Do you prefer a creamy or abrasive toothpaste? One with mouthwash? A polishing paste? Do you buy one toothpaste for the whole family to use, or buy different ones to fit each person? Can everyone in the family just use a multi-function toothpaste? Which type do dentist’s recommend?
Unless you know the toothpaste you want, finding a brand among all those displayed can be a challenge. There are so many types: fluoride, whitening, gum health, cavity fighting, sensitive, natural, tartar control, multi-benefit, etc.
Toothpaste is generally used for either cosmetic or medicinal purposes. Dentists recommend brushing at least twice (preferably three times) a day to remove tartar, plaque, and bacteria that can damage tooth enamel. Among the top-rated toothpastes by dentists are those containing fluoride, an additive to maintain the enamel coating on teeth.
Fluoride kills bacteria and reduces the build-up of plaque. This inhibits bacterial growth that can lead to a breakdown of the enamel, cause cavities, as well as a more serious gum condition known as gingivitis. While many communities add fluoride to their water systems, it is best to protect ones’ teeth with regular brushing using a fluoride toothpaste.
In addition to receiving the American Dental Association’s Seal of Approval, another important recognition of a toothpaste comes from the US Food and Drug Administration approval. Other certifications come from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for cruelty-free research and manufacturing standards.
What Toothpastes are Recommended by Dentists?
Ultimately, the choice is yours. According to family dentists in Rock Hill, South Carolina , you must find a toothpaste with at least 1000 parts per million fluoride in order for it to be effective.
[Note: The following are not listed in order of preference, only recommended options for personal choice.]
Toothpaste Brands
1. Colgate Total
Colgate is well known for its oral hygiene products. In its nearly 150-year history of producing various oral hygiene products, Colgate markets toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, and dental floss. The products are manufactured by Colgate-Palmolive.
Among the many types of toothpastes Colgate-Palmolive produces, its Colgate Total is the top selling. It is recommended by dentists and hygienists, as well as receiving the first approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Colgate Total was designed to, with regular brushing, protect and prevent dental issues common today – gingivitis, plaque, cavities, tartar, and bad breath.
Benefits:
- Reduces bacteria on tongue, teeth, cheeks, and gums for 12 hours
- Breaks down plaque
- Prevents gum disease
- Protects against cavities and repairs weakened enamel
- Tartar control
- Whitens by reducing surface stains
- Reduces sensitivity
2.Crest Pro-Health
Crest toothpaste first came to the marketplace 67 years ago as “Fluoristan.” It became Crest with Fluoristan the following year in 1955. Although patented by a development team at Indiana University, the Procter & Gamble company marketed the toothpaste and paid royalties to fund a dental research institute at the university. Today’s offerings include the Crest brand and Oral-B products.
Among its various toothpaste offerings, Crest Pro-Health is the most recommended. It contains fluoride and antimicrobial elements that work to protect teeth and gums from the common issues of gingivitis, plaque, cavities, tartar, and bad breath.
Crest is accepted by the American Dental Association, as well as other dental associations throughout the world. It is sold worldwide under the name “Blend-a-Med.”
Benefits
- Protects against cavities and repairs weakened enamel
- Breaks down plaque
- Prevents gum disease
- Tartar control
- Whitens by reducing surface stains
- Reduces sensitivity
3.Sensodyne ProNamel
For people with tooth and gum sensitivities, Sensodyne, has become the popular choice. It is recommended by dentists as the toothpaste brand for sensitive teeth.
Sensodyne ProNamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste is the popular brand among the offerings for its whitening and cleaning ability. The Sensodyne toothpastes meet with the standards of the American Dental Association and comply with the American Food and Drug Administration.
It uses potassium nitrate to desensitize the nerves that cause the oral pain. Elements of acetate and chloride work to replace calcium in the tissue of the teeth, thereby blocking sensitivities that cause tooth pain.
Sensodyne products are currently owned by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a German company, and are the product of previous renditions of the manufacturer since its release in 1907 by a New York pharmacist, Alexander Block.
Benefits
- Repairs acid-weakened enamel
- Locks in vital minerals
- Protects against cavities
- Relieves tooth sensitivity
- Whitens
4.Arm & Hammer Dental Care
Arm & Hammer, best known for baking soda, has only been producing its toothpaste brand since the 1970s. It is manufactured and marketed by Church & Dwight.
The toothpaste’s main ingredient is baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda. Baking soda is used to neutralize the acids from food that damage to the tooth’s enamel.
Arm & Hammer Dental Care toothpaste rates high among their various types. It offers deep cleaning and whitening action in addition to removing plaque, tartar, and stains. As with other toothpaste brands, Arm & Hammer offers a variety of toothpastes that focus on specific oral needs.
Although some find the consistency more abrasive than other brands, it falls well under the ADA guidelines’ Relative Dentin Abrasivity test.
Benefits
- Protects against cavities
- Neutralizes acids that erode enamel
- Reduces plaque
- Cleans and protects gums from disease
- Whitens
- Low abrasion
4.Tom’s of Maine Clean Mint Luminous White
Since 1975, Tom’s of Maine has been offering their natural toothpaste products. The products are made with no artificial products, flavors, colors, or preservatives.
The Clean Mint Luminous White toothpaste has high consumer marks. It uses sodium fluoride for anticavity action, hydrated silica for cleaning and polishing, and other natural products for taste and consistency.
The company has offered many natural personal care products since 1970. They partnered with Colgate-Palmolive in 2006 and their products can be found online and at major retailers.
In addition to earning the ADA Seal of Approval, Tom’s of Maine also has certifications from PETA, Halal, and its oral care products are considered Kosher.
Benefits
- Removes surface stains naturally
- Protects from cavities
- Safe on enamel
- Gluten free
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- No animal ingredients and not tested on animals
5.Paradontax Complete Protection
Many adults experience the early effects of gum disease. Bleeding and/or sore gums is a sign but if caught early, can be treated without oral surgery. Plaque, smoking, stress, and genetics can be causes for gum disease.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms along the gumline. If not removed through daily oral care, it becomes tartar, a hardened substance that forms below the gum line and causes gums to recede, allowing cavities to form and decay teeth.
Paradontax Complete Protection works to heal gum disease by cleaning plaque, strengthening enamel, providing a healthy gum seal around the teeth, and whitening.
The Paradontax toothpaste products are manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The oral care products have received the ADA Seal of Approval.
Benefits
- Provides protections against cavities
- Reduces and assists in healing bleeding gums (gingivitis)
- Prevents gum disease progression
- Provides a seal around teeth
- Whitens
In addition to the toothpastes listed, each brand offers multiple types that focus on individual needs. These can be cavity control, gingivitis, removal of plaque to prevent tartar build-up, whitening, breath control, dry mouth, sensitivity, and children’s toothpastes.
Beginning as soon as the first tooth comes in, parents should begin brushing, then teaching a child how to brush and spit out the toothpaste as they grow. A non-fluoride toothpaste is recommended until the child learns to spit out the toothpaste following any brushing.
Children learning to brush their teeth need a toothpaste that tastes good, yet also protects their teeth and gums.
As with adults, children should brush at least two times a day and floss once a day. Babies still using a bottle should have their emerging teeth brushed to remove residue that can cause a condition known as baby bottle tooth decay. It is not necessary to use a toothpaste on babies as brushing will remove the residue until they are older and learn to spit.
In addition to teaching children brushing habits, it also needs to be a fun activity that they will want to do. Dentists have recommended the following brands of children’s toothpastes. These are also approved by the ADA.
- Crest Kid’s Sparkle Fun
- Designed for children ages 3+
- Has sparkles and is bubblegum flavored
- Fights cavities with a gentle fluoride
- Colgate Kid’s Cavity Protection
- Designed for children ages 3+
- Is bubble fruit flavored
- Anticavity and gentle on enamel while sugar free
- AquaFresh Kids Cavity Protection
- Designed for children ages 2+
- Is bubble mint flavored
- Cavity-fighting and gentle on enamel
- Tom’s of Maine Children’s Toothpaste + brush
- Designed for toddler training
- Clear gel in mild fruit flavor
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Hello Kids Fluoride
- Designed for children ages 2+
- Multiple flavors: apple, strawberry, watermelon, grape
- Cavity prevention while strengthening enamel
Other Interesting Guides
Conclusion
Choosing a toothpaste is about personal preference. If you follow the American Dental Association recommendations for a toothpaste that has the minimum amounts of fluoride (1000 parts per million), the rest is up to you.