The recommended amount of toothpaste to use when brushing varies by age. The ADA recommends that children use a smear of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) from the time the first tooth erupts until they're three years old. From three years through adulthood, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is sufficient. These small amounts help ensure children don't ingest unsafe amounts of fluoride. FWIW, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. From there, “The qualities to look for in a toothpaste all depends on what you want and need out of a toothpaste,” says Julie Cho, DMD, a dentist in New York City and member of the American Dental Association. “Do you want something that will diminish your sensitivity to air and cold? Do you want anti-cavity protection? Do you want one that will help with dry mouth?” Figuring that out upfront will make the whole process of finding the right toothpaste for you that much easier. (We've got a whole variety of options ahead.) tartar buildup and it freshens breath. And it whitens your teeth, too. How is Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste different from

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Johannsen A, Emilson CG, Johannsen G, Konradsson K, Lingström P, Ramberg P. Effects of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice on dental calculus, dental plaque, gingivitis, halitosis and stain: A systematic review. Heliyon. 2019;5(12):e02850. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02850 https://post.healthline.com/wp-json/wp-offload-ses/v1/c/ZW1haWxfaWQ9MTE3MjUmZW1haWxfY2xpY2tfaWQ9MTcyMTMmZW1haWxfY2xpY2tfdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3Lm5jYmkubmxtLm5paC5nb3YlMkZwdWJtZWQlMkYyNzE5NzA4NyZoYXNoPWU1MGY0NjM4ZDM3MzlkZGJjOWJiZGRmNmUwNDgyMGVkYjUyZmQ2NTQ0YmFmY2U4MTBjYTlkNmEwMTk2MDg2MmU= Worried about bad breath? TheraBreath Fresh Breath is dentist-formulated to stop halitosis. It whitens teeth and helps prevent cavities and canker sores too. The main ingredient is sodium fluoride, but it also contains xylitol and soothing aloe. Xylitol is a sweetener that reduces plaque and inhibits the bacteria that cause bad breath. Use TheraBreath Fresh Breath to brush your teeth and tongue 2-3 times a day, especially after meals for lasting fresh breath. Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like you find the best products for your daily life. Xylitol: Another beneficial ingredient often found in toothpaste is xylitol. It's a sweetener that “not only makes toothpaste taste good, it helps eradicate bad bacteria that cause tooth decay,”Sensodyne Pronamel works by repairing tooth enamel and remineralizing each tooth deep within its surface, to protect from further damage and acid erosion. 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 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. 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

toothpastes, mouthwashes stain teeth Dentist: Some toothpastes, mouthwashes stain teeth

Abrasives: “Toothpastes may also contain calcium carbonate, silicate aluminum carbonates, or aluminum hydroxide; those things are abrasives,” says Dr. Manz. “I think most of the data really indicates that the action of the bristles of the toothbrush on our tooth is what really removes the majority of the plaque in the calculus.” These are cleaning and polishing agents added to toothpaste to remove surface stains and break up bacterial colonies. According to the ADA, toothpaste with a relative dentin abrasion of 250 or below is safe to use for daily brushing with appropriate techniques. Flavors When determining the best toothpastes, we spoke with dentists and spent hours reviewing dozens of toothpastes from the top oral care brands. These experts include:

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These products have undergone clinical trials or contain active ingredients that have been scientifically proven to strengthen tooth enamel and rejuvenate mineral content. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste is a more natural alternative to conventional toothpastes. Calcium carbonate is used as a mild abrasive to gently remove plaque buildup, while hydrated silica cleans and polishes teeth. Naturally-derived zinc citrate and sodium bicarbonate freshens your breath and xylitol fights bacteria. In addition to peppermint, Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Antiplaque & Whitening Toothpaste is available in spearmint and fennel flavors. Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide removes both surface and intrinsic stains, leaving noticeably brighter, whiter teeth. The Sensodyne brand is known for its ability to make teeth less sensitive to hot and cold. The active ingredients in Sensodyne Pronamel are potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride.