How to choose a toothpaste
What to look for on a toothpaste label: fluoride ppm, the ADA Seal, sensitive, whitening and tartar formulas, SLS-free options and how much kids need.
Written by the Glowpedia team · not yet reviewed by our dentist
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Quick answer Pick a fluoride toothpaste first (about 1,000–1,500 ppm for adults, ideally with the ADA Seal), then add an extra only if you need it: potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride for sensitivity, a whitening formula for surface stains, or an SLS-free paste if you get mouth ulcers. Children under 3 need a rice-grain smear; ages 3 to 6, a pea-size amount.
Start with fluoride
Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps repair the earliest stage of decay. It's the one ingredient almost everyone should have in their toothpaste. On the label you'll see it as sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate, with the strength in ppm (parts per million) or as a percentage.
| Label says | Fluoride, about |
|---|---|
| Sodium fluoride 0.24% | 1,100 ppm |
| Stannous fluoride 0.454% | 1,100 ppm |
| Sodium monofluorophosphate 0.76% | 1,000 ppm |
Most US toothpastes sit around 1,000–1,100 ppm. The NHS recommends at least 1,350 ppm for adults, and many toothpastes sold outside the US list 1,450 ppm. Both are standard adult strengths. If you get cavities often, ask your dentist about a higher-fluoride toothpaste. After brushing, spit out the foam but don't rinse with water, so fluoride stays on your teeth.
The ADA Seal
The ADA Seal of Acceptance means the maker sent data to the American Dental Association and the product was reviewed for safety and effectiveness. Toothpastes with the Seal must also have an abrasivity (RDA) of 250 or below. A toothpaste without the Seal isn't necessarily bad, especially outside the US, but the Seal is a quick way to find a tested option.
Match the extra to your need
| If you want... | Look for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Less sensitivity | Potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride or arginine | Use twice a day; it usually takes a few weeks to notice a difference |
| Fewer surface stains | Whitening formula with mild abrasives (silica, calcium carbonate), sometimes a low level of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide | Removes surface stain; doesn't change natural color |
| Less tartar | Tartar control, often pyrophosphates or zinc citrate | Slows new tartar above the gumline; can't remove tartar you already have |
| Help with plaque and gingivitis | Antigingivitis formulas, often stannous fluoride | Works alongside cleaning between teeth, not instead of it |
| Fewer mouth ulcers | SLS-free formula | Foams less, cleans just as well |
If you have both sensitivity and stains, start with the sensitivity formula: some people find whitening and tartar-control pastes make sensitive teeth feel worse. More in whitening and sensitive teeth.
SLS and mouth ulcers
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the detergent that makes toothpaste foam. Most people use it without trouble. If you often get mouth ulcers (canker sores), the NHS suggests avoiding toothpaste that contains SLS. Try an SLS-free fluoride toothpaste for a few weeks and see whether you get fewer.
How much toothpaste for children
- First tooth to age 3: a smear the size of a grain of rice. The NHS suggests at least 1,000 ppm fluoride at this age.
- Ages 3 to 6: a pea-size amount.
- Children don't need a special kids' toothpaste; a family fluoride toothpaste is fine in the right amount.
- Brush with them or supervise until about age 7, teach them to spit, and keep the tube out of reach. Swallowing too much fluoride while teeth are forming can cause white flecks (fluorosis).
Adults don't need a full stripe across the brush either: how you brush matters more than how much paste you use. See how to brush properly.
What matters less
Paste, gel or powder, mint or not, cheap or pricey: pick what you'll actually use twice a day. Be wary of fluoride-free natural or charcoal pastes; see whitening myths.
What you need for this
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See a dentist if sensitivity doesn't improve after a few weeks with a sensitive toothpaste, since it can point to a cavity, a cracked tooth or receding gums, and ask whether you need a higher-fluoride toothpaste if you get cavities often. See a dentist or doctor for a mouth ulcer that lasts longer than 3 weeks.
Questions people ask
Is fluoride-free toothpaste a good choice?
For most people, no. Fluoride is the main ingredient that protects against cavities, and dental organizations recommend fluoride toothpaste for both adults and children.
Can I use whitening toothpaste every day?
Most people can, if it has an RDA of 250 or below (all toothpastes with the ADA Seal do) and you brush gently. If your teeth get sensitive, alternate it with a sensitive formula.
How long does sensitive toothpaste take to work?
Often a few weeks of twice-daily use, so give it time. If your sensitivity hasn't improved after that, see a dentist.
Do kids need a special children's toothpaste?
Not necessarily. The NHS says a family fluoride toothpaste is fine for all ages if you use the right amount: a rice-grain smear under 3 and a pea-size amount from 3 to 6.