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Written by
Jessica Rendall
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Reviews ethics statement
Jessica Rendall Wellness Reporter
Jessica is a writer on the Wellness team with a focus on health technology, eye care, nutrition and finding new approaches to chronic health problems. When she's not reporting on health facts, she makes things up in screenplays and short fiction.
Expertise Public health, new wellness technology and health hacks that don't cost money Credentials
- Added coconut oil to cheap coffee before keto made it cool.
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CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
What to consider
Health of your mouth
How fast you want your teeth to be white
Whether your toothpaste is safe for long-term use
Table of Contents
Best Whitening Toothpaste of 2024, According to Dentists
Does whitening toothpaste work? Is it safe?
What is the best whitening toothpaste overall?
Best whitening toothpaste of 2024
Best whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide
Most affordable whitening toothpaste
Best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Best whitening toothpaste with essential oils
Best natural whitening toothpaste
Best whitening toothpaste compared
How we chose the best whitening toothpaste
Factors to consider when choosing a whitening toothpaste
Our Picks
Best whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide
Colgate Optic White Pro Series
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Most affordable whitening toothpaste
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste
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Best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening
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Best whitening toothpaste with essential oils
Lumineux Whitening toothpaste
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Why You Can Trust CNET
16171819202122232425+
Years of Experience
14151617181920212223
Hands-on Product Reviewers
6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000
Sq. Feet of Lab Space
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
What to consider
Health of your mouth
How fast you want your teeth to be white
Whether your toothpaste is safe for long-term use
Table of Contents
Best Whitening Toothpaste of 2024, According to Dentists
Does whitening toothpaste work? Is it safe?
What is the best whitening toothpaste overall?
Best whitening toothpaste of 2024
Best whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide
Most affordable whitening toothpaste
Best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Best whitening toothpaste with essential oils
Best natural whitening toothpaste
Best whitening toothpaste compared
How we chose the best whitening toothpaste
Factors to consider when choosing a whitening toothpaste
For many people, whitening toothpaste is the easiest and most affordable tool to turn to if you're trying to brighten up your smile. While a solid toothpaste marketed for its teeth-whitening properties can help you achieve a whiter smile, you should keep its limitations in mind and remain focused on overall dental health, which in turn may help reduce the risk of your teeth staining in the first place.
A little discoloration can be normal for teeth, so be sure to set realistic expectations for the appearance of your smile. If you do want to try to brighten things up a bit, here's what to consider when looking for the best whitening toothpaste.
Does whitening toothpaste work? Is it safe?
The answer to both questions depends. Most whitening toothpastes do their work by scrubbing away stains on the surface of teeth using abrasives. While all toothpastes and toothbrush action may cause some level of abrasiveness as you brush, too much of it can break down your enamel, which is the protective outer coating of teeth. This is especially true for whitening agents such as silica or calcium carbonate, according to Dr. Sarah Tavares, a dentist at Bentway Dental in Toronto, Canada. Additional abrasives include baking soda and, to a greater extent, charcoal.
Other whitening agents in some toothpastes or whitening strips contain chemical agents that bleach the teeth, such as hydrogen peroxide. These 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 used improperly.
"To reduce the risk of enamel damage, limit the frequency of whitening treatments to a week at a time with good intervals in between," she said.
What is the best whitening toothpaste overall?
We did not select a single best whitening toothpaste overall because finding such a toothpaste will depend on different personal factors and preferences. Below, we have included different types of whitening toothpaste based on dentist recommendations, but if you have any questions, it is best to consult your dental provider for a personalized recommendation.
Best whitening toothpaste of 2024
Pros
- Contains 5% hydrogen peroxide, which whitens intrinsically and extrinsically
Cons
- Formula may be too strong or cause irritation for some
Main whitening agent Hydrogen peroxide, 5%
Contains sodium lauryl sulfate Yes
Contains fluoride Yes
Colgate Optic White Pro Series toothpaste is one whitening toothpaste that Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist in Houston, Texas, recommends.Some of her reasons for recommending it include its trusted brand name and its 5% hydrogen peroxide whitening agent. Unlike other whitening agents that work by removing stains on the surface of the tooth, hydrogen peroxide can get inside the tooth so it whitens intrinsically as well as extrinsically.
According to Khan, one downside to this toothpaste is that it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, which may cause irritation, such as canker sores. Other popular whitening toothpastes may also contain SLS, so it's important to look at the ingredients before you buy a product if you're sensitive to it.
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Pros
- More affordable
Cons
- Contains SLS like many toothpastes
Main whitening agent Hydrated silica
Contains sodium lauryl sulfate Yes
Contains fluoride Yes
Most affordable whitening toothpaste
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste
Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste is recommended by Dr. Elizabeth Himel, owner of Aspen Dental. This toothpaste whitens through hydrated silica, a mild abrasive. Crest is also a well-known brand with many products (quite a few of them marketed toward whitening), making this an approachable choice for many.
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Pros
- May be better option for sensitive teeth
Cons
- More expensive than other products out there
Main whitening agent Hydrated silica
Contains sodium lauryl sulfate No
Contains fluoride Yes
Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening toothpaste was recommended by Khan, given 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 is free from sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate many people's mouths.
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Pros
- Contains novel ingredients, like coconut oil and essential oils
Cons
- Doesn't contain fluoride or hydroxyapatite, so probably not ideal for regular use
Main whitening agent Hydrated silica
Contains sodium lauryl sulfate No
Contains fluoride Yes
Lumineux whitening toothpaste is another toothpaste recommended by Khan and contains essential oils and more “natural” ingredients like coconut oil and dead sea salt, making this a more appealing choice for some. It whitens with hydrated silica, and has a more "medium" abrasiveness, according to Khan.
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Pros
- Remineralizes with nano-hydroxyapatite
Cons
- Doesn't contain fluoride
Main whitening agent Hydrated Silica
Contains sodium lauryl sulfate No
Contains fluoride No
This toothpaste isn't as heavily marketed toward whitening as 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 remineralize the teeth, which may brighten them as it works to help rebuild enamel.
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Best whitening toothpaste compared
| Toothpaste | Superlative | Main whitening agent | Contains sodium lauryl sulfate | Contains fluoride | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate Optic White Pro Series | Best whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide | Hydrogen peroxide, 5% | Yes | Yes | $8 |
| Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste | Most affordable whitening toothpaste | Hydrated silica | Yes | Yes | $4 |
| Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening | Best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth | Hydrated silica | No | Yes | $17 (3-pack) |
| Lumineux Whitening toothpaste | Best whitening toothpaste with essential oils | Hydrated silica | No | Yes | $8 |
| Boka Ela Mint n-Ha toothpaste | Best natural whitening toothpaste | Hydrated Silica | No | No | $12 |
How we chose the best whitening toothpaste
We made these selections based on recommendations from two dentists. We also considered formula, brand reputation and the range of products available to suit different needs.
Factors to consider when choosing a whitening toothpaste
Khan says that you should pick a whitening toothpaste that's relatively less abrasive and less likely to damage your enamel. One way to do that is to look for the relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) value, if the product or brand provides it.
The American Dental Association recommends using toothpaste that contains fluoride, and most whitening toothpastes on the market will contain it. However, a newer ingredient called hydroxyapatite has also been shown to help with the health of teeth by working to "remineralize" the enamel, potentially assisting with appearance as well. People should choose a toothpaste with either fluoride or hydroxyapatite, Kahn said.
"It restores mineral density, and therefore makes teeth appear whiter and less translucent," Kahn said, referring to hydroxyapatite.
Best whitening toothpaste FAQ
Is whitening toothpaste better for your teeth than whitening strips?
Not necessarily. Dr. Erin Fraundorf, founder of BOCA Orthodontic and Whitening Studio, said that while teeth whitening with a toothpaste can be "effective in the short term," overuse can lead to sensitivity and damage over time. Instead of whitening toothpaste, Fraundorf recommends seeing your dentist for in-office whitening, or choosing another home product such as whitening strips from Opalescence.
"Toothpaste will not give you the instant whitening results as whitening strips or in-office whitening because those contain a higher concentration of the hydrogen peroxide, and duration of the agent being on your teeth is longer compared to toothpaste," Khan also said.
Can I prevent my teeth from getting yellow?
It's important to keep in mind a little discoloration is normal and inevitable -- teeth may be white-ish 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 tip-top shape.
That being said, there are some things you can do to minimize your teeth taking on a tint:
Stay on top of regular, professional cleanings. That's preferably twice a year, but at least once a year, and maybe more often, as they may effectively and safely remove some surface stains. Also, make sure your regular oral care routine is solid, complete with regular flossing and an electric toothbrush.
Swish with water after drinking coffee or wine. Fraundorf recommends taking a swish of flat water (not sparkling) between sips of coffee or wine, which are two major culprits of staining teeth. Drinking water often, and moving it around your mouth, will also help with the acidity of certain foods and beverages.
Chew sugar-free gum. Another suggestion from Fraundrof, as chewing sugar-free gum after meals has been shown to help reduce the likelihood of cavities.
