My Quest to Find the Perfect Toothpaste: A Dentist's Journey
- Tripat Jot
- Aug 2
- 5 min read
During the early days of my clinical duty in college, I was wrapping up my evening appointment with Mrs. Sharma, one of my very sweet patients, who asked me a seemingly simple question that would send me down a research rabbit hole I never expected.
“Dr. Tripat, yesterday I went to buy a good toothpaste. I was confused seeing so many brands of toothpastes, with so many claims - whitening, sensitivity, charcoal based, ayurvedic..... I literally stood there for 15 minutes and left empty-handed. What do you use? What should I be really looking for?
I paused, realizing I didn’t have a clear answer. Sure, I knew the common ingredients in toothpaste and what they do—but I’d never really explored how different brands compare, what they claim, or the actual science that goes into making a toothpaste.
Seven years into practice, and I still get asked the same question almost every other day: ‘Which toothpaste should I use?’It’s funny how something as routine as brushing our teeth, a habit most of us follow every single day (or at least, I hope we do!), still leaves so many of us confused when it comes to picking the right toothpaste.
In this post, I’ve broken down what I think everyone must know about their toothpaste, the key ingredients (minus the marketing noise), what they actually do, and a few tried and tested toothpastes I personally use and recommend.
The Beginning of My Journey
That night, I decided to find out the best toothpaste. I'll be honest I thought how hard could it be to evaluate toothpaste? Surprisingly challenging, it turns out. I started by visiting a few stores in Chandigarh. The variety was overwhelming - over 20 different brands, each promising miraculous results. I bought 15 different toothpastes for everyday use that night and spread them across my dining table at home.
Round 1: The Marketing Gimmicks Had to Go-
As doctors, we're guided by the principle: "First, do no harm" and the same applies to the toothpaste we recommend every day. I started by breaking down the ingredient list of each toothpaste, eliminating the ones known to cause more harm than good and focusing on what truly matters i.e., ingredients that actually benefit oral health.
Charcoal toothpastes: Despite the hype, research shows activated charcoal can be too abrasive and may actually damage enamel [top layer of tooth]. Think of it like using sandpaper on a wall, it might leave behind a smooth & shiny surface, but in reality, it’s stripping away the valuable top layer. That’s exactly what some harsh toothpaste ingredients do, giving the illusion of cleanliness while quietly damaging enamel.
Whitening toothpastes: Most rely on heavy abrasives to create a “brighter” appearance. The results are nothing but temporary sparkle, but potential long-term damage if used regularly.
All-natural claims: Just because a product is labeled natural doesn’t automatically make it safe or effective. Natural ingredients can still be harsh, untested, or lack the science to back their claims.
Herbal or Ayurvedic: These terms can create a false sense of safety. While some herbs are beneficial, others can be abrasive, acidic, or lack clinical testing. Always check the ingredients and formulation.
Triclosan Toothpastes: Once popular for its antibacterial action, triclosan has now fallen out of favor due to safety concerns. It was banned in soaps by the FDA and is linked to hormone disruption and bacterial resistance. Many reputable brands have phased it out and rightly so. If it’s still listed on a tube, that’s a red flag.
This eliminated about 60% of my collection right away.
Round 2: The Ingredient Deep Dive-
With the toothpastes remaining, I did what any obsessive dentist would do - I started my research. After diving into dental journals and ingredient studies, I identified few important ingredients that any toothpaste worth buying should have:
The Final Four: Ingredient Checklist-
1. Fluoride (1000-1500 ppm):
This was non-negotiable. After reviewing dozens of studies, fluoride remains the gold standard for cavity prevention. When you brush, fluoride combines with calcium and phosphate in your enamel to form fluorapatite - essentially creating a stronger, more acid resistant tooth surface. The sweet spot is 1000-1500 ppm for optimal cavity prevention for children over 6 years of age.
2. Low Abrasiveness (RDA under 80):
RDA values (Relative Dentin Abrasion) which measure how abrasive a toothpaste is on a scale of 0-250.
RDA range by ADA [American Dental Association]-
0-70: Low abrasiveness (suitable for daily use and sensitive teeth)
70-130: Standard/Moderate (everyday toothpastes)
Above 130: Higher abrasiveness
151-250: Regarded by the FDA as the harmful limit
Anything over 80 RDA can gradually wear away your enamel. I noticed it is often not openly available information. However, the ingredient list could still give a fair idea. For context: brushing with just water has an RDA of 4, while plain baking soda has an RDA of 7.
3. Anti-Tartar Agents:
Even with perfect brushing, plaque can harden into tartar (calculus/ yellow deposits on the teeth). This cement-like buildup is only removed by professional cleaning. Anti-tartar agents help prevent this transformation.
4. Remineralizing Agents:
This was my "aha moment." Modern toothpastes can actually help teeth repair themselves through remineralizing agents [in addition to fluoride], particularly calcium phosphate compounds/ Nano-hydroxyapetite. These ingredients replenish lost minerals and can reverse early stages of tooth decay.
My Top Picks and Why-
After decoding ingredient labels, and personally testing them, I can confidently recommend these toothpastes. They check most of the right boxes — safe, effective, and actually do what they claim.
Colgate Total Advanced Health:
Fluoride: 1450 ppm [Sodium Fluoride]
RDA: moderate-low
Anti-tartar: Zinc Citrate Trihydrate / Zinc Oxide & Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
Additional Benefit: Arginine – Helps with sensitivity relief & promotes remineralization
Sensodyne Complete Protection + :
Fluoride: 927 ppm [Sodium Fluoride]
RDA: moderate-low
Anti-tartar: Pentasodium Triphosphate
Additional Sensitivity relief: Potassium nitrate
Sensodyne Repair & Protect:
Fluoride: 927 ppm [Sodium Fluoride]
RDA: moderate-low
Additional Remineralising agent - Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate (NovaMin)
3M™ Clinpro™ Tooth Créme:
Fluoride: 950 ppm [Sodium Fluoride]
RDA: low
Additional remineralization: Tri-calcium phosphate technology
Low sodium lauryl sulfate compared to other commercially available toothpastes [good for people with sensitive / ulcer prone/ dry mouth]
The Bottom Line
Your mouth is unique, and what works for me might not be perfect for you. But armed with knowledge about these few essential ingredients, you can make an informed choice that's right for your oral health needs.
The best toothpaste is ultimately the one you'll use consistently, twice daily, with proper brushing technique. But now at least you'll know you're using one that actually works.
Have you checked your toothpaste ingredients lately? I'd love to hear about your own toothpaste discoveries.
Dr. Tripat Jot Kaur is a gold medalist dentist practicing at Galaxy Dental Clinic, Chandigarh. She believes in evidence-based dentistry and empowering patients with knowledge to make informed oral health decisions.
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