Good dental hygiene and oral care habits are important at any age, but especially as we age. Neglect can lead to issues like tooth decay, gingivitis, bad breath and gum disease, which has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. Daily brushing and flossing are essential to keeping your teeth in good oral health.
Most toothpaste is created not only to clean your mouth but to also help alleviate or solve a problem inside your mouth. This can include things like freshening your breath, eliminating sensitivity, cavity protection, improving gum health and even whitening your teeth. With so many toothpaste options, it can be difficult to determine what is best for your needs. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites available on Amazon, and following our review we’ve included a buying guide with tips on what to look when purchasing toothpaste. When shopping, we also recommend checking out the American Dental Association’s list of recommended oral health products.
The best toothpaste for seniors
- 1 Sensodyne Pronamel Daily Protection Enamel Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth, Mint Essence – 4 Ounces (Pack of 3)
- 2 Crest 3D Whitening Toothpaste
- 3 NuSkin AP 24 Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste
- 4 Rembrandt Deeply White + Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste
- 5 Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste
- 6 Apagard Premio Toothpaste
Sensodyne Pronamel Daily Protection Enamel Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth, Mint Essence – 4 Ounces (Pack of 3)
Sensodyne Pronamel toothpaste is specially designed to help protect tooth enamel against the effects of acid erosion. The toothpaste’s formula uses teeth-strengthening minerals like calcium to restore your teeth and lessen sensitivity. When used twice daily, it can help to strengthen and re-harden acid-weakened enamel, fight cavities and freshen breath.
Overall, it’s a great toothpaste for people with sensitive teeth and is less abrasive than some other options.
Pros
- Great for sensitive teeth
- Protects against acid erosion
- The specialized formula may help to strengthen teeth
Cons
- Twist off cap may require significant effort for some
- Some people will not like the unique light mint taste
Key Features
- Light mint flavor
- Wide screw top lid
- Helps protect tooth enamel from further damage caused by acidic foods and drinks
- Contains a unique optimized formulation that helps minerals, like calcium found in saliva, penetrate the enamel surface
- Helps strengthen teeth, fight cavities, and freshen breath
Specifications
- Brand: Pronamel
- Size: 4-ounce tube
- Quantity: Pack of 3
Crest 3D Whitening Toothpaste
The Crest 3D Whitening Toothpaste not only gently removes the surface stains caused by daily food and beverages, but with regular brushing, it can also help protect against cavities. It contains fluoride, which can strengthen weakened tooth enamel and provide an anti-cavity benefit with regular brushing.
This toothpaste has a strong minty flavor and was designed to remove up to 80% of surface stains—all while promising to deliver whiter teeth.
Pros
- Value
- Extra whitening power
Cons
- Thin consistency may be off-putting for some
Key Features
- Mint flavor
- Flip-top cap
- Safe on tooth enamel
- Contains fluoride which helps to protect against cavities
- Mint flavor
Specifications
- Brand: Crest
- Size: 3.5-ounce tube
- Quantity: 2-pack
NuSkin AP 24 Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste
The Nuskin AP-24 formula binds to the teeth enamel and provides a protective coating that prevents the build-up of plaque and stains. It should be noted that none of the ingredients in the patented AP-24 formula actually whiten teeth, they are only designed to prevent the build-up of stains.
This toothpaste has a vanilla mint flavor and provides fresh breath and a clean, just-brushed feeling all day long. It is worth noting that this product does contain sodium laurel sulfate, which may irritate sensitive mouths.
Pros
- Protective coating helps protect against plaque and stains
Cons
- Pricier than other options in our review
Key Features
- Vanilla mint flavor
- Flip-top lid
- Paste
- Whitening toothpaste without peroxide
- Contains fluoride which helps to protect against cavities
Specifications
- Brand: NuSkin
- Size: 4-ounce tube
- Quantity: 2-pack
Rembrandt Deeply White + Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste
If you’re pro-peroxide, you should consider Rembrandt’s Deeply White + Peroxide Toothpaste, which features a rapid-release version of the whitening ingredient, plus sodium fluoride to keep enamel strong. Unlike most whitening toothpaste that whitens teeth on the surface, Rembrandt’s formula is designed to remove stains under the surface.
Pros
- Strong whitening ingredients, but safe for daily use
Cons
- Pricier than some other options in this review
Key Features
- Fresh mint flavor
- Screw off cap
- Paste
- Whitens with peroxide
- Contains active dental peroxide– the same enamel-safe ingredients that dentists use
- Contains sodium fluoride which helps to protect against cavities
Specifications
- Brand: Rembrandt
- Size: 2.6-ounce tube
- Quantity: 2-pack
Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste
Colgate has been a trusted brand in dental hygiene for many years. We love that this product is specially formulated for sensitive teeth and contains ingredients that soothe nerves.
Do note that sensitive teeth may indicate a serious problem that may need prompt care by a professional. When using this product, if pain or sensitivity still persists after 4 weeks of use, it is recommended that you talk with your dentist.
Pros
- Value
- With regular brushing fights tartar, removes plaque, and helps protect against cavities
Cons
- Some reviewers found it to not be as effective as some other products in this review
Key Features
- Clean mint toothpaste flavor
- Flip-top lid
- Paste
- Contains potassium nitrate which is clinically proven to soothe the nerves in exposed dentin
Specifications
- Brand: Colgate
- Size: 6-ounce tube
- Quantity: 3-pack
Apagard Premio Toothpaste
Apagard Premio contains hydroxyapatite which is used to help fill the microscopic defects of the tooth’s surface to help remineralize the enamel from early decay.
According to their website, the medical hydroxyapatite contained in Apagard Premio is the first “enamel-restorative, nanoparticle, hydroxyapatite toothpaste.” The Japanese company touts that their toothpaste does three things: remove plaque, fill in scratches and fissures, and plug open dentinal tubules that cause hypersensitivity.
Pros
- May help to re-mineralize teeth
Cons
- No English instructions included as the product is made for the domestic Japanese market
- More expensive than other options in our review
Key Features
- Made in Japan
- Mild menthol flavor
- Contains hydroxyapatite to help re-mineralize teeth
- Contains xylitol
- No fluoride
Specifications
- Brand: Apagard
- Size: 3.5-ounce tube
- Quantity: 1 tube
Our best toothpaste for seniors guide
Keeping your teeth in tip-top shape as you age requires healthy daily habits like brushing twice a day. It is also important to see a dental care professional regularly so that they can provide oral care and oral hygiene recommendations, as well as diagnose any issues or conditions.
It is always a good idea to consult your dentist if you are intending on switching oral healthcare products. When shopping for toothpaste, keep the following in mind before you make your purchase.
Ingredients
Look for toothpaste that has ingredients catered towards your specific needs. Often times toothpaste made to whiten teeth will have ingredients that can be very painful for someone with sensitive teeth or gums. Watch out for ingredients like sodium laurel sulfate which may irritate sensitive mouths or those with canker sores.
If you are considering a whitening toothpaste consider the pros and cons of using a peroxide-based whitener versus a silica-based product. A product containing silica will generally be best for sensitive teeth and gums, while a toothpaste containing peroxide is typically harsher and may irritate tooth sensitivity. However, the higher the hydrogen peroxide content, the more effective the toothpaste will be at whitening your teeth.
Flavor
Sensitive toothpaste tends to have a more mellow flavor, while standard toothpaste can have a vibrant, powerful flavor. Consider how important flavor is, and what makes your mouth feel fresh.
Lid
Toothpaste lids can be problematic for some. Often the screw top lids can be difficult to screw on and off for someone with mobility issues. In these instances, a flip-top lid may be more convenient for the user.
