After 19 hours of testing 25 of the most reputable toothpaste brand names, we’ve come up with this list of the best toothpastes that are sure to keep you smiling. To determine the best toothpastes , we first considered the ingredients used, avoiding those with harmful chemicals. Next, we tested how well they can perform their intended purpose, whether it be for whitening or cleaning. Finally, we opted to go with toothpastes that delivered promising results within 7 days or less. Keep your pearly whites looking great with our best electric toothbrush.
With the above in mind, our top #1 pick is the Cali White Activated Charcoal & Organic Toothpaste. It’s great for whitening your teeth while also providing a thorough cleaning thanks to its natural ingredients. Read on to find out more about our top pick and six of our other favorites.
Top 7 Best Toothpaste Compared
#1 Cali White Activated Charcoal & Organic Toothpaste
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: This charcoal toothpaste is made with only natural and organic ingredients to keep your teeth as white and as fresh as possible. The detoxifying properties of this toothpaste eliminate bad breath and leave you feeling refreshed.
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- Healthy, natural ingredients
- Excellent cleaning and detoxifying power
- Tastes great
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- No protective ingredients
- Dissolves quickly
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The Cali White Activated Charcoal & Organic Toothpaste is primarily made of natural ingredients. No chemicals like fluoride, triclosan, and peroxide, no gluten, and no SLS. It uses active carbon, coconut oil, and baking soda to create a powerful whitening effect without being messy.
Despite being a charcoal toothpaste, it isn’t as messy as others. It may feel weird using this at first because of how quickly it dissolves, but you can’t argue with the results it produces. Overall, it’s one of the best toothpastes for whitening your teeth, and the taste isn’t half-bad. Just be sure to use a fluoride-based toothpaste every now and then to strengthen your teeth and include, without a doubt, an electric toothbrush in your daily regimen.
#2 Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Crest toothpaste is clinically proven to be able to create healthy gums and fight off harmful plaque bacteria that rest along the gum line.
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- Fights gingivitis & eliminates plaque
- Strong cleaner and detoxifier
- Activated foam ingredient
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- May cause stains
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The Crest Gum Deep Clean toothpaste is formulated to focus on improving the health of your teeth and gums instead of just whitening your teeth. Its Gum Detoxify formula uses active foam that reaches the thin gaps between your teeth and gums to ultimately get rid of harmful bacteria, keeping your oral health at top shape.
This toothpaste’s emphasis on gums and bacteria means your teeth won’t be getting as much attention that they do from other toothpastes, so it would be a good idea to alternate the Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean with a strong whitening toothpaste. Some people use the best hydrogen peroxide to clean their teeth as well.
#3 Tom’s of Maine Anti-plaque & Whitening Toothpaste
Award: Best Natural
WHY WE LIKE IT: This pick is formulated to fight plaque and whiten your teeth with naturally-driven ingredients that push the company’s environmental protection policy. Tom’s of Maine toothpaste promises to clean your mouth with purpose, with every purchase contributing to charities that focus on children and the environment.
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- Prevents tartar buildup
- Naturally-driven ingredients
- Good for sensitive teeth
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- No fluoride
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This anti-plaque and teeth whitening toothpaste trades away fluoride for a combination of natural ingredients like zinc citrate and xylitol to improve both the health and aesthetics of your teeth. These ingredients can prevent the buildup of plaque around your teeth and sweep them clean of any lingering bacteria.
Tom’s of Maine is committed to making the world a better place. Not only is this toothpaste made from environmentally friendly sources, but the company has also promised to donate a portion of their profit to children’s education and health charities. Consider getting this if you want to do your part in helping the world. Bonus tip: The best toothbrush holder makes sure that your brush is always at the ready.
#4 Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste with Fluoride
Award: Best Anti Cavity
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you need a reliable toothpaste that can strengthen your teeth, look no further as the tried-and-tested fluoride formula of Colgate is guaranteed to clean and protect teeth. This toothpaste is approved by the American Dental Association and trusted by dentists worldwide.
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- ADD approved & excellent active fluoride
- Protects against cavities
- Minty and refreshing taste
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- Not all natural ingredients
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Colgate is a ubiquitous name in the world of toothpastes, and with good reason. Colgate products have been proven to be effective, and the brand has been a household name for many years. This toothpaste sticks with the classic Colgate flavor, offering a very well-balanced combination of cleaning power, cavity prevention, and refreshing taste.
The fluoride formula used in this toothpaste pretty much guarantees that it will do its job well. This one doesn’t have the same quality of life improvements as Colgate’s newer products, but you can never go wrong with buying a tube of this world-renowned brand. Some people also like the cleaning power of the best water flosser.
#5 Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste
Award: Best for Sensitive Teeth
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Sensodyne Pronamel toothpaste is one of the best options you have for strengthening tooth enamel if you have sensitive teeth. The Pronamel whitens your teeth while protecting them from the effects of acid erosion and cavities, making this perfect for maintaining healthy teeth.
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- Advanced enamel protection
- Whitens teeth
- Great for sensitive teeth
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- Odd flavor
- Awkward cap design
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The Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening is an excellent sensitive toothpaste for protecting your teeth. The Pronamel formula is designed to fight off the effects of acidic food and drinks on your teeth by reinforcing them with minerals. It also brightens your teeth so you can smile with confidence.
The formula is very friendly towards people with sensitive teeth, and the health benefits you can get from this toothpaste are amazing. The flavor may take some getting used to, but it’s very much worth using just for the enamel protection alone. For your young ones, read about the best kids toothpaste.
#6 Arm & Hammer Advance White Toothpaste
Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: This whitening toothpaste uses a low abrasion formula with peroxide to provide a strong whitening performance.. It can effectively remove plaque, whiten your teeth, and protect them from stains in one extremely affordable package.
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- Strong whitening formula
- Removes plaque
- Prevents teeth stains
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- Taste takes getting used to
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The Arm & Hammer Advanced White is a very cost-efficient whitening toothpaste that also protects your teeth. It brightens your smile, prevents stains, and removes plaque on a level that’s on par with some of the other whitening toothpastes in this list. It uses a special whitening formula that uses peroxide to make your teeth shine extra bright.
Arm & Hammer is known for offering affordable products that are extremely cost-efficient, and this toothpaste is one of them. It tastes a bit odd, but if you’re looking for an effective whitening toothpaste at half the cost, then this one’s for you. Don’t forget to floss with the best floss as well.
#7 Burt’s Bees Purely White Toothpaste
Award: Best Flavor
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Purely White from Burt’s Bees is a chemical-free toothpaste that’s effective at removing teeth stains and keeping your mouth feeling fresh with its zen peppermint flavor. It’s arguably the best tasting toothpaste in our list, and it’s also backed by the American Dental Association.
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- Whitening + fluoride in one
- Chemical-free
- Effective at cleaning teeth
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- No fluoride protection
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This refreshingly minty toothpaste by Burt’s Bees works just as well as it tastes. The zen peppermint flavor nicely complements the natural ingredients used in this toothpaste. It has no potentially harmful chemicals like SLS, Triclosan, or Parabens in its formula, so you won’t have to worry about any bad reactions when you brush your teeth with it.
The toothpaste also uses hydrated silica to help remove stains on your teeth. Burt’s Bees Purely White toothpaste can whiten your teeth, fight cavities (fluoride ), and freshen your breath with each use, but be sure to use other toothpastes with active fluoride to help keep them strong and healthy. A good mirror or even the best lighted makeup mirror is also great for inspecting your teeth.
How We Decided
The best toothpastes are ones that can efficiently carry out the purpose they’re designed for by having quality ingredients and delivering noticeable results as quickly as possible. While we were working on this list of our favorite toothpastes, we didn’t include generic brands that promised the usual promise of clean, white teeth. We opted for ones with more perks that stood out a bit more than the rest.
Our selection is the result of all of the testing we did. Our favorite toothpastes were all able to deliver striking results within 7 days or less. We were definitely able to feel a difference between our picks and the rest of our selection pool, but what was most satisfying was the extra functions that each of these toothpastes had.
We chose fluoride-based toothpastes that offered both intense freshness and protection against bacteria. Meanwhile, the whitening toothpastes we picked not only brightened teeth, but they also gave a lasting sensation of freshness that some of the other generic brands weren’t able to provide. Other features like deep cleaning, gum protection, and cavity prevention were also excellent qualities that our picks had that we didn’t get to experience with other brands.
Best Toothpaste Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Ingredients
The ingredients used in making toothpastes can cause odd or even unhealthy results if you don’t know how they react with your teeth. Chemicals like SLS can cause canker sores in your mouth, while zero-chemical options may weaken your teeth in the long run. Most fluoride-based toothpastes are great for general use, but be sure to consult your dentist if you feel like you need to use something else. - Bacteria control
Different kinds of toothpastes can affect the bacteria in your mouth differently in terms of overall effectiveness. Some toothpastes have stronger formulas that are dedicated to removing plaque and tartar, while some are focused on simply preventing them from forming. Be sure to get the kind of toothpaste that’s based on your unique needs. - Whitening power
Not all toothpastes can whiten your teeth as effectively as others. Some are formulated specifically for whitening your teeth, while others focus on making your teeth healthier. Some products are a combination of the two.
FAQs
- Do whitening toothpastes actually work?
Yes, but it depends on the type of toothpaste you use and the amount of whitening ingredients they contain. You may not be able to notice any differences in the short-term, but your teeth should whiten with consistency. Choosing the right toothpaste is a bit more tricky than picking the best electric shaver, but we have you covered. - Should I rinse after brushing my teeth?
You can, but you’ll be getting rid of the fluoride on your teeth by rinsing early. The effects of fluoride will be minimized if you do, so it may be a good idea to let the toothpaste rest on your teeth for at least 30 minutes.
