Medjedovic E, Medjedovic S, Deljo D, Sukalo A. Impact of fluoride on dental health quality. Mater Sociomed. 2015;27(6):395-398. doi:10.5455/msm.2015.27.395-398 Whitening toothpaste is a simple way of getting even more out of the twice-daily habit of brushing your teeth. While you brush away plaque and debris and prevent cavities, the addition of whitening ingredients like hydrogen peroxide can also remove stains caused by things like drinking coffee, tea, red wine, or even smoking. “Most toothpastes, whether they're labeled whitening or not, have some kind of a mild abrasive in them to safely remove surface stains from the teeth,” says Edmond Hewlett, DDS, professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association (ADA). Nayak PA, Nayak UA, Khandelwal V. The effect of xylitol on dental caries and oral flora. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2014;6:89-94. doi:10.2147/CCIDE.S55761 While some people experience tooth sensitivity when using teeth whitening products, Colgate Total Whitening contains stannous fluoride, which helps offset that effect. (Although Dr. Field adds that if you have sensitive teeth already, whitening toothpaste could exacerbate it, in which case we recommend trying Crest Pro Health Gum and Sensitivity Gentle Whitening.) A common concern is that consuming fluoridated tap water and using fluoride toothpaste could lead to excessive fluoride consumption, but the NHS says dental fluorosis, a condition that causes pitting or discolouration of children’s teeth caused by excessive fluoride, is uncommon in the UK, as fluoride in the water supply, where it is added, is carefully regulated.

Colgate Total SF Whitening Gel lifts surface stains, fights gum disease and cavities, and doesn't leave your teeth or gums feeling sensitive like other whitening toothpastes. My three sons, ages three, five, and six, rarely get excited about brushing their teeth. But I left this product out for them to try without any fanfare and observed their reactions. Not only do you want your toothpaste to work as it should (and help noticeably whiten your teeth), but you want it also to taste good when brushing twice a day. That's why we like this Crest 3D White Brilliance toothpaste in vibrant peppermint flavor. Our tester noted that the flavor tasted good and wasn't too bitter or too strong compared to other toothpastes. Additionally, the toothpaste is formulated with sodium fluoride, which works well to strengthen the enamel and prevent cavities. An RDA score reflects how erosive a toothpaste can be. Lower RDA scores reflect gentler toothpastes, while higher RDA scores reflect higher levels of abrasive ingredients. This is why whitening toothpastes may cause or increase sensitivity for some—highly abrasive toothpastes can erode your enamel and even expose the dentin (middle layer)of your tooth. This Crest toothpaste was amazing with my sensitive teeth and gums and left my mouth feeling clean and refreshed. I can't say that the results were very drastic; perhaps with longer-term use, I might see a more noticeable change, but I liked this toothpaste better than my regular toothpaste, so I might just switch to this brand permanently." — Hildara Araya, Commerce editor, Verywell FamilyIf a minty-fresh mouth isn’t up your street, you might be a fan of Biomed’s natural coconut toothpaste – which, as you may imagine, has a rather distinct flavour. It uses cinnamon extract to help soothe gums, and bromelain (derived from pineapple extract) to remove plaque and polish enamel. The toothpaste itself has a slightly waxy consistency, probably due to the coconut oil, and tastes like a slightly spiced, minty coconut which may take some getting used to. Biomed claims that only 30 seconds of brushing will result in squeaky clean teeth, though we found it preferable to brush for a bit longer. Lactoferrin – An anti-inflammatory protein present in many secretory fluids, including saliva, Lactoferrin has many immune-boosting properties. It also harbours anti-bacterial and anti-viral functions and works against fungi and yeasts. No, it's not bad for you. In fact, fluoride is very good for your teeth as long as it's not ingested in large quantities. Fluoride has certain benefits for your teeth such as remineralizing, antibacterial properties, and preventing future decay. Joseph Field, DDS, a dentist in Los Altos, CA explains that fluoride helps lower the acidity in our mouth from what we eat and drink, which will otherwise demineralize our enamel which can in turn cause cavities.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide removes both surface and intrinsic stains, leaving noticeably brighter, whiter teeth. Those patients with sensitive teeth should look for brands like Sensodyne that incorporate potassium nitrate into their toothpaste formulas, as potassium nitrate helps to soothe inflamed nerves,” Dr. Kunen suggests. If you're unsure which toothpaste will best fit your individual needs, ask your dentist for guidance. Toothpaste tablets that you chew aim to cut down on the plastic waste generated by toothpaste tubes. While it wasn't always the case, many toothpaste tubes are now recyclable, as they're manufactured from plastic alone, as opposed to a mix of plastic and metal. You can also buy vegan toothpastes which means they don't contain animal products, but are also cruelty free (have not been tested on animals). Some toothpastes advertise their natural ingredients such as coconut oil or charcoal, or the absence of palm oil. What to watch out for Klēn's natural toothpaste uses Bentonite Clay, a fluoride alternative with antibacterial properties; aloe leaf extract; and tea tree leaf oil instead, which Dr. Tozzi says is "abrasive enough to clean while still being gentle on enamel." Dr. Devore adds that he likes tea tree oil in toothpaste thanks to its antibacterial and antiviral properties.Many people will also want to look for a toothpaste with fluoride in it; however it's not necessarily a "must-have" for everyone, except kids, says Dr. Field (along with a few of our other experts). The unique oxygen-enriched formula helps to prevent and treat gum diseases such as periodontitis and peri-implantitis. It also combats staining while using Xylitol as a natural sweetener helps to re-mineralise the natural tooth enamel. Benefits of bluem® Toothpaste bluem® Toothpaste with Calcium Fluoride contains only essential, natural ingredients. Active Ingredients Honey Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is present in vegetables, fruits and birch trees. The xylitol in our products is derived from birch trees. This sweetener has a fresh taste and is good for teeth and gums. It helps reduce plaque because the bacteria responsible for plaque build-up cannot feed on xylitol like they can glucose. It is a low-carb ingredient and has health-promoting characteristics. In addition, xylitol also helps prevent dry mouth. bluem® Toothpaste Ingredients

Inspired by nature, bluem® products contain specially selected, natural ingredients designed to heal tissue and promote optimum oral health. Also, while I've found standard adult toothpaste is actually pretty hard for little hands to maneuver, my kids were also able to snap open the Tom's Silly Strawberry lid themselves and squeeze the paste onto their own toothbrushes without making a mess — for once. We know that fluoride has strong antibacterial and plaque-prevention properties. It's "an effective remineralizing ion," Dr. Field explains, which helps reset the pH balance after we eat and drink so that the acidity doesn't cause our enamel to become demineralized, which can in turn cause cavities.Unilever’s Regenerate Enamel Science Advanced toothpaste claims to regenerate enamel through the action of calcium silicate and sodium phosphate interacting with hydroxyapatite (what tooth enamel is made of).

Intrinsic staining happens inside your teeth and can be caused by trauma, certain medical treatment or excessive childhood fluoride consumption (but this is rare in the UK). Teeth also yellow as we age, due to thinning enamel. The only way to remove intrinsic staining is bleaching through dentist-administered professional products (using hydrogen peroxide). If you're looking for remineralization, Dr. Field says your toothpaste should contain calcium phosphate, which he calls one of the "most effective ingredients" to help strengthen tooth structure. Most fluoride-based toothpastes contain a concentration of at least 1,000 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride. For people with severe tooth decay, a dentist may recommend a toothpaste with a concentration of up to 5,000 ppm. That being said, some of the fancier toothpastes do have some extra weapons up their sleeve. FluorideIn addition to lifting light surface stains, this whitening toothpaste has antibacterial properties to help fight gum disease and tooth decay, so it covers the duties any toothpaste should perform. Plus, it's incredibly affordable, especially compared to other at-home and professional whitening products.