Crest vs. Colgate: Similarities and Differences

Crest and Colgate are two of the leading brands of toothpaste in the United States. Both products want to be considered the most effective toothpaste on the market.

If you look at a tube of either brand, you’ll see claims about all the major oral health categories, such as cavity prevention, teeth whitening, and breath freshening.

The two brands of toothpaste are alike in some ways but very different in others.

This article provides all the information you need about Crest and Colgate toothpaste, helping you choose the brand that’s right for you.

Colgate

Colgate produces various toothpaste types for both adults and kids, each with different active ingredients.

• Colgate Total has only one active ingredient: stannous fluoride. The company advertises Colgate Total as a “multiple benefit” toothpaste for fighting cavities that can be used by those with and without sensitive teeth. Colgate Total was the first toothpaste approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat gingivitis.
• Colgate MaxFresh contains sodium fluoride. Besides fighting cavities, this product is intended to prevent bad breath and whiten teeth.
• Colgate Revitalizing White is made with activated charcoal to help remove stains and freshen breath. Its active ingredient is sodium monofluorophosphate.
• Colgate Optic White is a whitening toothpaste containing sodium monofluorophosphate and a 1% concentration of hydrogen peroxide, an ingredient found in other teeth-whitening products.
• Colgate Kids toothpaste is designed to prevent cavities in kids ages 2 and up. Its active ingredient is sodium fluoride.
• Colgate Sensitive is intended to fight cavities in people with sensitive teeth. Its active ingredients are potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride.

Crest

Crest also offers a large variety of toothpaste brands, including:

• Crest Complete is designed to fight cavities and comes in many different formulations that help whiten teeth, freshen breath, or “deep clean.” The active ingredient is sodium fluoride.
• Crest 3D White products contain “micro-cleansing” teeth whiteners that the company says can remove up to 100% of stains in just five days. It also contains the cavity-fighting active ingredient sodium fluoride. 
• Crest Premium is marketed as a “deep cleaning” product that removes stains and fights tartar and cavities. The active ingredient is sodium fluoride.
• Crest Pro-Health line includes a whitening brand with activated charcoal and a breath-freshening brand. Its active ingredient is stannous fluoride.
• Crest Gum comes in different formulas like “Gum and Breath Purify Deep Clean,” “Gum Detoxify Gentle Whitening,” and “Gum and Enamel Repair.” Crest Gum contains stannous fluoride as an active ingredient.
• Crest Kids toothpastes are designed to fight cavities in kids ages 2 and up. They come in various flavors and contain sodium fluoride as an active ingredient.

Staining of Teeth

Sodium lauryl sulfate is an ingredient in most toothpaste, including Crest and Colgate.

Sodium lauryl sulfate may have side effects such as:

• Staining the teeth
• Causing gum peeling (sloughing)

While gum sloughing is not harmful, it might increase gum sensitivity to foods, like spices.

Crest vs Colgate: Which Is the Better Toothpaste?

A 2019 review concluded stannous fluoride—the active ingredient in Colgate Total and Crest Pro-Health—had a more pronounced effect than other types of fluoride on reducing dental calculus build-up, dental plaque, gingivitis, stain, and halitosis (bad breath).

So either of these two options appears to be the best, and both Colgate Total and Crest Pro-Health have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.