What Toothpaste Should I Be Using?

Walking down the toothpaste aisle can be a little overwhelming (to put it nicely). There are so many different kinds of toothpaste out there from anti-cavity and whitening to desensitizing and anti-bacterial. Brands make all these different kinds of toothpaste because everyone has different teeth; some people are at a higher risk of decay while others have teeth that are sensitive to heat or cold. You can pretty easily find anti-cavity or anti-plaque toothpaste if that’s what you’re looking for but what brand do you choose? And are different flavors better than others? And does the price of toothpaste reflect it’s quality?

We’re breaking down all the best kinds of toothpaste, depending on your wants and needs. Keep reading to find out what you should pick up on your next Target run!

Anti-Cavity

Most kinds of toothpaste say that they’re “anti-cavity” but which ones really work?

Good

Colgate knows toothpaste better than anyone. Going with a Colgate brand toothpaste is always a good idea, especially when it comes to anti-cavity products. Colgate Gel-Kam Preventative Treatment Gel is their best-of-the-best fluoride toothpaste because it contains 0.4% stable stannous fluoride gel (which is dentist-talk for a lot of fluoride). Paired with regular dental cleanings, Gel-Kam is perfect for people who have had numerous cavities in the past and are looking for something stronger than the typical store-bought anti-cavity toothpaste.

Better

Want a little better than the “good” option when it comes to cavity-fighting? CloSYS Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste is still affordable but it’s more powerful than most of its competitors. CloSYS contains powerful ingredients that kill bacteria before it can buildup into plaque. This prevents cavities and keeps your breath smelling minty-fresh!

CloSYS Anticavity also contains a mild polishing agent that can gently whiten teeth. You won’t see significant whitening with CloSYS Anticavity, since it’s mostly a cavity-fighting toothpaste, but anything helps, right?

Best

The top-of-the-line anti-cavity toothpaste is Plaque HD Anticavity Toothpaste because instead of just saying that’s it’s removing plaque, it shows you. The toothpaste turns any plaque on the teeth green, allowing the brusher to see exactly which areas need more work.

This toothpaste is great for kids who don’t like brushing. It makes the experience of brushing a little more like a game instead of a chore. If your child is doing a poor job brushing (and their dentist is starting to notice), it’s time to try Plaque HD.

At a higher price point, most people probably don’t need Plaque HD toothpaste. The other two products are perfect for people who have had a few cavities and want to improve their oral health. However, if you continue to struggle finding and eliminating plaque when brushing, this might be a good purchase. Your hygienist will thank you!

Sensitivity

Better

The packaging doesn’t change a product’s quality…but it does make the experience of whipping out your toothpaste in the morning a little more enjoyable. We love how sleek and refined Opalescence Sensitivity Relief Whitening Toothpaste looks and, of course, we love how effective it is on sensitive teeth. It also helps whiten smiles thanks to a non-abrasive polishing agent.

Best

There are a lot of sensitivity toothpaste products on the market but our patients have found the most success with The Natural Family Co Sensitive Natural Toothpaste. This toothpaste contains around 70% natural ingredients so it’s perfect for families who are concerned about the harsh chemicals found in most toothpaste products. The only “chemical-y” ingredient is potassium nitrate which helps fight tooth and gum sensitivity. At an affordable price, you won’t find a product much better than this for sensitive teeth.

Whitening

Good

Charcoal is all-the-rage right now, showing up in everything from icecream to, you guessed it, toothpaste. A lot of brands say their charcoal toothpaste works miracles, blackening teeth before transforming them into pearly whites. While we wish that was true, the reality is charcoal can only do so much. Out of all the charcoal toothpaste products, hello Activated Charcoal Epic Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste is the best but even then, this product only grabs the “good” category on our list.

We like this particular product because it’s organic (it’s artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, SLS/sulfates, parabens, microbeads, triclosan, peroxide, preservatives, and gluten-free) so it’s perfect for people who are sensitive to the chemicals normally found in whitening products. Our patients typically see a slight change in their teeth shade after a few months of use. For most people who are searching for a perfect smile, that isn’t enough so after they give hello a try, we recommend either a stronger toothpaste or an in-office whitening treatment.

Better

Crest has quite a few whitening products for sale but we like Crest 3D White Whitening Therapy Enamel Care Toothpaste the most because it’s affordable, doesn’t have numerous steps, and produces visibly fast results. This toothpaste contains Crest’s most advanced whitening formula to date — and our patients can tell. At $5.29, this is a great whitening toothpaste if you’re looking for something both strong and affordable.

Best

If money is just a number, we recommend getting Supersmile Professional Whitening Toothpaste. Suprersmile products are the strongest whitening products available for at-home whitening. It’s so strong because it contains Calprox, a proprietary formula of encapsulated calcium peroxide and minerals. Calprox removes built-up plaque and, with help from calcium, magnesium, phosphates, and fluoride, lifts surface stains from coffee, red wine, and other colorful culprits.

Patients who use Supersmile products for a few months will see a fairly dramatic shade-change. If, after using Supersmile products for six months, you still don’t see results, we recommend coming into the office for Zoom! or Kor whitening.

Post Whitening

After you get whitening done in-office, you obviously want to do everything in your power to keep your new smile as white as possible. When you’re at the store, you might find yourself reaching for the first “whitening” toothpaste you see, but don’t be fooled by the sparkly, fancy packaging. Post-whitening, the best toothpaste you can buy is Voco Remin Pro. It doesn’t look like much but this product really packs a punch. If used twice daily, you’ll see the effects of your professional whitening lasting longer than ever before.

Kids

Kids toothpaste products are a dime-a-dozen but are they really benefitting your child? Vitaminpaste Kids Multivitamin Toothpaste is the first multi-vitamin and mineral supplement toothpaste made specifically for children. The toothpaste itself contains vitamins D, E, B3, B5, and B6, allowing kids to get their daily dose of vitamins just by brushing their teeth! It’s also safe to swallow so you won’t have to worry about harmful chemicals.

Gingivitis

Good

Bacteria in the gums, a.k.a. gingivitis, is a common problem that a lot of people face. If left untreated, gingivitis (which is really just early-stage gum disease) can turn into something a lot worse. Avoid gum recession and tooth loss by upping your oral health routine and purchasing some anti-bacterial toothpaste.

If you have very minor gingivitis, we recommend Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean. Compared to most other anti-gingivitis products, this toothpaste is particularly affordable and effective. It targets those hard-to-reach areas where bacteria love to hide, ensuring a cleaner, healthier mouth in only a few months.

Better

For people with gingivitis who are concerned about the chemicals in their toothpaste, there’s Dental Herb Company Tooth & Gums Essentials Natural Toothpaste. Toothpaste can contain a lot of chemicals, some of which can be harmful to people with certain allergies or illnesses. Dental Herb Company’s product is all-natural, SLS-free, and contains all the good stuff like essential oils and xylitol without all the bad stuff (i.e. artificial ingredients or harmful foaming agents).

Our patients have found that Dental Herb Company’s Tooth & Gums toothpaste controls bleeding gums when used over time. It has that professional strength that everyone wants in their toothpaste without all the fake flavors and colors. At $9.99, this toothpaste might be a little more expensive then what the average person wants to pay but, if going organic is important to you, it’s worth the extra cash.

Best

If you want to get rid of your bleeding gums fast, only one toothpaste will do: Parodontax Antigingivitis Toothpaste. This clinical-grade toothpaste breaks apart plaque — the leading cause of gingivitis. Whereas the other two products do a good job preventing bleeding gums or treating very mild cases, Parodontax promises real results for people with gingivitis. If used twice daily, you should see a drastic change in your oral health in about twelve weeks.

In Orthodontics

Brushing and flossing with braces is tough even for the best and most experienced brushers. We oftentimes find cavities and gingivitis in patients after they get their braces off because they struggled so much with brushing properly. Some patients also see the formation of white-spot lesions on their teeth while in ortho which can be permanent.

If you’re in braces and you’re concerned about the state of your oral health, try OrthoCare. This specially-formulated toothpaste repairs and protects teeth against white spots and tooth decay that can develop during ortho treatment. Although a little more expensive than your average bottle of Crest, Orthocare can save you a lot of money in the end. Numerous filings aren’t cheap and neither are deep cleanings to treat periodontal disease. Get Orthocare while you’re still in braces to ensure a straight and healthy smile afterward.

Dry Mouth

Better

Having a dry mouth isn’t just uncomfortable — and it can also negatively affect your oral health. Dry mouth is directly linked to tooth decay, giving sufferers a higher risk of cavities. If you think you might have dry mouth, talk to your dentist about your symptoms and try a dry-mouth fighting toothpaste like Colgate Hydris Dry Mouth Hydrating Toothpaste. Often times, dry mouth is a symptom of a larger, underlying problem so it’s best to schedule an appointment with your dentist instead of just managing the discomfort.

Best

If your dry mouth isn’t part of an underlying condition, you’ll probably want something that is effective in the longterm. Biotene Oral Balance Gel is a soothing gel that dry mouth suffers can place in their mouth for instant relief. Unlike Colgate’s product, this isn’t a toothpaste per se. It’s a mouth moisturizer that can be used at any time and doesn’t need to be rinsed out.

Bad Breath

Good

The first step to tackling bad breath (if you know it’s not a symptom of an underlying illness) is becoming a master brusher. Buy yourself a new toothbrush and a bottle of Aim Cavity Protection Multi-Benefit Gel Toothpaste and get to brushing! Aim is the most affordable toothpaste on the market and, surprisingly, it does a good job at fighting cavities and bad breath. At the price of $1.39, there’s no reason not to give it a try!

Better

You’re already confident in your brushing prowess but you’re still struggling with bad breath. What’s the next step? Try Oxyfresh Fresh Breath Power Paste. The natural lemon-flavored toothpaste uses a combination of essential oils, including lemon, orange, grapefruit, bergamot, lime and peppermint, to give you fresh smelling breath for the entire day. It’s a little bit stronger than your typical toothpaste and, because of that, it’s a little more expensive. You’ll be spending $13.49 for the bottle but you only need to use a quarter of the amount you typically use per brushing so it should last you four times longer!

Best

If you’re looking for the strongest bad-breath fighter on the market, look no further than BreathRx Purifying Toothpaste. Our patients have found the most success with BreathRx compared to other brands. While Oxyfresh is perfect for people who’re concerned about their allergies to certain chemicals, BreathRx is undoubtedly stronger and a little more affordable at $8.49.

Post-Surgery

Afraid to brush your teeth after oral surgery? You’re not alone — a lot of our patients come in months after a tooth extraction with severe plaque buildup or gingivitis because they’ve neglected to brush because of pain. If you’re about to undergo some kind of oral surgery, we recommend picking up a bottle of Oxyfresh Super Relief Dental Gel. You can easily apply the gel to the teeth and gums to relieve pain before you brush. Remember that Oxyfresh Super Relief isn’t technically a toothpaste — it’s a soothing gel. Apply the gel before you brush to make brushing easier and pain-free!

For brushing post-surgery, try Holocuren Miracle Propolis Natural Toothpaste. It’s infused with tea tree oil and xylitol which help promote healing. Even if you’re not post-op, Miracle Propolis is just a good toothpaste for fighting cavities and getting fresher, cleaner breath. It’s also great for people who have chronic canker sores; most patients report seeing fewer sores after just a few weeks of use.