What to look for in toothpaste, according to dentists (2024)

In addition to usingflossand anelectricormanual toothbrushes, picking the right toothpaste is key to having good oral hygiene. The best toothpaste for you depends on your specific dental needs, whether that involves whitening your teeth, maintaining gum health or tackling other oral hygiene concerns.

SKIP AHEAD Best toothpaste for adults | How to shop for toothpaste | Toothpaste for specialized needs

We talked to dentists about what to avoid, and how to shop for toothpaste — including what key ingredients to look for and stay away from. We also rounded up a handful of toothpastes that will deep clean your teeth, prevent cavities and freshen breath after you use them.

• American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance: When you see the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance, it means the brand submitted data and other materials to the ADA and the organization determined that the product meets specified safety and efficacy requirements, explained Dr. Edmond Hewlett, professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry.
• Fluoride: All toothpastes with the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance contain fluoride, an ingredient experts told us is proven to be effective in fighting cavities.
• Flavor: As long as the toothpaste you choose has the ADA Seal, flavor is entirely a personal preference.
• Specialized options: In addition to protecting teeth from cavities, some toothpaste offers additional benefits like whitening, or is made for those experiencing tooth sensitivity, for example.

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Below, we highlighted basic toothpaste varieties as well as a few options designed for sensitive teeth, which experts said anyone can use, regardless of whether or not you are experiencing tooth sensitivity. If you’re looking for the best whitening toothpaste or the best kids toothpaste, we rounded up ADA-accepted options separately. For each product, we included its flavor and the size of each tube.

Parodontax Clean Mint Daily Fluoride Toothpaste

Parodontax Clean Mint Daily Fluoride Toothpaste

$

6.77

$

8.26

$

17.49

$

8.29

Flavor: Mint | Size: 3.4 ounces

Aim Cavity Protection Gel

Aim Cavity Protection Gel

$

16.94

$

8.46

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Flavor: Ultra Mint | Size: 6 ounces

Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste

Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste 2-Pack

$

4.19

$

4.99

Flavor: Mint | Size: 6 ounces (two tubes)

Crest Cavity Protection Cool Mint Gel

Crest Cavity Protection Cool Mint Gel

$

5.84

$

4.89

Flavor: Cool Mint | Size: 4.2 ounces

SprinJene Fresh Boost Fluoride Toothpaste

SprinJene Fresh Boost Fluoride Toothpaste

$

29.95

$

8.59

Flavor: Mint | Size: 5 ounces

Quip Mint Anticavity Toothpaste

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Quip Anticavity Toothpaste

$

7.00

Flavor: Mint or Watermelon | Size: 4.6 ounces

PRO-SYS Mint Fluoride Toothpaste Gel

PRO-SYS Mint Fluoride Toothpaste Gel 3-Pack

$

9.99

Flavor: Mint | Size: 4 ounces (three tubes)

Sensodyne Toothpaste

Sensodyne Fresh Mint Sensitivity Protection Toothpaste

$

10.88

$

12.49

$

12.48

$

12.49

Flavor: Fresh mint and fresh impact | Size: 4 ounces (two tubes) | Select 2023 Wellness Awards Winner

Crest Pro-Health Gum and Sensitivity

Crest Pro-Health Gum and Sensitivity

$

20.97

Flavor: Mint | Size: 3.7 ounces (three tubes)

CloSYS Fluoride Toothpaste

CloSYS Fluoride Toothpaste

$

11.49

$

13.49

$

11.49

Flavor: Gentle mint | Size: 7 ounces

AloeSense Toothpaste

AloeSense Fluoride Toothpaste

$

6.99

Flavor : Fresh mint | Size: 5 ounces

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When buying a new tube, there are three main questions you should consider, said Dr. Breno Reboucas, a professor at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine:

1. Does it have the ADA seal of acceptance?
2. Does it contain fluoride?
3. Does it address any additional needs your specific teeth may require?

All toothpastes that earn the ADA Seal of Acceptance contain fluoride, and while Hewlett said there’s been controversy over fluoride for decades, “it’s one of the most well-documented therapies in all of dentistry,” he explained. Additionally, toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance do not contain flavoring agents like sugar that cause or contribute to tooth decay.

Aside from picking a toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, choosing one is mostly a matter of personal preference, said Reboucas. As long as you do not select a fluoride-free option, anything you enjoy using is the right choice for you.

Brushing your teeth with toothpaste is only one element of an oral care routine, according to Hewlett. In order to effectively remove plaque and prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, gum disease and bad breath, you should also visit your dentist regularly, as well as use mouthwash and floss daily (or use a water flosser).

Some adults’ teeth have additional needs that specialized toothpaste options can address. Reboucas said specialized toothpastes contain specific active ingredients to help with issues like sensitivity and tartar build-up. Some whitening options are made with hydrogen peroxide, the same ingredient that is often found in other teeth whitening products, in order to remove surface stains from teeth. Anti-erosion toothpastes usually contain ingredients to restore the minerals in tooth enamel — like sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride — and harden them over time.

Experts told us it’s important to speak with your dentist about your unique oral hygiene needs to decide if you should purchase specialized toothpaste. “Your dentist knows your oral health status better than anybody and is an advocate for your oral health, so consult with them and see what toothpaste they recommend for you,” Hewlett said.

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Dentists often field questions from patients about “trends” in the toothpaste space and whether these products are effective. We asked experts to share a few of the most common toothpaste trends they’re asked about and what we should know about them.

Charcoal is often thought of as an ingredient that can absorb toxins and bacteria on your teeth or in your mouth — similar to how it purifies water. However, experts agree that you should not use it. There are no charcoal toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance, and a study published in The Journal of The American Dental Association found that there wasn’t enough evidence to support efficacy claims. Experts also said that using charcoal toothpaste may damage the outer layer of enamel since charcoal is abrasive.

“Currently, the FDA does not define the term ‘natural toothpaste,’ which leaves consumers to define what natural means to them," said Dr. Kate Zoumboukos of SW Austin Dental. She said it’s common for the term “natural toothpaste” to describe options that are free of artificial flavors and ingredients, preservatives, sweeteners and dyes. Experts agree that any toothpaste marketed as "natural" is effective so long as it has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Toothpaste most often comes in a gel or paste form, but some brands sell solid toothpaste, usually in the form of a tablet you chew into a gum-like substance before brushing your teeth with it. There are no solid toothpaste options that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance, and thus they do not meet our experts’ guidance.

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• 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. Breno Reboucas is a professor at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine, teaching about both pediatric dentistry and general dentistry. He also practices at the Boston University Dental Health Center.
• Dr. Kate Zoumboukos 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.

Zoe Malin has been covering dental care for over a year at Select and has written guides about teeth whitening products, floss, toothbrushes and more. For this piece, Zoe interviewed three dentists and researched dozens of toothpastes on the market. We recommended toothpastes that meet expert shopping guidance, contain fluoride and have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

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