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The 10 Best Whitening Toothpastes That Dentists Love
Sparkling teeth are just a few brushes away.
While I'll always love the natural shade of my teeth, to me, taking their brightness up a few watts has made a subtle yet impactful difference in my overall appearance. A few weeks after having my smile professionally upgraded with an in-office whitening treatment, I turned to one of the best whitening toothpastes to help maintain their luminance.
"Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are typically the two main whitening ingredients found in toothpaste," Rich Lipari of Lipari and Mangiameli Dentistry in Chappaqua, New York, tells Bazaar.com. "Additionally, many whitening toothpastes contain a variation of hydrated silica, which acts as a polishing agent to help remove extrinsic stains."
Shop the Best Whitening Toothpastes
Dealing with sensitive teeth and gums? According to Lipari, you can still opt for a whitening toothpaste as long as its formula features a range of natural or gentler ingredients to remove stubborn stains without added pain or irritation. "The most common symptom or issue with whitening products whether it be a whitening toothpaste or strips is tooth sensitivity," he explains. "This doesn't necessarily mean you won’t be able to whiten your teeth again, but it does mean you should reduce the amount of whitening products you’re using on your teeth until the sensitivity subsides."
Lipari suggests those with sensitive teeth keep their eyes peeled for whitening toothpastes powered by the ingredient potassium nitrate, which helps reduce overall sensitivity. While using one of the best whitening toothpastes makes it a breeze to brighten or maintain your desired smile shade, experts advise staying patient, as noticeable results can take up to a month to see with consistent brushing.
If you're ready to swap your tried-and-true tube with a formula that helps your teeth really sparkle, read on for some of the most popular toothpastes available from Colgate, Dr. Apa, and more, that are worth adding to your daily (and nightly) routine.
Related: The 14 Best Teeth Whitening Kits for a Brighter Smile
Optic White Pro Series Whitening Toothpaste
Pros
- Vegan
Cons
When it comes to his top whitening toothpaste of choice, Lipari often reaches for this one from Colgate to brush morning and night. "I typically recommend Colgate Optic White, since I personally think I've had the best results with it."
| Star rating: | 4.4/5 |
|---|---|
| Key ingredient: | Hydrogen peroxide |
Pros
- Fluoride-free
Cons
I've tested a number of whitening toothpastes as a beauty editor, but this one from Marvis is one of my favorites—and over 5,000 Amazon shoppers agree. Not only does its vintage-inspired tube look stylish on my bathroom countertop, but its minty flavor always leaves my mouth feeling more refreshed after brushing.
| Star rating: | 4.6/5 |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Hydrated silica, titanium dioxide, limonene |
| One satisfied customer writes: | "I made the switch! My favorite fluoride-free toothpaste so far. Definitely whitens very well." —Amazon Customer |
Extra Whitening Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth (3-Pack)
Pros
- Sulfate-free
Cons
For patients with sensitive teeth, Lipari often recommends Sensodyne's Extra Whitening toothpaste. It contains an anti-cavity formula that provides up to 24-hours of gum and enamel protection while getting your pearly whites their brightest.
| Star rating | 4.7/5 |
|---|---|
| Key ingredient: | Sodium lauryl |
3D White Radiant Mint Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Crest 3D Whitestrips are a cult-favorite product for a number of beauty lovers, which is why it's no surprise the brand's Radiant Mint Teeth Whitening Toothpaste is also a hit.
| Star rating: | 4.6/5 |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients: | Sodium fluoride, fluoride ion |
| One satisfied customer writes: | "Omg talk about best toothpaste ever! I have been using this nearly five years now, and I have gotten so many compliments on my teeth and continuously get asked how I keep them so white. I am an avid coffee drinker as well and using this everyday certainly curves the coffee stains." —sarahh691 |
Pros
- Flouride-free
- Safe for sensitive teeth
Cons
This flouride-free toothpaste from cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Apa scrubs off surface stains to brighten teeth, along with hydroxyapatite—one of the foundations of tooth enamel—to help rebuild them as you brush. And since it's is formulated with carbamide peroxide instead of hydrogen peroxide, it's safe for sensitive teeth.
| Key ingredients: | Hydroxyapatite, peppermint oil, carbamide peroxide |
|---|
Pros
- Best for sensitive gums
- Affordable
Cons
If you suffer from sensitive teeth or gums, opt for Before's minty toothpaste. It's made with gentle, soothing ingredients like aloe vera and refreshing mint oil, yet thoroughly cleans with sodium fluoride.
| Key ingredients: | Sodium fluoride, aloe extract |
|---|
Whitening Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
Pros
- Great for sensitive teeth
Cons
Opalescence's flouride toothpaste is another of Lipari's favorites specifically for sensitive teeth. It uses low-abrasion silica to polish away surface stains, along with potassium nitrate to minimize tooth pain and gum irritation.
| Star rating: | 4.4/5 |
|---|---|
| Key ingredient: | Potassium nitrate, xylitol, silica, flouride |
| One satisfied customer writes: | "Nice light, minty taste. Did not hurt my teeth like some other whiteners." —Sbhuskins |
Advance White Breath Freshening Toothpaste
Pros
- Top-rated
Cons
Baking soda works as the main ingredient in this popular toothpaste to gently lift surface stains and neutralize enamel-weakening acids.
| Star rating: | 4.6/5 |
|---|---|
| Key ingredient: | Baking soda |
| One satisfied customer writes: | "I am 63 years-old and have the whitest teeth thanks to Arm and Hammer. My dental hygienist is amazed how little she has to clean on my teeth every six months, and I am a total tea-aholic!" —Nana |
Naturally Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste (3-Pack)
Pros
- Paraben-free
Cons
Here's a three-pack of minty toothpastes from Hello that uses a calcium mineral blend to get teeth whiter while strengthening enamel naturally.
| Star rating: | 4.7/5 |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Peppermint, calcium mineral blend, tea tree oil, coconut oil |
| One satisfied customer writes: | "Leaves teeth so clean feels like I just went to the dentist!!" —G Sancho |
Natural Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
Pros
- Flouride-free
Cons
"Risewell makes a hydroxyapatite based toothpaste which has natural whitening properties," Lipari continues. "Although hydroxyapatite based toothpastes are a newer product here in the United States, there are numerous studies showing that they may be a great alternative to traditional fluoride-based toothpastes."
| Star rating: | 4.8/5 |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Essential oils |
What are the benefits of using whitening toothpastes?
Whitening toothpastes make it easy to enhance the hue of your smile with little to no effort, with noticeable results after about a month of use. "These options are a great way to maintain your teeth and achieve a more minor whitening result on a daily basis," Lipari says.
How should I use whitening toothpaste?
Brushing your teeth with one of the best whitening toothpastes is no different than the process of using a regular tube. Those already brightening their smile with a teeth whitening kit can still use a whitening toothpaste. However, experts advise being mindful that the more whitening products used on your teeth may increase risk for future enamel sensitivity.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Rich Lipari is a cosmetic dentist at Lipari & Mangiameli Dentistry in Chappaqua, New York.
Why trust Harper's BAZAAR?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
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