Toothpaste Reviews: Best Toothpaste

Best toothpaste overall

*Est. $3.50 for 7.8 oz. Compare Prices

Experts recommend Colgate Total more often than any other toothpaste. According to both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA), this was the first toothpaste on the market to… include the antibacterial ingredient triclosan, which has been proven effective for fighting gum disease (gingivitis). Total contains a copolymer that allows triclosan to remain active between brushings, even after you eat or drink. Colgate Total is not recommended for kids under six years old, since its antibacterial properties have not been tested for young children.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors rank 41 toothpastes based on lab tests for stain removal, abrasiveness and fluoride content. The review recommends a ...

Slate.com: The author and several friends test Colgate Total and 34 other toothpastes for taste and feel, and they interview dentists for ...

DentalResource.com: Based on his professional experience, dentist Jeffrey Kohlhardt recommends Colgate Total for most people aged 20 to 65 unless ...

SimpleTooth.com: This dentist recommends fluoride toothpaste that carries the ADA seal -- and for adult patients, Colgate Total. The review notes ...

Ask Dr. Ellie (blog): This dentist recommends a simple fluoride toothpaste instead of Colgate Total because she's not convinced triclosan is safe.

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Best stain removal

Ultra brite Advanced Whitening

*Est. $2.25 for 6 oz. Compare Prices

In a major comparison review, this budget toothpaste beat out 40 other brands for stain removal, but Ultra brite doesn't carry the ADA seal. It does contain fluoride plus a tartar-control ingredient, but not triclosan or… the copolymer that makes cavity protection last between meals. Ultra brite is also more abrasive than Colgate (thought it is manufactured by Colgate), and some dentists warn that with aggressive brushing, highly abrasive toothpastes can wear down tooth enamel. This toothpaste is approved for kids older than two years of age.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors rank 41 toothpastes based on lab tests for stain removal, abrasiveness and fluoride content, noting burning or bitter ...

Drugstore.com: More than a dozen users give Ultra Brite Advanced Whitening toothpaste mostly positive reviews as a good value, though there are ...

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Natural toothpaste

Toms of Maine Natural Anticavity Baking Soda Fluoride Toothpaste, Peppermint

*Est. $3.60 for 6 oz. Compare Prices

This ADA-approved toothpaste contains no saccharin, sweetened instead with xylitol, a natural sugar proven to combat harmful bacteria instead of feeding them. This toothpaste uses calcium carbonate as the abrasive, so it… is also much less abrasive than Colgate Total or Ultra brite, but doesn't remove stains as well.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Drugstore.com: Over a dozen users review Tom's of Maine Natural Anticavity Baking Soda Fluoride Toothpaste here and give it a near-perfect ...

Amazon.com: A handful of users review Tom's of Maine Natural Care, giving it high praise for its ingredients, taste and overall company ...

Slate.com: In this review, based on taste comparisons and dentists' opinions of more than 35 toothpastes, the author notes that the foaming ...

Vitacost.com: Only a few users review Tom's of Maine Natural Care Fluoride toothpaste here, but they give it top ratings. One notes that most ...

Environmental Working Group Cosmetics Database: In this breakdown of the ingredients in this toothpaste, it's the fluoride that gets the most criticism, but the sodium lauryl ...

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Swanson Health Products

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth and mouths

Sensodyne Pronamel

*Est. $5.50 for 4 oz. Compare Prices

Unlike the toothpastes above, Sensodyne Pronamel contains no sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) that dentists say can irritate gums and the lining of the mouth. Reviews say SLS-free toothpastes are also better for people prone… to canker sores. In addition to fluoride, this toothpaste contains potassium nitrate, an ingredient dentists recommend for people with teeth extra sensitive to heat and cold. It also minimizes erosion of tooth enamel caused by acid foods, which can lead to sensitivity.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

SimpleTooth.com: This dentist recommends fluoride toothpaste that carries the ADA seal -- particularly Colgate Total for adult patients; however, ...

DentalResource.com: Based on his professional education and experience, dentist Jeffrey Kohlhardt recommends toothpaste that's free of SLS for people ...

Family Gentle Dental Care: This dentist also recommends Sensodyne toothpaste for people with sensitive teeth, also warning that tartar-control toothpastes ...

Drugstore.com: More than a dozen users give Sensodyne Pronamel mostly positive ratings, but a few report gum irritation. Taste and texture get ...

Epinions.com: Most users reviewing Sensodyne Pronamel toothpaste here give it top marks. Even the one who complains about the taste says the ...

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Toothpaste: Reviews

Best toothpaste overall

Best stain removal

Natural toothpaste

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth and mouths

Toothpaste by Price Range


	Crest Cavity Protection Toothpaste, Regular - 8.2 Oz from Amazon.com New: $3.44 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	AquaFresh Fluoride Toothpaste, Triple Protection, 6.4-Ounce Pumps (Pack of 6) from Amazon.com New: $17.94 $14.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Squigle Enamel Saver Toothpaste - 1 tube from Amazon.com New: $13.99 $5.75 In Stock. Average Customer Review: