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Our featured picks
Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste
Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste
Boka Nano Hydroxyapatite Whitening Toothpaste
Even if you follow every step of your oral health routine to a T, you still might not have the bright, radiant smile you truly want. Switching to a whitening toothpaste can be a hassle-free way to combat staining, keep teeth clean and help your smile sparkle even more.
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To cut through the chaos of the oral care aisle, I asked dentists for their recommendations on the best whitening toothpastes that provide gentle and gradual whitening power, including formulas that are safe for those with sensitive teeth.
Best whitening toothpastes for sensitive teeth
Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste
For those with sensitive teeth, Sensodyne is one of the toothpaste brands dentists love. And luckily, the brand has several formulas that can subtly whiten teeth pain-free. Orthodontist and founder of Boca Orthodontic and Whitening Studio, Dr. Erin Fraundorf, likes this Extra Whitening option, which contains potassium nitrate to help desensitize teeth.
I personally suffer from occasional bouts of teeth and gum sensitivity, and I always rely on Sensodyne’s formulas to provide relief. In fact, this whitening option is currently what’s on my bathroom shelf. It’s nothing fancy — there’s no overwhelming rush of freshness or fun flavors to choose from — but it does reduce sensitivity, especially to cold sensations, and the whitening boost keep the staining effects of my coffee and Diet Coke-drinking habits to a minimum.
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening Toothpaste
Dr. Kevin B. Sands, a cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills, California, likes that this Crest Pro-Health toothpaste works to combat plaque, gingivitis and sensitivity while also whitening teeth through the use of hydrated silica, a mild abrasive that removes surface stains. This formula also contains stannous fluoride, which helps strengthen teeth and fights against plaque buildup and bacterial growth in the mouth.
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Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste
Formulated by dental professionals, this low-abrasion toothpaste effectively removes surface stains without harming enamel. Fraundorf said this toothpaste is great for daily use and is safe for most patients to use. You can even apply it following professional whitening treatments when tooth sensitivity can be heightened.
CNN Underscored health and fitness editor Summer Cartwright is also a fan of Opalescence’s whitening formula. She said it noticeably whitened her teeth with just a few weeks of consistent use and has a refreshing — but not overpowering — mint flavor. “I find that a lot of whitening toothpastes have icky tastes, but this one has never bothered me,” Cartwright said, adding that she uses it along with the brand’s gel whitening system when her teeth need a shade lift.
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Sensodyne Pronamel Active Shield Whitening Toothpaste
Sands likes that in addition to gently whitening teeth, this Active Shield formulation also builds up teeth’s resistance to acids, which results in stronger enamel. It’s another good option for those with sensitive teeth, and will deliver cavity protection to your pearly whites while also giving them a brightening boost.
Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste
This low-abrasion formula is part of Sensodyne’s Pronamel line, which features toothpastes that are specially formulated to protect teeth against the effects of acid erosion. Cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Richard Lipari said this gentle whitening toothpaste is a good pick for those who frequently have discomfort from sensitivity, as it gently lifts surface stains while simultaneously delivering potassium nitrate to calm teeth’s nerves.
Tom’s of Maine Natural Whitening Toothpaste With Fluoride
Cosmetic dentist and founder of Beverly Hills Dental Arts, Dr. Anjali Rajpal recommends this Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste, which is made of naturally derived ingredients and boosted with fluoride for anticavity protection. If you’re looking for a formula that gently whitens teeth (this one uses silica) and is free from artificial additives, this is a safe bet.
Best whitening toothpaste for yellow teeth
Euthymol Whitening Toothpaste
CNN Underscored fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw said Euthymol’s super minty fluoride formula has turned her into a toothpaste snob. “The aluminum tube and vintage-inspired label make it seem like something you’d pick up at an old-timey apothecary, but looks aside, it’s an ultra-refreshing toothpaste that keeps my breath fresh and my teeth looking bright,” she said. “I’ve also tried the purple-tinted version that helps temporarily cancel out yellowness, and it has the same zingy mint flavor that I’ve come to crave.”
Crest 3D White Brilliance Toothpaste
Both Fraundorf and cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael J. Wei like this high-performing toothpaste from Crest’s 3D White line. Made with fluoride for cavity protection, this toothpaste delivers fast and visible whitening results, plus a fresh and clean overall mouthfeel.
Best fluoride-free whitening toothpastes
Before Fluoride-Free Whitening Toothpaste
Lipari said Before is a brand that crafts oral care products using fewer filler ingredients than many of the bigger generic brands, making it a good option for those who prefer cleaner and more sustainable products. You can find whitening formulas from the brand made without and with fluoride, all of which are free of hydrogen peroxide and artificial flavors. For those who enjoy a change from the classic mint flavor, pick up Before’s whitening pastes in cinnamon orange and lemon coconut varieties.
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Boka Nano Hydroxyapatite Whitening Toothpaste
For those looking for a clean, holistic and enamel-safe whitening option, Fraundorf likes this fluoride-free toothpaste from Boka, which she said “uses nano-hydroxyapatite to remineralize enamel and reduce sensitivity, all while gently lifting surface stains.”
GuruNanda Whitening Toothpaste
This fluoride-free toothpaste features hydroxyapatite and neem oil, which aid in strengthening enamel and combating plaque. Other natural ingredients like jasmine, clove and cardamom oils help to whiten teeth and freshen breath, Rajpal said.
Best whitening toothpastes for stained teeth
Colgate Optic White Renewal High Impact White
If you’re strictly looking for whitening power, Lipari said Colgate’s Optic White formula is one of the best drugstore brands he’s tried. Formulated with 5% hydrogen peroxide, this fluoride toothpaste works to quickly remove surface stains for a noticeably more luminous smile in as little as two weeks. Despite all this whitening power, the formula is still safe for daily use and won’t compromise the strength of your enamel.
Supersmile Professional Whitening Toothpaste
Rajpal said the proprietary formula in this Supersmile toothpaste makes use of encapsulated calcium peroxide, along with other minerals, to gently dissolve stains that settle into the protein film on the tooth. This whitens teeth without increasing sensitivity, and the formula also includes fluoride, calcium and phosphates to strengthen teeth and protect against cavities.
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What to look for in a whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes are best for those who are looking to maintain an already whitened smile or want to gradually improving mild discoloration over time, according to Fraundorf. There’s no shortage of whitening toothpaste options to choose from, but to ensure you pick a formula that’s not only effective but safe for your entire mouth, these are the things the dentists I spoke with said to keep in mind:
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Check for whitening actives
Unlike regular toothpastes, the best whitening toothpastes are specifically formulated with agents that brighten teeth, according to Sands. “Regular toothpaste is formulated for daily cleaning, using mild cleansers and fluoride to scrub away plaque and prevent cavities from forming,” Lipari said. He added that you may see more physical polishing agents in whitening toothpastes, such as hydrated silica, calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate (more commonly known as baking soda), which all help buff away surface stains.
Chemical oxidizers, like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, are also common in whitening toothpaste formulas, according to Sands. These ingredients work to break down discoloration in the teeth, helping your smile appear whiter over time. However, these whitening agents can be abrasive and trigger extra sensitivity for some. Sands specifically said it’s best to avoid whitening products formulated with chlorine dioxide, as this ingredient is known to be very harsh on teeth.
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Avoid abrasive ingredients
When shopping for a whitening toothpaste, Fraundorf said to steer clear of formulations made with large or gritty abrasive particles, since these can erode enamel and lead to long-term sensitivity. She also doesn’t recommend toothpastes made with charcoal, as she said it’s abrasive and can lead to damaged enamel and gums over time.
Another potentially troublesome ingredient is sodium lauryl sulfate, a foaming agent used in many oral wellness and beauty products. Fraundorf said the ingredient may irritate sensitive mouths and contribute to the development of canker sores. Those with braces should also take caution when using whitening toothpastes, according to Rajpal, because toothpaste cannot reach behind the brackets, and using these formulas may create an uneven whitening effect across the teeth.
FAQs
While both whitening and regular toothpastes clean teeth and help prevent cavities, whitening versions typically contain ingredients designed to remove stains. These may include stronger abrasives like hydrated silica that scrub away surface stains or chemical agents like hydrogen peroxide that oxidize and break down stains over time. Some whitening toothpastes might even use optical brighteners, such as blue covarine, which instantly gives the illusion of whiter teeth.
Sands said whitening toothpaste is generally safe for everyone to use since the concentration of active ingredients is low, though he added that you should always use whitening toothpastes as the manufacturers’ instructions direct, both to ensure you achieve optimal results and to prevent teeth sensitivity.
While whitening toothpastes are generally safe, they may not be the best choice for everyone. If you already have tooth sensitivity, enamel erosion or gum recession, Fraundorf recommends consulting a dentist before adding a whitening toothpaste to your routine. “Many formulas rely on abrasive particles or low levels of peroxide to help remove surface stains, but these can aggravate sensitivity by wearing down enamel or irritating exposed dentin and gums,” Fraundorf said.
If you experience sensitivity or notice gum recession, enamel wear or changes in the surface of the teeth after using a whitening toothpaste, you should switch back to using a gentle, non-whitening formula. “Long-term use of highly abrasive whitening toothpastes can gradually wear down enamel and contribute to gum recession, so it’s important to pay attention to how your teeth respond,” Fraundorf said. “When in doubt, your dentist can help you determine a safe routine or suggest alternative products that effectively balance whitening with enamel protection.”
Lipari said a yellowing appearance on the teeth can be caused by several factors. Outer or extrinsic stains are typically caused by our daily lifestyle habits: Using tobacco products or consuming lots of darkly pigmented foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, red wine and dark sodas, can create staining on the teeth. “These factors leave compounds on the surface that bind to the tooth structure over time,” Lipari said. “When plaque isn’t regularly and thoroughly cleaned off, it hardens into calculus, which acts like a sponge for stains.” Stains can also be more internal, or intrinsic, and sit deeper in the tooth. However, this kind of discoloration is usually caused by trauma to the teeth or exposure to certain antibiotics during early childhood, according to Lipari.
If you want a whiter smile, a whitening toothpaste can help, but Rajpal said you should be drinking water throughout the day to remove debris and limiting your consumption of dark-colored foods and beverages. You should also strive to maintain a consistent oral health routine, complete with twice-daily brushing, daily flossing and regular dental cleanings to remove hardened tartar and other pesky surface stains.
Sands recommends using whitening toothpastes as directed, which is generally once or twice a day. Both Sands and Fraundorf said those with sensitive teeth can alternate between a whitening toothpaste and a normal toothpaste, using the whitening toothpaste once per day to reap the stain-lifting benefits without over-abrading the gums or enamel. If you notice any increased sensitivity or enamel erosion, Sands recommends you stop using whitening toothpastes immediately.
Toothpaste only comes in contact with your teeth for a few minutes each day, which is why Lipari said patience is key if you want to see results. “For example, if you are using a paste that relies strictly on physical abrasives to scrub away the surface stains, a subtly brighter surface will become visible within two to six weeks,” he said. “For therapeutic pastes with a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide designed to potentially lift deeper stains, it will typically take four to eight weeks of twice-daily brushing to noticeably lighten deeper surface stains.”
Though whitening toothpastes can be a daily maintenance tool for removing surface stains, they don’t pack the same whitening power as other at-home or in-office treatment options. Fraundorf said whitening toothpastes can’t change the natural color of your teeth or reach the deepest stains, as the active ingredients are low in concentration and have limited contact time with the teeth.
For more dramatic results, Fraundorf said professional chemical whitening treatments are more effective. “Whitening treatments are not one-size-fits-all, so it is important to seek customized care,” Fraundorf said. “The most ideal whitening treatment is one specific to you, crafted based on your unique smile goals, teeth composition, diet, sensitivity level and lifestyle.”
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Meet our experts
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:
- Dr. Erin Fraundorf, orthodontist and founder of Boca Orthodontic and Whitening Studio in St. Louis, Missouri
- Dr. Richard Lipari, cosmetic and general dentist based in New York
- Dr. Anjali Rajpal, cosmetic dentist and founder of Beverly Hills Dental Arts
- Dr. Kevin B. Sands, cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills, California
- Dr. Michael J. Wei, cosmetic dentist and founder of Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist in New York City
Why trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.
For this article, CNN Underscored associate editor Jillian Tracy consulted dentists on the best whitening toothpastes to add to your oral health routine. She regularly covers health and fitness topics, using expert insights to help you make more informed and empowered product choices.
Jillian Tracy is an associate editor at CNN Underscored who covers topics that span the lifestyle vertical such as fashion, health, sustainability, beauty and outdoors. You can find her trying to catch up on her Goodreads goal, planning her next travel adventure or rewatching “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
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