You know what a nightmare is—having to choose between your morning coffee and white teeth. Luckily, you’ll never have to make that decision when you have whitening toothpaste in your medicine cabinet.
Like whitening strips you may have used before, teeth whitening toothpaste is an inexpensive way to remove stains from everyday activities, like eating (hopefully soon), to achieve pearly whites, unless prohibiting daily use would be a hassle.
“Teeth whitening toothpaste is great for people with yellow teeth and mild discoloration from foods like coffee, tea, or wine,” says Shokofeh Tabaraie, DDS, PLLC, of Lakeside Dental Center.
To find the best teeth whitening toothpaste, we spoke to three dentists at Women’s Health magazine and two editors at Life-Brushing to find out about toothpaste efficacy, strength, and taste. So if you’re ready to have whiter teeth, grab your electric toothbrush and install the following dentist-recommended options.
Read on to learn about the best teeth-whitening toothpastes from brands like Colgate, Crest, and Opalescent, according to dentists and Women’s Health editors.
1. Colgate Optic White Pro Series Whitening Toothpaste: When it comes to teeth whitening, Colgate is the leader, says Bill Busch, DMD, MAGD, dentist for the Kansas City Chiefs and founder of TeamSmile.
“As someone who drinks one or two cups of coffee a day and the occasional red wine,” Busch says. “I battled tough stains on my teeth, and this toothpaste has been a game-changer. Most of my patients feel the same way.”
The toothpaste also has a pure mint flavor that can be easily incorporated into your brushing routine, he adds.
Rave reviews: “I’m a coffee drinker and have tried a lot of teeth-whitening toothpastes, and this is the first one that really works. My teeth aren’t blindingly white like movie stars, but they’re bright enough that I’ve noticed a difference.” ”
2. Crest 3D White Brilliance Paste: When it comes to teeth whitening toothpaste, Crest is another well-known brand, says Fatima Khan, co-founder of Riven Oral Care and dentist.
3D White Brilliance Paste contains fluoride to fight cavities and hydrogen peroxide to whiten. Not only does it brighten, it also leaves a long-lasting, 24-hour stain-proof protective film.
Enthusiastic review: “This toothpaste leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh. It really whitens teeth. It takes about a week to see a difference, but you can really see it getting better with each use. I wouldn’t have done it in the future if it hadn’t been for this article.”
3. Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste If you’re looking for an option that’s gentle on your gums and teeth, Pronamel Whitening Toothpaste is a good choice, says Dr. Khan. It has an RDA of 37, which means it has minimal abrasion or significantly less abrasion than some of the other options on this list. The formula is designed to re-harden tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Enthusiastic review: “This brand of toothpaste has a pleasant taste and aroma, and seems to help desensitize teeth that are somewhat sensitive to pressure.”
4. Lumineux Teeth Whitening Toothpaste Lumineux Whitening Toothpaste uses a powerful blend of essential oils to remove stains instead of using chemicals like peroxide. Although she Khan points out that the toothpaste is also a good choice for people with sensitive teeth. It does not contain fluoride or hydroxyapatite, so it is not suitable for tooth remineralization (minerals return to teeth to strengthen enamel). Still, there are more than 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, and people say it works well for whitening. Enthusiastic review: “I was skeptical at first because nothing can help my teeth! But after just a few washes, you can see a noticeable difference! This is more on the natural side of toothpaste.”
5. Dr. Brite Mint Natural Whitening Toothpaste If you are looking for a more natural option, Dr. Brite Mint Natural Whitening Toothpaste is a more natural choice. “This toothpaste is free of harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and artificial flavors,” Busch says. However, it may not be as effective as other whitening toothpaste formulas. “Stain-removing properties (like activated charcoal and baking soda) can help reduce surface stains but won’t completely remove them,” Busch says. Enthusiastic review: “This product tastes really good, and I find that regular use does a great job. I also appreciate the clean ingredients. This toothpaste actually causes mild tooth sensitivity. My dentist reports that whitening toothpastes are more effective than non-whitening toothpastes. Abrasive. So if I had to choose between a whitening toothpaste with clean ingredients and a regular toothpaste, I’d go with Dr. How Our Team Chose the Best Whitening Toothpastes Over the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including Business Editor Jasmin Gomez, have been testing the best-selling and highest-rated whitening toothpastes. Our team sought the opinions of several experts (including three dentists), then looked through thousands of customer reviews and ratings to find the best teeth whitening toothpaste for every need and preference. What should I look for in the best teeth whitening toothpaste? First, make sure it has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. “When choosing a teeth whitening toothpaste, look for one with the ADA seal, as it has been tested for safety and effectiveness,” Khan says. ” Tabarai says you can also ask your dentist if you need advice. What supplies do they have in their practice? Next, you should look for ingredients like fluoride and hydroxyapatite. “Hydroxyapatite is another ingredient that helps remineralize teeth and remove external stains,” Khan says. “It restores mineral density and makes teeth appear whiter and more opaque.” Fluoride can help prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel. However, these ingredients also have downsides, Khan says. “These ingredients can wear away tooth enamel, which can lead to sensitivity and, due to their abrasive nature, affect overall aesthetics,” Khan says. When you lose enamel, your teeth appear more yellow. To combat this, choose a toothpaste that is less abrasive or has a lower concentration of ingredients like peroxide.
