These Refreshing Toothpastes Have a Permanent Spot in Our Bathrooms (2025)

Your beautiful, stunning, gorgeous teeth deserve top-notch treatment—a.k.a. one of the best toothpastes. Amid a market of all flavors, abilities, and accolades, it’s becoming harder to choose between dentist-adored drugstore diamonds like Crest and Colgate and more boutique-y tubes brought to you by brands like Hismile and Cocofloss. The truth is, you can’t go wrong with any of the below toothpastes. They’re formulated to cradle every nook and cranny of your teeth, backed by science, and vetted by pros. If you’re ready to mix things up or address concerns like yellowness, bad breath, or sensitivity, scroll on for the best toothpastes, plus guidance and insight on fluoride from board-certified dentists. Happy brushing!

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Crest Pro-Health Advanced Deep Clean Mint, $6
• Best Whitening: Colgate Total Whitening Gel Toothpaste (4-Pack), $15
• Best for Sensitivity: Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste, $7
• Best Nano-Hydroxyapatite: Cocofloss Cocoshine Whitening Toothpaste, $22
• Best for Bad Breath: Therabreath Fresh Breath Toothpaste, $19
• Best Tablet: Bite Toothpaste Bits, $42
• Best Flavors: Hismile Toothpaste, $11
• Best Packaging: David's Premium Toothpaste, $10

Frequently Asked Questions

• How should I choose a toothpaste?
• Is fluoride safe?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: Crest Pro-Health Advanced Deep Clean Mint

Why we love it: You can't possibly go wrong with Crest, especially when it's a tube of the toothpaste titan's Pro-Health Advanced Deep Clean Toothpaste, which covers all the bases with a masterful dose of mint. “It's an excellent choice for overall oral health, addressing issues like cavities, sensitivity, and gum health,” Inessa Kandov, DDS, a board-certified specialist in orthodontics based in New York City, previously told Allure. The formula employs sodium hexametaphosphate to tackle tartar and stains and remineralizing fluoride to stave off cavities and boost brightness. “It has fluoride and whitening agents—and that covers everything you really need,” Isabelle Pai, DDS, an endodontist in Wappingers Falls, NY, explained.

Fluoride: yes | Flavor: mint | Additional benefits: whitening

Best Whitening: Colgate Total Whitening Gel Toothpaste

Why we love it: Whether you're kicking off a comprehensive teeth-whitening journey—complete with whitening pens and dentist office visits—or just looking for low-key maintenance, Colgate's Total Whitening Gel Toothpaste is your newest, brightest bestie. In every squeeze, you're looking at 10 pasty perks, including gingivitis- and cavity-fighting, whitening, and stain-striking. Just take it from Dr. Kandov, who called this toothpaste a "go-to for cavity prevention, gum health, and breath freshness." No wonder it won a 2022 Allure Readers' Choice Award. Plus, it's available practically everywhere, so you'll never be without it once you fall in love.

Fluoride: yes | Flavor: mint | Additional benefits: sensitivity-relief

Best for Sensitivity: Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste

Why we love it: Hear ye, hear ye—sensitive teeth girlies, this one's for you. Sensodyne's Extra Whitening Toothpaste goes easy on gums and teeth, using fluoride to build enamel strength and stave off cavities. Because it's formulated with sorbitol, a naturally moisturizing sugar alcohol, as well as glycerin, it's perfectly soothing for dry mouths. "[This toothpaste is] ideal for patients with enamel erosion or sensitivity, especially common in an urban environment where acidic diets are prevalent," Dr. Kandov added.

Fluoride: yes | Flavor: mint | Additional benefits: moisturizing

Best Nano-Hydroxyapatite: Cocofloss Cocoshine Whitening Toothpaste

Why we love it: You already love Cocofloss for its iconic dental floss, so you’ll be tickled to discover the brand makes an excellent toothpaste, too. It’s a primo pick for people with sensitive teeth (and anyone who appreciates chic packaging), powered by nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA)—a form of a naturally occurring mineral in teeth and bones that strengthens enamel and dentin. You’ll also get a serving of baking soda, xylitol, coconut oil, and soothing aloe vera.

Fluoride: no | Flavor: Mint, Lychee, Colada | Additional benefits: sensitivity-relief

Best for Bad Breath: Therabreath Fresh Breath Toothpaste

Why we love it: Listen: There's no shame in bad breath; we've all been there. Whether it's a morning-only issue or an all-day downer, Therabreath's Fresh Breath Toothpaste is a lifesaver. The brand says it fights bad breath for up to 12 hours and is a proud purveyor of fluoride. You'll also find moisturizing aloe and glycerin in the formula, and it's flavored mildly, which is ideal for people adverse to strong mintiness. Pair this toothpaste with the brand's beloved mouthwash to defend against bad breath.

Fluoride: yes | Flavor: mild mint | Additional benefits: moisturizing

Best Tablet: Bite Toothpaste Bits

Why we love it: Looking to take the road less traveled but more travel-friendly? Bite’s Toothpaste Bits are the way to go. These pre-portioned, plastic-free, and chewable tablets are a smart alternative to traditional toothpaste, delivering all the same benefits in a mess-free format. Just pop a Bit in your mouth, chew it up (no swallowing, please), and brush with a wet toothbrush to transform the powder into a lightly foamy, pasty cream. Each jar contains a two-month supply, and when you’re running low, order a refill that arrives in a paper pouch—no plastic waste, no fuss.

Fluoride: yes | Flavor: peppermint | Additional benefits: plastic-reducing, good for travel

Best Flavors: Hismile Toothpaste

Why we love it: If you’re feeling nostalgic for the persuasively bubblegum-flavored toothpaste your mom used to hand you during those early, defiant tooth-brushing days, Hismile has the perfect grown-up upgrade. With certifiably sugar-free flavors like Blue Raspberry, Cotton Candy, Matcha, and so many more, these toothpastes offer all the fluoride protection of your drugstore dependables—just with extra flair. They might even motivate you to brush longer than the requisite two minutes. Pair one with the brand’s electric toothbrushes for a clean you can feel really good about.

Fluoride: yes | Flavor: 50+ flavors | Additional benefits: tastiness

Best Packaging: David's Premium Toothpaste

Why we love it: Sure, Allure editors have a soft spot for anything in a metal tube with a turnkey, but David’s Premium Toothpaste offers more than a pretty face. Stuffed with naturally sourced ingredients, this whitening, breath-freshening, and antiplaque toothpaste is non-abrasive and flavored with real peppermint oil. Here, David’s swaps fluoride for n-HA (even though we’re bonafide fans of fluoride, there’s nothing wrong with options). Bonus: The metal tube isn’t just chic—it helps you squeeze out every last drop, cutting down on unused toothpaste/waste.

Fluoride: no | Flavor: peppermint | Additional benefits: whitening

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I choose a toothpaste?

With so many options on the market, finding your perfect paste match can feel daunting. But the truth is? "The best toothpaste is one you'll use twice daily and suits your specific needs," says Dr. Kandov. That said, keeping your specific concerns in mind while shopping is key to your best brush. "For general cavity prevention, a fluoride toothpaste is a must. If sensitivity is a concern, look for products designed for sensitive teeth with ingredients like potassium nitrate, such as Sensodyne," says Dr. Kandov.

"Whitening toothpastes can be effective for surface stains but should be used cautiously if you have sensitivity or gum issues." Better yet, look for a toothpaste with as many benefits rolled into one as possible. "The best thing is to find one that does everything: whitening, fights plaque, and is formulated for sensitive teeth," says Dr. Pai.

It's also a good idea to avoid charcoal toothpaste. Despite its trendiness, “some evidence shows that prolonged use of activated charcoal in toothpaste can potentially wear the enamel and even darken the teeth,” Kami Hoss, DDS, a board-certified orthodontist based in San Diego, told Allure. This is because dentin (the layer under enamel) is softer and naturally more yellow in appearance, so you don't want to expose it.

Is fluoride safe?

Even though there are many fan-favorite fluoride-free toothpastes, it does not mean fluoride is bad or unsafe. "As an orthodontist and dentist practicing in New York, I can confidently say that fluoride is both safe and essential for maintaining good oral health when used as directed," says Dr. Kandov, adding, “in NYC, the public water supply contains fluoride, which has significantly reduced the prevalence of tooth decay over the years.”

So, despite whisperings that fluoride is something damaging to be avoided, it's critical to dental health. "Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay, and it helps remineralize early cavities before they become serious issues. It's a cost-effective, science-backed way to protect smiles," explains Dr. Kandov. However, non-fluoride is a good call for children developing early brushing habits who are inclined to swallow toothpaste accidentally.

"There's a lot of hype these days for non-standard ways to brush your teeth," Caroline Barsoum, DDS, a New York City-based dentist, told Allure. "These include everything from clay and charcoal toothpastes to salt and baking soda formulas as alternatives to traditional fluoride toothpastes." Even though these may seem like the more "natural" route, fluoride is the definition of natural. "It's found throughout the earth's crust, in rainwater, in plants, and it's the only ingredient proven to reduce cavities," Dr. Barsoum explained. "No 'natural' or 'organic' toothpaste has been clinically demonstrated to be better at decay prevention, gum disease elimination, or whitening performance than traditional toothpaste," added Mark S. Wolff, DDS, a dentist based in New York City.

Meet the experts

• Isabelle Pai, DDS, a board-certified endodontist based in Wappingers Falls, NY
• Inessa Kandov, DDS, a board-certified specialist in orthodontics based in New York City
• Caroline Barsoum, DDS, a board-certified dentist based in New York City
• Mark S. Wolff, DDS, a board-certified dentist based in New York City

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best toothpastes, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, ingredients, safety, and results. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dentists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

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Now, upgrade the rest of your oral-care routine—your teeth and gums deserve a whole refresh:

• Hello, Deeper Clean! These Electric Toothbrushes Are Worth the Money
• Hate Flossing? These Water Flossers Might Change Your Mind
• The Best Mouthwashes to Kick Bad Breath to the Curb

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