As time goes by, the desire for perfect, sparkling white teeth increases. While dentists offer whitening procedures, they are expensive and often not worth it. Instead, many people opt for toothpastes that whiten their teeth—a simple and affordable way to make their smile brighter.
That said, while a good toothpaste for teeth whitening can help you achieve a brighter smile, it’s important to understand its limitations. Teeth-whitening toothpastes have their benefits, but they can be counterproductive if overused. Focusing on overall dental health is key, as it may help prevent staining in the first place.
It’s important to realize that some tooth discoloration is completely normal, so it’s important to have realistic expectations for your smile. If you’re interested in whitening your teeth, here are some key factors to consider when choosing the best whitening toothpaste.
Does whitening toothpaste work? Is it safe?
Most whitening toothpastes use abrasives to remove stains from the tooth surface. While all toothpastes can be abrasive, too much scrubbing can damage enamel, the protective outer layer that protects your teeth. Dr. Sarah Tavares, a dentist at Bentway Dental in Toronto, Canada, says whitening ingredients like silica and calcium carbonate can be particularly harsh. Other abrasives, such as baking soda and charcoal, can be more damaging.
Some toothpastes or other whitening agents in whitening strips contain chemicals that whiten teeth, such as hydrogen peroxide. These may be “safer” for teeth than more abrasive ingredients, but Tavares says, “They 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 once a week and keep them well spaced out,” she says.
What is the best whitening toothpaste overall?
We didn’t pick the best whitening toothpaste because the ideal choice depends on personal preference and needs. Below, we’ve listed the various types of whitening toothpastes based on dentist recommendations. However, if you are in any doubt, it is best to consult your dentist for personal advice.
The Best Whitening Toothpastes of 2025
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Colgate Optic White Pro series toothpaste is a whitening toothpaste recommended by Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist in Houston, Texas. Some of the reasons she recommends it include its trusted brand name and 5% hydrogen peroxide whitening agent. Unlike other whitening agents that work by removing stains from the surface of your teeth, hydrogen peroxide can work inside your teeth to whiten your teeth both internally and externally.
Khan said one drawback of this toothpaste is that it contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can cause irritation, such as mouth ulcers. Other popular whitening toothpastes may also contain SLS, so it’s important to check the ingredients before purchasing a product if you are sensitive to the product.
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Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening Toothpaste is recommended by Dr. Elizabeth Himel, owner of Aspen Dental. This toothpaste uses hydrated silica, a mild abrasive, to whiten your teeth. Crest is also a well-known brand with many products (many of which are whitening-themed), which makes it an approachable choice for many people.
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Khan recommends Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste because it’s less abrasive than other products.
Sensodyne is a brand that many people with sensitive teeth may be familiar with. This particular whitening toothpaste does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate many people’s mouths.
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Lumineux Whitening Toothpaste, another toothpaste recommended by Khan, contains essential oils and more “natural” ingredients like coconut oil and Dead Sea salt, making it a more attractive option for some people. Khan says it whitens through hydrated silica and is more “moderately” abrasive.
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This toothpaste doesn’t tout whitening as much as other products on this list, but Kahn highlights it because it’s a good fluoride-free option for those looking for a toothpaste and it uses nano Hydroxyapatite to remineralize teeth, which may affect tooth health.
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Best whitening toothpastes compared
| toothpaste | superlative | Main whitening agent | Contains sodium lauryl sulfate | Contains fluoride | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate Optical White Professional Series | The best hydrogen peroxide whitening toothpaste | Hydrogen peroxide, 5% | Yes | Yes | $8 |
| Crest Pro-Health Advanced Whitening Toothpaste | The most affordable whitening toothpaste | Hydrated silica | Yes | Yes | $4 |
| Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening | Best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth | Hydrated silica | No | Yes | $17 (3-pack) |
| Lumineux whitening toothpaste | The best essential oil whitening toothpaste | Hydrated silica | No | Yes | $7 |
| Boka Ela Mint n-Ha Toothpaste | The best natural whitening toothpaste | Hydrated silica | No | No | $10 |
We made these choices based on the advice of two dentists. We also considered formulations, brand reputation and product range to meet different needs.
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Khan says you should choose a whitening toothpaste that is relatively less abrasive and less likely to damage enamel. One way to do this is to look for a Relative Dentin Abrasion (RDA) value if the product or brand provides one.
The American Dental Association recommends using toothpaste that contains fluoride, and most whitening toothpastes on the market contain fluoride. However, a new ingredient called hydroxyapatite has also been shown to help tooth health by “remineralizing” enamel, and may also aid aesthetics. People should choose toothpaste that contains fluoride or hydroxyapatite, Kahn said.
“It restores mineral density so the teeth look whiter and more opaque,” Kahn said, referring to hydroxyapatite.
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not necessarily. Dr. Erin Fraundorf, founder of BOCA Straightening and Whitening Studio, said that while using toothpaste to whiten teeth “is effective in the short term,” overuse can lead to tooth sensitivity and damage over time. Instead of using whitening toothpaste, Fraundorf recommends visiting your dentist for in-office whitening or opting for another at-home product, such as Opalescent’s whitening strips.
“Toothpaste won’t give you instant whitening results like whitening strips or in-office whitening because they contain a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide and last longer on the teeth compared to toothpaste,” Khan added. .
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It’s important to remember that slight discoloration is normal and unavoidable – teeth may be white in color, but that doesn’t mean they have to be. white white. It’s also important to note that having white teeth doesn’t necessarily mean you have good oral health.
That being said, there are some things you can do to minimize tooth staining:
Maintain regular, professional cleaning. Twice a year is best, but at least once a year, and maybe more often, as they can effectively and safely remove some surface stains. Also, make sure you practice regular oral care, including regular flossing and electric toothbrushing.
Rinse your mouth with water after drinking coffee or alcohol. Fraundorfer recommends taking sips of still water (as opposed to sparkling water) between drinks of coffee or wine, two of the main causes of tooth staining. Drinking water regularly and keeping it in your mouth can also help regulate the acidity of certain foods and drinks.
Chew sugarless gum. Another tip from Frondrov is that chewing sugar-free gum after meals has been shown to help reduce the likelihood of cavities.
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