We can’t express enough the importance of having good oral hygiene. And if you are someone that gets a dental check-up at least once per year and also sees a hygienist for cleanings, then you may just be in maintenance mode. That could mean making sure to brush your teeth two to three times per day and floss. Simply put, good oral hygiene reduces your chances of having cavities and gum disease (periodontitis) and tooth sensitivity. But if you don’t have the absolute best toothpaste, you can kiss that sweet smile goodbye.
Furthermore, as with other things that occur within our bodies, issues in your mouth aren’t self-contained and over time can lead to other problems. Studies have linked bacteria and inflammation in the mouth and periodontitis, to heart issues, including cardiovascular disease. Additionally, severe gum disease is associated with high blood pressure, cognitive decline, and even certain forms of cancer.
Luckily, your behavior can positively impact your oral health and begin with something as simple as finding and using the best toothpaste that you like or one that helps you manage any dental issues you may have. Here are the best toothpaste tubes for fresh breath, combating gingivitis, plaque, gum disease and stained teeth.
1. Bite Toothpaste Bits
BEST OVERALL
While it isn’t typical to use toothpaste tablets when brushing your teeth, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t effective. Bite Toothpaste Bits keeps things simple and tidy. Pop one in your mouth and chew, and once it mixes with your saliva, you have created the toothpaste that will clean your teeth. In addition to being made with all-natural ingredients that help to remineralize your tooth enamel, it fights cavities and is vegan friendly. It is an easy grab-and-go, and you never have to remember to purchase it because it is available through a subscription service.
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2. Sensodyne Sensitivity & Gum
BEST FOR SENSITIVE TEETH
If you sometimes wince while eating ice cream, crunching on ice, sipping on warm coffee or even while brushing your teeth, you may have sensitive teeth. It can be caused by brushing too aggressively, using a hard toothbrush, tooth erosion, gum recession, grinding your teeth at night, and also tooth decay — which needs to be treated by your dentist. If the cause of your tooth sensitivity isn’t due to a cavity, using Sensodyne Sensitivity & Gum can help by protecting sensitive areas in your mouth. It also helps to remove plaque bacteria which may reduce gum swelling and bleeding.
3. Colgate Renewal Revitalizing Gum and Sensitivity Repair Toothpaste
BLEEDING GUMS
Occasional bleeding gums may not be something to be concerned about, but if it is an ongoing issue, it could mean that you have or may develop gum disease, which could be due to plaque build-up on your teeth. Plaque can harden and lead to tartar which is more difficult to curtail, leading to more bleeding and severe gum disease. Colgate Renewal gum toothpaste can help reverse the onset of gum damage, and also prevents bleeding gums due to gingivitis.
4. Crest Pro-Health Advanced Sensitive & Enamel Shield
BEST FOR PROTECTING ENAMEL
Acidic foods and drinks can cause enamel erosion, and while the calcium in your mouth can neutralize it, if your diet is high in acidic foods and beverages, this can lead to tooth erosion. If your enamel starts wearing away, your teeth can become more sensitive to hot and cold foods, appear yellow or even transparent or crack. Crest Pro-Health Advanced Sensitive & Enamel Shield sticks to your teeth to help strengthen them and protect the enamel.
5. Marvis Classic Strong Mint
BEST FLUORIDE FREE
Marvis Classic Strong Mint toothpaste is the all-around toothpaste that you want to start and end your day with. It helps lift stains, freshens your breath and removes plaque. The peppermint flavor leaves your mouth feeling fresh and tingly like a brisk cool morning. To stave off tooth decay, tartar, and plaque with this product practice good oral hygiene and brush after eating.
6. Arm & Hammer Advanced White Extreme Whitening Toothpaste
BEST FOR WHITENING
If you love having tea, coffee, red wine, or cola, there is a chance that your teeth are not as white as they could be. Arm & Hammer works hard to remove old stains and helps to prevent new ones. The baking soda’s mild abrasive action helps to keep your mouth clean and removes plaque, plus the hydrogen peroxide lifts set-in stains. Baking soda has shown to remove stains better than some other commercial forms, so you may be surprised and how it can brighten your smile.
7. Moon Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste
BEST CHARCOAL
Activated Charcoal is making its mark in many beauty products, and toothpaste is no different. Moon charcoal toothpaste in lunar mint is available in both fluoride-free and with fluoride. They both contain activated charcoal and antioxidants, and a nice kick of mint.
8. Native Whitening Wild Mint & Peppermint Oil Fluoride Toothpaste
BEST FOR BAD BREATH
We have all suffered from funky breath at some point in our lives, whether it is morning breath or if you had too much garlic, onions or spicy foods. But in most cases, all it takes is a good brushing with toothpaste that can neutralize the stinky smell. Native Whitening Wild Mint & Peppermint Oil Fluoride Toothpaste is quite simply refreshing. Instead of using mint flavoring, the brand uses oil, which allows the peppermint flavor to shine through. Bonus it whitens too without leaving an aftertaste.
9. Tom’s of Maine Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste
PLAQUE PREVENTION
Everyone gets plaque on their teeth. It is a soft and sticky film that forms on your teeth when bacteria mix with starchy foods. The best defense is to brush teeth because if you do not remove plaque when it is soft it hardens and is difficult to remove, and you may have to get a deep cleaning, aka scaling, from your dentist or dental hygienist to get rid of it. So it’s best to keep it under control. If plaque isn’t removed, it can lead to cavities and gum issues. Tom’s of Maine Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste uses naturally sourced ingredients to help reduce your chances of having plaque hang around long enough to harden, plus it can help to remove surface stains.
10. Marvis Wonders of the World Toothpaste
MOST EXOTIC
Marvis Wonders of the World toothpaste, Rambas is unlike the conventional toothpaste that you normally use. It is like a flavor explosion of juicy fruits in your mouth. It is created with a mild undertone of vibrant mint mixed with peach and pineapple and alphonso mango. It is a great way to start and end the day.