Over time, the desire for a perfect image, 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 paste – an easy and affordable way to beautify your smile.
That said, while quality toothpaste sold to whiten teeth can help you achieve a brighter smile, it's important to understand its limitations. Tooth whitening paste has its benefits, but it can become counterproductive if overdone. Focusing on overall dental health is key, as this can help prevent staining in the first place.
It is important to recognize that some tooth discoloration is completely normal, so it is essential to have realistic expectations for 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 pastes remove surface stains from teeth using abrasives. Although all toothpaste can be abrasive, too much scrubbing can be harmful emaila protective outer shell 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 coalit 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 still cause gum irritation or sensitivity if overdone or used improperly.
“To reduce the risk of enamel damage, limit the frequency of whitening treatments to one week with good intervals in between,” she said.
What is the best whitening paste overall?
We haven't picked any single best whitening paste 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.
The best whitening paste for 2025
Hide our expert opinion
Photo gallery 1/1
Colgate Optic White Pro Series toothpaste is one whitening toothpaste recommended by Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist in Houston, Texas. Some of her reasons for recommending it include its trusted brand name and its 5% hydrogen peroxide bleach. Unlike other whitening agents that work by removing stains from the surface of the tooth, hydrogen peroxide can get inside the tooth, so whitens internally as well as externally.
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 sores. Other popular whitening toothpastes may also contain SLS, so it is important to look at the ingredients before purchasing a product if you are sensitive to it.
Hide our expert opinion
Showcase our expert attitude
Photo gallery 1/1
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening Toothpaste recommends Dr. Elizabeth Himmel, owner of Aspen Dental. This toothpaste whitens through hydrated silica, a mild abrasive. Crest is also a well-known brand with many products (quite a few of them marketed for whitening), making it an affordable choice for many.
Showcase our expert attitude
Showcase our expert attitude
Photo gallery 1/1
Toothpaste for gentle whitening Sensodyne Pronamel was recommended by Kahn, given its low level of abrasiveness compared to other products.
Sensodyne is a brand that many people with sensitive teeth may know. This particular whitening toothpaste is free of sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate many people's mouths.
Showcase our expert attitude
Showcase our expert attitude
Photo gallery 1/1
Lumineux whitening paste 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 appealing choice for some. It whitens with hydrated silica and has a more “medium” abrasiveness, according to Kahn.
Showcase our expert attitude
Showcase our expert attitude
Photo gallery 1/1
This toothpaste isn't as widely marketed for whitening as the other products on this list, but it was singled out by Khan because it's a good fluoride-free option for those looking for it, and it uses nano-hydroxyapatite to remineralize your teethwhich can lighten them as it works to help rebuild enamel.
Showcase our expert attitude
Compared to the best whitening paste
| Toothpaste | Superlative | Main whitening agent | Contains sodium lauryl sulfate | Contains fluorine | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate Optic White Pro Series | Best hydrogen peroxide whitening paste | Hydrogen peroxide, 5% | Yes | Yes | 8 dollars |
| Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening Toothpaste | The most affordable whitening paste | Hydrated silica | Yes | Yes | 4 dollars |
| Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening | Best whitening paste for sensitive teeth | Hydrated silica | no | Yes | $17 (3-pack) |
| Lumineux Whitening toothpaste | The best whitening paste with essential oils | Hydrated silica | no | Yes | 7 dollars |
| Boka Ela Mint n-Ha toothpaste | The best natural whitening paste | Hydrated silica | no | no | 10 dollars |
Khan says you should choose a whitening paste 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 using toothpaste that contains fluorideand most whitening pastes on the market will contain it. However, a newer ingredient called hydroxyapatite has also been it has shown to help with dental health by working to “remineralize” the enamel, potentially helping with appearance. People should choose a toothpaste with either fluoride or hydroxyapatite, Khan said.
“It restores mineral density, so the teeth look whiter and less translucent,” Kahn said, referring to hydroxyapatite.
Show more
You don't have to. Dr. Erin Fraundorf, founder of BOCA Orthodontics 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 visiting your dentist for in-office whitening or choosing another at-home product such as whitening strips from Opalescence.
“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 the duration of the agent on your teeth is longer compared to toothpaste,” Khan said.
Show more
It's important to keep in mind that slight discoloration is normal and inevitable — 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 your oral health is in tip-top shape.
That being said, there are some things you can do to minimize your teeth getting stained:
Stay on top of regular, professional cleanings. 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 brushing. electric toothbrush.
Sprinkle with water after drinking coffee or wine. Fraundorff recommends drinking some still water (not sparkling) between sips of coffee or wine, which are two main culprits for staining teeth. Drinking water frequently and moving it around your mouth will also help with 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 likelihood of tooth decay.
Show more