Choosing the right toothpaste is essential for oral hygiene, but doing so can be confusing. While all toothpastes clean teeth, you might also need to address concerns like reducing sensitivity, whitening, and improving gum health.
I’ve spent years reporting on oral care and practically have dentists on speed dial. For this story, I talked to dentists about determining which toothpaste to buy and used their guidance to round up options made with fluoride from brands like Crest, Colgate and Sensodyne. Many of the toothpastes we recommend earned the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, and the NBC Select staff also tried a handful of them.
SKIP AHEAD The best toothpaste for adults in 2024 | What ingredients are in toothpaste? | Why trust NBC Select?
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How I picked the best toothpastes
While shopping for toothpaste, experts recommend keeping the following factors in mind.
- American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance: Oral care products like toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and manual and electric toothbrushes can earn the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance. In order to do so, brands submit scientific evidence showing that their products meet specific safety and efficacy criteria, which the ADA evaluates. All ADA-approved toothpastes contain fluoride and are not made with flavoring agents that can cause or contribute to tooth decay, like sugar. This doesn’t mean toothpaste without the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance are ineffective — it just means brands have not voluntarily submitted their products for the ADA to review.
- Fluoride: All of the experts I spoke to recommend using a toothpaste made with fluoride, a cavity-fighting ingredient. Sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride and sodium are three types of fluoride that may be listed on toothpaste ingredient labels, all of which are equally effective.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate: Sodium lauryl sulfate, commonly referred to as SLS, is an ingredient found in many toothpastes that acts as a detergent for your teeth, says Dr. Lana Rozenberg, dentist and founder of Rozenberg Dental NYC. It’s also what makes some toothpastes foamy. People can be sensitive to SLS, so if you are, look for an SLS-free toothpaste.
- Texture: You’ll commonly find toothpaste texture broken down into gels and pastes. Gel toothpastes have a smooth, non-foamy texture and are typically not abrasive or gritty. Paste toothpastes, on the other hand, tend to be more foamy, thicker, grittier and solid in color, says Rozenberg.
- Specialized options: Beyond protecting teeth from cavities, toothpaste can offer additional benefits like teeth whitening or enamel repair. Some are also designed for those with sensitive teeth. A toothpaste’s packaging and label will say what it specifically targets, so think about whether that aligns with your teeth’s needs.
- Flavor: Toothpaste flavor is entirely a personal preference. But be sure that the toothpaste you choose doesn’t contain flavoring agents like sugar that cause or contribute to tooth decay. All ADA-approved options don’t, so if you’re unsure about a toothpaste, it’s best to go with one that earned the organization’s Seal of Acceptance, experts say.
The best toothpastes for adults in 2024
Best for all-around protection: Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint Toothpaste (3-pack)
- ADA Seal of Acceptance
- Contains SLS
In addition to offering cavity, gum and enamel protection, this toothpaste removes plaque buildup and tartar, plus it won’t bother sensitive teeth, according to the brand. It’s also made with hydrated silica, a gently abrasive ingredient that scrubs surface stains off teeth. The toothpaste comes in a recyclable carton.
Active ingredients: Stannous fluoride | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint | Size: 4.3 oz.
Best plaque-removing: Parodontax Clean Mint Daily Fluoride Toothpaste
- ADA Seal of Acceptance
- Contains SLS
Plaque is a collection of bacteria, food and other debris that sticks to your teeth, experts told us. If it builds up, it can lead to issues like gingivitis, also known as early gum disease, as well as swollen, bleeding gums. Parodontax’s toothpaste is designed to break down and remove plaque, as well as kill bacteria on teeth, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: Stannous fluoride | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint | Size: 3.4 oz.
Best basic: Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste
- ADA Seal of Acceptance
- Contains SLS
If you don’t have specific dental needs and are looking for a basic fluoride toothpaste, this one from Colgate is a great option. It protects against cavities, thoroughly cleans teeth and freshens breath, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: Sodium monofluorophosphate | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint | Size: 6 oz.
Best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth: Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste (3-Pack)
- SLS-free
- Not ADA-approved
This Sensodyne toothpaste is also a NBC Select Wellness Award winner. It gently whitens teeth by removing stains and makes them less sensitive thanks to the potassium nitrate it’s formulated with. The toothpaste, whose tube, cap and carton are recyclable, also remineralizes enamel to strengthen it, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: Sodium fluoride, potassium nitrate | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint | Size: 4 oz.
Best for sensitive teeth: Sensodyne Fresh Mint Sensitivity Protection Toothpaste (2-Pack)
- ADA Seal of Acceptance
- SLS-free
- Nothing to note at this time
Dentin is the soft inner part of your teeth, and if it’s exposed due to enamel erosion, you may experience sensitivity to hot and cold food or beverages, experts told us. Sensodyne’s toothpaste, which won a NBC Select Wellness Award, contains potassium nitrate to help calm the nerves in your teeth and make them less sensitive, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: Sodium fluoride, potassium nitrate | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint | Size: 4 oz.
Best foaming: Colgate Total Plaque Pro-Release Toothpaste
- Deep clean feeling
- Not ADA-approved
- Contains SLS
Colgate’s Total Plaque Pro-Release Toothpaste won a NBC Select Wellness Award and our reviewers say it left their teeth feeling clean and fresh. As you brush, the paste, which offers antibacterial protection, turns into a thick, foamy later. The foam dissolves plaque and lifts it off teeth, especially along the gum line, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: Stannous fluoride | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint | Size: 3 oz.
Best pH-balanced: CloSYS Fluoride Toothpaste
- ADA Seal of Acceptance
- Contains SLS
CloSYS’s toothpaste offers cavity and enamel protection. It has a pH-balanced formula, which neutralizes plaque bacteria to create a non-acidic environment in the mouth and prevent bad breath, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: Sodium fluoride | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint | Size: 7 oz.
Best whitening: Nu Skin AP 24 Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste
Nu Skin’s whitening toothpaste is a NBC Select Wellness Award winner. It uses hydrated silica to remove surface stains from teeth, as well as aluminum hydroxide, a mild abrasive, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: Sodium monofluorophosphate | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Vanilla mint | Size: 4 oz.
Best subscription: Quip Anticavity Toothpaste
- ADA Seal of Acceptance
- SLS-free
- Only available via Quip’s site
Quip automatically delivers toothpaste to your door every three months when you sign up for its subscription. That means you won’t have to remember to buy a new tube when you run out. The toothpaste comes in a recyclable tube and it’s also available for one-time purchases.
Active ingredients: Sodium fluoride | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint or watermelon | Size: 4.6 oz.
Best gel: Aim Cavity Protection Ultra Mint Gel
- ADA Seal of Acceptance
- Contains SLS
Gel toothpastes typically have a smooth texture and don’t get as foamy as thick pastes, experts told us. Aim’s gel toothpaste helps prevent cavities, tooth decay and acid erosion while strengthening enamel and removing plaque, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: Sodium fluoride | Texture: Gel | Flavor: Mint | Size: 5.5 oz.
Best natural toothpaste for sensitive teeth: AloeSense Fluoride Toothpaste
- ADA Seal of Acceptance
- Contains SLS
Many toothpastes for sensitive teeth contain potassium nitrate, but AloeSense’s toothpaste is a natural alternative. It’s made with aloe vera and allantoin, ingredients that naturally soothe sensitive teeth, according to the brand. Aloe vera works to moisturize the mouth, while allantoin gently cleans the teeth and gums.
Active ingredients: Fluoride (type not specified) | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint | Size: 5 oz.
Best peppermint flavored: Burt’s Bees Complete Multi-Care Toothpaste (3-Pack)
- ADA Seal of Acceptance
- SLS-free
- Nothing to note at this time
Burt’s Bees’ Compete Multi-Care Toothpaste prevents cavities and strengthens enamel while deep cleaning teeth, according to the brand. It also gently removes surface stains thanks to hydrated silica. The toothpaste comes in recyclable packaging.
Active ingredients: Sodium fluoride | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Peppermint | Size: 4.7 oz.
Best toothpaste with baking soda: Arm & Hammer Complete Care Toothpaste (4-Pack)
- Removes surface stains
- Not ADA-approved
- Contains SLS
This toothpaste contains baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate. It neutralizes acids in the mouth and gently removes surface stains from teeth to whiten them over time, according to the brand. The smooth toothpaste gets foamy while you brush to help clean along the gum line as well as between teeth.
Active ingredients: Sodium fluoride | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint | Size: 6 oz.
Best for enamel repair: Made By Dentists Enamel Rebuilding Toothpaste
- ADA Seal of Acceptance
- Helps harden enamel
- SLS-free
- Nothing to note at this time
Made By Dentists' toothpaste has ingredients that help remineralize lost enamel to make it stronger and harder. Hydroxyapatite, for example, is a compound that's naturally found in enamel, and it penetrates teeth to remineralize them from within, according to the brand. This toothpaste is also made with potassium nitrate, which can help reduce tooth pain and sensitivity.
Active ingredients: Sodium fluoride | Texture: Paste | Flavor: Mint | Size: 4.2 oz.
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What ingredients are in toothpaste?
Reading a toothpaste’s ingredient label can tell you a lot about the benefits it offers and what specific needs it targets. Beyond fluoride and SLS, we asked experts to define some common ingredients you may see and what they do — they’re listed below. If you have any questions about how these ingredients relate to your teeth specifically, consult your dentist since they know your oral health status the best, says Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry.
- Xylitol: Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, but unlike sugar that’s in sweets, it does not contribute to cavities and tooth decay. In fact, it does the exact opposite — it prevents decay by reducing the rate at which cavities form, says Rozenberg.
- Hydrated silica: Hydrated silica is usually responsible for the gritty, slightly abrasive texture in toothpaste. A more gritty toothpaste helps remove plaque and surface stains without damaging the teeth or gums. Other abrasive agents you’ll commonly find in toothpaste are calcium carbonate, hydrated aluminum oxides, magnesium carbonate, phosphate sales and silicates, according to the ADA.
- Potassium nitrate: Often found in toothpaste for sensitive teeth, potassium nitrate helps block the transmission of pain signals from the nerves within teeth to your brain, says Rozenberg.
- Sodium bicarbonate: Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, helps remove plaque from teeth and other debris from the mouth.
- Essential oils: Select essential oils are considered antibacterial, like thymol, menthol, eucalyptol, and methyl salicylate, says Rozenberg. These essential oils can also reduce plaque and gingivitis.
- Zinc chloride: Zinc chloride is an antimicrobial agent in toothpaste. It helps prevent gingivitis, reduce tartar and eliminate bad breath
- Humectants: Humectants like glycerol, propylene glycol and sorbitol minimize water loss in the toothpaste, according to the ADA.
- Thickening agents and binders: Ingredients like mineral or seaweed colloids, natural gums and synthetic cellulose thicken toothpaste and act as stabilizers.
- Peroxide: If you’re shopping for a whitening toothpaste, look for those that contain hydrogen peroxide and/or carbamide peroxide, both of which help lighten stains.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Lana Rozenberg, DDS, is the founder of Rozenberg Dental NYC.
- Dr. Edmond Hewlett, DDS, is a professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where he also serves as the associate dean for equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Dr. Kate Zoumboukos, DMD, practices dentistry at SW Austin Dental in Texas. She also participates in humanitarian dental mission trips and routinely speaks to local schools about the dental profession.
Why trust NBC Select?
I'm an associate updates editor at NBC Select who writes about dental care, including stories on electric toothbrushes, different types of toothpaste, at-home whitening treatments, floss and water flossers. For this article, I interviewed three experts about how to shop for toothpaste and rounded up options that met their guidance.
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