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Wear a brighter smile by removing stubborn surface stains with the best whitening toothpastes.
ByDanielle Zoellner
andSarah Bradley
Updated on March 05, 2024
Medically reviewed byBrian T. Luong, DMD
Fact checked byMarley Hall
Using whitening toothpaste is a simple way to get more out of brushing your teeth twice daily. It contains chemical and abrasive ingredients to remove stains caused by coffee, tea, red wine, and even smoking. While the results won't be as dramatic as a professional treatment, whitening toothpaste can make a big difference in brightening your smile. To determine the best whitening toothpaste, we consulted dentists and tested 15 products from the leading oral care brands at home. According to the VITA Guide, we evaluated each toothpaste based on its effectiveness, comfort, taste, and value.An orthodontist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy surrounding dental hygiene and the safety and efficacy of the ingredients in whitening toothpaste. Here are some common ingredients to look for in a whitening toothpaste: It's best to avoid toothpastes that contain charcoal, which can be too abrasive, says Dr. Morgano. Our Top Picks Best for Sensitive Teeth: Crest Gum and Sensitivity Gentle Whitening Toothpaste at Amazon ($19) Best for Protecting Enamel: Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda & Peroxide Toothpaste at Amazon ($7) Best for Preventing Cavities: Moon Anticavity Whitening Toothpaste with Fluoride at Amazon ($9) Best for Quick Results: Laser Glow Purple Toothpaste Color Corrector at Amazon ($18) Best With Fluoride: Crest 3D White Brilliance Luminous Purple Toothpaste at Amazon ($21) In This Article Ingredients to Look For and Avoid Our Picks How We Tested What to Look For Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 4.9/5 Pros Pleasant mint flavor No artificial flavors or sweeteners Cruelty free Cons Unpleasant aftertaste Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, hydrated silica | Size: 4.7 ounces | Flavor: Mint Burt's Bees Deep Clean Whitening With Fluoride Toothpaste was our top-performing pick for its effectiveness and comfort. This toothpaste uses silica rather than chemical whitening agents, and we noted significant whitening even after a single use. As a bonus, we didn't notice any sensitivity while using this product. It also has a pleasant, minty taste. We loved the fresh flavor over the baking soda-like taste other natural toothpastes tend to have. Like other Burt's Bees products, the toothpaste isn't tested on animals and is free from artificial flavors, sweeteners, and dyes. This toothpaste has a slight aftertaste that may be unpleasant for some people, though it didn't bother us. Our Ratings Effectiveness 3.8/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 5/5 Pros Relieves sensitivity Mild mint flavor Cleans hard-to-reach spots well Cons Whitens slower than other picks Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, hydrated silica | Size: 4.1 ounces | Flavor: Mint Sometimes, whitening toothpaste can worsen tooth sensitivity, making eating or drinking food uncomfortable. Luckily, Crest Gum & Sensitivity Gentle Whitening Toothpaste brightened our smile comfortably with no increased sensitivity during testing. When we used this pick, it didn't irritate our gums or make our mouth feel dry like other options did. The light mint taste wasn't too strong, either. We noticed the foam was finer than we're used to but liked that it cleaned hard-to-reach places better. The toothpaste may not whiten as fast as others on our list, but it's worth it if you need to protect your teeth from sensitivity and pain. Pros 24-hour stain protection Peppermint flavor Works quickly Cons Subtler results Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, Silica| Size: 3.9 ounces | Flavor: Peppermint Crest 3D White Brilliance Toothpaste in vibrant peppermint had the best flavor. This whitening pick tasted great and wasn't too bitter or strong compared to other options. Not only did it perform well for flavor, but it was also very comfortable due to its smooth and gentle feeling. It contains sodium fluoride, which can strengthen the enamel and prevent cavities. It also contains silica and mica, which can remove stains in as little as five days. When used twice daily, the manufacturer claims it offers 24-hour stain prevention. The difference in tooth color wasn't as significant as other products on our list. Our Ratings Effectiveness 3.8/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 5/5 Pros Has both chemical and abrasive whiteners Provides deep clean feeling Gentle Cons Bubbling may be too intense for some Key Ingredients: Baking soda, peroxide, silica, fluoride | Size: 6 ounces| Flavor: Mint Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste combines chemical and abrasive whitening agents—namely, hydrogen peroxideandhydrated silica. It also has fluoride to help protect teeth from cavities. This unique formula releases oxygen bubbles as you brush for a fresh, clean feeling. The mint flavor was mild and pleasant when we used it, and the baking soda didn't create a harsh taste. We also appreciated the toothpaste's smooth texture and how gentle it was on our sensitive gums. While we enjoyed it, the bubbling sensation may be a little intense for some people. Also, it whitens slower than other products, but regular use does result in a definite difference in teeth color. Our Ratings Effectiveness 3.8/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 5/5 Pros Mild flavor Easy-to-use flip-top cap Brighter results in three days Cons Small tube Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, hydrated silica | Size: 3 ounces | Flavor: Mint Crest 3D White Professional Enamel Protect Toothpaste is our favorite whitening pick from the trusted brand. It has a gentle feeling and a mild mint flavor that isn't overpowering. This toothpaste features hydrated silica to remove stains and sodium fluoride to prevent cavities and strengthen enamel. The toothpaste promises to reduce surface stains in as little as three days. After testing, we're happy to say it fulfilled that promise. We noticed our teeth were immediately whiter after brushing, so it's a great choice for last-minute brightening before an event or photo shoot. The toothpaste has a mild, gritty feeling. It also only comes in 3-ounce tubes, which means less product. However, on the bright side, it's travel-friendly. Our Ratings Effectiveness 3.6/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 5/5 Pros Free of sulfates, dyes, and preservatives Vegan Cruelty-free Cons Subtler results Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, hydrated silica | Size: 4.7 ounces | Flavor: Mint Tom's of Maine Simply White Toothpaste is our top natural choice. The formula is peroxide-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. It's packed with silica to whiten teeth instead of relying on chemical whiteners.It also contains sodium fluoride to prevent cavities and strengthen enamel. The fresh mint flavor is not overpowering, and there was no aftertaste during testing. In fact, the taste didn't linger at all. It did a great job minimizing staining while being a healthy, natural alternative to other options. This may not be your pick if you're looking for drastic results. Compared to other toothpastes we tried, this one's whitening effect was more subtle. Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.5/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 2/5 Pros Strengthens enamel Gentle Mild mint flavor Cons Strong baking soda flavor Grainy texture Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, baking soda, silica | Size: 4.3 ounces | Flavor: Mint Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda & Peroxide Toothpaste protects the enamel while whitening teeth. The formula uses sodium fluoride and baking soda to strengthen the enamel gently. Paired with the chemical whitening agent carbonate peroxide and silica as a second abrasive whitener, it has an effective and powerful ingredient list for a brighter, whiter smile. This pick does its job well, especially with prolonged use. One of our editors has been using this pick for three years and loves how bright and white her smile is after struggling with coffee-stained teeth. We found the texture a bit grainy and thought the taste was slightly bitter at first, but we got used to it after continued use. Our Ratings Effectiveness 3.5/5 Comfort 5/5 Taste 4/5 Pros Vegan Cruelty-free ADA approved Cons Difficult to squeeze out of the tube Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, silica | Size: 4.2 ounces | Flavor: Mint Moon Anticavity Whitening Toothpaste With Fluoride is formulated to remove plaque buildup and bacteria while whitening teeth. Despite its multi-tasking ingredient list: antioxidants, essential oils, silica and sodium fluoride, we experienced no sensitivity when using this toothpaste and found the texture pleasant. Lastly, the toothpaste is ADA-approved for cavity prevention, vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. We struggled to squeeze this product out of the tube, so it may not be for you if you struggle with hand dexterity or grip. We also didn't find the flavor as fresh-feeling as other toothpastes. Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Comfort 4.8/5 Effectiveness 4.5/5 Convenience 5/5 Value 5/5 Pros Immediate results Fresh, minty flavor Easy clean-up Cons Adds an extra step to your brushing routine Key Ingredients: Cellulose, glycerin, silica | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Flavor: Mint We love Laser Glow Purple Toothpaste Color Corrector for an instantly brighter smile. Like other purple whitening toothpastes, it creates a temporary illusion of whiter teeth. It's not a long-term solution, but it works for short-term purposes or spot treating. You use this whitening pick after your regular toothpaste. At the end of testing, our smiles looked brighter. It also made our teeth feel smoother and cleaner than ever before. At first, we worried that the bright color would stain the sink, but we were pleasantly surprised at how easily it cleaned up. We didn't experience tooth sensitivity and also enjoyed the refreshing mint flavor. This isn't meant to replace your toothpaste. Using it will add an extra step to your daily routine. Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Comfort 3/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Pros Brightens teeth immediately Easy clean-up Contains fluoride Cons Unpleasant flavor Gritty texture Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride | Size: 4.6 ounces | Flavor: Luminous purple (mint) or unflavored Crest 3D White Brilliance Luminous Purple Toothpaste combines the whitening effects of purple toothpaste with the health benefits of sodium fluoride. Unlike many other kinds of purple toothpaste, it can be used as a standalone toothpaste to prevent cavities and whiten teeth. We were amazed at the effectiveness of this toothpaste, and the affordable price is another plus since many purple toothpastes can be costly. We highly recommend this toothpaste if you're looking for a quick brightening product before photo shoots or other events that would benefit from a whiter smile. We found this toothpaste's intense taste and goopy, thick texture unpleasant. It works, but it's not enjoyable to use. When determining the best products to test, we reviewed dozens of toothpastes from the top oral care brands. After researching, we tested 15 and selected 10 whitening toothpastes for home testing. We evaluated them based on the following criteria: We used expert input at every step of reporting and writing this story. Here are some of the experts we consulted: Do you need to use whitening toothpaste to start seeing results? Whitening toothpaste takes time to work. Dr. Morgano recommends waiting two to six weeks to see the effects. To maximize results, brush for two minutes, and consider using an electric toothbrush with a timer if you struggle to brush for the recommended time. If a whitening toothpaste has hydrogen peroxide, Dr. Hewlett says it needs to remain on teeth longer than other ingredients to see results. Can whitening toothpaste damage enamel? Dr. Hewlett says over-the-counter whitening toothpaste will not damage enamel and is safe for daily use. Does whitening toothpaste work on crowns/veneers? Whitening toothpaste removes superficial stains on ceramic crowns and veneers, says Dr. Morgano, adding that you should do your best to avoid bleaching gels. As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed various experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life. Verywell Health staff writer Brittany Johnson has "tried every whitening toothpaste imaginable." She loves her experience with the Arm & Hammer brand. She highly recommends Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda & Peroxide Toothpaste. It drastically improved her coffee-stained teeth while keeping her mouth fresh all day. She's happy she can help readers find their perfect toothpaste for a whiter, brighter smile.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vwh-whitening-toothpaste-test-colgate-optic-cecily-mcandrews-01-a04f67b2c4e34854956261d0b8f49178.jpg "These 10 Editor-Tested, Dentist-Approved Whitening Toothpastes Actually Work (1)")
Ingredients to Look For and Avoid
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Best for Sensitive Teeth
Crest Gum and Sensitivity Gentle Whitening Toothpaste
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Best Natural
Tom's of Maine Simply White Toothpaste Gel
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Best for Protecting Enamel
Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda & Peroxide Toothpaste
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Best for Preventing Cavities
Moon Anticavity Whitening Toothpaste with Fluoride
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Best for Quick Results
Laser Glow Purple Toothpaste Color Corrector
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Best With Fluoride
Crest 3D White Brilliance Luminous Purple Toothpaste
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How We Tested
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Our Experts
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Trust Verywell Health
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