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Oct 16, 2024

The 6 Best Whitening Toothpastes of 2024

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Wear a brighter smile by removing stubborn surface stains with the best whitening

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Wear a brighter smile by removing stubborn surface stains with the best whitening toothpastes.

Verywell Health / Cecily McAndrews

Using whitening toothpaste is a simple way to get more out of brushing your teeth twice daily. It contains chemical and abrasive ingredients to remove stains caused by coffee, tea, red wine, and even smoking. While the results won't be as dramatic as a professional treatment, whitening toothpaste can make a big difference in brightening your smile.

To determine the best whitening toothpaste, we consulted dentists and tested 15 products from the leading oral care brands at home. According to the VITA Guide, we evaluated each toothpaste based on its effectiveness, comfort, taste, and value. An orthodontist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy surrounding dental hygiene and the safety and efficacy of the ingredients in whitening toothpaste.

Here are some common ingredients to look for in a whitening toothpaste:

It's best to avoid toothpastes that contain charcoal, which can be too abrasive, says Morgano.

Whitening toothpaste can help, but it does have limitations. Morgano says it only removes superficial staining, such as from red wine or coffee, and won't lighten teeth beyond their natural shade. Hewlett recommends pairing it with a whitening kit or professional treatment for extra brightening.

At-home whitening products rarely replace professional whitening sessions. If you don't see the results you're looking for or you notice any discomfort, we suggest consulting a healthcare professional.

Amazon

Pleasant mint flavor

No artificial flavors or sweeteners

Cruelty free

Unpleasant aftertaste

Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, hydrated silica | Size: 4.7 ounces | Flavor: Mint

Burt's Bees Deep Clean Whitening With Fluoride Toothpaste was our top-performing natural pick for its effectiveness and comfort. This toothpaste uses silica rather than chemical whitening agents, and we noted significant whitening even after a single use. As a bonus, we didn't notice any sensitivity while using this product.

It also has a pleasant, minty taste. We loved the fresh flavor over the baking soda-like taste other natural toothpastes tend to have. Like other Burt's Bees products, the toothpaste isn't tested on animals and is free from artificial flavors, sweeteners, and dyes.

This toothpaste has a slight aftertaste that may be unpleasant for some people. If that's a concern of yours, we suggest Tom's of Maine Simply White Toothpaste as another effective, natural alternative. The formula is peroxide-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. The fresh mint flavor isn't overpowering; and best of all, there's no aftertaste. The only drawback is that results are more subtle than other options, so it's not the best for people looking for a drastic change in their smile.

Verywell Health / Brit Haines

Verywell Health / Brit Haines

Amazon

Relieves sensitivity

Mild mint flavor

Cleans hard-to-reach spots well

Whitens slower than other picks

Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, hydrated silica | Size: 4.1 ounces | Flavor: Mint

Sometimes, whitening toothpaste can worsen tooth sensitivity, making eating or drinking food uncomfortable. Luckily, Crest Gum & Sensitivity Gentle Whitening Toothpaste brightened our smile comfortably with no increased sensitivity during testing.

When we used this pick, it didn't irritate our gums or make our mouth feel dry like other options did. The light mint taste wasn't too strong, either. We noticed the foam was finer than we're used to but liked that it cleaned hard-to-reach places better.

Although the toothpaste may not whiten as fast as others on our list, it's worth it if you want to protect your teeth from sensitivity and pain.

Verywell Health / Hildara Araya

Amazon

Strengthens enamel

Gentle

Mild mint flavor

Strong baking soda flavor

Grainy texture

Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, baking soda, silica | Size: 4.3 ounces | Flavor: Mint

Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda & Peroxide Toothpaste protects the enamel while whitening teeth. The formula uses sodium fluoride and baking soda to strengthen the enamel gently. Paired with the chemical whitening agent carbonate peroxide and silica as a second abrasive whitener, it has an effective and powerful ingredient list for a brighter, whiter smile.

This pick does its job well, especially with prolonged use. One of our editors has been using this pick for three years and loves how bright and white her smile is after struggling with coffee-stained teeth.

That being said, Arm & Hammer toothpaste tends to have a unique taste that can be offputting due to the baking soda. If taste is a priority, Crest 3D White Brilliance Toothpaste in vibrant peppermint had the best flavor by far during testing. It contains sodium fluoride, silica, and mica, which can remove stains in as little as five days but the results aren't as drastic as other options.

We found the texture a bit grainy and thought the taste was slightly bitter at first, but we got used to it after continued use.

Verywell Health / Elizabeth Theriot

Amazon

Vegan

Cruelty-free

ADA approved

Difficult to squeeze out of the tube

Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride, silica | Size: 4.2 ounces | Flavor: Mint

Moon Anticavity Whitening Toothpaste With Fluoride is formulated to remove plaque buildup and bacteria while whitening teeth. Despite its multi-tasking ingredient list: antioxidants, essential oils, silica and sodium fluoride, we experienced no sensitivity when using this toothpaste and found the texture pleasant. Lastly, the toothpaste is ADA-approved for cavity prevention, vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free.

We struggled to squeeze this product out of the tube, so it may not be for you if you struggle with hand dexterity or grip. We also didn't find the flavor as fresh-feeling as other toothpastes.

Amazon

Immediate results

Fresh, minty flavor

Easy clean-up

Adds an extra step to your brushing routine

Key Ingredients: Cellulose, glycerin, silica | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Flavor: Mint

We love Laser Glow Purple Toothpaste Color Corrector for an instantly brighter smile. Like other purple whitening toothpastes, it creates a temporary illusion of whiter teeth. It's not a long-term solution, but it works for short-term purposes or spot treating.

You use this whitening pick after your regular toothpaste. At the end of testing, our smiles looked brighter. It also made our teeth feel smoother and cleaner than ever before. At first, we worried that the bright color would stain the sink, but we were pleasantly surprised at how easily it cleaned up. We didn't experience tooth sensitivity and also enjoyed the refreshing mint flavor.

If you aren't too keen on adding an extra step to your routine, we also experienced fast results with Crest 3D White Professional Enamel Protect Toothpaste. After three days of use, we noticed our teeth were whiter, so it's a great choice for last-minute brightening before an event or photo shoot. This toothpaste features hydrated silica to remove stains and sodium fluoride to prevent cavities and strengthen enamel. You should keep in mind that it comes in a small tube, so you may need to re-up more often than other picks which can add up financially.

This isn't meant to replace your toothpaste. Using it will add an extra step to your daily routine.

Amazon

Brightens teeth immediately

Easy clean-up

Contains fluoride

Unpleasant flavor

Gritty texture

Key Ingredients: Sodium fluoride | Size: 4.6 ounces | Flavor: Luminous purple (mint) or unflavored

Crest 3D White Brilliance Luminous Purple Toothpaste combines the whitening effects of purple toothpaste with the health benefits of sodium fluoride. Unlike many other kinds of purple toothpaste, it can be used as a standalone toothpaste to prevent cavities and whiten teeth.

We were amazed at the effectiveness of this toothpaste, and the affordable price is another plus since many purple toothpastes can be costly. We highly recommend this toothpaste if you're looking for a quick brightening product before photo shoots or other events that would benefit from a whiter smile.

We found this toothpaste's intense taste and goopy, thick texture unpleasant. It works, but it's not enjoyable to use. If you want to avoid that drawback, you should try Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste. It's another great pick with fluoride, and it uses chemical and abrasive whitening agents (hydrogen peroxide and hydrated silica). We enjoyed the mild, pleasant, minty flavor, which was gentle on our sensitive gums. This unique formula releases oxygen bubbles as you brush for a fresh, clean feeling, but the bubbling can be a little intense.

When determining the best products to test, we reviewed dozens of toothpastes from the top oral care brands. After researching, we tested 15 and selected 10 whitening toothpastes for home testing. We evaluated them based on the following criteria:

We used expert input at every step of reporting and writing this story. Here are some of the experts we consulted:

As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed various experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life.

Verywell Health staff writer Brittany Johnson has "tried every whitening toothpaste imaginable." She loves her experience with the Arm & Hammer brand. She highly recommends Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda & Peroxide Toothpaste. It drastically improved her coffee-stained teeth while keeping her mouth fresh all day. She's happy she can help readers find their perfect toothpaste for a whiter, brighter smile.

Protected by a safe RDA: Setting the record straight about toothpaste abrasivity. Registered Dental Hygienists. Published December 13, 2016.

By Danielle ZoellnerDanielle is a freelance writer based in NYC with a background in health writing.She’s written for publications like The Independent, DailyMail.com, and Vox.Danielle has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia.