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Over time, the desire for picture-perfect, sparkling white teeth only grew. While dentists offer whitening procedures, they can be expensive and often not worth the cost. Instead, many opt for teeth whitening toothpaste — an easy and affordable way to brighten your smile.
As such, while a quality toothpaste sold for teeth whitening can help you achieve a brighter smile, it’s important to understand its limitations. Tooth whitening toothpaste has benefits but can be counterproductive if overused. Focusing on overall dental health is important, as this will help prevent staining in the first place.
It’s important to recognize that some tooth discoloration is normal, so it’s important to have realistic expectations about the appearance of your smile. If you are interested in brightening your teeth, here are some important factors to consider when choosing the best whitening toothpaste.
Can toothpaste whiten? Is it safe?
Most whitening toothpastes remove stains from the surface of the teeth by using abrasives. While all toothpastes can be abrasive, too much scrubbing can harm you enamela protective outer coating that protects your teeth. Sarah Tavares, a dentist at Bentway Dental of Toronto, Canada, says that bleaching ingredients like silica and calcium carbonate can be too harsh. Some abrasives, such as baking soda and coalcan be more harmful.
Some whitening agents in some toothpastes or whitening strips contain chemical agents that whiten teeth, such as hydrogen peroxide. It can be “generally safer” for your teeth than more abrasive ingredients, but Tavares said, “it can still cause gum irritation or sensitivity if overused or used incorrectly.
“To reduce the risk of enamel damage, limit the frequency of whitening treatments to one week at a time with good intervals in between,” he said.
What is the best whitening toothpaste overall?
We have not chosen one best whitening toothpaste because the ideal choice depends on individual preferences and needs. Below, we have listed the different types of whitening toothpaste based on dentist recommendations. However, if you have any questions, it is best to consult your dental provider for personal advice.
Best whitening toothpaste in 2025
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Colgate Optic White Pro Series The toothpaste is a whitening toothpaste recommended by Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist in Houston, Texas. Some of his reasons for recommending it include its trusted brand name and its 5% hydrogen peroxide whitening agent. Unlike other whitening agents that work by removing stains from the surface of the tooth, hydrogen peroxide penetrates the tooth so that it whitens the inside as well as the outside.
According to Khan, one disadvantage of this toothpaste is that it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, which can cause irritation, such as sores. Some popular whitening toothpastes may also contain SLS, so it’s important to look at the ingredients before you buy a product if you’re sensitive to it.
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Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste recommended by Dr. Elizabeth Himel, owner of Aspen Dental. This toothpaste whitens with hydrated silica, a mild abrasive. Crest is also a well-known brand with many products (some of them marketed as whitening), making it an easy choice for many.
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Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening toothpaste recommended by Khan, due to the low level of abrasiveness compared to other products.
Sensodyne is a brand that many people with sensitive teeth will be familiar with. This particular whitening toothpaste does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which irritates many people’s mouths.
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Lumineux whitening toothpaste is another toothpaste recommended by Khan and contains essential oils and more “natural” ingredients like coconut oil and sea salt, making it a more attractive option for some. It whitens with hydrated silica, and has a more “medium” abrasiveness, according to Khan.
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This toothpaste isn’t marketed as heavily on whitening as other products on this list, but Kahn recommends it because it’s a great fluoride-free option for those looking for one, and it uses nano-hydroxyapatite. remineralize the teethwhich may brighten them as it works to help rebuild the enamel.
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Best whitening toothpaste compared
| toothpaste | Superlative | Primary whitening agent | Contains sodium lauryl sulfate | Contains fluoride | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate Optic White Pro Series | Best whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide | Hydrogen peroxide, 5% | yea | yea | $8 |
| Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste | Cheapest whitening toothpaste | Hydrated silica | yea | yea | $4 |
| Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening | Best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth | Hydrated silica | not | yea | $17 (3 packs) |
| Lumineux Whitening toothpaste | Best whitening toothpaste with essential oils | Hydrated silica | not | yea | $7 |
| Boka Ela Mint n-Ha toothpaste | Best natural whitening toothpaste | Hydrated Silica | not | not | $10 |
Khan says you should choose a whitening toothpaste that is a little less abrasive and less damaging to your enamel. One way to do that is to find the relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) value, if the product or brand provides it.
Recommended by the American Dental Association using toothpaste with fluorideand most whitening toothpastes on the market contain it. However, a new substance called hydroxyapatite also shown to help with dental health by working to “remineralize” the enamel, which may also help with appearance. People should choose toothpaste that contains fluoride or hydroxyapatite, Kahn said.
“It restores mineral density, and therefore makes the teeth appear whiter and less translucent,” Kahn said, referring to hydroxyapatite.
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It’s not necessary. dr. Erin Fraundorf, founder of BOCA Orthodontic and Whitening Studiosaid that while whitening teeth with toothpaste can be “effective in the short term,” overuse can lead to sensitivity and damage over time. Instead of whitening toothpaste, Fraundorf recommends seeing your dentist for in-office whitening, or choosing another at-home product like whitening strips from Opalescence.
“Toothpaste will not give you the instant whitening results like whitening strips or in-office whitening because it has a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, and the duration of the agent on your teeth is longer compared to toothpaste, ” Khan also said.
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It’s important to remember that slight discoloration is normal and inevitable — teeth may be white-ish in color, but that doesn’t mean they have to be. white white. It is also important to note that having white teeth does not mean that your oral health is in tip-top shape.
That said, there are a few things you can do to minimize getting a tint on your teeth:
Stay on top of regular, professional cleaning. That’s better twice a yearbut at least once a year, and maybe more often, because it can effectively and safely remove some facial blemishes. Also, make sure your regular oral care routine is solid, complete with regular flossing and an electric toothbrush.
Wash with water after drinking coffee or wine. Fraundorf recommends taking a swish of plain water (not sparkling) between sips of coffee or wine, which are two major causes of tooth staining. Drinking water regularly, and moving it around in your mouth, also helps with the acidity of certain foods and drinks.
Chew sugar-free gum. Another suggestion comes from Fraundrof, because chewing sugar-free gum after eating has been shown to help reduce the possibility of cavities.
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