatively mild. Verywell Health / Renee Scott Verywell Health / Renee Scott Best for Sensitive Teeth Sensodyne Repair and Protect Deep Repair Whitening Toothpaste Amazon View On Amazon $7 View On Walmart $7 View On Target $7 Pros Contains high dose of protective stannous fluoride Clinically proven for sensitivity relief Gentle whitening Cons Not for those looking for a strong mint flavor Sensitivity improvement is gradual Key Specs Active Ingredients: Stannous Fluoride | SLS-Free: No | Size: 3.4 Oz | ADA-Accepted: No Why We Recommend It Tooth sensitivity makes it hard to enjoy both hot and cold food and drinks. Luckily, there are many options on the market that cover this, and Sensodyne is a common choice. This one by Sensodyne stood out to us as the best sensitive toothpaste option because it contains stannous fluoride—a type of fluoride that protects against both cavities and bacteria and has a mild whitening effect. As we used it, this toothpaste foamed well and left the teeth feeling clean afterward. In particular, we appreciated the subtle mint flavor. This toothpaste is great for long-term use because it provides both gentle, gradual whitening and sensitivity protection. Keep In Mind Those who like a strong mint flavor should know that this one is relatively mild. Our tests also proved that it gradually helped with sensitivity, so it’s better for those who are maintaining sensitive teeth rather than needing immediate relief. Verywell Health / Kelsey Hansen Verywell Health / Kelsey Hansen Best Whitening Colgate Sensitive Prevent & Repair Toothpaste Amazon View On Amazon $21 View On Walmart $5 View On Riteaid.com $7 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 5/5 Pros Sensitivity relief Subtle mint flavor Whitening Cons Contains SLS Not ADA-accepted Key Specs Active Ingredients: Potassium Nitrate, Sodium Fluoride | SLS-Free: No | Size: 6 oz | ADA-Accepted: No Why We Recommend It Gone are the days of whitening toothpastes that increase sensitivity. There are now many out there that protect the health of your teeth and gums and don’t rely on hydrogen peroxide to get the job done. This Colgate one is a good option because it does just that. Our tests proved that this toothpaste was effective even for people who have extremely sensitive teeth because it provided lasting relief throughout the entire testing period. It has a smooth, comfortable consistency and spread across teeth and gums easily. After approximately 300 hours of use, the toothpaste also improved the whiteness of our teeth. Keep In Mind This toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which can affect the protective mucous layer in your mouth. If this is a deal-breaker for you, check some of the others on this list. Verywell Health / Kelly Morse Verywell Health / Kelly Morse Best Tablets Tidalove Toothpaste Tablets with Fluoride Amazon View On Amazon $12 View On Walmart $22 View On Tidalove.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 5/5 Pros Palatable yuzu mint flavor Travel-friendly Vegan and cruelty-free Cons Need to chew thoroughly before brushing Not ADA-accepted Key Specs Active Ingredients: Sodium Fluoride | SLS-Free: Yes | Size: $12 | ADA-Accepted: No Why We Recommend It These are our favorite tablets because they’re cruelty-free, vegan, and free of other chemicals and harsh ingredients such as parabens, GMO ingredients and artificial dyes. What the Tidalove tablets do contain is a refreshing yuzu mint flavor, which is fruity while chewing but leaves the mouth feeling minty for several hours after brushing. They come in a small, packable one-month supply bag, a larger four-month supply pack, or a charming canister. We particularly like this option for travel because it eliminates all worries of the dreaded exploding toothpaste tube in a carry-on. The tablets contain cavity-protection fluoride and, once chewed, foamed up as much as toothpaste in a tube. Keep In Mind This product type will take some getting used to if you usually use toothpaste in a tube. The texture will start off gritty but evolve into a paste when it’s ready to brush. Verywell Health / Jaylyn Pruitt Best for Bad Breath TheraBreath Fresh Breath Toothpaste Amazon View On Amazon $16 View On Walmart $8 View On Walgreens $11 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 4.3/5 Pros SLS-free Dentist-formulated Cons Not ADA-accepted Key Specs Active Ingredients: Sodium Fluoride | SLS-Free: Yes | Size: 4 oz | ADA-Accepted: No Why We Recommend It There are many strong mint options out there to combat bad breath, but we selected this one because we found it to be highly effective at freshening our breath, even with a mild mint flavor. In our tests, this TheraBreath toothpaste left our teeth feeling clean and smooth, and the mild flavor was tasty. This toothpaste’s consistency particularly stood out to us. It was easy to swish around and didn’t leave any residue or get stuck in any parts of the mouth like some white pastes can. This clear gel is dentist-formulated with what the company describes as “patented oxygenated compounds,” designed to provide a multi-pronged approach to combating oral bacteria. That means the toothpaste isn’t just covering up bad breath with a strong minty flavor but fighting unsavory smells at the source. Keep In Mind The ADA does not recommend this product. Though it’s designed to combat bad breath, the mild mint flavor may be too mild for some. Verywell Health / Ella Field Verywell Health / Ella Field Best for Gum Disease Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste Walmart View On Amazon $28 View On Walmart $12 View On Target $7 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 5/5 Pros Reduces sensitivity ADA-accepted Protects gums Cons Somewhat artificial aftertaste Less value-for-money Key Specs Active Ingredients: Stannous Fluoride | SLS-Free: | Size: 4.3oz | ADA-Accepted: Yes Why We Recommend It Gum disease is also known as gingivitis, and if left untreated, it can cause things like bad breath, pain, swollen gums, sensitivity and gum recession. This Crest toothpaste is our pick for fighting gum disease because it’s developed specifically to fight cavities, gingivitis, plaque, tartar and acid erosion. It strengthens your enamel and gums, which, in turn, should strengthen your teeth. Before using this toothpaste, we experienced sensitivity, gum issues, bleeding, and plaque buildup. We noticed that this toothpaste was effective at cleaning both teeth and the tongue, and no flare-ups with gum issues or sensitivity were experienced while using it. The paste is slightly thicker than other toothpastes and somewhat gritty at the start, but it dissolves and foams well, which is important for making sure bacteria is removed from between the teeth. Keep In Mind In our tests, the toothpaste proved to have a subtle mint flavor, which left us with a slightly artificial aftertaste. Though it wasn’t unpleasant, it was different from other enamel-protecting options. Verywell Health / Megan Wood Best Natural Arm & Hammer Essentials Whiten & Strengthen Fluoride Toothpaste Walmart View On Amazon $25 View On Walmart $10 View On Armandhammer.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 4.5/5 Pros Preservative-free Dye-free Reduces sensitivity Cons Not recommended for those who like strong mint flavors Not ADA-accepted Key Specs Active Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, Baking soda | SLS-Free: Yes | Size: 4.3 oz | ADA-Accepted: No Why We Recommend It Natural toothpastes are formulated without chemicals, dyes and preservatives and use simple ingredients to clean, whiten and protect the teeth. Arm & Hammer have put calcium and sodium fluoride in this one to protect enamel and prevent cavities. There’s also baking soda—an age-old natural whitener. This toothpaste was a winner, even with our most sensitive teeth. It was so good that we would consider swapping from a non-natural, commercial brand of toothpaste to this one. This toothpaste left our teeth feeling very clean and didn’t aggravate tooth or gum sensitivity. We also noticed a whiter shade after approximately 5 hours of total use. Keep In Mind The flavor was likened to an Alka-Seltzer, with a light mint yet mineral-like taste. Therefore, it’s better for those who prefer a subtle mint or non-mint flavor. Verywell Health / Michael Navarro Best for Kids Hello Kids Magical Mermaid Fluoride Toothpaste Amazon View On Amazon $13 View On Hello-products.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Comfort 4.8/5 Taste 5/5 Pros Orange creamsicle taste Sugar-free Cavity-fighting Cons Minimal foam Key Specs Active Ingredients: Sodium Fluoride | SLS-Free: Yes | Size: | ADA-Accepted: Yes Why We Recommend It Bring a touch of aquatic fantasy to your kids' brushing time with this Magical Mermaid toothpaste. The brand says the product has a sweet taste of summer—which translates to a tasty orange creamsicle flavor. We believe this is the best toothpaste for kids (and adults) because it tastes great, is gentle on a teething child’s gums, and is sugar- and SLS-free. In our tests, the flavor was a hit with moms and children alike, including a teething 15-month-old. Hello has made this formula free of many additives, such as artificial sweeteners and flavors, dyes, sulfates, preservatives, sugar, gluten and titanium dioxide. The thick, somewhat gloopy formula was seen as a bonus as it makes it easier to control the quantity of paste on the brush. Keep In Mind While the formula's thickness made it easier to control how much paste was on the brush, its low-foaming nature made it slightly more difficult for parents to make sure they were reaching all parts of the child’s mouth. Verywell Health Verywell Health Best Non-Mint HiSmile Everyday SmileCare Amazon View On Amazon $14 View On Walmart $10 View On Hismileteeth.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Comfort 4.6/5 Taste 5/5 Pros Reduces sensitivity Many flavor options Whitening Cons Pump design created minor problems Only available online Key Specs Active Ingredients: Sodium fluoride | SLS-Free: Yes/No | Size: 2.1 oz | ADA-Accepted: No Why We Recommend It HiSmile has built a reputation as an independent, effective whitening toothpaste. They also specialize in 11 non-mint flavors, including coconut, vanilla, and mango sorbet. We tested the watermelon toothpaste (one of their bestsellers), which is slightly fruity and sweet but also balanced with a certain light mintiness. This is our best non-mint toothpaste because it doesn’t have an overpowering flavor like chewing gum; rather, it proved to be more refreshing. In terms of mouth protection, it also didn’t aggravate any underlying sensitivity issues. The texture foamed nicely and left teeth feeling clean, smooth and fresh. Plus, its formula is designed to whiten teeth gently, and it contains fluoride to help protect the enamel. Keep In Mind The pump design of this product means it stands easily on the counter, looks nice in your bathroom, and is dispensed easily. However, you may have to work the pump a little more when first using the product, and this particular package design makes it difficult to see when the product is running low. Verywell Health / Ashley Craiger Verywell Health / Ashley Craiger Verywell Health / Ashley Craiger Verywell Health / Ashley Craiger We Also Tested Simplut Chewable Toothpaste Tablets: These tablets take some getting used to — chew before you brush, but don’t swallow. While they had a great taste and convenience for travel, they were deemed too expensive.Spotlight Oral Care Toothpaste for Total Care: A great choice in terms of protection, with a delicate minty taste and thicker paste. Ultimately, we decided it was less value-for–money than other total care toothpastes.. Colgate Total Deep Clean Toothpaste: This is a solid choice because it’s generally great for reducing sensitivity with a gentle added whitening component. The toothpaste fell short in terms of flavor for us, striking us as too mild. How We Tested the Toothpastes We tested dentist-approved toothpastes at home over a six-week period. We tested 35 toothpastes to select the 10 best included in this roundup. We picked our top toothpastes based on the following criteria: Effectiveness: We noted how our teeth felt after using each toothpaste for the first time as well as how they looked and felt after using it for the duration of the test. Comfort: We noted the consistency of each products' formula and how it swished around the mouth with the toothbrush. Also whether the toothpaste caused the teeth to feel more sensitive after using it and how it lathered. Taste: We noted whether the toothpaste was minty (and how strong or mild the taste was) as well as whether it was fruity or minerally. We also paid attention to whether or not the taste was pleasant or overwhelming and for how long it remained after brushing and rinsing. Our Experts We consulted dental experts to write this article and to oversee and help craft our testing methodology. For the article we asked them for advice about the efficacy and purpose of certain ingredients in toothpastes and ways to maintain proper oral hygiene. Erinne Kennedy, DMD, MPH, MMSc, a dentist and spokesperson of the American Dental Association Edmond Hewlett, DDS, professor and associate dean at UCLA School of Dentistry Lena Varone, DMD, FIADFE, dentist at New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry Cheryline Pezzullo, DDS, director for community-based programs, and clinical assistant professor of General Dentistry & Comprehensive Care at NYU College of Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions How much toothpaste should I use? The ADA recommends a smear of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) for children up until 3 years old. After the age of 3, a pea-sized amount is sufficient. Is a whitening toothpaste safe for sensitive teeth? Any toothpaste that doesn’t use peroxide as a whitening ingredient is safe for sensitive teeth. Does a natural toothpaste provide adequate cavity protection? Fluoride is the best ingredient for cavity protection. Natural toothpastes are equally split between fluoride and fluoride-free versions (which contain xylitol as an antibacterial agent). Why Trust Verywell Health Isabella Ubaldi regularly contributes to Verywell Health’s sister site, Health.com. She is a freelance writer and communications specialist with a keen personal interest in advice for preventative dental measures. As someone who used to follow a teeth-whitening regime with peroxide, she is now aware of the damage this does to enamel and gum health. Isabella has researched, written about, and worked for a range of global and independent clients and on a variety of health topics, such as the best moisturizing body washes and how “femtech” is helping fill the gap in our medical understanding of women’s bodies. Her curiosity about the world feeds her interest in helping people reduce the shopping noise and make decisions that just might improve their quality of life or make the everyday a little bit sweeter. 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