What is the Best Toothpaste? The Answer May Surprise You.
At our San Marco office, we get asked this question several times a week: "What is the best toothpaste out there?" To understand the answer, it helps to look at how far we’ve come. Believe it or not, your morning routine used to involve a lot more "grit."
A Brief History of the "Clean" Smile
The quest for clean teeth is ancient. The Egyptians created the world’s oldest-known formula in 4 AD using a powder of rock salt, mint, dried iris flowers, and pepper. Later, the Greeks and Romans "improved" the recipe by adding abrasives like pulverized oyster shells and bones.
The evolution continued through the centuries:
The 9th Century: Ziryab, an Iraqi polymath, invented a "pleasant-tasting" paste in Islamic Spain.
The 18th Century: Some people actually scrubbed their teeth with burnt bread!
The 19th Century: Homemade "tooth powders" made of chalk, salt, or pulverized brick were the standard until World War I.
Modern toothpaste as we know it—in a tube—wasn't invented until 1870 by Dr. Washington Sheffield. While fluoride was added in 1890, it wasn't until the 1950s that the American Dental Association (ADA) officially recognized its massive benefits as an anti-cavity agent.
What’s Actually Inside Your Tube?
Today’s toothpastes are scientifically formulated with four primary components:
Abrasives (The Scrubbers): Making up about 50% of the paste, these particles help physically remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains.
Fluoride (The Protector): This is the active ingredient that strengthens enamel. Sodium fluoride (NaF) is common, but Stannous fluoride (SnF2) is a powerhouse—it's also antibacterial and helps protect against gingivitis and sensitivity.
Detergents (The Foam): Ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) create the foam that helps distribute the paste into the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies of your teeth.
Specialty Agents: Ingredients like Potassium Nitrate are added specifically to desensitize the nerves in your teeth for those who struggle with cold sensitivity.
The Verdict: So, What Is the Best Toothpaste?
Ultimately, the best toothpaste is the one you will actually use twice a day! However, we do have a few professional ground rules:
1. Look for Fluoride
The vast majority of modern toothpastes contain it, and for good reason—it is your best defense against decay.
2. Avoid Heavy "Whitening" Formulas
This is where the surprise comes in. Dr. Henley generally suggest that patients avoid aggressive whitening toothpastes. These formulas often contain extra-harsh abrasives. Over the long haul, these can wear down your enamel and actually increase tooth sensitivity and yellowing as the thinner enamel reveals the dentin underneath.
3. Target Your Needs
If you have sensitive teeth, a brand like Sensodyne is highly effective at blocking the microscopic pathways to your nerves.
The Bottom Line
Brushing twice a day for two minutes is the single best thing you can do for your oral health. The "magic" isn't necessarily in the brand name, but in the consistency of the habit and the presence of fluoride.
Have questions about which specific brand is right for your unique smile? Give us a call at our San Marco office in Jacksonville. We’re always here to help you navigate the dental aisle!
Reviewed and Updated February 2026
Dr. CJ Henley is a Jacksonville-based dentist and a graduate of the University of Florida College of Dentistry. With a background on the Head and Neck Tumor Board at MD Anderson, he focuses on evidence-based care that prioritizes long-term enamel health over temporary cosmetic trends.