So, despite whisperings that fluoride is something damaging to be avoided, it’s critical to dental health. “Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay, and it helps remineralize early cavities before they become serious issues. It’s a cost-effective, science-backed way to protect smiles,” explains Dr. Kandov. However, non-fluoride is a good call for children developing early brushing habits who are inclined to swallow toothpaste accidentally.
“There’s a lot of hype these days for non-standard ways to brush your teeth,” Caroline Barsoum, DDS, a New York City-based dentist, told Allure. “These include everything from clay and charcoal toothpastes to salt and baking soda formulas as alternatives to traditional fluoride toothpastes.” Even though these may seem like the more “natural” route, fluoride is the definition of natural. “It’s found throughout the earth’s crust, in rainwater, in plants, and it’s the only ingredient proven to reduce cavities,” Dr. Barsoum explained. “No ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ toothpaste has been clinically demonstrated to be better at decay prevention, gum disease elimination, or whitening performance than traditional toothpaste,” added Mark S. Wolff, DDS, a dentist based in New York City.
Meet the experts
- Isabelle Pai, DDS, a board-certified endodontist based in Wappingers Falls, NY
- Inessa Kandov, DDS, a board-certified specialist in orthodontics based in New York City
- Caroline Barsoum, DDS, a board-certified dentist based in New York City
- Mark S. Wolff, DDS, a board-certified dentist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best toothpastes, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, ingredients, safety, and results. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dentists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
