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- Best anti-cavity remineralizing toothpaste: 3M Clinpro 5000
- Best remineralizing toothpaste for sensitive teeth: Sensodyne Pronamel
- Best overall remineralizing toothpaste: Crest Pro-Health Advanced
You may already know that once lost, tooth enamel cannot be replaced. However, you may not know that using a remineralizing toothpaste can increase the mineral content of existing tooth enamel.
Remineralization is designed to help strengthen the entire tooth. It also repairs weak spots and makes teeth less sensitive to hot and cold. To get the best results, it’s important to choose the right product.
Minerals occur naturally in saliva and get absorbed into the tooth enamel. The acids in food demineralize teeth by stripping out these minerals, which can leave teeth vulnerable to cavities. Remineralizing toothpaste is specially formulated to return minerals to tooth enamel to help prevent tooth damage.
Remineralizing toothpaste contains active ingredients that strengthen teeth and prevent white spot lesions from forming. These ingredients also help to repair existing white spots in tooth enamel.
Remineralizing toothpaste serves many functions, including:
- repairing acid-weakened tooth enamel
- protecting teeth from acid erosion
- strengthening tooth enamel
- preventing cavities
- keeping teeth white without abrasive ingredients
- stopping acid-producing bacteria from forming and sticking to teeth
Remineralizing toothpaste works by strengthening each tooth’s outer layer and boosting the absorption of minerals deep into tooth enamel, where existing damage can be repaired. This process is known as remineralization.
The active ingredients in remineralizing toothpaste include calcium, potassium, and fluoride. These minerals are essential for keeping teeth strong and white. Some remineralizing toothpaste contains more fluoride than standard toothpaste.
The acid in food and drinks can weaken your teeth over time. Remineralizing toothpaste strengthens tooth enamel, making teeth less prone to erosion, discoloration, and cavities.
Healthline’s dental experts chose the remineralizing toothpastes featured in this article.
These products have undergone clinical trials or contain active ingredients that have been scientifically proven to strengthen tooth enamel and rejuvenate mineral content.
They all come from trusted manufacturers and have high customer ratings for taste and ease of use.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $5
- $$ = $5–$9
- $$$ = over $9
There are many effective remineralizing toothpastes. Here are three to consider.
Best anti-cavity remineralizing toothpaste
3M Clinpro 5000 1.1% Sodium Fluoride Anti-Cavity Toothpaste
- Price: $$$
You and a dental professional may decide that a prescription toothpaste such as 3M Clinpro 5000, which contains more fluoride than traditional toothpaste brands, may be the best choice for you.
A 2019 study published in the
The active ingredients in this low-abrasive toothpaste are sodium fluoride and tri-calcium phosphate. It works to remineralize lesions that exist throughout teeth, as well as those on surface enamel.
Even though it’s stronger than traditional toothpaste brands, Clinpro 5000 is not harsh or bitter tasting. You can request it in one of three flavors: vanilla mint, bubblegum, or spearmint.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before using this toothpaste. Children should not use this toothpaste without their dentist’s and pediatrician’s OK.
Pros
- highly effective at strengthening tooth enamel
- able to eliminate some existing white spots on teeth
- comes in three flavors
Cons
- only available by prescription
- more expensive than traditional over-the-counter toothpaste
- accidental swallowing can result in stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
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Best remineralizing toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Sensodyne Pronamel
- Price: $$
The Sensodyne brand is known for its ability to make teeth less sensitive to hot and cold. The active ingredients in Sensodyne Pronamel are potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride.
Sensodyne Pronamel works by repairing tooth enamel and remineralizing each tooth deep within its surface, to protect from further damage and acid erosion.
Research published in
Pros
- effectively repairs acid-weakened tooth enamel
- freshens breath
- does not require a prescription and is easily available
Cons
- more expensive than some over-the-counter toothpastes
- some users dislike the taste, which is less sweet than standard toothpastes
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Best overall remineralizing toothpaste
Crest Pro-Health Advanced
- Price: $
This Crest toothpaste formulation has the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance for controlling enamel erosion, gingivitis, and plaque, and for anti-sensitivity. Its active ingredient is stannous fluoride. It has a fresh, minty taste.
This is an effective, affordable alternative to other remineralizing toothpastes.
Pros
- affordable and easily available
- protects against cavities
- fresh, minty taste
Cons
- complaints from some users about getting mouth sores after using this product
- may cause a temporary aftertaste
- strong mint flavor does not appeal to some adults and children
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The
- stannous fluoride
- sodium fluoride
- calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite)
These ingredients are able to bond to weakened tooth enamel, forming patches, much like patches sewn into worn-out fabric.
Even though these patches are not made from tooth enamel, they have the ability to strengthen and protect teeth.
Remineralizing toothpastes also help prevent additional tooth decay from occurring, especially when they’re combined with proactive oral care habits, such as brushing and flossing.
What else helps?
Lifestyle and dietary behaviors, such as avoiding sugary substances like soda and candy, greatly impact the ability of teeth to remineralize and affect overall tooth health.
Calcium is one mineral that helps keep tooth enamel strong. Not enough calcium in teeth can sometimes be connected to a calcium deficiency.
If you’re postmenopausal or have a condition such as hypocalcemia, your body might pull calcium from your teeth in order to support other vital functions.
Talk with your doctor about treatments that might help.
Ask a dentist
Talk with a dentist about remineralizing toothpastes and your specific needs.
In some instances, they may recommend a prescription remineralizing toothpaste.
These typically have a higher fluoride content and may be designed to penetrate into the tooth’s root as well as into the enamel.
Look for the ADA seal
It’s good to choose a toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The seal indicates when a dental product has met ADA standards for safety and effectiveness.
You can always ask a dentist for their opinion on any product without the seal. You can even contact the company that makes the toothpaste to ask why it hasn’t received the seal.
Read the ingredients
Every toothpaste lists its active and inactive ingredients. Make sure to check the inactive ingredients to determine if you’re sensitive or allergic to them.
Potential allergens or irritants in toothpaste can include flavorings such as:
- mint
- cinnamon
- grape
- orange
Allergic reactions have also been
- cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)
- propylene glycol
Know the brand
Look for a reputable brand name as well as transparency about the ingredients the product contains and the place where it’s manufactured.
Any product that promises to rebuild tooth enamel or makes claims that seem too good to be true should probably be avoided.
Dental care is healthcare. To keep your teeth and gums at their healthiest, try to see a dentist twice a year. They can spot and prevent damage, including tooth erosion and decay. If you notice white spots on your teeth, notice yellowing teeth, or feel sensitivity to hot or cold, talk with them about the benefits of using remineralizing toothpaste.
How long does it take for remineralizing toothpaste to work?
Remineralizing toothpaste starts to significantly strengthen teeth within 3 to 4 months. Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold should decrease within several weeks of use. You’ll get the best results from remineralizing toothpaste if you brush for at least 2 minutes, twice a day.
Can remineralizing toothpaste heal cavities?
Tiny cavities may be eliminated by using remineralizing toothpaste. However, it may make sense to get a dentist’s input, especially if you feel discomfort or sensitivity in a specific tooth. Bacteria can multiply and grow in cavities, causing inflammation and infection. If you suspect you have a cavity, see a dentist before it becomes larger or gets infected.
Which remineralizing toothpaste works fastest?
The amount of tooth damage you have may determine, in part, how quickly you see results from any remineralizing toothpaste. Remineralizing your teeth is a process that takes time. Talk with a dentist about the applicability of using a prescription toothpaste versus an over-the-counter brand, for your particular needs. Brushing for at least 2 minutes each time you brush will help speed up results.
Tooth enamel can’t be regenerated, but the mineral content within teeth can be increased.
Remineralizing toothpaste formulas, when combined with proper oral health and dietary choices, can help teeth become stronger, more comfortable, and less susceptible to cavities.
