Rankings / Best Toothpaste
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Best Toothpaste

A great toothpaste pairs a proven anticavity active (fluoride or, increasingly, nano-hydroxyapatite) with abrasivity low enough to protect enamel over decades of daily use. The best options back their claims with clinical evidence or ADA acceptance while keeping the ingredient list clean and the price reasonable. We weight demonstrated cavity protection most heavily, because that is the one job every toothpaste must do well.

Top pick
81Score

Sensodyne (Haleon)

Sensodyne Pronamel

What we measured

How scoring works →
Anticavity Efficacy28%

Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.

Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18%

How gentle the paste is on enamel and dentin (a lower, well-controlled RDA scores higher), avoiding cumulative wear from daily brushing.

Sensitivity & Gum Support15%

How well the formula relieves dentin sensitivity and supports gum health against gingivitis and inflammation.

Ingredient Cleanliness15%

Freedom from SLS and harsh additives, plus label transparency and absence of unnecessary dyes or irritants.

Evidence & Acceptance14%

Strength of clinical backing, including ADA Seal of Acceptance and published trials supporting the product's claims.

Value & Daily Use10%

Cost per use, availability, and how pleasant and practical the paste is for twice-daily brushing.

Scored editorially from public product labels, brand positioning, and ADA acceptance status; 0-100 values are transparent quality assessments, not measured lab figures, and specific claims (RDA, ppm fluoride, nHA efficacy, regional actives such as US stannous vs. ex-US NovaMin) should be verified against current labels.

Best

High-performing picks with clean formulas, strong evidence, and elegant everyday use.

1
BestMid-range · $$

Sensodyne (Haleon) Sensodyne Pronamel

Low-abrasion, SLS-free fluoride paste engineered to protect acid-weakened enamel.

81Score
85
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Notably low abrasivity, ideal for enamel erosion and acid wear
  • ✓Sodium fluoride active with ADA acceptance
  • ✓SLS-free formula gentler on soft tissue
  • –Sensitivity relief is good but not at Repair & Protect level
  • –Mid-tier pricing
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
85
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
88
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
80
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
72
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
85
Value & Daily Use10% weight
70
High confidence· Publicly positioned low-RDA, SLS-free fluoride formula with ADA acceptance
2
BestBudget · $

Colgate Total

The clinically dominant all-rounder, now built on stannous fluoride for whole-mouth protection.

79Score
90
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Stannous fluoride active targets cavities, gingivitis, and sensitivity in one formula
  • ✓ADA accepted with one of the deepest clinical evidence bases in the category
  • ✓Cheap and available almost everywhere
  • –Contains SLS and artificial additives, so not a clean-label pick
  • –Stannous formulas can cause mild surface staining over time
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
90
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
70
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
82
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
45
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
92
Value & Daily Use10% weight
88
High confidence· Well-documented reformulated stannous fluoride formula and public ADA acceptance
Better

Solid everyday choices — a clear step up, with a few compromises.

3
BetterBudget · $

Crest (P&G) Crest Pro-Health

Stannous-fluoride workhorse covering cavities, gingivitis, and sensitivity at drugstore prices.

77Score
90
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Stannous fluoride delivers broad anticavity and antigingivitis action
  • ✓ADA accepted across multiple variants
  • ✓Strong value and wide availability
  • –SLS and dyes make it a poor clean-ingredient choice
  • –Stannous fluoride can contribute to extrinsic staining
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
90
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
66
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
80
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
42
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
90
Value & Daily Use10% weight
86
High confidence· Public label and ADA acceptance for stannous fluoride formulas
4
BetterMid-range · $$

Sensodyne (Haleon) Sensodyne Repair & Protect

Sensitivity-repair specialist that also delivers serious anticavity fluoride.

76Score
88
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Best-in-class dentin sensitivity relief with tubule-occluding technology
  • ✓Stannous fluoride provides strong cavity protection (US formula)
  • ✓ADA accepted with clinical support for sensitivity claims
  • –Contains SLS
  • –Pricier than basic drugstore pastes
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
88
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
66
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
92
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
48
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
85
Value & Daily Use10% weight
62
High confidence· Well-known sensitivity formula; ADA acceptance and public labeling (US stannous fluoride version)
5
BetterBudget · $

Arm & Hammer (Church & Dwight) Arm & Hammer Dental Care

Baking-soda classic that quietly delivers fluoride protection at the lowest cost per tube.

73Score
85
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Sodium fluoride plus acid-neutralizing baking soda
  • ✓ADA accepted
  • ✓Exceptional value — among the cheapest effective pastes
  • –Contains SLS
  • –Limited dedicated sensitivity or gum-repair benefit
  • –Whitening variants run more abrasive than the basic Dental Care
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
85
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
74
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
55
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
50
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
80
Value & Daily Use10% weight
90
Medium confidence· Public label; baking-soda fluoride formula with ADA acceptance
6
BetterMid-range · $$

Tom's of Maine (Colgate) Tom's of Maine Fluoride

Natural-leaning fluoride paste that balances proven protection with a cleaner label.

72Score
82
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Sodium fluoride active with ADA acceptance on fluoride versions
  • ✓Naturally derived ingredients and available SLS-free variants
  • ✓Reasonable mid-tier pricing and wide availability
  • –Some variants still include SLS — check the specific SKU
  • –Modest sensitivity and gum-repair benefit
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
82
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
66
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
55
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
80
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
72
Value & Daily Use10% weight
65
Medium confidence· Public label; fluoride variants carry ADA acceptance
7
BetterMid-range · $$

Hello Products Hello Fluoride Toothpaste

Friendly clean-label brand offering both fluoride and fluoride-free lines.

71Score
78
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Fluoride versions carry ADA acceptance
  • ✓SLS-free, dye-conscious clean formulas
  • ✓Approachable flavors and mid-tier pricing
  • –Fluoride-free variants lack a strong anticavity active — pick carefully
  • –Limited dedicated sensitivity or gum therapy
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
78
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
68
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
55
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
85
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
68
Value & Daily Use10% weight
68
Medium confidence· Public positioning as SLS-free; fluoride line has ADA acceptance
8
BetterPremium · $$$

Boka Ela Mint (n-Ha)

Popular fluoride-free paste built on nano-hydroxyapatite with a clean ingredient list.

69Score
72
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Nano-hydroxyapatite supports remineralization without fluoride
  • ✓Very clean, SLS-free formula with transparent labeling
  • ✓Helps with sensitivity via mineral deposition
  • –No ADA seal and thinner U.S. clinical evidence than fluoride
  • –Premium price
  • –nHA anticavity performance is promising but less established than fluoride
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
72
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
76
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
72
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
90
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
48
Value & Daily Use10% weight
45
Medium confidence· Public positioning as nano-hydroxyapatite, SLS-free, fluoride-free
9
BetterPremium · $$$

RiseWell Mineral Toothpaste

Premium hydroxyapatite paste marketed as a clean, fluoride-free remineralizer.

67Score
72
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Hydroxyapatite active for remineralization without fluoride
  • ✓Clean, SLS-free formulation
  • ✓Pleasant flavor and good daily-use experience
  • –No ADA acceptance and limited independent trials
  • –One of the most expensive options
  • –Fluoride-free, so weaker fit for high-caries-risk users
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
72
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
74
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
70
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
88
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
45
Value & Daily Use10% weight
40
Medium confidence· Public positioning as hydroxyapatite, clean-label, fluoride-free
Skip

More filler, harsher formulas, or weaker value. Fine in a pinch, not our pick.

10
SkipPremium · $$$

Davids Natural Toothpaste

Premium natural paste emphasizing clean ingredients and sustainable metal packaging.

55Score
55
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Very clean, SLS-free natural formulation
  • ✓Recyclable metal tube and strong transparency
  • ✓Newer nano-hydroxyapatite variants add a remineralizing active
  • –Classic versions are fluoride-free with weak anticavity protection
  • –Charcoal/whitening variants run abrasive
  • –No ADA acceptance and high price
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
55
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
58
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
50
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
88
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
32
Value & Daily Use10% weight
40
Medium confidence· Public positioning as natural, clean-label; flagship classic is fluoride-free
11
SkipPremium · $$$

Marvis Classic Strong Mint

Design-forward Italian paste sold on flavor and packaging more than dental science.

49Score
76
Anticavity Efficacy
Whether an appropriate anticavity active — fluoride at an effective level or credible nano-hydroxyapatite — is present and formulated to remineralize and prevent decay.
  • ✓Does contain a fluoride active for baseline cavity protection
  • ✓Intense, long-lasting flavor and iconic tube design
  • –Contains SLS and artificial colors/flavors — not a clean pick
  • –No ADA acceptance or sensitivity/gum focus
  • –Very expensive for a small tube; a cosmetic luxury more than a therapeutic paste
›Full score breakdown
Anticavity Efficacy28% weight
76
Enamel-Safe Abrasivity18% weight
55
Sensitivity & Gum Support15% weight
35
Ingredient Cleanliness15% weight
32
Evidence & Acceptance14% weight
38
Value & Daily Use10% weight
28
Medium confidence· Public label; fluoride present but marketed as a cosmetic/luxury paste