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Over time, the desire for bright, picture-perfect white teeth has only grown. While dentists offer whitening procedures, they can be expensive and often not worth the cost. Instead, many opt for a teeth whitening toothpaste – an easy and affordable way to brighten your smile.
That said, while a quality toothpaste marketed to whiten teeth can help you achieve a brighter smile, it is important to understand its limitations. Tooth whitening toothpaste has its benefits, but it can become counterproductive if overused. Focusing on overall dental health is key, as it can help prevent staining in the first place.
It is important to recognize that some discoloration of the teeth is completely normal, so it is essential to have realistic expectations about the appearance of your smile. If you are interested in brightening 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 remove surface stains from teeth using abrasives. While all toothpastes can be abrasive, too much scrubbing can damage yours enamela protective outer coating that protects your teeth. Dr. Sarah Tavares, dentist at Bentway Dental in Toronto, Canada, says that bleaching ingredients like silica and calcium carbonate can be especially harsh. Other abrasives, such as baking soda and carbonit can be more harmful.
Other whitening agents in some toothpastes or whitening strips contain chemical agents that whiten teeth, such as hydrogen peroxide. These may be “generally safer” for your teeth than more abrasive ingredients, but Tavares said, “they can also cause gum irritation or sensitivity if abused or used improperly.
“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 in general?
We have not chosen a single whitening toothpaste, because the ideal option depends on individual preferences and needs. Below, we have listed various types of whitening toothpastes based on the recommendations of dentists. However, if you have any questions, it is best to consult your dentist for personalized advice.
The best whitening toothpaste of 2025
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Colgate Optic White Pro Series The toothpaste is a whitening toothpaste that Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist in Houston, Texas, recommends. Some of their reasons to recommend it include their trusted brand name and their 5% hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent. Unlike other whitening agents that work to remove stains on the surface of the tooth, hydrogen peroxide can penetrate the tooth so whitens intrinsically and extrinsically.
According to Khan, a drawback of this toothpaste is that it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, which can cause irritation, such as canker sores. Other popular whitening toothpastes may also contain SLS, so it is important to look at the ingredients before buying a product if you are sensitive to it.
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Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste is recommended by Dr. Elizabeth Himel, owner of Aspen Dental. This toothpaste whitens through hydrated silica, a mild abrasive. Crest is also a well-known brand with many products (some of them marketed towards whitening), making this an affordable choice for many.
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Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening toothpaste was recommended by Khan, given its low level of abrasiveness compared to other products.
Sensodyne is a brand that many people with sensitive teeth may be familiar with. This particular whitening toothpaste is free of sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate many people’s mouths.
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Luminous whitening toothpaste is another toothpaste recommended by Khan and contains essential oils and more “natural” ingredients like coconut oil and dead sea salt, making this a more attractive choice 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 in terms of whitening as the other products on this list, but it was highlighted by Kahn because it’s a good fluoride-free option for those looking for one, and it uses nano-hydroxyapatite to remineralize the teethwhich can clear up as it works to help rebuild the enamel.
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The best whitening toothpaste compared
| Toothpaste | Superlative | Main whitening agent | Contains sodium lauryl sulfate | Contains fluoride | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate Optic White Pro Series | The best whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide | Hydrogen peroxide, 5% | Yes | Yes | $8 |
| Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste | The cheapest whitening toothpastes | Hydrated Silica | Yes | Yes | $4 |
| Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle whitening | The best whitening toothpastes for sensitive teeth | Hydrated Silica | No | Yes | $17 (3 pack) |
| Luminous whitening toothpaste | The best whitening toothpaste with essential oils | Hydrated Silica | No | Yes | $7 |
| Boka Ela Mint n-Ha toothpaste | The best natural whitening toothpaste | Hydrated Silica | No | No | $10 |
Khan says you should choose a whitening toothpaste that is relatively less abrasive and less likely to damage your enamel. One way to do this is to look for the value of the relative abrasiveness of the dentine (RDA), if the product or brand provides it.
The American Dental Association recommends using toothpaste that contains fluorideand most whitening toothpastes on the market contain. However, a new ingredient called hydroxyapatite was also found showed up to help with the health of the teeth working to “remineralize” the enamel, potentially also assisting with appearance. People should choose a toothpaste with 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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Not necessarily. Dr. Erin Fraundorf, founder of Orthodontics and whitening studio BOCAsaid 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 toothpastes, Fraundorf recommends seeing your dentist for in-office whitening, or choosing another home product like whitening strips from Opalescence.
“The toothpaste will not give you the results of instant whitening like whitening strips or whitening in the office because those contain a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, and the duration of the agent that is on your teeth is longer compared to toothpaste,” said Khan.
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It is important to keep in mind that some discoloration is normal and inevitable – the teeth may be white in color, but this does not mean that they have to be. white white. It’s also important to note that having white teeth doesn’t necessarily mean your oral health is in tip-top shape.
That said, there are several things you can do to minimize your teeth getting stained:
Keep on top of regular and professional cleaning. It is preferable twice a yearbut at least once a year, and maybe more often, because they can effectively and safely remove some surface stains. Also, make sure your regular oral care routine is solid, complete with regular flossing and a electric toothbrush.
Swish with water after drinking coffee or wine. Fraundorf recommends taking a splash of still water (not sparkling) between sips of coffee or wine, which are two major culprits of stained teeth. Drinking water often, and moving around the mouth, will also help with the acidity of some foods and drinks.
Chew sugarless gum. Another tip from Fraundrof, such as chewing sugar-free gum after meals has been shown to help reduce the likelihood of cavities.
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