FWIW, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. From there, “The qualities to look for in a toothpaste all depends on what you want and need out of a toothpaste,” says Julie Cho, DMD, a dentist in New York City and member of the American Dental Association. “Do you want something that will diminish your sensitivity to air and cold? Do you want anti-cavity protection? Do you want one that will help with dry mouth?” Figuring that out upfront will make the whole process of finding the right toothpaste for you that much easier. (We've got a whole variety of options ahead.) Look for a reputable brand name as well as transparency about the ingredients the product contains and the place where it’s manufactured.

If you have any special dental needs—for example bleeding gums or sensitive teeth—you should choose a toothpaste formulated for that reason. Many people who fall into this category find traditional toothpastes too harsh for their needs.

Crest Pro-Health Advanced Deep Clean Mint

https://post.healthline.com/wp-json/wp-offload-ses/v1/c/ZW1haWxfaWQ9MTE3MjUmZW1haWxfY2xpY2tfaWQ9MTcyMTMmZW1haWxfY2xpY2tfdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3Lm5jYmkubmxtLm5paC5nb3YlMkZwdWJtZWQlMkYyNzE5NzA4NyZoYXNoPWU1MGY0NjM4ZDM3MzlkZGJjOWJiZGRmNmUwNDgyMGVkYjUyZmQ2NTQ0YmFmY2U4MTBjYTlkNmEwMTk2MDg2MmU= When determining the best toothpastes, we spoke with dentists and spent hours reviewing dozens of toothpastes from the top oral care brands. These experts include:

Fiorillo L, Cervino G, Herford AS, Laino L, Cicciù M. Stannous Fluoride Effects on Enamel: A Systematic Review. Biomimetics (Basel). 2020;5(3):41. doi:10.3390/biomimetics5030041 Johannsen A, Emilson CG, Johannsen G, et al. Effects of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice on dental calculus, dental plaque, gingivitis, halitosis and stain: A systematic review. Heliyon. 2019 Dec 9;5(12):e02850. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02850 Another pro tip: When you’re actually shopping for toothpaste, it’s helpful to keep eye out for the ADA seal of acceptance. This seal means that companies have demonstrated that the toothpaste is safe and effective at cleaning your teeth. Keep in mind that not all good toothpastes have this, but you can know that any toothpaste you choose with this seal is quality. Looking out for the seal “can help make your life easier,” says Nate Lawson, DMD, PhD, associate professor in the school of dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Fluoride: This is the single most important ingredient in conventional toothpaste. “Fluoride is going to be the primary active ingredient,” says Dr. Manz. Dr. Kennedy adds, "[Sodium fluoride] is a safe way to strengthen your teeth and to prevent tooth decay or cavities.”Surfactant: Most Americans are accustomed to sudsy toothpaste. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) creates the foaming action in conventional toothpastes. Some dentists believe it helps to clean teeth and the mouth more thoroughly. Wang CF, Tian Y. Reproductive endocrine-disrupting effects of triclosan: Population exposure, present evidence and potential mechanisms. Environ Pollut. 2015;1;206:195-201. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2015.07.001 Pérez-López D, Varela-Centelles P, García-Pola MJ, Castelo-Baz P, García-Caballero L, Seoane-Romero JM. Oral mucosal peeling related to dentifrices and mouthwashes: A systematic review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2019 Jul 1;24(4):e452-e460. doi:10.4317/medoral.22939

Crest 3D White products contain "micro-cleansing" teeth whiteners that the company says can remove up to 100% of stains in just five days. It also contains the cavity-fighting active ingredient sodium fluoride. Tulumbaci F, et al. (2019). Efficacy of different remineralization agents on treating incipient enamel lesions of primary and permanent teeth. We researched dozens of toothpastes and evaluated them for key ingredients, flavor, cavity prevention and other dental benefits, and price. A dentist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding dental hygiene and the efficacy of different active ingredients in toothpastes. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Parkinson CR, Milleman KR, Milleman JL. Gingivitis efficacy of a 0.454% w/w stannous fluoride dentifrice: a 24-week randomized controlled trial. BMC Oral Health. 2020;20(1):89. doi:10.1186/s12903-020-01079-6Food and Drug Administration. FDA issues final rule on safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps. Colgate Total has only one active ingredient: stannous fluoride. The company advertises Colgate Total as a "multiple benefit" toothpaste for fighting cavities that can be used by those with and without sensitive teeth. Colgate Total was the first toothpaste approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat gingivitis. freshens breath as well as whitens your teeth. How does Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste work to prevent These typically have a higher fluoride content and may be designed to penetrate into the tooth’s root as well as into the enamel. Look for the ADA seal