Say Goodbye to Cavities & Bad Breath With These Top 9 Dentist-Recommended Toothpastes

A quick search on Amazon or Google for the best types of toothpaste is enough to send anyone’s head reeling. Forget stepping into your local grocer, either, as a half-packed aisle with vibrant labels will distract you while you attempt to visually sort through them. Between phrases like anti-cavity and cavity prevention, total and extreme whitening, with or without fluoride, and options that claim to help those with sensitive teeth, dry mouth, and plaque buildup, the choices are endless and overwhelming. So, how do you know which is the best toothpaste for you, and which brand to pick? Let’s dive in and take a look at 9 dentist-recommended toothpastes that cover pretty much any oral health ailment you may have.

1. Best Overall: Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste With Stannous Fluoride & Zinc.

When it comes to the best overall toothpaste tube, Colgate takes the top on many lists. This is because it has a comprehensive formula that addresses several dental concerns, making it a favorite among dentists and patients alike. If you’re worried about tooth decay, the stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and calcium phosphate in it will help remineralize and strengthen your tooth enamel, providing you with better protection against the development of cavities. In addition to this, this toothpaste can help reduce inflammation and bleeding in the gums, as the formula contains triclosan, an antibacterial agent that helps eliminate harmful bacteria in the mouth. It will also keep your mouth feeling clean and refreshed throughout the day with its mint flavor.

2. On a Budget? Purchase Crest Pro Health Smooth Formula Toothpaste.

While this option is also at the top of many lists when it comes to the best types of toothpaste, as it also comes with a comprehensive formula to fight against many oral health ailments like gum disease, cavity development, plaque buildup, and sensitivity, we’re putting it in the second spot as the runner-up to Colgate’s Total Whitening. Why? Similar formulas, but this one is more budget-friendly and is dentist-recommended. Like Colagate, Crest Pro Health’s main ingredient is stannous fluoride, which is known for its ability to combat cavity-causing bacteria, reduce plaque buildup, and strengthen your tooth enamel. What makes this toothpaste standout against some others, is that it comes in value packs of 3-12 bundles, making it an affordable option for those who want total fighting power on a tight budget. The smooth formula and refreshing clean mint flavor makes it an effective choice for that clean feel, without breaking the bank.

3. Say Goodbye to Sensitivity With Sensodyne Repair & Protect.

If you take a look at Sensodyne’s website, their lineup of toothpaste products is quite large, but the one that stands out is Sensodyne’s Repair and Protect tube. It is widely considered one of the best toothpaste types for sensitive teeth, as it’s specifically formulated to provide relief from hot or cold temperatures, sweet or sour foods, and acidic beverages. Like others on this list, it contains stannous fluoride, which builds up a “repairing” layer through remineralization. This layer not only gives you protection against cavity development, but it can protect your teeth from pain, while improving your overall gum health. It is important to note here that for most sensitive toothpaste, it can take up to 2-weeks to notice a reduction in sensitivity. If you need faster relief, you can try out Sensodyne’s Rapid Relief, which is the best toothpaste type for sensitivity relief in as little as 3-days.

4. Best Toothpaste For Gum Health: Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste.

When it comes to your gum health, the Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean pops up as one of the best toothpaste types for dealing with plaque and tartar buildup, and combating the development of gingivitis. It is a dentist-recommended toothpaste for its ability to neutralize harmful plaque bacteria around the gum line, as its unique activated foam formula can penetrate hard-to-reach places around the gums, where plaque likes to sit. If you’re worried about gingivitis, this toothpaste’s deep-cleaning action will leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean, plus it comes with stannous fluoride to help protect your teeth from cavities. Like other toothpastes on this list, it is phthalate and aluminum-free.

5. Best Natural Toothpaste: Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free, Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste.

If you’re looking for a natural solution, one of the best types of toothpastes in this category is Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-free, Antiplaque & Whitening toothpaste. All ingredients are naturally derived, making it great for individuals who want a vegan-friendly, no animal ingredient toothpaste that is free from artificial colors, preservatives, and flavoring. The formula for this particular tube of Tom’s of Maine contains zinc citrate which helps control plaque formation and inhibits the formation of calculus, as well as, xylitol which is a natural teeth whitener that removes surface stains. This paste comes in spearmint, peppermint, and fennel flavorings.

6. Best Toothpaste for Dry Mouth: Biotene Fluoride Toothpaste.

If you’ve been diagnosed with dry mouth, and are worried about it leading to dental problems like cavities, then it’s best to pick up a dentist-recommended toothpaste that contains ingredients like sorbitol, xylitol, and fluoride to stimulate saliva production and create a moist oral environment. Biotene is the #1 recommended brand by dentists, pharmacists, and hygienists for dry mouth management, as it doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or alcohol, which makes it more gentle on your mouth and doesn’t strip it of moisture. The main active ingredient in it is sodium fluoride, which helps to strengthen your teeth and protect them from cavities. In clinical studies with this toothpaste, it provides dry mouth relief for up to 4-hours, but can be paired with other Biotene products like their oral rinse, or dry mouth lozenges for longer-lasting relief.

7. Best Toothpaste for Bad Breath: TheraBreath Fresh Breath Toothpaste.

If you’re looking to combat halitosis, the best type of toothpaste is TheraBreath Fresh Breath Toothpaste, which is a dentist-formulated gel-based option that is recommended to those who are fighting against persistent bad breath. What makes TheraBreath a unique option on this list is its unique, patented formula, that contains OXYD-8, a compound that creates an oxygenated environment in your mouth to prevent the growth of bacteria that causes bad breath. It also contains fluoride to control plaque, and tartar buildup, while preventing the development of cavities. It doesn’t contain any harsh detergents, or artificial flavors, and fights against all types of bad breath bacteria.

8. Best Whitening Toothpaste: Arm & Hammer Advanced Whitening Toothpaste

If you’re on the hunt for an extreme whitening toothpaste that is also affordable, take a look at Arm & Hammer Advanced White. It is formulated with 100% pure Arm and Hammer baking soda, and is combined with hydrogen peroxide for a dual-action whitening system. The peroxide removes any surface stains on your teeth, while the baking soda does the deep work to neutralize any acids that would otherwise erode your tooth enamel. It is a fluoride-based toothpaste that comes in a clean mint flavor, and can be bought in packs of two for a more affordable purchase.

9. Best Toothpaste for Kids: Colgate for Kids.

While we could write a whole post on children’s toothpaste alone, one of the best toothpastes for kids is Colgate for Kids Toothpaste. It is ADA-approved, meaning it meets the required standards for effectiveness and safety, and it contains fluoride, which is essential to prevent cavity development on those itty-bitty baby teeth. The packaging is often decorated with fun, well-known characters, and the tube size is easy for kids to handle. It comes in a fun bubble fruit flavor that encourages children to look forward to brushing every day. Other runner ups in this category include Kid’s Crest, Aquafresh, and Hello Toothpaste.

When it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene, the toothpaste you choose plays a critical role. While the 9 brands of dentist-recommended toothpaste in this list are some of the best toothpastes available, getting an informed recommendation from one of our dentists, here at Tampa Palm Dentistry, is always a good idea. We can provide you with expert guidance on which toothpaste fits your specific needs, and we can give you tips on the best brushing, flossing, and oral care practices that will keep your teeth and gums happy, and healthy. If you’re ready to say goodbye to cavities and bad breath for good, book an appointment, and get a recommendation that will allow you to take control of your oral health today.