11 Best Toothpastes for Men in 2024 for Healthy White Teeth

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If you find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of toothpaste options at your local drugstore, you’re not alone. Strolling the aisle for the best whitening toothpaste or best toothpaste for bad breath, or maybe for sensitive teeth or gingivitis, is no simple task. But remember that just about any toothpaste is better than no toothpaste. It works to remove plaque, prevent decay and cavities, strengthen enamel, clean and polish teeth, and, yes, add a whiff of freshness your partner will definitely appreciate at bedtime.

To ease your search for the top toothpaste, we tested the best options and made our picks for whatever purpose you’re emphasizing in your dental hygiene routine. Aiming for a significantly brighter, whiter smile? Worried about early signs of gum disease? Do you just want to fight against cavities? What if your kid insists on cotton candy? Also: to enamel or not to enamel? (We’ll get to that one in a bit.)

Unless you truly need to avoid it, we recommend using a toothpaste with fluoride. “It’s crucial for preventing decay and strengthening tooth enamel,” says Kevin Sands, D.D.S., a board-certified cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills, California. Enamel is the hard outer layer of the tooth that acts as an insulating barrier and is corroded by acids. Fluoride also happens to be required for all toothpastes with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. “By incorporating fluoride into their oral care routine, men can maintain strong, healthy teeth while reducing the risk of cavities and other dental issues” like plaque, gingivitis, acid erosion, and tooth sensitivity.

Our overall pick, Crest Pro-Health Advanced Deep Clean Mint, is a complete, dental-health-focused toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association. We break down that and other recommended toothpastes below.

And for some of the other greatest hits from our 2024 Men's Journal Grooming Awards, including best electric toothbrushes, shaving cream, aftershave, beard oil, and beard brushes.

Best Toothpaste for Men at a Glance

• Overall Best Toothpaste: Crest Pro-Health Advanced Deep Clean Mint
• Best Whitening Toothpaste: Crest 3D White Brilliance
• Best Toothpaste for Bad Breath: Made by Dentists Total Care
• Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth: Sensodyne Fresh Mint Cavity Prevention and Sensitivity Relief
• Best Natural Toothpaste: Tom’s of Maine’s Fluoride-Free Antiplaque and Whitening Natural Toothpaste
• Best Toothpaste for Gingivitis: Parodontax Active Gum Repair Whitening Toothpaste
• Best Baking Soda-Powered Whitening Toothpaste: Arm & Hammer Advance White Extreme Whitening Toothpaste
• Best Sustainable Toothpaste: Davids Sensitive + Whitening Nano-Hydroxyapatite Peppermint
• Best Toothpaste for Kids and the Flavor-Inclined: Hismile Toothpaste
• Best Value Toothpaste: Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride
• Another Favorite Whitening Toothpaste: Colgate Optic White Advanced

Overall Best Toothpaste: Crest Pro-Health Advanced Deep Clean Mint

Crest Pro-Health Advanced Deep Clean Mint, as solid of an anti-cavity toothpaste as you could ask for, packs more than just the brand’s patented stannous fluoride. Its ActivClean Crystals offer added stain prevention, so your smile will remain whiter for longer—which is a relief for anyone who habitually downs cups of black coffee.
And at just $5 a pop, this classic tube manages to hit all the oral-health benefits that keep your dentist happy without breaking the bank.

Best Whitening Toothpaste: Crest 3D White Brilliance

If whitening is your main goal, but you also don’t want to forego the overall health benefits of the best toothpastes, Crest 3D White Brilliance is the way to go. It’s not only proven to remove more surface stains than the average paste, but it also “promotes overall dental health by effectively cleaning and polishing the enamel,” Sands says. “This dual functionality can result in a visibly whiter smile.”

Best Toothpaste for Bad Breath: Made by Dentists Total Care

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, happens for a number of reasons. For those particularly concerned about the oral smells they’re giving off, Made by Dentists Total Care is beloved for its refreshing minty taste that instantly eliminates odors and is indeed formulated by actual dentists Lisa Creaven D.D.S. and Vanessa Creaven D.D.S.
In addition to fluoride, the ADA-approved toothpaste is laced with sodium tripolyphosphate, which is helpful to those suffering from enamel erosion.

Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth: Sensodyne Fresh Mint Cavity Prevention and Sensitivity Relief

While regularly brushing with fluoride toothpaste actually helps prevent sensitive teeth, those who experience painful sensitivity can look to desensitizing toothpaste. “These types of toothpastes provide immediate relief from sensitivity symptoms,” Sands says.
In addition to fluoride, the ADA-accepted Sensodyne Fresh Mint Cavity Prevention and Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste contains potassium nitrate, which works to soothe nerves inside the tooth.

Best Natural Toothpaste: Tom’s of Maine’s Fluoride-Free Antiplaque and Whitening Natural Toothpaste

Though fluoride is a generally safe mineral naturally found in many foods, and which research has shown prevents tooth decay, it is notably absent from many natural toothpastes. That’s important if someone is concerned about possibly hazardous high levels of fluoride.
A longtime trusted, environmentally friendly B Corp-certified brand, Tom’s of Maine’s Fluoride-Free Antiplaque and Whitening Natural Toothpaste also “appeals to men who prefer products free from artificial ingredients and chemicals,” Sands says, while effectively cleaning and protecting teeth.
Further bonuses: It’s not tested on animals, and Tom’s of Maine donates 10 percent of annual profits to “charities committed to children's health, education, and the environment.”

Best Toothpaste for Gingivitis: Parodontax Active Gum Repair Whitening Toothpaste

Bleeding gums, often caused by a lack of flossing and gingivitis, are no fun. And yes, flossing is key. But you can get further support from brushing with Parodontax Active Gum Repair Whitening Toothpaste, which destroys plaque bacteria at the gumline, aiding in the reversal of early signs of gum damage.

Best Baking Soda-Powered Whitening Toothpaste: Arm & Hammer Advance White Extreme Whitening Toothpaste

Sure, hydrogen peroxide is a legendary stain fighter in clothes as well as dental care. But we don’t need to tell you about the legions of die-hard baking soda–based cleaning advocates. Arm & Hammer Advanced White Extreme Whitening Toothpaste is fully armed with both ingredients, along with fluoride, while still being gentle and non-abrasive, making it a fan favorite for those looking for extra whitening oomph.

Best Sustainable Toothpaste: Davids Sensitive + Whitening Nano-Hydroxyapatite Peppermint Toothpaste

It’s hard enough to find a recyclable toothpaste, let alone one that truly keeps your dental health shining. A favorite among those looking toward sustainability, Davids Sensitive + Whitening Nano-Hydroxyapatite Peppermint Toothpaste isn’t entirely waste-free (the cap is plastic), but it comes in a recyclable metal tube.
The formulation does not include sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can irritate mouth tissue, and instead of fluoride, it employs hydroxyapatite, an alternative that research suggests is effective at fighting cavities. It’s on the pricier side when it comes to toothpaste, but customers also appreciate the undeniably stylish, minimalist packaging.

Best Toothpaste for Kids and the Flavor-Inclined: Hismile Toothpaste

Many of us prefer the clean-tasting, herbal flavors of a minty toothpaste. But kids, man, they love to explore flavors! Specifically, sweet flavors.
Hismile, known for its whitening products, also has an impressive array of flavored toothpastes your little one will likely appreciate (Cotton Candy, Watermelon, Gummy Bear, and so on). Though they taste like dessert, they’re made with the zero-calorie artificial sweetener sucralose.

Best Value Toothpaste: Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste

If you’re a no-fuss kind of guy who still wants to check off your hygiene list, it’s hard to resist the bargain pricing of Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste. ADA-accepted with a smooth mint flavor, this tube is basic in the best way.

Another Favorite Whitening Toothpaste: Colgate Optic White Advanced Toothpaste

Crest and Colgate tend to go head to head as the two go-to, widely available toothpaste brands. Some dentists like Crest, but plenty of others prefer Colgate. And customer reviews are very positive for Colgate’s Optic White Advanced Toothpaste.
The ADA-endorsed formulation’s not-so-secret ingredient is 2% hydrogen peroxide, which helps to scrub away even old stains to get closer to the immaculate smile you seek.

What to Look for When Choosing the Best Men's Toothpaste

What makes for a great toothpaste is pretty simple when it comes to essential dental health: The paste in question should be formulated to clean and polish your teeth, yes, but also fight against cavities and fortify tooth enamel. Fluoride is considered key by many dentists in bolstering oral health, but we sought out alternatives for those looking to avoid the mineral.
Plenty of men also want to “enhance smile aesthetics,” as Sands likes to put it. To that end, we’ve highlighted several standout whitening toothpastes that feature extra ingredients to make your teeth shine more brightly.
Finally, we considered the full range of flavors, whether you want a variation on a clean mint taste or something a tad more adventurous.

Why You Should Trust Us

I’ve been writing and editing coverage of men’s style and grooming for over a decade, whether rhapsodizing about how I learned to love my bushy eyebrows (and why you should, too) or explaining pedicures for wary men and compiling an overview of the best nail clippers out there. And over the years, I’ve tried a wide array of toothpastes, brushes, water flossers (because I really hate flossing), whitening strips, and other products designed to make my teeth healthier as well as more attractive to either colleagues or dates.

To assemble this list of the best toothpastes, I consulted various experts from the worlds of dentistry and grooming; in particular, I interviewed Kevin Sands, D.D.S., a board-certified cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills, California, who knows dental health and getting a gleaming-white smile alike. I researched the massive selection of toothpastes out there, pored through customer reviews, and relied on my own experiences buffing my teeth to reach judgments.

Related: 9 Best Electric Toothbrushes of 2024 for a Shiny White Smile