The best toothpaste for sensitive teeth

Sensodyne Extra Whitening Sensitivity Toothpaste gives you two things that everyone appreciates — a brighter smile and less pain.

I've used Sensodyne toothpaste off and on for much of the past decade, and I've always been impressed with how reliably they treat tooth pain with regular use. As to be expected with any sensitivity toothpaste, this toothpaste won't cure your pain in one brushing, but it will gradually ease the ache of sensitive teeth with repeated use, and in a matter of weeks many people will enjoy lasting relief.

Best of all, if you use Sensodyne Extra Whitening Sensitivity Toothpaste regularly, your teeth will also become several shades whiter.

While this toothpaste is a great choice for people with chronic tooth sensitivity who also want a brighter smile, it's not designed to repair enamel or break up and prevent tarter (hardened plaque), so if you have more involved dental issues, like reduced enamel or cavities, you might want to first have these resolved with another product or with assistance from dental professionals, and then switch to Sensodyne Extra Whitening Sensitivity Toothpaste as your regular daily toothpaste.

One buyer named Gavin called the "whitening formula subtle, but effective," displaying marked results over years of use and easing sensitivity in the shorter-term. He added one of many five-star reviews on Amazon.

However, a few commenters on Viewpoints did note a rather unpleasant aftertaste with this toothpaste, so you might need to balance that against the chance for lasting relief.

Pros: Whitens teeth with regular use, trusted and dentist-recommended brand, good price point

Cons: Slightly unpleasant aftertaste

Buy a 3-pack of Sensodyne Extra Whitening Sensitivity Toothpaste on Amazon for $13.99

If you have chronic tooth enamel issues despite good oral hygiene habits, Squigle Tooth Builder Sensitive Toothpaste will give you a leg up over the weakened tooth surface and the resulting pain.

Some people just have weaker teeth than others. You might brush twice or even thrice daily, floss, use fluoride rinses, and dutifully go to the dentist every six months yet still have sensitive teeth and occasional cavities. It's a bummer, sure, but it's life. The good news is that with Squigle Tooth Builder Sensitive Toothpaste, you can reinforce that weakened enamel and dull the resulting pain just by using it every time you brush your teeth.

This is a fluoride-free toothpaste so it won't do wonders for cavity prevention or restoration and it won't launch an all-out assault on plaque or tartar, but remember that we're talking about you folks who already have good brushing and flossing habits and who need extra preventive support, not restorative help.

The absence of harsher ingredients like fluoride and nitrates also make this toothpaste a good choice for people prone to canker sores or gum sensitivity, it is a gentler formula than that found in many kinds of toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

With more than 800 reviews posted on Amazon, Squigle Tooth Builder Sensitive Toothpaste has a fine 4.3-star average rating. One satisfied buyer said that after adding this toothpaste into an already comprehensive oral hygiene regimen, he "nearly eliminated all sensitivity and noticed [his] teeth being more opaque" and robust, too.

A Dentist.net write up praised this product's "35% natural xylitol" concentration as a great way to get "teeth squeaky clean" without the "SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and other irritating ingredients" that can cause canker sores.

Pros: Gentle formula, helps strengthen naturally weak teeth, mild flavor

Cons: Does not restore damage as well as other options

Buy a tube of Squigle Tooth Builder Sensitive Toothpaste on Amazon for $9.99

Tom's of Maine Fluoride-Free Natural Sensitive Toothpaste is free of harsh ingredients like fluoride and provides relief with naturally occurring potassium nitrate.

I grew up using Tom's of Maine toothpaste from time to time, and I've always been a fan of the brand's gentle formula and mild flavoring. Tom's sensitivity toothpaste is a low-abrasion formula well suited to weaker teeth with enamel issues and ideal for those with sensitive or compromised gums, too.

As for the sensitivity issues, those are gradually lessened thanks to the inclusion of natural potassium nitrate, which desensitizes teeth by filling in those tiny tubules that expose dentin and connect the underlying nerves to the hot, cold, or pressure causing pain.

This is another toothpaste best used by those without acute issues like cavities, but rather by people who take good care of their teeth and simply have lifelong sensitivity in their teeth. It's also a good choice for people who care about the company they support, as Tom's of Maine funnels much of its profits to charities and encourages employees to spend a percentage of their working hours doing volunteer activities.

With nearly 150 reviews in at the time of writing, Tom's of Maine Fluoride-Free Natural Sensitive Toothpaste scores a positive 4.5-star average. A buyer named Melissa says she loves the "minty and light" taste and clean feel left after using the toothpaste, while a reviewer named Angela reports that she doesn't notice [her' teeth being that sensitive anymore" after switching to the brand.

Pros: Natural ingredients, low-abrasion formula, light and pleasant taste

Cons: Not ideal for cavity prevention

Buy a 3-pack of Tom's of Maine Fluoride-Free Natural Sensitive Toothpaste on Walmart for $13.58

If you want to try activated charcoal toothpaste, the Dental Expert Active Whitening Charcoal Toothpaste is an excellent choice.

Activated charcoal is in so many products these days because of its cleansing properties. If you want to try an activated charcoal toothpaste, the Dental Expert Active Whitening Charcoal Toothpaste is the best one you can buy.

It doesn't have sulfates, fluoride, synthetic colors, or artificial flavors. The toothpaste uses charcoal powder derived from sustainable bamboo to break up and lift stains, fight off the bacteria that cause bad breath and gum ailments, and remove built-up plaque.

Although many dentists and oral health experts recommend toothpastes with fluoride and hydrogen peroxide for effective whitening, charcoal toothpaste can scrub off stains. It may be too abrasive for sensitive teeth, though, so keep that in mind.

Buyers seem to love it, and many praise how well it whitens and freshens breath. Even with more than 3,000 review posted on Amazon, Dental Expert Active Whitening Charcoal Toothpasteenjoys a solid 4.3-star average rating.

Pros: All-natural formula, effectively fights bad breath, breaks up plaque

Cons: Not as effective as traditional options, may cause gum sensitivity

Buy Dental Expert Active Whitening Charcoal Toothpaste on Amazon for $7.49

The best toothbrushes you can buy

There's plenty to be said for the classic manual toothbrush: It can't run out of batteries and it's compact, lightweight, and portable. The Oral-B Pro-Health All-in-One Soft Bristle Toothbrush is our top pick because its myriad bristle types and built-in tongue, cheek, and gum cleaners leave your whole mouth clean and fresh.

• Best manual toothbrush overall: Oral-B Pro-Health All-in-One Soft Bristle Toothbrush
• Best charcoal toothbrush: Primal Life Organic Charcoal Infused Bamboo Toothbrush
• Best disposable toothbrush: SmileMakers Pre-Pasted Disposable Toothbrushes
• Best low-cost manual toothbrush: Colgate Premier Extra Clean Toothbrushes
• Best toothbrush for toddlers: Fridababy SmileFrida Toddler Toothbrush

The best toothpaste you can buy

Nobody likes going to the dentist, but if you take good care of your teeth between visits, the cleaning will go easier. We researched and tested many kinds of toothpaste to find the best ones you can buy. Sensodyne's Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste is our top pick because it whitens gently while building up tooth enamel to lessen sensitivity.

We've researched and tested many tubes of toothpaste to find the best ones you can buy. Whether you want an all-natural toothpaste, one with fluoride, one with charcoal, one with whitening powers, or one that rebuilds your enamel to reduce sensitivity, we have a toothpaste for you.

• Best overall: Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste
• Best for kids: Hello Oral Care Fluoride Toothpaste
• Best for fresh breath: Colgate Total Advanced Fresh Toothpaste
• Best for sensitive teeth: Sensodyne True White Sensitive Teeth Toothpaste
• Best all-natural toothpaste: Nature's Gate Natural Toothpaste
• Best with charcoal: Dental Expert Active Whitening Charcoal Toothpaste
• Best for stain removal: Colgate Optic White Platinum Stain-Less White Toothpaste

The best electric toothbrushes you can buy

If you want clean teeth and healthy gums without breaking your budget, you can't go wrong with the highly effective Oral-B Pro 1000 electric toothbrush.

• Best electric toothbrush overall: Oral-B Pro 1000
• Best mid-priced electric toothbrush: Goby Electric Toothbrush
• Best electric toothbrush with replaceable battery: Quip Plastic Electric Toothbrush
• Best high-end electric toothbrush: Oral-B Pro 7500 Electric Toothbrush
• Best electric toothbrush for kids: Philips Sonicare for Kids
• Best flosser kit: Waterpik Complete Care Water Flosser and Sonic Toothbrush
• Best electric toothbrush for gums: Philips Sonicare 2 Series Plaque Control

The best teeth whitening kits you can buy

The best teeth whitening kits come with everything you need to whiten your teeth, are easy to use, and do not irritate your gums or teeth.

• Best charcoal teeth whitening kit: Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder
• Best teeth whitening strips: Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips
• Best high-end teeth whitening kit: GLO Science Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device
• Best natural teeth whitening kit: Miswak Club Natural Teeth Whitening Kit

The best mouthwash you can buy

Used in tandem with brushing, flossing, and avoiding salt water taffy before bed, a good mouthwash can play a pivotal role in your oral health and hygiene regimen.

• Best mouthwash overall: Listerine Cool Mint Antiseptic Mouthwash
• Best mouthwash for fresh breath: Crest Scope Outlast Mouthwash
• Best gentle mouthwash: CloSYS Gentle Mint Mouthwash
• Best natural mouthwash: Uncle Harry's Natural Products Miracle Mouthwash
• Best fluoride mouthwash: ACT Anticavity Flouride Rinse Mouthwash