Person brushing their teeth while looking in the mirror.

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Whitening toothpastes can lighten stains. Whitening toothpastes can help improve your smile and boost your confidence, even though they are not as effective as other options.

Not every toothpaste on the market is a good one. The ones on this list are from trusted manufacturers. They contain ingredients that have been proven to whiten teeth.

White teeth are only one part of oral health. We only included products that fight cavities and improve tooth color.

We looked at cost and reviews to see if there were any side effects.

Price Guide

Multipacks are sold on some of the toothpastes. The quantity provided was indicated as follows:

  • $ = under $10
  • $$ = $10-$20
  • $$$ = over $20

Best overall

Colgate Optic White Whitening Toothpaste

  • Price: $$
  • Active whitening agent: hydrogen peroxide

Colgate Optic White Whitening Toothpaste has the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This provides you with confidence that the product is safe to use and lives up to its claims.

Colgate Optic White removes two types of stains from teeth. There are stains on the outside of teeth. Intrinsic stains can be seen on the outside.

The gold standard for stain removal is 2 percent hydrogen peroxide. It contains fluoride.

Pros

  • The stain is removed.
  • It is safe for tooth enamel.
  • Whitens teeth by three shades or more.
  • vegan formula

Cons

  • It may be too harsh for people with sensitive teeth.
  • Coffee stains may not be provided enough whitening.
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Best for people who smoke cigarettes

Colgate Optic White Renewal Teeth-Whitening Toothpaste

  • Price: $$
  • Active whitening agent: hydrogen peroxide

This next-generation whitening toothpaste contains more hydrogen peroxide than other Colgate Optic White toothpastes. This makes it a more effective teeth-whitener for people with tough tooth stains, such as those caused by cigarettes, red wine, tea, and coffee. It also works on both extrinsic and intrinsic stains.

The amount of hydrogen peroxide in this product may make it hard for some people to use. Users report burning sensations in their gums when using for extended periods.

If you buy in bulk, you should check the label for the 7 month expiration date on this toothpaste.

Pros

  • Smoking causes tough stains.
  • vegan formula
  • The mint taste is refreshing.

Cons

  • It It may be too strong for sensitive teeth..
  • It may cause a burning sensation.
  • The shelf life is short.
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Best with natural ingredients

Tom’s of Maine Simply White Natural Toothpaste

  • Price: $$$
  • Active whitening agent: silica

If you want to avoid artificial sweeteners, colors, orPreservative, this Whitening Toothpaste may be right for you.

“Tom’s of Main Simply White Natural Toothpaste has a whiteening power. This product is effective for removing tooth stains, but it won’t lighten the appearance of tooth stains.”

It is an effective breath-freshener and contains fluoride.

Two formulations are available: cream or gel. Both carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Pros

  • No artificial colors or sweeteners.
  • It is available as a cream or gel.
  • fights tooth decay
  • Breath is refreshed.

Cons

  • Tough stains will not be removed.
  • “Doesn’t lighten stains.”
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Best for sensitive teeth

Sensodyne ProNamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste

  • Price: $$
  • Active whitening agent: silica

This toothpaste is made to be gentle on sensitive teeth. The active ingredients in Sensodyne ProNamel Toothpaste are potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride. It has a substance for gentle whitening.

This product is designed to strengthen and protect tooth enamel. It protects against tooth decay.

Pros

  • strengthens tooth enamel.
  • Whitening for sensitive teeth.
  • The teeth are protected from acids.

Cons

  • Does not remove stains from your skin.
  • Not strong enough for tough stains.
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Best for braces

Arm & Hammer Advanced White Extreme Whitening Toothpaste

  • Price: $
  • Active whitening agent: baking soda and peroxide

The type of braces you have will determine how effective any whitening toothpaste will be. Traditional bracket braces may be harder to work with than removable aligners.

This toothpaste is designed to penetrate deep between teeth and under the gumline so it may be more effective at lightening teeth with braces than other types. It also has a low-abrasion formula.

Baking soda and carbonate peroxide are active ingredients in the active whitening products. It also contains fluoride.

Pros

  • budget friendly
  • fights tooth decay
  • New stains are prevented from forming by removing old surface stains.

Cons

  • Only teeth that are two shades whiten.
  • Does not remove stains from your skin.
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Best Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste

Crest Charcoal 3D White Whitening Therapy Toothpaste

Price:

Active whitening agent: silica and charcoal

This black-and-white striped, mint-flavored toothpaste provides the benefits of charcoal without any black powder mess. It contains silica to gently scrub away surface stains, plus fluoride for fighting cavities.

Pros

  • The enamel is strengthened.
  • fights tooth decay
  • pleasant taste.

Cons

  • Only removes stains from teeth.
  • It may be too strong for sensitive teeth.
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Best responsibly sourced ingredients

Burt’s Bees Charcoal + Whitening Mountain Mint Toothpaste with Fluoride

  • Price: $
  • Active whitening agent: silica and charcoal

“This toothpaste is made with fluoride. Check the label before you buy because the products made by Burt’s Bees are fluoride and fluoride-free.”

It is made from coconuts and sustainable bamboo. It contains naturally derived hydrated silica. These ingredients are used to remove stains from teeth.

Pros

  • Whitener is gentle.
  • The mint taste is refreshing.
  • The packaging is 100 percent recycled.

Cons

  • Only removes stains on the surface.
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Reach for the ADA Seal of Acceptance

Not every whitening toothpaste contains the ADA Seal. While this does remove a layer of protection, it doesn’t necessarily mean that products without it are unsafe or ineffective. To check to see if a toothpaste has the seal, click here.

Know which whitening method

Check out the active and inactive ingredients on the toothpaste label. There are some ingredients that can be used to whiten. It is best to use smil products for sensitive teeth and gums.

The toothpaste will be more effective if it has higher hydrogen peroxide content. This could make the product more likely to cause irritation to your teeth and gums.

Some toothpastes use abrasives to remove stains. These can be used to remove dental plaque from teeth.

“Some people don’t like the abrasives in their mouth. Regular use of toothpaste can wear it away.”

Read the ingredients

If you want to protect your teeth, only use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.

If you are sensitive to ingredients such as dyes, artificial sweeteners or flavorings, avoid them. Some people are allergic to two ingredients in toothpaste.

“A brand that is manufactured ethically in a country that is known for manufacturing transparency and safety is a good choice. toothpaste that doesn’t have an ingredients list or makes claims that seem far-fetched”

Does whitening toothpaste actually work?

Whitening toothpaste can remove stains from teeth. Some also reduce stains from within teeth. Whitening toothpaste can lighten teeth by two or three shades.

Does whitening toothpaste damage enamel?

Whitening toothpaste can damage the tooth. Follow the directions for use. You can look for toothpaste that contains ingredients that protect the teeth.

Is it safe to use whitening toothpaste daily?

Yes. Whitening toothpaste can be used twice daily for 2 minutes. For product-specific guidance, read the directions for use on the toothpaste packaging.

Does using whitening toothpaste increase teeth sensitivity?

Many kinds of toothpaste have ingredients that are not comfortable for sensitive teeth. They can make your teeth more sensitive to cold and hot. If your toothpaste is too strong for you, stop using it and find a milder type. This should make the person less sensitive. If sensitivity persists after you switch to a different toothpaste, you may need to talk with your dentist.

“Whitening toothpastes can help improve their appearance. They are a good way to boost your smile appearance and keep it looking white, even though they don’t provide the same amount of deep whitening that professional treatments do.”

The products on this list have been shown to improve the whiteness of teeth.