What is the healthiest toothpaste? The No. 1 pick, according to dentists
Toothpaste is part of most everyone’s daily routine and the right kind is important for healthy teeth. For a product you spit out, there’s a lot to consider.
The drugstore aisle is filled with an ever-growing variety of types and flavors in a tube, promising everything from cavity protection to whiter teeth.
What is the best toothpaste to use, and what do dentists use?
TODAY.com asked Dr. Tricia Quartey, a dentist in New York and consumer advisor spokesperson for the American Dental Association; and Dr. David Okano, a periodontist and assistant professor at the University of Utah School of Dentistry.
Do you actually need toothpaste?
Toothpaste has important benefits for oral health, but just the mechanical action of brushing with a toothbrush alone will remove the buildup of plaque, the sticky biofilm of bacteria on teeth, the experts say.
“You would probably be just fine if you did not use a toothpaste, if you just used a toothbrush,” Okano tells TODAY.com.
“The idea is you want to disrupt the plaque. The plaque contains a lot of germs that lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease. So if you just disrupted the biofilm, you’d probably be doing an awful lot that’s good for you.”
But dentists still recommend using a toothpaste with fluoride to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
How many types of toothpaste are there?
The list seems to be growing, but there are several basic types:
Fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride is a mineral that prevents or reverses tooth decay and stimulates new bone formation, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“Fluoride makes the tooth stronger,” Quartey says. “I tell my patients all the time they need fluoride toothpaste.”
She also recommends a fluoride mouthwash because the liquid washes over all tooth surfaces.
Fluoride comes in different formulations, such as sodium fluoride, but stannous fluoride may have additional benefits against bacteria that lead to periodontal disease, Okano says.
Fluoride-free toothpaste
Fluoride-free toothpaste doesn’t contain the mineral. Quartey says it makes no sense to her to use this option. “The benefits of fluoride are so great that I would always recommend, if at all possible, that you use a toothpaste with fluoride,” Okano adds.
Baking soda toothpaste
Baking soda is naturally alkaline, meaning it has a pH higher than 7. The theory is that it neutralizes the acids that lead to tooth decay, Okano says. It’s abrasive so it may remove stains, but could also erode the enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth, both experts caution.
Sensitive teeth toothpaste
This kind of toothpaste contains potassium nitrate and other ingredients that reduce the nerve transmission from the tooth to the brain. This dampens the sharp pain people can feel when they have exposed roots from receding gums and eat something cold, hot, sweet or acidic.
“Just make sure that you don’t have a tooth decay cavity problem causing the sensitivity,” Okano advises. “But if it’s exposed root surfaces causing sensitivity, the sensitivity toothpastes are very beneficial.”
It can take a few weeks to feel the difference and the toothpaste can be used indefinitely, both dentists note.
Whitening toothpaste
This is the toothpaste containing the agents you'll need when you're looking to remove stains on the outside of the teeth from coffee or wine. It can be abrasive.
Charcoal toothpaste is among whitening options, but both dentists are concerned about its abrasiveness and impact on tooth enamel. “I don’t like charcoal toothpaste,” Quartey says. “I’ve seen first-hand patients using charcoal toothpaste and brushing away their enamel.”
Tartar control toothpaste
This option has a chemical agent that inhibits the formation of tartar, or hardened plaque.
Enamel protection toothpaste
It contains ingredients that will be taken up into the surface layer of the tooth, making it harder and therefore less susceptible to tooth decay.
Regular toothpaste with fluoride will also harden the surface, but this option has even more chemical agents for that purpose, Okano notes.
Natural toothpaste
It likely won’t have artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. “I’m OK with anything natural as long as it has fluoride,” Quartey says.
What is the best toothpaste?
The No. 1 pick is any toothpaste with fluoride that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, which means it’s safe and effective, both dentists say.
Once that basic requirement is met, the healthiest type of toothpaste will depend on the individual patient and what their needs are.
“I prefer sensitive toothpaste for all of my patients because I find that they are the least abrasive and I’m always concerned about people brushing too hard — brushing away the enamel,” Quartey says.
A toothpaste with fluoride and plaque control for sensitive teeth with the ADA Seal of Acceptance pretty much covers problems like cavities and gum disease, she notes.
A pea size amount of toothpaste is all that’s needed, both dentists advise. The flavor doesn’t matter, but if you choose cinnamon, be aware it can be irritating to gums and other soft tissues for some people.
What do dentists use for toothpaste?
Both dentists personally use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Okano, who has a bit of gum recession and exposed root surfaces, also likes using a prescription toothpaste that has a higher fluoride content than over-the-counter options.
Are you supposed to rinse out toothpaste?
No, spit out the excess but don’t rinse your mouth out, and don’t eat or drink for about 30 minutes after brushing your teeth to get the full benefit of fluoride from the toothpaste, Okano advises.
Toothpaste alternatives
If you want to skip toothpaste, Quartey is OK with using baking soda or coconut oil.
Or just wet the toothbrush and brush that way, both dentists say.
"But of course, I do want to emphasize I do want (people) to brush with a toothpaste with fluoride," Quartey says.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com