Editor-Tested, Dentist-Approved: The Best Whitening Toothpastes for a Brighter Smile (2024)

• Our Picks

• How We Tested

• What to Look For

• FAQ

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This toothpaste from Burt's Bees, a company known for natural ingredients and no animal testing, received five out of five stars for effectiveness and comfort and has a pleasant minty taste which is why we selected it as our best overall whitening toothpaste. This toothpaste uses silica rather than chemical whitening agents, and our tester noted a significant whitening of teeth even after a single use. Our tester also noted that they didn't feel any sensitivity while using this product.

The toothpaste has a fresh mint flavor that doesn't overpower and is a significant improvement over other natural toothpastes that often have a baking soda-like taste. Our tester noted that this toothpaste had a slight aftertaste that may be unpleasant for some people, but it wasn't too bad. It also has no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or dyes, so you're just getting a fresh, clean flavor.

"I would absolutely recommend Burt's Bees Whitening Toothpaste to everyone I know! It's effective and tastes amazing compared to other natural brands on the market." — Brit Haines, Associate Editor, Verywell Health

One downside of using whitening toothpaste and treatments is that it sometimescauses increased sensitivity to the teeth. This sensitivity can make it uncomfortable to eat or drink food because of the discomfort it causes in the mouth. Crest Gum & Sensitivity Gentle Whitening Toothpaste is our choice for helping to remove stains while minimizing the discomfort of sensitivity.

"This Crest toothpaste was amazing with my sensitive teeth and gums and left my mouth feeling clean and refreshed. I can't say that the results were very drastic; perhaps with longer-term use, I might see a more noticeable change, but I liked this toothpaste better than my regular toothpaste, so I might just switch to this brand permanently." — Hildara Araya, Commerce editor, Verywell Family

This toothpaste may not whiten as fast as some others on our list but protecting your teeth from sensitivity and pain is worth it. Our tester noted that this toothpaste didn't irritate their gums or make their mouth feel dry compared to other whitening toothpastes which is why it earned a five out of five stars for comfort. It also has a light mint taste that isn't too strong, and our tester noted the foam was finer than regular toothpaste, which helped coat teeth better and get into hard-to-reach places.

Not only do you want your toothpaste to work as it should (and help noticeably whiten your teeth), but you want it also to taste good when brushing twice a day. That's why we like this Crest 3D White Brilliance toothpaste in vibrant peppermint flavor. Our tester noted that the flavor tasted good and wasn't too bitter or too strong compared to other toothpastes. Additionally, the toothpaste is formulated with sodium fluoride, which works well to strengthen the enamel and prevent cavities.

Along with five out of five stars for flavor, this toothpaste earned five out of five stars for comfort for its smooth and gentle feeling. It contains silica and mica, which can remove stains in as little as five days, and it offers 24-hour stain prevention when used twice daily. Our tester noted that the difference in tooth color was not significant with this whitening toothpaste but felt this was a good option if you want an everyday toothpaste that tastes great and also has a whitening component.

What makes Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste one we recommend is that it combines both chemical and abrasive whitening agents. It features peroxideandhydrated silica. Fluoride is another active ingredient included in the product to help protect the teeth from cavities. This unique formula releases oxygen bubbles as you brush for a fresh, clean feeling.

Our tester noted that the mint flavor was mild and pleasant, and the baking soda didn't create a harsh taste or feeling, which is why this toothpaste earned five out of five stars for comfort and taste. They also noted that the whitening doesn't take effect quickly but that regular use over time of the toothpaste resulted in a definite difference in teeth color.

"I didn't experience any discomfort. My teeth are not particularly sensitive, but my gums can be. The toothpaste went on smoothly and its texture was smooth. The mint did not burn, but had a pleasant minty feel." — Elie Levine, Social Media Editor, Verywell Health

This cream toothpaste is our best choice from the trusted brand Crest and has a gentle feeling that doesn't cause sensitivity and a mild mint flavor that isn't overpowering. This toothpaste features hydrated silica to remove stains and has the key ingredient sodium fluoride to prevent cavities and strengthen enamel. It also has ingredients that help prevent new surface stains in as little as three days.

"I do think this toothpaste will do a good job of helping to maintain whiter teeth after using a whitening treatment. I did notice my teeth were whiter immediately after brushing, so it would be good to use right before an event or before taking photos." — Ashleigh Morley, Director of Commerce, Health Group

Our tester noted that this toothpaste has a mild gritty feeling but is not uncomfortable, and they also noted a mild whitening of their teeth after just a single brushing. This toothpaste comes in 3oz tubes which makes it small but travel-friendly.

The Tom's of Maine Simply White Toothpaste is our top choice for whitening teeth if avoiding certain ingredients is important to you. The formula is peroxide-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. It's packed with silica to whiten teeth, so it features a more natural, abrasive whitening agent instead of relying on chemical whiteners.

This toothpaste also features fluoride to prevent cavities and strengthen enamel. Our tester noted that this toothpaste is gentle and didn't cause any sensitivity but noted that the whitening effect was only minor, which is why it only received a 3.6 out of 5 stars for effectiveness. The fresh mint flavor is not overpowering, and our tester noted that it didn't linger after brushing as some stronger toothpaste flavors can.

"I would definitely recommend Tom's of Maine Simply White Toothpaste. Its subtle flavor and gentle mouthfeel make it easy to use day and night. If you're looking for dramatically whiter teeth, this may not be your best option, but it will help with stains accumulated throughout the day." — Ally Trapp, Contract Editor, Verywell Health

This toothpaste capitalizes on a kitchen staple ingredient that works well as an abrasive agent at removing stubborn stains from the teeth: baking soda. This ingredient, combined with the chemical whitening agent carbonate peroxide, works to remove stains from the surface of the teeth and brighten the smile after use. It also packs a second abrasive whitener: silica. Additionally, the toothpaste is formulated with sodium fluoride, which works well to strengthen the enamel and prevent cavities.

"I have sensitive teeth (I usually use Sensodyne) which is usually most noticeable with cold food and beverages. I didn't notice any issues with this toothpaste. It was comfortable to brush with if a bit grainy." — Elizabeth Theriot, Food Commerce Methodology Writer

The baking soda neutralizes the acid in your mouth so it's gentle on your enamel. Our tester noted that this toothpaste was a bit grainy but still comfortable to use and didn't cause any sensitivities. Our tester also noted that the taste was initially slightly bitter, but they got used to it after continued use.

Brushing your teeth removes plaque buildup and bacteria to help prevent cavities. This toothpaste from MOON helps you do just that while also whitening your teeth. Our tester noted that there was no sensitivity at all when using this toothpaste and it had a nice texture which is why it received a five out of five stars for comfort. However, it's whitening effect wasn't as effective as some others on this list.

"I had a good experience with this toothpaste: it didn't cause any sensitivity, it had a good texture, and the packaging itself is really aesthetically pleasing." — Michelle Parente, Commerce writer, Verywell Fit

This toothpaste is vegan, cruelty-free, free of parabens and has hydrated silica as an abrasive whitener. It also contains a proprietary blend of antioxidants and essential oils. It has a mild mint flavor that our tester noted didn't leave their mouth feeling as fresh as other toothpastes but tasted fine. It contains sodium fluoride and is accepted by the ADA for preventing cavities.

How We Rated

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do you need to use whitening toothpaste to start seeing results?

  For those who want to see instant results, whitening toothpaste might not be for you because these products tend to take more time to work. “If the patient brushes twice per day for two minutes each time, it will take two to six weeks to show an effect,” Dr. Morgano says. “The most common mistake people make is that they don’t brush long enough.” If you find you are not brushing for long enough, then Dr. Morgano recommends investing in an electric toothbrush. These devices often include a self-timer to inform the user when the two minutes for brushing are up.

• Can whitening toothpaste damage enamel?

  “No, the products that you typically find over the counter that are branded as whitening toothpaste are safe,” Dr. Hewlett says. “If you have any questions, your dentist is always your best source of advice and direction about that.”

• Does whitening toothpaste work on crowns/veneers?

  Whitening toothpaste works by removing the stains that sit on the surface of the teeth, so it should also work for anyone with crowns or veneers. “These toothpastes remove superficial staining, so they work on ceramic crowns and veneers,” Dr. Morgano says. “Bleaching gels do not work on ceramic crowns and veneers.”

• How much does whitening toothpaste cost? Are more expensive brands better?

  Whitening toothpastes range in price from $4 to $12. Generally, more expensive brands do contain a higher concentration of active ingredients that can help whiten teeth. However, it is important to read the ingredients and reviews carefully to ensure that the whitening toothpaste you choose works well for you.

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