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The best toothpaste does more than just leave your mouth feeling fresh — its active ingredients help clean each tooth, eliminating plaque and bacteria, and preventing gingivitis, cavities, and helping to prevent tooth decay.

It also has the power to whiten teeth, freshen breath, and decrease tooth sensitivity if you want. Moreover, it can have ingredients that help remineralize the tooth surface, restore the minerals lost due to cavity attacks, and help offset staining and erosion, Joseph Field, DDS, a dentist in Los Altos, CA, told Insider.

But some toothpaste brands are safer than others, our experts say, and people may have different needs depending on issues they have with their teeth. If you're looking for the best toothpaste for bad breath, sensitive teeth, or to score a whiter smile, I've compiled the five best I've tested below. At the end of this guide, you'll find answers to some toothpaste FAQs, plus tips on how to pick out a toothpaste that works best for you. 

If you're looking for more dental care recommendations, check out our guides to the best fluoride-free toothpastes and the best whitening toothpastes. 

Find out more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews health products.

Here are the top toothpastes:

Best overall: Colgate Renewal - See at Amazon
Colgate Renewal not only cleans but also calms inflamed gums and has the freshest, cleanest, and mintiest feel of all the toothpaste I tested.

Best for kids: Tom's of Maine Strawberry Toothpaste - See at Amazon
Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry Toothpaste will clean and care for your kids' teeth with the ADA Seal of Approval, and it tastes like candy without any artificial ingredients.

Best for sensitive teeth: Sensodyne Rapid Relief - See at Amazon
Sensodyne Rapid Relief helps reduce sensitivity within 60 seconds while still cleaning teeth and leaving you with fresh breath.

Best natural: Klēn natural mint toothpaste - See at Klēn
Klēn's Natural Mint is a fluoride-free toothpaste with a gentle, clean taste and an ingredient list our dentists approve of.

Best whitening: Colgate Total Whitening - See at Amazon
Colgate Total SF Whitening Gel lifts surface stains, fights gum disease and cavities, and doesn't leave your teeth or gums feeling sensitive like other whitening toothpaste.

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