Even if you use the best floss, mouthwash, and electric or manual toothbrush, a good toothpaste is still vital to maintaining good oral hygiene. The best toothpaste for you depends on your specific dental needs, whether it’s to maintain gum health, whiten your teeth, or address other oral hygiene issues.
We talked to dentists about choosing the perfect toothpaste for you, including key ingredients to look for and which ones to avoid. We’ve also rounded up a handful of toothpastes that will deep clean your teeth, prevent cavities, and freshen breath.
PASS FORWARD The best toothpaste for adults | How to shop for toothpaste | Toothpaste for specialized needs
How we chose the best toothpastes
- American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance: When you see it ADA Seal of Acceptancemeans that the brand has submitted data and other materials to ODA and the agency has determined that the product meets specific safety and efficacy requirements, it explains Dr. Edmond Hewlettprofessor at UCLA School of Dentistry.
- Fluoride: All toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance contain fluoride, an ingredient that experts tell us is proven to be effective in fighting cavity.
- Taste: As long as the toothpaste you choose has the ADA seal, the taste is purely personal preference.
- Specialized options: In addition to protecting teeth from tooth decay, some toothpaste offers additional benefits such as whitening or is made for those who experience tooth sensitivity, for example.
The best toothpastes for adults in 2024
Below, we’ve highlighted key toothpaste varieties and a few options designed for sensitive teeth that experts say anyone can use, whether you have tooth sensitivity or not. If you’re looking for the best whitening or children’s toothpaste, we’ve rounded up the ADA-acceptable options separately. We have included the flavor of each product and the size of each tube.
The best anti-cavity toothpaste
Parodontax Clean Mint Daily Fluoride Toothpaste
Taste: Mint | Size: 3.4 oz
Aim cavity protection gel
Taste: Ultra Mint | Size: 6 ounces
Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste
Taste: Mint | Size: 6 ounces
Crest Cavity Protection Cool Mint Gel
Taste: Cool Mint | Size: 8.2 oz
SprinJene Fresh Boost Fluoride Toothpaste
Taste: Mint | Size: 5 ounces
Quip Mint Anticavity Toothpaste
Taste: Mint or watermelon | Size: 4.6 oz
PRO-SYS Toothpaste gel with fluoride mint
Taste: Mint | Size: 4 ounces (three tubes)
The best sensitive toothpaste
Sensodyne toothpaste
Taste: Fresh mint and fresh result | Size: 4 ounces (two tubes) | NBC Pick the 2023 Wellness Awards Winner
Crest Pro-Health Gum and Sensitivity
Taste: Mint | Size: 4.8 oz
CloSYS toothpaste with fluoride
Taste: Light Mint | Size: 7 ounces
AloeSense Toothpaste
Taste: Fresh Mint | Size: 5 ounces
How to shop for toothpaste
When buying a new pipe, there are three main questions to consider, he said Dr. Breno Reboukasprofessor at Boston University School of Dentistry:
- Does it have the ODA seal of approval?
- Does it contain fluoride?
- Does it cover any additional needs that your particular teeth may require?
All toothpastes that earn the ADA Seal of Acceptance contain fluoride, and while Hewlett said there has been controversy over fluoride for decades, “it’s one of the most well-documented treatments in all of dentistry,” she explained. Additionally, toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance do not contain flavoring agents such as sugar that cause or contribute to tooth decay.
Aside from choosing a toothpaste with the ADA’s seal of approval, choosing one is mostly a matter of personal preference, Reboukas said. As long as you don’t choose a fluoride-free option, whatever you like to use is the right choice for you.
Brushing your teeth with toothpaste is just one element of an oral care routine, according to Hewlett. To effectively remove plaque and prevent cavities, gingivitis, gum disease and bad breath, you should also visit your dentist regularly, as well as use mouthwash and floss daily (or use water floss ).
Toothpaste for specialized needs
Some adults’ teeth have additional needs that can be met with specialized toothpaste options. Reboucas said specialty toothpastes contain specific active ingredients that help with issues like sensitivity and tartar build-up. Some whitening options are made with hydrogen peroxide, the same ingredient often found in other teeth whitening products, in order to remove surface stains from teeth. Anti-corrosion toothpastes usually contain ingredients to restore the minerals in tooth enamel – such as sodium fluoride and stannous fluoride – and harden them over time.
Our experts told us it’s important to talk to your dentist about your unique oral hygiene needs to decide if you should buy specialty toothpaste. “Your dentist knows your oral health better than anyone and is an advocate for your oral health, so consult with them and see what toothpaste they recommend for you,” Hewlett said.
What about charcoal toothpaste, “natural” toothpaste, and solid toothpaste?
Dentists often field questions from patients about “trends” in the toothpaste space and whether these products are effective. We asked the experts to share some of the most common toothpaste trends they’re asked about and what we should know about them.
Toothpaste with charcoal
Charcoal is often thought of as an ingredient that can absorb toxins and bacteria in your teeth or mouth – similar to how it cleans water. However, experts agree that you shouldn’t use it. There are no charcoal toothpastes with the ADA seal of approval and a study published in The Journal of The American Dental Association found that there was insufficient evidence to support the efficacy claims. Experts also said that using charcoal toothpaste can damage the outer layer of enamel, as charcoal is abrasive.
“Natural” toothpaste
“Currently, the FDA does not define the term ‘natural toothpaste,’ which leaves consumers to define what natural means to them,” he said. Dr. Kaiti Zoubuko of SW Austin Dental. He said it’s common for the term “natural toothpaste” to describe options that don’t contain artificial flavors and ingredients, preservatives, sweeteners and colorings. Experts agree that any toothpaste marketed as “natural” is effective as long as it bears the ADA’s seal of approval.
Solid toothpaste
Toothpaste usually comes in gel or paste form, but some brands sell solid toothpaste, usually in tablet form that you chew on a gum-like substance before brushing your teeth with it. There are no solid toothpaste options that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance and therefore do not meet our expert guidelines.
Meet our experts
At NBC 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 free of unknown financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Edmond HewlettDDS, is a professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where he also serves as associate dean for equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Dr. Breno Reboukas is a professor at the Boston University School of Dentistry, teaching both pediatric dentistry and general dentistry. He also practices at the Boston University Dental Health Center.
- Dr. Kaiti Zoubuko practices dentistry at SW Austin Dental in Texas. He also participates in humanitarian dental mission trips and regularly speaks at local schools about the dental profession.
Why trust NBC Select?
Zoe Malin has been covering dental care for over a year at Select and has written guides to teeth whitening products, flossing, toothbrushes and more. For this piece, Zoe interviewed three dentists and researched dozens of toothpastes on the market. We recommend toothpastes that meet specialty market guidelines, contain fluoride, and carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Find out about Select’s in-depth coverage personal finances, technology and tools, wellness and more, and follow us Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok to stay updated.
