Safest Teeth Whiteners
The safest ways to whiten your teeth explained
Our teeth are composed of several layers of dental tissue. The enamel is the hardest and outermost layer. It protects a softer inner layer known as dentin.
Acids can cause tooth enamel to demineralize or lose some of its minerals, exposing more sensitive layers.
A remineralizing toothpaste promotes the natural repair of existing tooth enamel. Unlike regular toothpaste, it redeposits minerals into your teeth through a process called remineralization.
Everything We Recommend
Best Natural Remineralizing Toothpaste — Boka Remineralizing
Best Eco-Friendly Remineralizing Toothpaste — Elims Reflection
Best Whitening Remineralizing Toothpaste — Hismile PAP+
Best Prescription Fluoride Toothpaste — 3M Clinpro 5000
Best Fluoride Remineralizing Toothpaste — Sensodyne Pronamel
Remineralization makes teeth stronger by replacing lost minerals. It restores your enamel and dentin while reversing the effects of demineralization.1
A remineralizing toothpaste also protects your teeth against chemical damage and prevents further demineralization. This all depends on the ingredients.
Other benefits of remineralized toothpastes include:
Research shows that remineralization encourages demineralized dental tissue to grow back to its original size.2
Dental experts usually recommend toothpastes containing calcium phosphate and fluoride.1 These minerals play a key role in remineralization.
Remineralizing toothpastes may contain different variations of these ingredients. Some examples are stannous fluoride, calcium carbonate, and nanohydroxyapatite (nHa).
Both nHa and fluoride have their strong points.
According to Dr. Katrina Zhao at Midas Dental, there are pros and cons to both nHA and fluoride toothpaste. nHA toothpaste is more effective in preventing cavities and has a more pleasant taste than fluoride toothpaste.
However, fluoride toothpaste is more effective in remineralizing teeth and protecting them from decay. Fluoride is also more likely to cause staining of the teeth than nHA.
Fluoride has several advantages over hydroxyapatite, such as:
Fluoride does not naturally occur in the body, unlike HAP which makes up 95% of tooth enamel and 70% of dentin.2 Fluoride is also associated with some health risks.
Studies show that fluoride can be toxic to the kidneys and nervous system. It can cause thyroid, bone, and reproductive health problems when ingested.3
Best Natural Toothpaste for Remineralization
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1. Most affordable non-fluoridated remineralizing toothpaste
You can buy a 4 oz tube of Boka toothpaste for $12 or two travel-sized 1.3 oz tubes for $10 with one-time payment.
Boka toothpastes are cheaper if you purchase them in packs of 2’s or 3’s. If you opt for a monthly subscription, you get a 20% discount plus free shipping.
2. Contains ingredients that are better than homemade toothpaste
Boka’s toothpastes contain natural ingredients that are 100% biocompatible and scientifically proven to work. Its main ingredient is nanohydroxyapatite (NHAP), a nano-sized form of HAP.
NHAP is not found in any homemade remineralizing toothpaste. It remineralizes teeth and prevents enamel erosion by binding with tooth enamel.1
3. It safely and naturally whitens teeth
Boka’s remineralizing toothpaste contains sodium bicarbonate, a natural ingredient that can whiten teeth. It is basically baking soda, except Boka does not feel abrasive.
4. Boka’s natural toothpastes are sugar-free (and they taste great)
Boka uses natural ingredients such as lemon and peppermint essential oil for flavoring. Instead of artificial sugars, they use natural sweeteners like xylitol.
This gives you mildly flavorful toothpastes that aren’t too minty.
5. It can protect against cavities
Xylitol inhibits mouth bacteria from producing acids and polysaccharides. It gives Boka toothpaste the ability to prevent plaque, dental caries, and tooth decay.1
Most Sustainable Remineralizing Toothpaste
Elims is a non-fluoridated toothpaste with the same benefits as Boka. It has NHAP as an active ingredient, xylitol as a sweetener, and sodium bicarbonate as a teeth whitener.
It also contains natural ingredients and flavors such as peppermint oil and other essential oils. Elims toothpaste is the “greener” option.
While Boka comes in a plastic BPA-free tube, Elims uses a 100% recyclable tube made of sustainably grown sugarcane. It has a box, which adds waste, but it’s made of recycled paper pulp that’s also recyclable.
Elims Reflection toothpaste is reasonably priced. You can buy one 4 oz. tube for $14 and two for $26. Subscribers also get 10% off plus free shipping.
Best All-In-One Remineralizing Paste
Hismile PAP+ is the only non-fluoridated toothpaste we picked with three active ingredients: phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP), hydroxyapatite (HAP), and potassium citrate. This means it provides all their benefits in equal strengths.
PAP is a peroxide-free bleach that whitens teeth without causing gum irritation or sensitivity.4 It is safer than teeth whitening products that use hydrogen peroxide.
HAP is superior to NHAP for remineralization. It also gets extra help from arginine, a compound that breaks down into calcium carbonate and remineralizes teeth.
Lastly, it contains potassium citrate to reduce tooth sensitivity.5
Best Prescription Fluoride Toothpaste
3M Clinpro 5000 is a good choice if you prefer a fluoride toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. Clinpro 5000 is a prescription-strength dental health toothpaste that fights cavities.
Its two active ingredients are fluoride and tricalcium phosphate. Studies show that using them together provides better remineralization than fluoride alone.1 3M Clinpro 5000 is one of the few remineralizing toothpastes that are scientifically proven to work.6
Best Prescription Fluoride Toothpaste
Sensodyne Pronamel is an entire line of toothpastes that remineralize teeth. You can choose from eight variants:
While some options provide more benefits than others, each Pronamel toothpaste can remineralize teeth. So if you want the best remineralizing toothpaste that’s affordable, contains fluoride, and has American Dental Association (ADA) approval, Sensodyne Pronamel is your go-to.
Everyone has different opinions on what they think is the best remineralizing toothpaste. But knowing each individual toothpaste’s benefits can help you choose the best option for your needs.
We narrowed down our list based on the following criteria:
First, you have to decide whether you want fluoridated or non-fluoridated toothpaste.
Remember that the American Dental Association (ADA) only approves toothpastes that have fluoride as a main ingredient.
Next, talk to your dentist about your dental health. If you have mild enamel erosion, they might recommend toothpastes that you can purchase online or over the counter.
Your dentist might prescribe a prescription toothpaste in more severe cases. If there are visible cavities and enamel damage (like broken teeth), you may even need dental fillings.
Check the toothpaste for ingredients that can trigger allergies and food sensitivities. Keep in mind that natural products are not always the better choice. They might contain fruits and essential oils that you may react to.
Some of these toothpaste ingredients, like cleaned powdered egg shells (calcium powder), coconut oil, and clove essential oil have the potential to remineralize teeth.7,8,9 But the effectiveness of ingredients like bentonite clay is not yet proven.
Note: It’s not recommended to make toothpaste using homemade recipes. Homemade toothpaste only contains trace minerals. In small amounts, these ingredients may not produce enough remineralizing effects.
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