Stain removal should be reasonable with this toothpaste (better than regular fluoride toothpaste), thanks to abrasives such as silica, and surfactants (foaming agents) including sodium lauryl sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine, plus the addition of phosphates for tartar reduction. Glucose oxidase and zinc are antibacterial agents that help with mild to moderate gum disease, stannous fluoride and stannous chloride can reduce toxins that cause inflammation. For serious whitening (aka a celebrity-level 'Hollywood smile'), you need to get professional bleaching treatment. Beware of attempting to DIY it and buying whitening products online - in an investigation earlier in 2022 we found some that contained dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide. Gum health

Hydrated silica and calcium carbonate are mild abrasives that work to remove surface stains on teeth, while pyrophosphates can reduce calculus and tartar formation. Arginine, stannous fluoride, potassium nitrate, and Sensodyne's Novamin all have proven sensitivity-reduction properties. Where to buy cheap toothpaste Reusable eco period products - we run through the options, potential savings and insights from users, plus see how M&S vs Primark period pants compare But, you can find the same or similarly effective stain-removal ingredients in cheaper products too. Our experts said there would be benefit to using this over a basic fluoride toothpaste for mild to moderate gum inflammation, but that it's probably not so different to standard fluoride toothpaste for cavity protection.We asked a panel of dental experts to examine the evidence behind claims on six premium toothpastes and give their verdict on when it's worth spending more. Hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching agent) is commonly used in whitening toothpastes, but it's a bit of a red herring as the legal limit for over-the-counter toothpastes is too low to actually affect the colour of your teeth. Based on the evidence given by LA Pacific, stain removal using this toothpaste would be better than basic fluoride toothpaste, but the claim it can ‘brighten’ teeth with ‘natural bleach’ might be overstating things. Toothpaste alone isn't a magic solution though. Proper brushing technique and interdental cleaning are also vitally important for good gum health. Sensitivity

Eugenol and ginseng root extract may have antibacterial properties that help reduce gum swelling or bleeding, but we didn’t see robust evidence about their concentration or action in this specific toothpaste.

But there are also plenty of marketing claims, such as ‘strengthens enamel’ and ‘prevents decay’, that are redundant because all fluoride toothpastes, regardless of price, will do these things. How to choose the right toothpaste - which ingredients really work, and what to consider before you buy Colgate told us its studies on Elixir White are confidential so it was unable to provide us with any specific evidence to show it's better than other whitening toothpastes. There isn’t enough clinical evidence to support cannabidiol, aloe vera, or vitamin E for gum health, and as with Colgate's gum toothpaste, ‘invigorate gums’ is not a scientifically meaningful phrase. Our experts doubted the concentration of bleaching enzymes possible in an over-the-counter toothpaste could offer a clinical effect - this is the same for any whitening toothpaste.

Boosts good bacteria and reduces bad bacteria to help fight the causes of cavities and gum problems Colgate said evidence for this formulation was also commercially sensitive, but there is evidence that the zinc oxide and zinc citrate combination used has antibacterial properties, which our experts said should give this product advantages in reducing gum inflammation vs basic fluoride toothpastes. Zendium gave us evidence from clinical studies that support the combination of antibacterial enzymes in this toothpaste (amyloglucosidase, lysozyme, glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin) for plaque control and to reduce gum inflammation and bleeding. If you don't have any particular dental issues, a standard fluoride toothpaste will do the job just fine. Whitening

Our research found that, while claims were generally supported, the overall benefits of expensive formulations may only be marginal. It doesn’t contain SLS (sodium lauryth sulfate , a surfactant), which Zendium claims makes it more suitable for ‘vulnerable’ mouths. Evidence for this is mixed; SLS may irritate some, but is mostly well tolerated. Zendium's marketing based on oral bacteria and enzymes instead of minerals is unique, but again, while it will be better than conventional toothpastes at reducing gingivitis, cavity protection should be similar.