Crest vs Arm and Hammer Toothpaste
Crest vs Arm and Hammer toothpaste gets compared all the time. Both are affordable, widely available, and backed by decades of brand recognition. But they take fundamentally different approaches to cleaning your teeth.
Crest relies on stannous fluoride across most of its formulas. This antibacterial compound tackles everything from cavities to sensitivity. But how well it works for measurable oral health outcomes is another story.
On the other hand, Arm and Hammer uses baking soda to neutralize acids, lift stains, and deep clean without heavy abrasive action. Again, though, the clinical backing behind these formulas can be a little hit or miss.
So which one actually deserves a spot in your bathroom in looking at Arm and Hammer toothpaste vs Crest side-by-side? We’ll break it down below, and introduce LIVFRESH’s plaque removal toothpaste as a third option worth a look. Because honestly, it’s in a league of its own.
LIVFRESH is formulated around activated edathamil, an ingredient backed by 26 clinical studies and 40 patents showing it can remove plaque 250% better and improve gum health 190% more in 4 weeks or less. Learn how LIVFRESH, Crest, and Arm and Hammer stack up below.
Crest Toothpaste Lineup
Crest is one of the most well-known names in oral care with tons of different toothpaste formulas to choose from. Here's what you’ll find across five key categories:
Whitening Formulas
Crest 3D White is the flagship whitening line. It uses sodium hexametaphosphate and hydrogen peroxide to remove surface stains while protecting enamel. For a comparison with another whitening heavyweight, check out our Colgate vs Crest breakdown.
Gum Health Formulas
Crest Pro-Health Gum Detoxify is powered by an activated foam formula that neutralizes plaque bacteria along the gum line for up to 24 hours. Stannous fluoride pulls double duty here as an antibacterial agent.
There's also a two-step Detoxify + Whitening system for people who want gum protection and a brighter smile. But if gum health is your main priority, we highly encourage you to read our guide on the best toothpaste for gum disease - you’ll be surprised by what we recommend.
Sensitive Formulas
It’s not just Sensodyne that makes great toothpastes for sensitivity. Crest Pro-Health Sensitive and Gum creates a protective shield against food and drink triggers. It starts soothing on contact and can make a noticeable difference within days. It's also clinically proven to help fortify gums.
Cavity Prevention Formulas
Many Crest Pro-Health formulas have the ADA Seal of Acceptance for cavity protection: Clean Mint, Clean Cinnamon, Night, and Whitening variants, to name a few. Stannous fluoride is the common theme. It fights cavities while addressing plaque, gingivitis, and sensitivity.
Enamel Protection Formulas
Crest Pro-Health Densify is designed to rebuild surface tooth density and remineralize enamel with every brush. A lot of dentists will recommend this toothpaste when patients are struggling with enamel degradation.
Arm and Hammer Toothpaste Lineup
Arm and Hammer is a household staple, not just for toothpaste, but for countless other products as well. Every toothpaste formula starts with 100% pure baking soda to neutralize acids, lift stains, and deep clean along the gum line. Here are some of the most popular toothpastes:
Whitening Formulas
Advance White Extreme Whitening uses Stain Defense Technology with peroxide for a “two-shades-whiter smile.” Meanwhile, the Essentials Whiten & Strengthen line pairs baking soda with naturally sourced calcium for enamel repair.
One clinical study actually found Arm and Hammer removed stains significantly better than Crest after just two weeks of use. Keep that in mind as we progress through our Crest vs Arm and Hammer toothpaste comparison.
Healthy Gums Formulas
PeroxiCare is Arm and Hammer's toothpaste tailored to gum health. It combines baking soda with peroxide for a deep clean targeting plaque, tartar, and set-in stains while freshening breath. Now, it’s not as specialized as Crest Gum Detoxify, but it gets the job done.
Sensitive Formulas
Arm and Hammer’s Sensitive Teeth & Gums formula features Triple Enamel Protection:
- Fluoride to strengthen
- Baking soda to neutralize acids
- Liquid Calcium Technology to repair the enamel surface
It's one of the more well-rounded sensitive options in the drugstore category. In fact, we think it’s a pretty solid Sensodyne alternative if you’re looking for a more “natural” formula.
Enamel Strengthening Formulas
Essentials Whiten & Strengthen uses naturally sourced calcium alongside baking soda to help remineralize enamel. It’s one of the formulas that kind of gets lost in the background amidst more popular Arm and Hammer toothpastes, but it deserves mention nonetheless.
Arm and Hammer Toothpaste vs Crest Toothpaste: Which is Better?
Now for the real question in our Arm and Hammer toothpaste vs Crest comparison - which one actually performs better?
Don’t listen to anyone who tells you one of these drugstore brands is better across the board than the other. It all comes down to what you really need in your oral care routine. Let's compare them across six specific categories.
Plaque and Tartar Control
The deeper you dig into oral hygiene, the more obvious it becomes - plaque is the root of all evil. So, any toothpaste you use should be clinically proven to remove it effectively. And ideally, prevent it from coming back too quickly.
Arm and Hammer claims 3x more plaque removal in hard-to-reach areas thanks to baking soda's natural cleaning action. Crest counters with stannous fluoride, which actively fights the bacteria behind it.
At the end of the day, both work. But most experts will say Crest's antibacterial approach gives it a slight edge for long-term plaque management.
However, both are still abrasive-based formulas - meaning your brush bristles are doing the heavy lifting. Neither breaks the bond between plaque and enamel the way activated edathamil can. That’s why LIVFRESH is still the best toothpaste for plaque removal.
Gum Support
Crest wins this one. Gum Detoxify is purpose-built for gum health, with an activated foam that neutralizes bacteria along the gum line for 24 hours. Arm and Hammer's PeroxiCare supports gum health but isn't nearly as targeted.
If gum issues are your primary concern, Crest has the stronger lineup in this Crest vs Arm and Hammer toothpaste comparison. But, neither brand makes the best toothpaste for receding gums - according to research, dental professionals, and real users alike. LIVFRESH does.
Whitening and Breath Freshening
Crest vs Arm and Hammer toothpaste is closer than you'd think when it comes to whitening.
Clinical research shows Arm and Hammer delivers better stain removal than Crest after two weeks of use. Baking soda gently lifts stains without being too abrasive. Crest 3D White is no slouch, but Arm and Hammer has the clinical edge here.
As for breath freshening, both do the job - but neither is specifically formulated for it beyond standard fluoride and flavoring. This is something you’ll actually rely more on your mouthwash for.
Cavity Prevention
Crest has more ADA-accepted cavity prevention formulas on the shelf, and that makes sense since stannous fluoride is a proven cavity fighter with multi-benefit properties - and this is the ingredient used across most Crest toothpastes.
Arm and Hammer also uses sodium fluoride across a wide range of formulas, but its toothpastes just don’t carry the same antibacterial punch. We don’t see the same number of ADA seals for this brand, though.
Taste and Enjoyment
This is subjective, but it matters - because if you don’t like your toothpaste, you may not brush as consistently (or for as long) as you need to. Crest is comfortable and familiar. It tastes and foams like most people expect from toothpaste: clean, minty, familiar
On the other hand, Arm and Hammer's baking soda toothpaste has a slightly salty, distinct flavor that some people love and others can't stand. Be prepared for a different experience if you've never tried baking soda toothpaste.
Cost and Availability
This aspect of comparing Crest vs Arm and Hammer toothpaste is more or less a wash. Both brands are widely available at any drugstore, grocery store, or online retailer. Pricing is comparable, though Arm and Hammer tends to run slightly cheaper on a per-tube basis.
This is an important piece of context in our Arm and Hammer toothpaste vs Crest toothpaste comparison, though. You get what you pay for with these cheap toothpastes: basic cleaning and surface-level results. LIVFRESH sits in a totally different class.
Is LIVFRESH Toothpaste a Better Option?
Don’t get us wrong - Crest and Arm and Hammer are both solid drugstore options. But they're still drugstore options with basic formulas that rely on abrasives and fluoride to get the job done. Nothing revolutionary here.
LIVFRESH gel toothpaste relies on patented activated edathamil. It’s the result of decades of research and development (and millions of dollars invested). This one-of-a-kind active ingredient doesn't scrub plaque off with abrasives. It dissolves the molecular bond between plaque and enamel, then creates a protective barrier that repels new buildup around the clock.
The thixotropic gel penetrates biofilm to reach areas that traditional paste simply can't. The results we claim are backed by 26 clinical studies and thousands of endorsements from dental professionals:
- Removes plaque 250% better than leading brands
- Reduces gum bleeding 190% better
- Results you can feel in as little as 4 weeks
LIVFRESH is also free from abrasives, SLS, parabens, triclosan, and gluten. It features 100% edible ingredients, so you can brush with peace of mind.
All of this is to say, it might be worth stepping outside the drugstore debate entirely if you've been going back and forth on Arm and Hammer toothpaste vs Crest. Try LIVFRESH and see the difference for yourself - you won’t regret it, or your money back!
“It’s nice to brush your teeth and have them feel like you just walked out of a dentist office. The stains are going away. The tartar and plaque are disappearing and my gums aren’t bleeding anymore. Amazing stuff I need to order more.” - Sandra
“It took a whole tube before I really saw results in terms of whiteness and healthier gums but it was a definite improvement, so I’m a convert!” - Laura
“My last few dentist appointments have been great. The hygienist didn’t have to scrape any plaque. My teeth feel like I just left the dentist after every brush! Love it!” - Lori
Closing Thoughts on Crest vs Arm and Hammer Toothpaste
As you can see, the Crest vs Arm and Hammer toothpaste debate comes down to priorities.
Crest offers a wider, more specialized lineup with stannous fluoride powering most of its formulas. Arm and Hammer keeps it simple with baking soda as the backbone. It’s less abrasive, better at whitening, and usually a bit cheaper.
Both are perfectly fine for everyday use. But you deserve more than “fine.” LIVFRESH delivers clinically proven plaque removal and gum health that drugstore brands can't match.
Our blog has more comparisons like Toms vs Hello toothpaste or fluoride vs fluoride-free toothpaste if you want to learn more. At the end of the day, though, your search for smarter oral health ends here at LIVFRESH. Order today to see and feel the difference firsthand!
