If you’re looking for an oral hygiene guru, I’m definitely your gal. In September, I shared how my fear of halitosis turned into an enlightening exploration of the world’s most effective mouthwashes, and last month I learned it was time to toss my toothbrush (among other things). This week, we’re talking about teeth yet again, just in time for the upcoming, cavity-coated holiday in February – and no, I don’t mean Valentine’s Day. I’m referring to National Toothache Day!
Now, I’m guessing that the creators of this holiday never wanted us to celebrate our tortuous toothaches – rather, the purpose of acknowledging them is to prevent them altogether. As for me, I have to say so far, so good. I’ve mentioned before how obsessive I am about brushing my teeth throughout the day, and I credit my frequent toothpaste use for keeping me cavity-free.
But if you asked me on the spot which toothpaste I’m using right now, I couldn’t even tell you without looking. Typically, I grab off the shelf whatever tube happens to be on sale for the week, as long as the flavor looks minty-palatable (cinnamon toothpaste? No, thank you). But according to the American Dental Association (ADA), we should all be more discerning with our toothpaste selection. For instance, in order to receive the ADA Seal of Acceptance, a toothpaste must contain fluoride as an active ingredient – that’s the mineral that helps prevent tooth decay and strengthens your enamel. (P.S. The Crest Plus Deep Clean toothpaste in my bathroom happens to fit the bill – I just checked.)
But cavity prevention isn’t the only benefit of toothpaste. Depending on the ingredients, toothpastes can also prevent tartar buildup, make your teeth appear whiter, and reduce bad breath. Then there are the toothpastes that are specially formulated for people with considerations like sensitive teeth, dentures, and a tendency towards dry mouth. With countless options and never-ending aisles of dental products, how is one to choose?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you, girl. We did a deep dive on the most top-notch toothpastes for every need, from cavity crushers to dry-mouth flushers. Sit back and sink your teeth into our favorite picks below:
Best Toothpaste For Cavity Protection: Colgate Cavity Protection With Fluoride
This toothpaste bears the ADA Stamp of Acceptance and “strengthens teeth with active fluoride,” meaning that it also helps prevent cavities. The clinically-proven paste features a fresh minty taste, which many reviewers agreed is “pleasant” and “mild.” It also boasts a 4.8-star rating on Amazon, with one reviewer commenting, “This is a wonderful toothpaste. I was thrilled to find a good deal on it. This just makes your mouth feel clean.” Perhaps the most humorous positive review? One commenter called this toothpaste a “great tool to catch a man.” The reviewer wrote, “I can’t expect a guy to want to marry me if I have smelly breath and a rashy cat, so at least I can do something about my choppers.” All the single ladies, Colgate’s Cavity Protection toothpaste is for you!
Best Toothpaste For Plaque Prevention: Parodontax Toothpaste For Bleeding Gums
The brand name sounds like a dinosaur species, but don’t panic – Paradontax toothpaste only terrorizes plaque. According to the label, the toothpaste is “three times more effective at removing plaque, the main cause of bleeding gums (compared to a sodium monofluorophosphate toothpaste after professional cleaning and twice daily brushing).” The product has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon, with one reviewer calling it “quite possibly the greatest toothpaste I’ve ever used.” The customer commented, “I’ve had problems with my gums since I was a kid, and no amount of flossing or mouthwash would do the trick. Although I was skeptical the first few weeks with minimal progress, after a month of consistent use, the bleeding stopped completely. I would highly recommend this to others that are at high risk for gingivitis.” Hit the road, plaque, and bleeding gums, be gone!
Best Toothpaste For Bad Breath: Crest Gum and Breath Purify Whitening Toothpaste
Not only is this toothpaste clinically proven to protect teeth from cavities and gingivitis, but it “neutralizes 99% of bad breath germs.” The ingredients include a combination of fluoride and essential oils that banish harmful bacteria leading to halitosis. The fresh mint-flavored toothpaste even comes in a foam formula that repairs enamel and lifts surface stains. According to Target reviews, Crest’s toothpaste has a 4.8-star rating and 100% of reviewers would recommend it. One reviewer wrote, “Literally a small drop of toothpaste will get so foamy in your mouth! Love the flavor too, feels fresh.” Hasta la vista, halitosis!
Best Toothpaste For Whitening: Colgate Optic White Renewal Lasting Fresh Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
This fluoride toothpaste contains 3% hydrogen peroxide to remove stubborn stains from coffee, wine, and other foods and beverages – so your pearly whites can shine bright again. According to the label, the toothpaste “whitens teeth both inside and out” – and it’s even won a few “best beauty” awards, including from Woman’s Day and Good Housekeeping. This formula received a 4.5-star rating from Walgreens customers, with one reviewer writing, “It works! Two weeks and the coffee, tea, and soda stains are gone from my teeth.” Sayonara, stains!
Best Toothpaste For Dry Mouth: Biotene Toothpaste For Dry Mouth Symptoms, Bad Breath Treatment, And Cavity Prevention
Need to zap away your xerostomia? That’s just the fancy word for dry mouth, which occurs when your salivary glands don’t make enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. In addition to cavity-fighting fluoride, Biotene’s toothpaste contains ingredients like isomalt and xylitol that stimulate your saliva. The Biotene label boasts that it’s the #1 dentist-recommend dry mouth brand, and it also doesn’t irritate because it’s free of abrasive surfactants. Amazon reviewers gave this toothpaste a 4.8-star rating, with several customers affirming that “it works!” One reviewer wrote, “It is gentle enough, non-abrasive, and helps with dry mouth.” Makes your mouth water just mentioning it!
Best Toothpaste For Sensitive Teeth: Sensodyne Repair And Protect Extra Fresh Toothpaste
“Life’s too short for sensitive teeth” – at least, that’s the slogan of the popular (slightly annoying) commercial for Sensodyne toothpaste. But there’s a reason that commercial is so overplayed, and it’s not just masterful marketing: Sensodyne is the #1 dentist-recommended toothpaste for tooth sensitivity. This toothpaste contains the active ingredient stannous fluoride, which acts as a shield over the exposed, inner part of the tooth while still fighting cavities. The product received a 4.7-star rating according to Target reviews, with most customers agreeing that it works. One reviewer wrote, “I have very sensitive teeth to go with my very sensitive mouth, so getting a toothpaste that can protect my teeth and leave my mouth feeling clean was hard. That’s till I tried Sensodyne Repair And Protect Extra Fresh and it left my mouth feeling clean. Before long, my teeth weren’t hurting so bad when I ate or drank cold foods. Highly recommend!” See ya later, sensitivity.
Best Toothpaste for Dentures: Polident Dentu-Creme
Obviously, you don’t have to worry about cavities if you’re a denture wearer, but you can still be plagued with plaque and bad breath. This non-abrasive, minty-fresh denture paste both “helps remove tough stains and plaque” and “kills 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria.” The product boasts a 4.8-star rating on Amazon, with many reviewers praising its effectiveness; one reviewer simply wrote, “Works exactly as described. So easy to use when brushing dentures. Will buy again.” Nothing false about that freshness!
Best Toothpaste for Kids: Aquafresh Kids Pump Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste
Baby teeth still need big protection, and this bubbly paste for kids does not disappoint. Just like other cavity-fighting toothpastes, this ADA-approved formula contains fluoride and freshens breath along the way. What makes this toothpaste so toddler-friendly? The label boasts a “child-friendly bubble mint flavor,” and the tube depicts cute, colorful characters. Walgreens customers gave this one a 4.7-star rating, with one reviewer writing, “My daughter absolutely loves this toothpaste. I noticed a change in the coloration of her teeth only after a few days of brushing. It keeps her breath smelling fresh all day.” Even the price is kid-sized, so stock up on a few tubes! Then you and your child can share matching smiles.
Still curious about the best methods for maintaining good oral health? Be sure to research additional practices to combat plaque and tartar build-up. To help get you started, Putney Dental Care provides a great rundown on the difference between plaque and tartar.
What’s your dental hygiene routine? Which toothpastes do you and your family love? Tell us in the comments below!
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