The Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth, Bad Breath, Whitening and more

Choosing the best toothpaste is key to maintaining a healthy smile. Whether you need the best toothpaste for whitening, sensitivity, bad breath, or cavities, this guide will help you find the perfect option for your oral hygiene needs.

To determine the best toothpaste, we consulted certified dentists and tested 15 top-rated products from leading oral care brands. Each toothpaste was evaluated based on effectiveness, comfort, taste, and value. One of our certified dentists reviewed this article to ensure accuracy and to verify the safety and efficacy of the ingredients used in these toothpastes.

Ingredients

• Fluoride: Recognized as an essential and effective cavity-fighting ingredient, fluoride is backed by extensive research supporting its role in dental health.
• Surfactants: Ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) create the familiar foaming action in many toothpastes. This foaming helps with cleaning but may irritate sensitive oral tissues by disrupting the mucin layer in the mouth. People who are prone to canker sores may want to avoid this ingredient.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: Known for its whitening properties, hydrogen peroxide removes both surface stains and deeper discoloration, leaving teeth visibly brighter.
• Xylitol: A naturally derived sweetener that not only improves toothpaste flavor but also helps reduce harmful bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
• Abrasives: Compounds such as calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide act as polishing agents, effectively removing surface stains and breaking up bacterial biofilms to keep teeth clean.

ADA Seal of Acceptance

Toothpastes with the ADA Seal of Acceptance must contain fluoride and may include additional ingredients to improve oral health, such as reducing sensitivity, gingivitis, or enamel erosion, as well as cosmetic benefits like whitening and freshening breath. ADA-Accepted toothpastes cannot contain sugar or other decay-causing flavoring agents. Products earn the seal by meeting strict safety and efficacy standards reviewed by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.

Our Top Picks for the Best Toothpaste

• Best overall: Colgate Total
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• Best for sensitive teeth: Sensodyne
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• Best whitening: Snow
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• Best for gum disease: Crest
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• Best SLS-Free: Toms of Maine
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Best overall: Colgate Total

Our top pick for the best toothpaste is Colgate Total, which offers 24-hour antibacterial protection with twice-daily brushing. It fights cavities, plaque, and gingivitis, while also freshening breath and preventing sensitivity.

This toothpaste is enriched with stannous fluoride, strengthening enamel and promoting healthier gums, making it an excellent choice for complete oral care. The Clean Mint flavor leaves your mouth feeling fresh and clean, making Colgate Total a perfect everyday toothpaste.

Quick Specs:

• Contains stannous fluoride for effective cavity prevention and gum care
• Provides 24-hour antibacterial protection with twice-daily brushing
• Fights cavities, plaque, and gingivitis while freshening breath
• Helps prevent sensitivity and strengthens enamel for overall oral health

Best toothpaste for whitening: Snow

Our choice for the best whitening toothpaste is this one made by Snow.

Here are the specific ingredients in this toothpaste that make it a great whitening toothpaste:

• Hydrated silica: Removes plaque and other staining particles from your teeth
• Calcium carbonate: Removes plaque and gently removes surface stains
• Hydrogen peroxide: Removes stains for whiter teeth with continued use
• Xylitol: A natural sweetener that helps fight cavities
• Hydroxyapatite: A mineral naturally found in teeth that helps strengthen enamel and protect teeth from cavities
• Sodium citrate: Helps relieve sensitivity

Whether you want to use this duo to complement your current whitening treatment or as an everyday maintenance strategy is up to you. Check out some Snow toothpaste reviews.

Best toothpaste for sensitive teeth: Sensodyne

Sensodyne has long been the go-to brand for those with sensitive teeth, and for good reason. Formulated with potassium nitrate, it works to calm the nerves inside your teeth, providing fast and lasting relief from discomfort caused by hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods. Its gentle formula also protects enamel while effectively removing plaque.

Many users also appreciate its whitening variant, which brightens teeth without exacerbating sensitivity. If you’re looking for a trusted, dentist-recommended option for managing sensitivity, Sensodyne is a top choice.

Quick Specs:

• Includes two 3.4-ounce tubes of Sensodyne Repair and Protect Whitening Toothpaste
• From the #1 dentist-recommended brand for sensitive teeth
• Contains stannous fluoride to build a protective layer over sensitive areas
• Clinically proven to provide sensitivity relief and lasting protection with twice-daily brushing
• Offers whitening benefits while safeguarding enamel and reducing sensitivity

If you want some extra help, check out our guide to the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Best toothpaste for gum disease: Crest

Crest Pro-Health Gum Detoxify is designed specifically to promote gum health by targeting harmful bacteria around the gumline. Its advanced formula deeply cleans hard-to-reach areas, helping to prevent gingivitis, treat bleeding gums, and improve overall gum condition.

Enriched with fluoride, it also strengthens enamel and protects against cavities. The refreshing mint flavor leaves your mouth feeling clean and revitalized, making it an excellent choice for those looking to prioritize gum care in their oral hygiene routine.

Quick Specs:

• Includes two 4.1-ounce tubes of Crest Pro-Health Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste
• Formulated to neutralize harmful plaque bacteria for healthier gums
• Penetrates hard-to-reach areas around the gumline for a deep clean
• Contains fluoride for cavity protection and enamel strengthening
• Features an invigorating mint flavor for long-lasting freshness

Best SLS-Free: Toms

Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste offers a natural, gentle option for maintaining oral health. Its SLS-free formula is designed to reduce irritation while effectively fighting plaque and whitening teeth. Made with simple, natural ingredients, it’s a great choice for those with sensitivities or a preference for eco-conscious products. The refreshing peppermint flavor leaves your mouth feeling clean, while its vegan and cruelty-free formulation ensures you can care for your teeth sustainably.

Quick Specs:

• Vegan, cruelty-free, and free from artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Includes three 5.5-ounce tubes of Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste
• Free of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) to minimize irritation
• Natural formula fights plaque and whitens teeth without harsh chemicals
• Infused with refreshing peppermint oil for a clean, fresh feeling

How to choose the best toothpaste

Choosing a toothpaste is a personal matter. Not only does each person have different preferences when it comes to flavor, texture, and ingredients, but you might also have different needs than other people in your family, meaning there is no single best option for everyone.

What is important is to make sure the toothpaste you use is effective, and this usually means using a fluoride toothpaste.

Fluoride is a mineral that protects the enamel on your teeth⁠—that’s the outermost layer that covers everything else inside. Without your enamel, your teeth would be really sensitive (and yellow!). The vast majority of dentists, along with the American Dental Association (ADA), recommend that you use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.

A fluoride concentration of at least 1,000 ppm will give the best protection. There are times when fluoride might not be recommended for you, so we have included some fluoride-free toothpastes in our recommendations.

There are other ingredients that are helpful for particular needs, for example, remineralizing sensitive teeth or repairing damage to gums.

Do keep in mind that no matter how good your toothpaste is, there is no substitute for brushing your teeth twice a day with a suitable toothbrush, and cleaning between your teeth daily with floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser. A good mouthwash can help keep your breath fresh at other times of the day. Read our guide to the best mouthwash to find one that works for you.

Toothpaste for children

Children should be supervised while they brush up to around the ages of six to eight. For children from two to six, parents should apply a smear layer on the toothbrush, and a pea-sized amount can be used for older children.

Many children’s toothpaste now has the same composition as regular adult toothpaste, the main difference being flavor and packaging. The flavoring may tempt children to ingest or eat the toothpaste, which is why adult supervision is important.

Children should make sure not to swallow fluoride when brushing their teeth so you may want to consider an option with less fluoride, or just make sure to use a small, pea-sized amount.

There are different options of toothpaste depending on the age of your child and we’ve got separate guides that cover the best kids’ toothpaste as well as the best kids’ toothbrushes for them too.

Conclusion

There are so many toothpaste brands available, choosing the right one to meet your needs can be tough. The best option for you and your family is going to depend on lots of factors, and hopefully, we’ve covered all the bases so you know what to consider.

Remember that no matter how great your toothpaste is, and how much thought you put into what ingredients you want and don’t want, the most important thing is to brush twice a day with a suitable toothbrush and clean between your teeth daily. Additionally, whatever toothpaste you choose, make sure to check the ingredients carefully if you have certain food allergies.

For more reading, check out our article on your options for high-fluoride toothpaste. Or, if you would like to learn more about how to remineralize teeth, you can read our full tooth remineralization guide. And finally, if you’re looking for the right toothbrush to pair with the best toothbrush, read more in our article on the best electric toothbrushes.

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