Choosing the Best Toothpaste – Expert Tips
Your toothpaste matters – here’s how to choose a quality toothpaste that supports your unique oral health needs.
Toothpaste does more than freshen your breath – it plays a key role in supporting a healthier mouth and body.
Whether you’re dealing with sensitive teeth, bleeding gums, bad breath or braces, the right toothpaste can make a big difference, making your daily oral care routine more effective and enjoyable.
We asked oral hygienist Dirna Grobbelaar for her expert advice on choosing the best toothpaste – and why some are worth the upgrade.
“Toothpaste isn’t just for fresh breath – it can help protect enamel, soothe sensitivity and reduce gum inflammation.” – Dirna Grobbelaar.
Choose the Right Toothpaste for Your Needs
Everyone’s mouth is different, and so are your oral health needs. The right toothpaste should target your specific concerns.
Sensitive teeth
Choose a toothpaste with fluoride and ingredients like potassium nitrate or hydroxyapatite to help reduce sensitivity and strengthen enamel.
✔ Try: GUM SensiVital
Bleeding or inflamed gums
Look for chlorhexidine or CPC (cetylpyridinium chloride) to reduce plaque and support gum healing.
Are your gums in good health? Take our free, online Healthy Gum Check
Try: GUM Paroex Gel
Braces and orthodontic care
Look for a fluoride toothpaste that helps protect enamel, reduces plaque build-up and soothes irritated gums.
Have braces and need some extra help keeping your mouth clean and fresh? Read our Guide to Orthodontic Braces
✔ Try: GUM Ortho Toothpaste
Stained teeth and whitening
Choose a low-abrasive toothpaste that gently lifts surface stains caused by tea, coffee or tobacco, without harsh bleach or damaging enamel.
✔ Try: GUM Original White
Kids’ oral care
Protect growing teeth with a fluoride toothpaste matched to your child’s age.
✔ Try:
– GUM Kids Toothpaste (3+)
– GUM Junior Toothpaste (6+)
Bad breath
If bad breath is a concern, look for a toothpaste with antibacterial properties, like GUM Paroex. Or one with added pre- and probiotics to support a healthy oral microbiome.
✔ Try: Olgani Probiom with probiotics
✔ Try: GUM Paroex with CPC and chlorhexidine
Want to make the most of your new toothpaste? Visit our Better Brushing Hub for expert-approved brushing tips and tools.
Top Toothpaste Picks – At a Glance
| Concern | Recommended Product |
| Sensitive teeth | GUM SensiVital |
| Bleeding/inflamed gums | GUM Paroex Gel |
| Whitening/stain removal | GUM Original White |
| Orthodontic braces | GUM Ortho Toothpaste |
| Kids (3+ years) | GUM Kids Toothpaste |
| Kids (6+ years) | GUM Junior Toothpaste |
| Oral microbiome support | Olgani Probiom |
| Organic with fluoride | GUM Bio |
| Natural, plastic-free | Olgani Naturals |
| Proudly SA, budget-friendly | Thryve Mouth Salts |
Active Ingredients for a Healthier Smile
Understanding ingredients can help you make smarter toothpaste choices. Which ingredients have scientific backing?
Chlorhexidine
A trusted antibacterial used in professional-grade oral care.
✔ Found in: GUM Paroex Gel
CPC (Cetylpyridinium Chloride)
An antibacterial agent that helps reduce plaque and support gum health.
Learn more: Ingredients 101: What is CPC
✔ Found in: GUM Paroex Gel
Fluoride
Helps to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. A Cochrane review confirmed that fluoride toothpaste significantly reduces caries when used regularly.
✔ Found in all GUM toothpastes
Hydroxyapatite
A biomimetic mineral that remineralises enamel and reduces sensitivity.
✔ Found in: GUM SensiVital
Probiotics and prebiotics
Support the oral microbiome and help with dry mouth and bad breath.
✔ Found in: Olgani Probiom
Sea salt
Naturally pH-balancing and antibacterial.
✔ Found in:
Olgani Naturals
Thryve Mouth Salts
Natural oils & extracts
Natural oils and extracts, e.g. from cinnamon, peppermint, clove and sage, provide all kinds of benefits. Look for toothpastes with natural actives like:
✔ GUM Bio
✔ Olgani Naturals
✔ Thryve Mouth Salts
Find a Toothpaste That Suits Your Life
Whether you’re drawn to gentle flavours, eco-conscious choices or ingredients that reflect your lifestyle, there’s a toothpaste that works for you. Find one that fits your preferences, values and taste buds.
Flavour and texture
Gone are the days of just “minty fresh.” From salty and herbal to sweet and spicy, there’s a flavour to suit every preference:
– Olgani Naturals offers unique flavour profiles like salty herbal, mild mint, and warm clove-citrus – all 100% natural.
– Thryve Mouth Salts bring a mineral-rich, salty taste that leaves your mouth feeling refreshed and rebalanced.
Natural or eco-conscious
Looking for a more sustainable option?
– GUM Bio is certified organic and comes in a recyclable sugarcane tube.
– Olgani is made only with natural ingredients and offers low and zero-waste packaging options.
– Thryve is proudly South African and packaged in a recyclable plastic container.
Diet or lifestyle choices
Whether you’re vegan, fluoride-free, or ingredient-sensitive, these options tick the boxes:
✔ GUM Bio – fluoride + certified organic
✔ Olgani Naturals – 100% natural, fluoride-free
✔ Thryve Mouth Salts – fluoride-free, vegan, locally made
Toothpaste, Tooth Powders or Brushing Salts?
Toothpaste isn’t the only option. Tooth powders and brushing salts have been used for centuries and are growing in popularity, especially with people wanting natural oral care. And because they require less water for production and use, they are planet-friendly too.
Tooth Powders
Used since ancient times, toothpowders are resurging for good reason. They often contain natural minerals and botanicals that gently polish teeth and balance the mouth’s pH, without harsh abrasives or preservatives. Many now come in plastic-free or reusable packaging.
✔ Try: Olgani Tooth Powders
Brushing Salts
Brushing with sea salt-based formulas can help to support oral pH, saliva flow, and microbial balance. They’re mineral-rich, alkaline and naturally antibacterial.
✔ Try: Thryve Mouth Salts
Get the Best Results from Your Toothpaste
Toothpaste is important, but it’s only effective when used as part of a proper oral care routine. Brushing alone isn’t enough to keep your mouth clean and healthy. Here’s how to make your toothpaste work harder for you:
- Use a pea-sized amount
- Spit, don’t rinse – this allows active ingredients like fluoride to stay on your teeth longer
- Brush correctly twice a day for a full two minutes each time
- Clean between teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes
- Clean your tongue to reduce bacteria and prevent bad breath
Ideally, visit your dental professional twice a year for a full check-up and professional cleaning.
When you combine good toothpaste with the right habits, you’re giving your mouth the best chance at staying fresh, strong and healthy.
Ready to Upgrade?
Toothpaste isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right formula supports your specific goals – whether it’s protecting sensitive teeth, improving gum health, or making brushing more fun for your child.
Need help choosing? Speak to your dentist or oral hygienist.
✔ Shop All Toothpastes
✔ Visit the Better Brushing Hub
FAQs
What’s the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth in South Africa?
Try a toothpaste with potassium nitrate or hydroxyapatite, like GUM SensiVital. It helps reduce pain and protect enamel.
Is fluoride toothpaste safe for kids?
Yes, when used correctly. Choose a fluoride toothpaste suited to your child’s age and supervise brushing.
Can toothpaste improve gum health?
Yes. Look for ingredients like CPC or chlorhexidine – GUM Paroex Gel is a great option.
Are natural toothpastes effective?
They can be – if they contain proven ingredients. Try Olgani Naturals or GUM Bio for gentle, natural care.
Where can I buy these toothpastes in South Africa?
Browse our oral care range or speak to your dental professional.
References:
Walsh T, Worthington HV, Glenny AM, Marinho VCC, Jeroncic A. Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 3.
