At a TSA checkpoint one day, my daughter’s bag got sequestered for a manual search. After digging around in the suitcase, the amused TSA agent produced a GIANT tube of toothpaste, the largest that Walmart sells. It clearly violated the 3.4-ounce rule. Embarrassed, my daughter complained, “But I couldn’t find the small tubes, Mom!” She meant the travel-size tubes of toothpaste we get from the dentist and that I keep, nonsensically, in a kitchen drawer. Although we had to surrender the giant toothpaste, luckily it and my daughter’s ego were the only casualties that day. The rest of our trip went smoothly and now my daughter reminds us before every flight that toothpaste falls under the “liquids and gels” umbrella category.
For the record, that giant tube of toothpaste was some Colgate Cavity Protection—my daughter’s preferred brand and one of the top three bestselling brands in the U.S.
What about you? What’s your favorite toothpaste for daily use or to bring on vacation? Comment below! OR if you’re still deciding and in the market for something new, check out these top toothpastes in four categories.
Best toothpastes for sensitive teeth.
If you’re like me, the ultrasonic cleaning wand the dentist uses at your check-ups is a bit too much for your sensitive teeth. My dentist wrote me a prescription for a mint-flavored toothpaste that reduces sensitivity and it’s helped. But let’s say you need to reduce sensitivity, like, now. Popular brand Sensodyne is available at most stores. I’ve also had success in the past with Arm & Hammer Sensitive Toothpaste.
Best flavored toothpastes.
While mint, cinnamon, and bubblegum are the “classic” toothpaste flavors, it can be fun to mix things up, especially if doing so promotes more frequent brushing. How about these off-the-wall flavors for the oral adventurer?
- Fennel-flavored toothpaste by Tom’s of Maine
- Pickle-flavored toothpaste by Mr. Pickle
What do you say—would you try pickle-flavored toothpaste?
Best natural toothpastes.
Granola isn’t only for hippies! When you want a bright and killer smile you can feel good about, turn to one of these all-natural toothpaste formulations.
- Dr. Bronner’s toothpaste (available in peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, and anise)
- Burt’s Bees toothpaste (available in white Zen peppermint)
- Jason’s toothpaste (try the vanilla, the coconut cream, or the kids’ strawberry!)
[H2] Best eco-friendly toothpastes.
More than twenty billion toothpaste tubes end up in the landfill every year. That number includes the tube that TSA confiscated from my daughter! To be a more responsible citizen of planet Earth, choose Colgate Recycle Me (as of 2022, their tubes are 100% recyclable) or solid toothpaste tablets like Unpaste sold in plastic-free packaging.
Toothpaste tablets are a plastic-free alternative to traditional toothpaste tubes.
Whatever your toothpaste of choice, make it a part of your daily morning and evening routine. That could be just before or just after reading my tooth-fairy-themed children’s book UNDER MY PILLOW to your kiddos. Remind them that the dentist, like Santa Claus, is always watching, and that if they want to be able to pick a toy from the dentist’s office treasure chest as a reward for having clean teeth, they should brush for two minutes (or while singing their favorite song in their head from beginning to end).
