What Kind Of Toothpaste Should You Use? Experts Help You Choose The Best Product For Your Teeth

Choices, choices...
If you’re lazy about brushing and flossing, no toothpaste will save your smile. But for those who stick to their dentist’s directives, the right gel or paste could prevent gum pain, stained teeth, cavities, and other more serious dental debacles, says Ada Cooper, DDS, a New York-based dentist and spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA).

“Choosing a brand can be tricky because there are just so many options,” says Dr. Cooper. First things first: Always look for the ADA seal on your toothpaste’s box. “This shows the product has been tested, its claims are legitimate, and its ingredients are effective,” she explains. Also, whether you like pastes or gels, cinnamon or spearmint flavors, keep in mind that those factors have nothing to do with your dentifrice’s effectiveness, Dr. Cooper adds.

Read on to determine which toothpaste is right for you.


If you have yellow teeth...



Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives that help polish teeth and prevent the buildup of additional stains—but they won’t have much impact on older discolorations, says Augusto Robles, DDS, director of operative dentistry at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

To get a whiter smile, look for pastes or gels that contain modified silicone abrasives, Dr. Robles advises. He says Rembrandt Deeply White and Ultra Brite Advanced Whitening are two effective options. If you’re not satisfied with the results after one month, ask your dentist about in-office solutions.


If you’re plagued by cavities...




All day every day, a sticky film of bacteria is trying to form on your teeth, Dr. Cooper says. That film is plaque, and it interacts with certain foods—mostly sugars—to produce acids that eat away at your tooth’s enamel, which results in tiny holes (cavities), she says.

The solution? The mineral fluoride, which the ADA refers to as nature’s cavity fighter. It coats teeth and protects them from cavity-causing acids. While most toothpastes contain fluoride, Dr. Cooper says you can be certain any product that feature the ADA seal and claims to be “anti-cavity” will do the job.

Another tip: Brushing and spitting—but not rinsing—leaves fluoride behind and gives the ingredient more time to work, which can further help those who are cavity prone, says Dr. Robles. If all else fails, prescription cavity fighters like Colgate PreviDent could also help, he says.



If you have sensitive teeth or gums...



If your dentist has ruled out other problems like cavities or root infections, the issue could be that you’re brushing too roughly, says Sally Cram, DDS, a Washington DC-based periodontist. You could also have extra sensitive gums or exposed roots, which aren’t necessarily signs of poor brushing or flossing habits, Dr. Robles adds.

Opt for toothpastes containing a desensitizing ingredient like strontium chloride or potassium nitrate. “There’s essentially no difference between the two,” Dr. Cooper says, and either may help lessen the pain. The ADA approves multiple brands, including several products from Sensodyne.


If you want to prevent tartar buildup...




Tartar, which dentists sometimes call “calculus,” comes from bacterial plaque that has hardened, Dr. Cooper says. No matter how much you brush, once the tartar has formed, only that little pick your dentist wields can scrape it off, she adds. However, toothpastes containing tartar-fighting elements can prevent the plaque from hardening. Look on the label for ingredients like pyrophosphates or zinc citrate, Dr. Cooper advises. Crest Tartar Protection is one ADA-approved option.

If you’re looking for a natural product...



All-natural, herbal toothpastes can be just as effective as anti-microbial based pastes, Dr. Robles said. “If the toothpaste has the ADA seal, it’s going to be effective,” Dr. Cooper adds. The all-natural toothpaste maker Tom’s of Maine offers ADA-approved whitening and anti-cavity options.


If you wear dentures...



Dr. Robles says toothpastes for regular teeth will work just as well for dentures, so any ADA-approved products will do the job. That said, effervescent tablets or solutions have been shown to clean more effectively than brushing, he says. Denture-cleansing products made by Fixodent are effective ADA-approved options.

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