Dental Health Colgate vs. Crest Toothpaste How to Know Which Is Best for You By Joshua Austin, DDS facebook twitter Joshua Austin, DDS, is a general dentist in San Antonio, Texas. His practice focuses on general, family and cosmetic dentistry. Learn about our editorial process Joshua Austin, DDS Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS on November 19, 2019 linkedin Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS, is a general dentist practicing in New York. She works in numerous private practices, comprehensively caring for a diverse patient population in all areas of general dentistry. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS on November 19, 2019 Print Peopleimages / Getty Images Crest and Colgate are two of the leading brands of toothpaste in the United States. Both make claims about their effectiveness in all the major oral health categories from cavity prevention to teeth whitening to breath freshening. The two brands have similarities and differences. For example, Crest touts its stannous fluoride over the sodium fluoride in other toothpaste brands. Colgate, meanwhile, has a lock on triclosan, an antibacterial agent for treating gingivitis. Knowing how they stack up against each other can help you choose the brand that's right for you. The 8 Best Toothpastes to Buy in 2021 Colgate Colgate Total was the first toothpaste to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating gum disease (gingivitis). The active ingredient in Colgate is an antibacterial called triclosan. It's paired with a copolymer that helps the ingredient's effects remain active in the mouth for up to 12 hours. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, triclosan is an antimicrobial agent that helps to "slow or stop the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mildew." In 1997, the FDA found that the triclosan in Colgate Total was effective in preventing gingivitis. You may have read about safety concerns regarding triclosan in products such as soap and body wash. Some animal studies have found a link between triclosan and low levels of certain thyroid hormones; other studies suggest triclosan plays a role in antibiotic resistance.Despite concerns, there is no evidence that triclosan in toothpaste poses any risk to users. Even so, because it's a non-essential ingredient, some manufacturers have removed it from their products. Crest Crest Pro-Health uses stannous fluoride instead of the sodium fluoride used by most other toothpaste, including Colgate. Stannous fluoride relies on the element tin to bind the fluoride. Studies have found that it may be better for preventing erosion. A side effect of stannous fluoride is the possible staining of the teeth. In addition, some people exposed to stannous fluoride toothpaste experience the sloughing of the gums (where the thin surface layer peels away). Sloughing isn't harmful, but it can be alarming—and it can cause gums to be sensitive to spices. So, if you love your jalapenos, you may not want to brush with stannous fluoride. A Word From Verywell Most dentists still recommend that the chief ingredient consumers should look for in their toothpaste is fluoride, which both Crest and Colgate toothpaste contain (albeit in different forms). Fluoride is the only ingredient that has been shown to restore a tooth's enamel, provided it hasn't yet decayed. Toothpaste is an important part of your oral care routine. Whatever brand you choose won't work its best unless you brush at least twice a day and floss at least once day, as well as visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleaning. In the end, despite the differences, pick the paste you're most comfortable with and then use it. Best Methods of Teeth Whitening Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Artopoulou II, Powers JM, Chambers MS. In vitro staining effects of stannous fluoride and sodium fluoride on ceramic material. J Prosthet Dent. 2010;103(3):163-169. doi:10.1016/S0022-3913(10)60023-6 Huysmans MC, Young A, Ganss C. The role of fluoride in erosion therapy. Monogr Oral Sci. 2014;25:230-243. doi:10.1159/000360555 Steckelberg JM. Should I Avoid Products That Contain Triclosan? Mayo Clinic. 2017. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web Archive.Triclosan Facts. 2010. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 5 Things to Know About Triclosan. 2016.