Who doesn't like perfectly bright and white teeth? Unfortunately, keeping your teeth that way can be quite the task. It's natural for teeth to get a bit discolored over time. Of course, brushing your teeth regularly will help, but just having the best electric toothbrush won't be enough. Folks often opt for professional whitening treatments, but they're usually expensive and time-consuming. A good teeth-whitening toothpaste can help you get brighter teeth on a budget. Although the results aren't as dramatic, using one of these brightening toothpastes consistently can whiten your teeth. To find the best whitening toothpaste for your smile, we spoke with dentists about their recommendations. We've listed our top picks below, starting with our top pick, the Colgate Optic White Pro Series.
Our Picks
Do keep in mind, however, if you use it too much, it might do more harm than good. Your best bet will be keeping your teeth healthy overall, as that can help keep stains from happening in the first place.
Does whitening toothpaste work? Is it safe?
Most whitening toothpastes remove surface stains from teeth by using abrasives. While all toothpaste can be abrasive, too much scrubbing can harm your enamel, a protective outer coating that shields your teeth. Dr. Sarah Tavares, a dentist at Bentway Dental in Toronto, Canada, says whitening ingredients like silica and calcium carbonate can be especially rough. Other abrasives, such as baking soda and charcoal, can be more damaging.
Other whitening agents in some toothpastes or whitening strips contain chemical agents that bleach the 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 improperly.
"To reduce the risk of enamel damage, limit the frequency of whitening treatments to a week at a time with good intervals in between," she said.
What is the best whitening toothpaste overall?
We did not choose a single best whitening toothpaste because the ideal option depends on individual preferences and needs. Below, we have listed various types of whitening toothpaste based on dentist recommendations. However, if you have any questions, it's best to consult your dental provider for personalized advice.
Best whitening toothpaste of 2025
Pros
- Contains 5% hydrogen peroxide, which whitens intrinsically and extrinsically
Cons
- Formula may be too strong or cause irritation for some
Colgate Optic White Pro Series toothpaste is one whitening toothpaste that Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist in Houston, Texas, recommends. Some of her reasons for recommending it include its trusted brand name and its 5% hydrogen peroxide whitening agent. Unlike other whitening agents that work by removing stains on the surface of the tooth, hydrogen peroxide can get inside the tooth so it whitens intrinsically as well as extrinsically.
According to Khan, one downside to this toothpaste is that it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, which may cause irritation, such as canker sores. Other popular whitening toothpaste may also contain SLS, so it's important to look at the ingredients before you buy a product if you're sensitive to it.
Pros
- More affordable
Cons
- Contains SLS like many toothpastes
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 (quite a few of them marketed toward whitening), making this an approachable choice for many.
Pros
- May be better option for sensitive teeth
Cons
- More expensive than other products out there
Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening toothpaste was recommended by Khan, given its low level of abrasiveness compared to other products.
Sensodyne is a brand many people with sensitive teeth may be familiar with. This particular whitening toothpaste is free from sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate many people's mouths.
Pros
- Contains novel ingredients, like coconut oil and essential oils
Cons
- Doesn't contain fluoride or hydroxyapatite, so probably not ideal for regular use
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 this a more appealing choice for some. It whitens with hydrated silica, and has a more "medium" abrasiveness, according to Khan.
Pros
- Remineralizes with nano-hydroxyapatite
Cons
- Doesn't contain fluoride
This toothpaste isn't as heavily marketed toward whitening as 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 teeth, which may brighten them as it works to help rebuild enamel.
Best whitening toothpaste compared
| Toothpaste | Superlative | Main whitening agent | Contains sodium lauryl sulfate | Contains fluoride | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate Optic White Pro Series | Best whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide | Hydrogen peroxide, 5% | Yes | Yes | $8 |
| Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste | Most affordable whitening toothpaste | Hydrated silica | Yes | Yes | $4 |
| Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening | Best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth | Hydrated silica | No | Yes | $25 (4-pack) |
| 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 | $13 |
How we chose the best whitening toothpaste
We made these selections based on recommendations from two dentists. We also considered formula, brand reputation and the range of products available to suit different needs.
Factors to consider when choosing a whitening toothpaste
Khan says that you should pick a whitening toothpaste that's relatively less abrasive and less likely to damage your enamel. One way to do that is to look for the relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) value, if the product or brand provides it.
The American Dental Association recommends using toothpaste that contains fluoride, and most whitening toothpastes on the market will contain it. However, a newer ingredient called hydroxyapatite has also been shown to help with the health of teeth by working to "remineralize" the enamel, potentially assisting with appearance as well. People should choose a toothpaste with either fluoride or hydroxyapatite, Kahn said.
"It restores mineral density, and therefore makes teeth appear whiter and less translucent," Kahn said, referring to hydroxyapatite.
Best whitening toothpaste FAQ
Is whitening toothpaste better for your teeth than whitening strips?
Not necessarily. Dr. Erin Fraundorf, founder of BOCA Orthodontic and Whitening Studio, said that while teeth whitening with a toothpaste can be "effective in the short term," overuse can lead to sensitivity and damage over time. Instead of whitening toothpaste, Fraundorf recommends seeing your dentist for in-office whitening, or choosing another home product such as whitening strips from Opalescence.
"Toothpaste will not give you the instant whitening results as whitening strips or in-office whitening because those contain a higher concentration of the hydrogen peroxide, and duration of the agent being on your teeth is longer compared to toothpaste," Khan also said.
Can I prevent my teeth from getting yellow?
It's important to keep in mind a little discoloration is normal and inevitable -- teeth may be white-ish 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 taking on a tint:
Stay on top of regular, professional cleanings. That's preferably twice a year, but at least once a year, and maybe more often, as they may effectively and safely remove some surface stains. Also, make sure your regular oral care routine is solid, complete with regular flossing and an electric toothbrush.
Swish with water after drinking coffee or wine. Fraundorf recommends taking a swish of flat water (not sparkling) between sips of coffee or wine, which are two major culprits of staining teeth. Drinking water often, and moving it around your mouth, will also help with the acidity of certain foods and beverages.
Chew sugar-free gum. Another suggestion from Fraundrof, as chewing sugar-free gum after meals has been shown to help reduce the likelihood of cavities.
