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Last updated: July 2026. Written using guidance from the NHS, GOV.UK (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities), the General Dental Council and peer-reviewed dental research. This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist.
TL;DR The best toothpaste for most UK adults is any that contains at least 1,350 ppm fluoride, the one ingredient proven to prevent tooth decay. Beyond fluoride, choose by need: potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride for sensitivity, gentle stain-removing abrasives for surface staining, and a smear or pea-sized amount for children.
Walk down any UK supermarket oral-care aisle and you will find dozens of tubes promising whiter teeth, healthier gums, less sensitivity and "advanced" protection. Most of that is marketing. The part that actually protects your teeth comes down to one ingredient and the right amount of it. This guide explains what a dentist looks for on the label, how to match a toothpaste to your specific need, and when an ordinary tube from the supermarket is genuinely all you need.
What actually makes a toothpaste work
Fluoride is the ingredient that matters. It is the only component of toothpaste with strong, dose-responsive evidence for preventing tooth decay, and every piece of NHS toothpaste guidance is built around it. A Cochrane review of fluoride toothpaste found that toothpaste containing 1,000 ppm fluoride or more significantly reduces decay compared with fluoride-free toothpaste, and that the protective effect increases with fluoride concentration [1].
Tooth decay remains a serious and largely preventable problem in the UK, which is why fluoride is not a detail to overlook. In the 2024 national survey of five-year-olds in England, 22.4% had experience of obvious dentinal decay [2]. Among under-19s, there were 56,143 hospital tooth-extraction episodes in England in the 2024/25 financial year, of which 33,976 were caused by tooth decay [3]. Using a proper fluoride toothpaste twice a day is one of the simplest ways to reduce that risk.
Everything else on the label, the whitening claims, the herbal extracts, the "enamel repair" branding, sits on top of fluoride rather than replacing it. A plain 1,450 ppm fluoride toothpaste that costs under a pound does the core job as well as a premium tube. The reason to pay more, or to choose a specialised formula, is to address a specific problem such as sensitivity or gum inflammation, not to improve on the basic decay protection.
How much fluoride should your toothpaste contain
The right fluoride strength depends on age. The NHS specifies a minimum concentration rather than a single "best" number, and for most adults any everyday toothpaste on a UK shelf already meets it. The figure is printed on the side of the tube in parts per million (ppm), usually near the ingredients list.
| Age group | Fluoride (ppm) | Amount to use |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | At least 1,350 ppm | A standard brushing amount |
| Children 7 and over | 1,350 to 1,500 ppm | Pea-sized amount |
| Children 3 to 6 | 1,000 to 1,500 ppm | Pea-sized amount |
| Children under 3 | At least 1,000 ppm | Smear only |
Adults should use a toothpaste containing at least 1,350 ppm fluoride [4]. Most well-known family toothpastes sit at 1,450 ppm, comfortably within range. As the NHS puts it, "adults should use a toothpaste that contains at least 1,350 parts per million (ppm) fluoride" [4]. If a "natural" or fluoride-free toothpaste tempts you, check the ppm figure first: if it says zero, it falls outside NHS minimum guidance for decay prevention.
Children do not need a special children's toothpaste. NHS guidance is explicit: "children of all ages can use family toothpaste, as long as it contains 1,350 to 1,500ppm fluoride", and only children aged three and under without tooth decay may use a lower-strength paste, provided it still contains at least 1,000 ppm [4]. What changes with age is the amount, not necessarily the tube. There is more detail in the children's section below.
Best toothpaste by need: a quick comparison
Once fluoride is covered, the sensible way to choose is by the problem you want to solve. The table below summarises what to look for on the label for each common need. The sections that follow explain the evidence behind each one.
| Your need | What to look for | Realistic expectation |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday decay protection | 1,350 to 1,500 ppm fluoride | Proven decay prevention; no need to pay a premium |
| Sensitive teeth | Potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride | May reduce sensitivity over a few weeks; results vary |
| Surface stain / whitening | Gentle abrasives such as silica | Removes surface stains only; does not bleach teeth |
| Gum health and plaque | Stannous fluoride | Can reduce bleeding and inflammation with regular use |
| Frequent mouth ulcers | SLS-free (non-foaming) | Some evidence of fewer, shorter ulcers |
| Children | Age-appropriate ppm and amount | Same decay protection as family toothpaste |
The key point is that no single tube is "best" for everyone. A person with sensitive teeth and a person wanting to lift coffee stains are looking for two different formulas, and both still need their fluoride. If you have more than one concern, ask your dentist which to prioritise, because some sensitivity and gum formulas overlap.
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Sensitivity toothpaste can help, but the evidence is mixed and the effect is gradual. If cold air, ice cream or hot drinks trigger a sharp, short-lived twinge, a desensitising toothpaste is a reasonable first step. Two ingredient groups appear most often on UK shelves: potassium salts (usually potassium nitrate) and stannous fluoride.
Potassium nitrate is the most common active ingredient, and the evidence for it is genuinely mixed. A Cochrane review of six trials concluded there was "not enough evidence to show that potassium is effective in desensitising teeth" for patient-reported symptoms, even though some laboratory measures improved after six to eight weeks [5]. Arginine-based formulas have also been studied, with one systematic review finding "a potential role" in managing sensitivity but calling for better trials "prior to any definitive recommendations being made" [6]. In short, these products may help, but they are not guaranteed to.
Give a sensitivity toothpaste a few weeks before judging it, and see your dentist if the pain persists. Desensitising toothpastes work slowly, by calming the nerve response or blocking the tiny tubules that carry sensation into the tooth, so a single use will not fix anything. More importantly, ongoing or worsening sensitivity can signal a problem such as a cracked tooth, worn enamel, gum recession or decay that toothpaste cannot treat. Persistent sensitivity is a sign to discuss with your dentist rather than manage indefinitely at home. Our guide to treating sensitive teeth covers the causes and options in more detail.
Toothpaste for gum health and tartar control
For gum health, stannous fluoride is the ingredient with the best current evidence. It is a form of fluoride that does double duty: it protects against decay like ordinary sodium fluoride, and it has an additional effect on the bacteria and inflammation that drive gum disease. In a randomised trial, three weeks of twice-daily brushing with a stannous fluoride toothpaste produced significantly lower gum bleeding, gum inflammation and plaque in adults with mild-to-moderate gingivitis [7].
Some older toothpastes used triclosan for the same purpose, and it is worth understanding why they have largely disappeared. A Cochrane review found that triclosan and copolymer toothpaste reduced plaque, gum inflammation and bleeding compared with a fluoride-only toothpaste [8]. Despite that evidence, triclosan-containing toothpaste has become uncommon in the UK as manufacturers reformulated their products, so it is now more of a historical footnote than a shopping recommendation. If you want the gum-health benefit today, stannous fluoride is the ingredient to look for.
No toothpaste treats established gum disease on its own. Toothpaste and good daily cleaning can help prevent and control the earliest, reversible stage of gum disease (gingivitis), but tartar that has already hardened onto the teeth can only be removed by a dentist or hygienist. If your gums bleed regularly, look swollen or have started to recede, that is a reason to book an appointment, not simply to switch toothpaste. See our guide to gum disease treatment and costs for what professional treatment involves.
Do whitening toothpastes actually work
Whitening toothpaste removes surface stains; it does not bleach your teeth. This is the single biggest misunderstanding in the oral-care aisle. Whitening toothpastes work mechanically, using mild abrasives such as silica to polish away the extrinsic staining left by tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco. They do not change the natural, intrinsic colour of the tooth, so they cannot make your teeth whiter than their true underlying shade.
The whitening effect is also modest. In a peer-reviewed laboratory comparison, whitening toothpastes "did not outperform an ordinary toothpaste in the removal of extrinsic staining" under the conditions tested [9]. A good ordinary toothpaste with regular brushing already lifts a lot of surface stain, which is why the "before and after" gap from switching to a whitening paste is often smaller than the packaging suggests. Our guide to teeth stains and why teeth change colour explains the difference between surface and internal staining.
Genuine whitening, the kind that lightens the tooth itself, uses hydrogen peroxide and is tightly regulated in the UK. Over-the-counter products, including whitening toothpaste, may legally contain or release no more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide [10]. Products releasing between 0.1% and 6% can only be supplied through a registered dental professional, with the first use carried out by them, and cannot be used on anyone under 18 except to treat disease [10][11]. Anything above 6% is illegal to supply for cosmetic tooth whitening. The NHS warns that whitening "from other places (like beauty salons) or with a kit bought from a pharmacy or online, does not work as well and may harm your teeth and gums" [12]. If you want a real colour change, our teeth whitening costs guide covers the safe, dentist-supervised options.
Children's toothpaste: getting the amount right
For children, the amount of toothpaste matters as much as the fluoride strength. The concentration should still meet the NHS minimums in the table above, but young children swallow some toothpaste, so the quantity is deliberately small. Using family toothpaste is fine at any age as long as you control the amount.
- Under 3: use only a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,000 ppm fluoride, unless your dentist advises a higher strength [4].
- Ages 3 to 6: use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing 1,000 to 1,500 ppm fluoride [13].
- Ages 7 and over: a pea-sized amount of family toothpaste at 1,350 to 1,500 ppm is appropriate [13].
Supervise brushing until your child is at least seven, and encourage them to spit rather than rinse. Children should be helped or watched while they brush until they can do it well on their own, usually around age seven [13]. From age three, the same "spit, don't rinse" rule applies so the fluoride keeps working. Building the habit early matters: the decay statistics above show how common childhood decay still is. If you are starting from scratch, our guide to your child's first dental visit covers what to expect.
SLS-free toothpaste and mouth ulcers
If you suffer frequent mouth ulcers, an SLS-free toothpaste may be worth trying. Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is the detergent that makes toothpaste foam. It is harmless for most people, but it can irritate the soft lining of the mouth, and there is some evidence that avoiding it helps people prone to recurrent ulcers.
A systematic review of four trials with 124 participants found that SLS-free toothpaste, compared with SLS-containing toothpaste, significantly reduced the number of ulcers, how long they lasted, how often they appeared and how painful they were [14]. NHS England guidance also recommends non-foaming, SLS-free toothpaste for people who "suffer from frequent mouth ulcers", alongside those with dry mouth [15]. The evidence base is small, so treat this as "worth trying if ulcers are a recurring problem" rather than a guaranteed fix. Any ulcer that lasts more than three weeks should be checked by a dentist or GP. Our guide to mouth ulcers and when to see a dentist explains the warning signs.
"Natural" and fluoride-free toothpaste
Fluoride-free toothpaste does not offer the same proven decay protection. "Natural", herbal and fluoride-free toothpastes are increasingly popular, and they may leave your mouth feeling clean, but they lack the one ingredient with robust evidence for preventing cavities. As set out above, the Cochrane evidence shows the decay-preventing benefit only appears at 1,000 ppm fluoride and above [1].
If you prefer a "natural" brand for other reasons, check the ppm figure and choose one that still contains fluoride at the recommended level. Some natural ranges do include fluoride; many do not. A questions-of-fluoride-safety debate is beyond the scope of this buying guide, but the decay-prevention evidence is not in dispute, and it is why every NHS toothpaste recommendation specifies a minimum fluoride concentration.
Prescription-strength toothpaste: who needs it and what it costs
Some people need a higher-fluoride toothpaste than any shop sells, available only on prescription. If you are at high risk of decay, for example because of dry mouth, extensive previous decay, orthodontic appliances or root-surface exposure, your dentist may prescribe a high-fluoride toothpaste. The two common products are Duraphat 2,800 ppm and Duraphat 5,000 ppm.
- Duraphat 2,800 ppm is for high-caries-risk patients aged 10 and over [16].
- Duraphat 5,000 ppm is for high-caries-risk patients aged 16 and over, particularly those at risk of root decay or with dry mouth [16].
These are prescription-only and are used for a defined period under your dentist's review, not indefinitely on your own decision. Because they are dispensed as a prescription item through a pharmacy, they are charged like any other NHS prescription rather than as part of a dental treatment band. In England the NHS prescription charge is £9.90 per item [17], and NHS prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. That is separate from the England NHS dental treatment bands, which from 1 April 2026 are £27.90 (Band 1), £76.60 (Band 2) and £332.10 (Band 3) [18]. NHS dental charges differ across the UK nations, so the band figures above apply to England; you can read our NHS dental charges guide for the full breakdown. If you are exempt from prescription charges, for example if you are under 19 and in full-time education or hold a valid exemption certificate, a prescribed toothpaste is free.
How to get the most from any toothpaste
The way you brush matters as much as the tube you buy. Even the best toothpaste underperforms if it is rinsed straight out of your mouth or used once a day. Three habits get the most out of whatever you choose:
- Brush twice a day, last thing at night and on one other occasion, for two minutes each time.
- Spit, don't rinse. Do not rinse your mouth with water straight after brushing. As the NHS advises, "don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste" [4].
- Do not overload the brush. A pea-sized amount is plenty for an adult; more paste does not clean better and encourages rinsing.
Toothpaste is only one part of a routine. Cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes reaches the surfaces a brush cannot, and a good toothbrush technique makes more difference than the brand of paste. Our guides to flossing and interdental brushes and electric versus manual toothbrushes cover the rest of the routine, and if you use a mouthwash, our dentist's guide to mouthwash explains when it helps and when it does not. For the bigger picture, see how often you should visit the dentist.
Frequently asked questions
What toothpaste do dentists actually recommend?
Dentists recommend any toothpaste containing at least 1,350 ppm fluoride for adults, because fluoride is the ingredient proven to prevent decay. A plain family toothpaste at 1,450 ppm does the core job as well as a premium tube. Beyond that, they suggest choosing by need, such as a sensitivity or gum-health formula, rather than by brand.
Is expensive toothpaste better than cheap toothpaste?
Not for basic decay protection. A budget toothpaste with 1,450 ppm fluoride prevents decay just as effectively as a premium one, because fluoride does the essential work. You pay more for specialised formulas that target sensitivity, gum inflammation or surface staining. If you have none of those concerns, an inexpensive fluoride toothpaste is genuinely all you need.
Does whitening toothpaste really whiten teeth?
Whitening toothpaste removes surface stains but does not bleach teeth or change their natural colour. It uses mild abrasives to polish away staining from tea, coffee and tobacco. One peer-reviewed study found whitening toothpastes did not outperform ordinary toothpaste at stain removal. For a genuine colour change, you need dentist-supervised whitening using regulated hydrogen peroxide.
What is the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth?
The most common options contain potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, but the evidence is mixed and results vary between people. A Cochrane review found limited evidence that potassium desensitises teeth for patient-reported symptoms. Give a desensitising toothpaste several weeks, and see your dentist if sensitivity persists, as it can signal a cracked tooth, worn enamel or decay.
Do children need special children's toothpaste?
No. NHS guidance says children of all ages can use family toothpaste as long as it contains 1,350 to 1,500 ppm fluoride. What changes with age is the amount: a smear for under-threes and a pea-sized amount from age three. Only children aged three and under without decay may use a lower-strength paste, still at 1,000 ppm or above.
Should you rinse your mouth after brushing?
No. The NHS advises spitting out excess toothpaste but not rinsing with water, because rinsing washes away the concentrated fluoride that keeps protecting your teeth after brushing. This simple habit meaningfully boosts the benefit of any fluoride toothpaste and costs nothing. The same rule applies to children from about age three onwards.
Is fluoride-free "natural" toothpaste a good choice?
Fluoride-free toothpaste does not offer proven decay protection. Cochrane evidence shows the cavity-preventing benefit only appears at 1,000 ppm fluoride and above. If you prefer a natural brand, check the label and choose one that still contains fluoride at the recommended strength. Many fluoride-free products leave your mouth feeling clean without protecting against decay.
The bottom line
Choosing a toothpaste is simpler than the shelf makes it look. For most people, any toothpaste with at least 1,350 ppm fluoride, used twice a day and spat out rather than rinsed away, is genuinely the best choice. Match a specialised formula to a specific need only when you have one: stannous fluoride or potassium nitrate for sensitivity, gentle abrasives for surface stains, stannous fluoride for gum health, and an age-appropriate amount for children. If a problem such as ongoing sensitivity, bleeding gums or persistent staining will not settle, that is a sign to see a dentist, because no toothpaste replaces professional care.
If you are due a check-up or want a dentist to review your oral health, you can search for a GDC-registered dentist near you on Dentists Closeby and compare practices in your area.
Sources
- Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries -- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, published March 2019, accessed 2026-07-15
- Oral health survey of 5 year old schoolchildren 2024 -- GOV.UK / Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, published 11 February 2025, accessed 2026-07-15
- Hospital tooth extractions in 0 to 19 year olds 2025 -- GOV.UK / Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, published 17 February 2026, accessed 2026-07-15
- How to keep your teeth clean -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 30 June 2025, accessed 2026-07-15
- Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity -- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, published 2006, accessed 2026-07-15
- Effectiveness of arginine-containing toothpastes in treating dentine hypersensitivity: a systematic review -- Journal of Dentistry (via PubMed), published June 2013, accessed 2026-07-15
- A randomised clinical study investigating efficacy of a stannous fluoride toothpaste in improving gingival health after 3 weeks' use -- PMC, published 2021, accessed 2026-07-15
- Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for oral health -- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, published December 2013, accessed 2026-07-15
- Toothpastes containing abrasive and chemical whitening agents: efficacy in reducing extrinsic dental staining -- General Dentistry (via PubMed), published 2015, accessed 2026-07-15
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, Annex III -- legislation.gov.uk, accessed 2026-07-15
- Tooth Whitening Position Statement -- General Dental Council, dated 11 July 2016, accessed 2026-07-15
- Teeth whitening -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 19 August 2025, accessed 2026-07-15
- Taking care of children's teeth -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 30 June 2025, accessed 2026-07-15
- Effect of sodium lauryl sulfate on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a systematic review -- Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine (via PubMed), published May 2019, accessed 2026-07-15
- A user guide for mouth care products -- NHS England, published October 2023, accessed 2026-07-15
- Delivering Better Oral Health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention, Chapter 9: fluoride -- GOV.UK, updated 10 September 2025, accessed 2026-07-15
- NHS prescription charges -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 23 November 2023, accessed 2026-07-15
- How much NHS dental treatment costs -- NHS.uk, figures effective 1 April 2026, accessed 2026-07-15
