To provide an antibacterial toothpaste useful for treating plaque and gingivitis in humans.

This toothpaste for preventing plaque and gingivitis having sufficient storage stability, contains an orally acceptable dental excipient, fluoride ion source, dental polish, and antibacterial agent with acceptable taste for consumers, and comprises about 0.15-0.80% (in weight of the total toothpaste) thymol, about 0.15-1.00% methyl salicylate, about 0.25-0.80% eucalyptole, and about 0.15-0.60% menthol, whose amount is effective to reduce human plaque and gingivitis.