The best whitening toothpaste of 2025, according to dentists
Over time, the desire for picture-perfect, sparkling white teeth only grows. Although dentists offer whitening procedures, they can be expensive and often not worth the cost. Instead, many choose teeth whitening toothpaste, an easy and affordable way to brighten your smile.
That said, though quality toothpaste marketed for teeth whitening can help you achieve a brighter smile, it’s important to understand its limitations. Tooth whitening toothpaste has its benefits, but it can become counterproductive if used excessively. Focusing on overall dental health is key as it can help prevent staining in the first place.
It’s important to recognize that some tooth discoloration is completely normal, so it’s important to have realistic expectations for the appearance of your smile. If you are interested in whitening your teeth, here are some key factors to consider when choosing the best whitening toothpaste.
Does whitening toothpaste work? is it safe
Most whitening toothpastes remove surface stains from teeth using abrasives. Although all toothpastes can be abrasive, too much scrubbing can harm you emailprotective outer coating that protects your teeth. Dr. Sara Tavares, dentist in Bentway Dental in Toronto, Canada, says that 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. They 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 misused.”
“To reduce the risk of enamel damage, limit the frequency of whitening treatments to one week with good intervals between them,” she said.
What is the best whitening toothpaste overall?
We haven’t singled out a single best whitening toothpaste because the ideal option depends on individual preferences and needs. Below we have listed different types of whitening toothpastes based on the recommendations of dentists. However, if you have any questions, it is best to consult your dentist for personalized advice.
The Best Whitening Toothpaste of 2025
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Colgate Optic White Pro Series toothpaste is one whitening toothpaste that Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist in Houston, Texas, recommends. Some of the reasons to recommend it include its trusted brand name and its 5% hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent. Unlike other whitening agents that work by removing stains on the surface of the tooth, hydrogen peroxide can penetrate inside the tooth so whitens both internally and externally.
According to Hahn, one downside to this toothpaste is that it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, which can cause irritation, such as canker sores. Other popular whitening toothpastes can also contain SLS, so it’s important to look at the ingredients before buying a product if you’re sensitive to it.
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Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening Toothpaste is recommended by Dr. Elizabeth Himmel, owner of Aspen Dental. This toothpaste whitens using hydrated silica, a mild abrasive. Crest is also a well-known brand with many products (quite a few on the whitening market), making it an affordable choice for many.
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Sensodyne Pronamel gentle whitening toothpaste was recommended by Khan due to 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 does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate many people’s mouths.
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Lumineux whitening toothpaste is another toothpaste Kahn recommends and contains essential oils and more “natural” ingredients like coconut oil and dead sea salt, making it a more appealing choice for some. It bleaches with hydrated silica and has a more “medium” abrasiveness, according to Hahn.
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This toothpaste isn’t as heavily advertised for whitening as the 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 remineralizes teethwhich can lighten them as it helps restore the enamel.
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The best whitening toothpaste in comparison
| toothpaste | Superb | Basic bleaching agent | Contains sodium lauryl sulfate | Contains fluorine | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate Optic White Pro Series | The best whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide | Hydrogen peroxide, 5% | yes | yes | $8 |
| Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening Toothpaste | The most affordable whitening toothpaste | Hydrated Silica | yes | yes | $4 |
| Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening | The best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth | Hydrated Silica | no | yes | $17 (3 packs) |
| Lumineux whitening toothpaste | The best whitening toothpaste with essential oils | Hydrated Silica | no | yes | $7 |
| Boka Ela Mint n-Ha toothpaste | The best natural whitening toothpaste | Hydrated Silica | no | no | $10 |
Hahn says you should choose a whitening toothpaste that’s relatively less abrasive and less likely to damage your enamel. One way to do this is to look up 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 toothpastes on the market will contain it. However, there is also a newer ingredient called hydroxyapatite shown to help with dental health by working to “remineralize” enamel, potentially helping appearance as well. People should choose a toothpaste with either fluoride or hydroxyapatite, Kahn said.
“It restores mineral density and therefore makes the teeth appear whiter and less transparent,” Kahn said, referring to hydroxyapatite.
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It is not mandatory. Dr. Erin Fraundorf, founder of Studio for orthodontics and whitening BOKAsaid 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 will not 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,” said more Khan.
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It’s important to note 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 top shape.
With that in mind, there are some things you can do to minimize the staining of your teeth:
Keep up with regular professional cleanings. This is preferable twice a yearbut at least once a year, and maybe more often, as they can effectively and safely remove some surface stains. Also, make sure your regular oral care is solid, complete with regular flossing and electric toothbrush.
Rinse with water after drinking coffee or wine. Fraundorff recommends taking a sip of plain water (not carbonated) between sips of coffee or wine, which are two major culprits of tooth staining. Drinking water frequently and moving it around in 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.
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