Over time, the desire for perfect, white teeth has only grown. Although dentists offer whitening procedures, they can be expensive and are often not worth it. Instead, many opt for teeth whitening toothpaste – a simple and affordable way to brighten your smile.
That said, even if a quality toothpaste marketed for teeth whitening can help you achieve a brighter smile, it is important to understand its limitations. Teeth whitening toothpaste has its benefits but can become counterproductive if used too much. Focusing on overall dental health is essential because it can help prevent stains in the first place.
It is important to recognize that some tooth discoloration is completely normal. It is therefore essential to have realistic expectations about the appearance of your smile. If you want to whiten your teeth, here are some key factors to consider when choosing the best whitening toothpaste.
Is whitening toothpaste effective? Is it safe?
Most whitening toothpastes remove surface stains from teeth using abrasives. Although all toothpastes can be abrasive, rubbing too much can harm your skin. e-maila protective outer covering that protects your teeth. Dr Sarah Tavares, 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 charcoalcan be more damaging.
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 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,” she said.
What is the best whitening toothpaste in general?
We haven’t chosen just one whitening toothpaste because the ideal option depends on individual preferences and needs. Below we have listed different types of whitening toothpaste based on dentist recommendations. However, if you have any questions, it is best to consult your dentist for personalized advice.
Best whitening toothpaste of 2025
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Colgate Optical White Pro Series The 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 and 5% hydrogen peroxide whitening agent. Unlike other whitening agents that remove stains from the surface of the tooth, hydrogen peroxide can penetrate inside the tooth. whitens intrinsically and extrinsically.
According to Khan, one of the downsides 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. It is therefore important to examine the ingredients before purchasing a product if you are sensitive to them.
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Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening Toothpaste is recommended by Dr. Elizabeth Himel, owner of Aspen Dental. This toothpaste whitens using hydrated silica, a mild abrasive. Crest is also a well-known brand with many products (many of them marketed for the purpose of whitening), making it an accessible choice for many.
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Sensodyne Pro-Enamel 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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Lumineux whitening toothpaste is another toothpaste recommended by Khan and contains essential oils and more “natural” ingredients like coconut oil and dead sea salt, making it a more appealing choice for some. It whitens with hydrated silica and has more “medium” abrasiveness, according to Khan.
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This toothpaste isn’t as heavily marketed for 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 for remineralize teethwhich can lighten them as it helps rebuild the enamel.
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Comparison of the best whitening toothpastes
| Toothpaste | Superlative | Main bleaching agent | Contains sodium lauryl sulfate | Contains fluoride | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate Optical White Pro Series | Best whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide | Hydrogen peroxide, 5% | Yes | Yes | $8 |
| Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening Toothpaste | The most affordable whitening toothpaste | Hydrated silica | Yes | Yes | $4 |
| Sensodyne Pro-Enamel Gentle Whitening | Best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth | Hydrated silica | No | Yes | $17 (pack of 3) |
| Lumineux whitening toothpaste | Best whitening toothpaste with essential oils | Hydrated silica | No | Yes | $7 |
| Boka Ela Mint n-Ha Toothpaste | 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 relative dentin abrasiveness (RDA) value, if the product or brand provides it.
The American Dental Association recommends use toothpaste containing fluorideand most whitening toothpastes on the market contain it. However, a newer ingredient called hydroxyapatite has also been shown to help with tooth health by working to “remineralize” the enamel, potentially helping with appearance. People should choose toothpaste that contains fluoride or hydroxyapatite, Kahn said.
“It restores mineral density and therefore makes teeth whiter and less translucent,” Kahn said, referring to hydroxyapatite.
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Not necessarily. Dr. Erin Fraundorf, founder of BOCA orthodontics and whitening studiosaid that while teeth whitening with toothpaste can be “effective in the short term,” overuse can lead to sensitivity and damage over time. Instead of whitening toothpaste, Fraundorf recommends visiting your dentist for in-office whitening or choosing another homemade product such as whitening strips. Opalescence.
“Toothpaste will not give you the instant whitening results of whitening strips or in-office whitening because these contain a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the duration of the agent on your teeth is longer than that of toothpaste,” Khan also said.
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It’s important to keep in mind that some slight discoloration is normal and unavoidable: teeth may be whitish 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 your oral health is in tip-top shape.
That being said, there are steps you can take to minimize the shade of your teeth:
Stay on top of regular, professional cleanings. It is preferably twice a yearbut at least once a year, and perhaps more often, as they can safely and effectively remove some surface stains. Also make sure your usual oral care routine is solid, with regular flossing and a electric toothbrush.
Rinse with water after drinking coffee or wine. Fraundorf recommends drinking a little still (non-carbonated) water between sips of coffee or wine, which are two of the main culprits for tooth stains. Drinking water often and swishing it around your mouth will also help reduce the acidity of certain foods and drinks.
Chew sugar-free gum. Another suggestion from Fraundrof, as chewing sugar-free gum after meals has been shown to help reduce the risk of cavities.
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