Best Toothpaste for Electric Toothbrushes: What to Use and Avoid
Any standard fluoride toothpaste works with an electric toothbrush. The best choices are low-abrasion formulas with an RDA score under 100. Avoid highly abrasive whitening pastes and charcoal toothpaste, as electric brushing amplifies their abrasiveness. Use only a pea-sized amount.
Your toothpaste choice matters more with an electric toothbrush than with a manual one. The rapid bristle movement of an electric brush, whether oscillating at 8,800 strokes per minute or vibrating at 31,000, amplifies the effect of whatever toothpaste you apply. A mildly abrasive paste that is fine with gentle manual brushing can become problematically harsh when combined with powered brushing action.
The good news is that you do not need a special or expensive toothpaste. Most mainstream fluoride toothpastes work perfectly well. The key is knowing which types to avoid and understanding how electric brushing changes the equation.
Understanding Toothpaste Abrasiveness (RDA)
The Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) scale measures how abrasive a toothpaste is. The ADA considers any toothpaste with an RDA under 250 to be safe, but this scale was developed based on manual brushing. With an electric toothbrush, the effective abrasiveness is multiplied by the brush's motion, making lower-RDA toothpastes a smarter choice.
| RDA 0-70 (Low) | Ideal for electric toothbrushes. Examples: Sensodyne Pronamel (RDA 34), plain baking soda (RDA 7) |
| RDA 70-100 (Medium) | Good for electric toothbrushes. Examples: Colgate Total (RDA 70), Crest Pro-Health (RDA 82) |
| RDA 100-150 (Medium-High) | Use with caution. Examples: Arm & Hammer Advance White (RDA 117), Colgate Whitening (RDA 124) |
| RDA 150-250 (High) | Avoid with electric toothbrushes. Examples: Some charcoal pastes, aggressive whitening formulas |
Our Top Toothpaste Recommendations
Sensodyne Pronamel
Best Overall — RDA 34
- Extremely low abrasion
- Strengthens and protects enamel
- Contains fluoride (1100 ppm)
- Works for sensitive teeth
- Limited whitening effect
- Mild flavor compared to mainstream brands
- Higher price than basic toothpastes
Colgate Total
Best Everyday — RDA 70
- Comprehensive protection: cavities, gum disease, sensitivity
- Moderate abrasion safe for electric brushes
- Widely available and affordable
- ADA Accepted
- Contains SLS which can cause canker sores in some people
- Not specifically formulated for electric brushes
Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint
Best Value — RDA 82
- Affordable and widely available
- Stannous fluoride for cavity and gum protection
- SLS-free formulation
- Pleasant clean mint flavor
- May cause temporary tooth staining in some users
- Slightly gritty texture
Toothpastes to Avoid with Electric Toothbrushes
Charcoal toothpaste is one of the worst choices for electric toothbrush users. Activated charcoal is inherently abrasive, and when combined with the rapid motion of an electric brush, it can wear down enamel at an accelerated rate. Despite marketing claims, charcoal has not been proven to whiten teeth, and the ADA has not approved any charcoal toothpaste for safety or effectiveness.
Highly abrasive whitening pastes with RDA scores above 150 should be avoided. These include many "extra whitening" or "deep clean" formulas that rely on physical abrasives rather than chemical whitening agents. The electric toothbrush already provides superior physical cleaning, making harsh abrasives unnecessary and potentially harmful.
Baking soda toothpaste in its pure form is actually very low on the RDA scale (around 7), but some commercial baking soda toothpastes add additional abrasives that push the RDA higher. If you want to use baking soda toothpaste, check the specific product's RDA if available, or choose brands that emphasize gentle cleaning.
Toothpaste tablets and powders vary widely in abrasiveness and may not distribute as evenly as traditional paste when used with an electric toothbrush. If you prefer these formats for environmental reasons, test them carefully and ensure they dissolve fully before activating your brush.
Special Considerations
For Sensitive Teeth
If you experience sensitivity, pair your electric toothbrush with a desensitizing toothpaste like Sensodyne Pronamel or Colgate Sensitive. These contain potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride that block pain signals from exposed dentin. Use them consistently for at least 2 weeks before expecting noticeable results. Set your electric toothbrush to its sensitive or gentle mode for the best combination.
For Whitening
Rather than using an aggressive whitening toothpaste, pair a low-abrasion paste with a whitening-specific brush head. Oral-B 3D White heads and Sonicare W2 Optimal White heads are designed to remove stains through bristle design rather than abrasive paste. This approach whitens effectively while protecting enamel.
If you want a whitening toothpaste, choose one that uses hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active whitening agent rather than abrasives. These chemical whitening agents are effective regardless of brushing method and do not add physical wear to enamel.
For Gum Health
Toothpastes with stannous fluoride, such as Crest Pro-Health and some Colgate formulas, provide additional antibacterial benefits that complement the gum-stimulating action of an electric toothbrush. Stannous fluoride fights the bacteria that cause gingivitis while also strengthening enamel against cavities.
How Much Toothpaste to Use
Use a pea-sized amount, roughly the size of a small pea. This is less than the toothpaste commercials show. Electric toothbrushes spread toothpaste more efficiently than manual brushing, and excess paste creates unnecessary foam that can be messy. Apply the paste to the brush head, then place it in your mouth before turning on the brush to minimize splatter.
The Fluoride Question
Fluoride remains the single most important ingredient in toothpaste, regardless of whether you use an electric or manual brush. It strengthens enamel, reverses early decay, and provides lasting protection between brushings. The ADA, WHO, and virtually every dental professional organization recommends fluoride toothpaste for cavity prevention.
Fluoride-free toothpastes are heavily marketed as "natural" alternatives, but they lack the cavity-fighting capability that makes toothpaste therapeutically effective. While an electric toothbrush does an excellent job of physically removing plaque, it does not provide the chemical remineralization that fluoride delivers. We strongly recommend choosing a fluoride-containing toothpaste.
Our Recommendation
Sensodyne Pronamel is the ideal toothpaste for electric toothbrush users. Its extremely low abrasion protects enamel from the amplified brushing action, while its fluoride content fights cavities and its formulation addresses sensitivity. For everyday use on a budget, Colgate Total or Crest Pro-Health are excellent choices with moderate RDA scores safe for powered brushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special toothpaste for my electric toothbrush? +
No, you do not need a special toothpaste. Most standard fluoride toothpastes work well with electric toothbrushes. However, you should avoid highly abrasive whitening toothpastes and charcoal formulas, as the powered brushing action amplifies their abrasiveness.
Should I use less toothpaste with an electric toothbrush? +
Yes, use a pea-sized amount rather than covering the entire brush head. Electric toothbrushes create more foam and distribute toothpaste more effectively than manual brushing, so less product achieves the same or better coverage.
Is charcoal toothpaste safe with an electric toothbrush? +
Charcoal toothpaste is generally not recommended with electric toothbrushes. The abrasive charcoal particles combined with the rapid brush movement can be too harsh on tooth enamel and may cause excessive wear over time. Choose a low-abrasive alternative instead.
Can I use whitening toothpaste with an electric toothbrush? +
Mild whitening toothpastes with low RDA scores under 100 are fine to use. Avoid aggressive whitening formulas with high abrasive content. The electric brush already provides superior stain removal, so a gentle whitening paste is sufficient.