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Top 11 Best Whitening Toothpaste Reviews: Definitive Guide (2021)

best whitening toothpaste

White teeth are a hot commodity. They look wonderful against a dark shade of lipstick or in a gleaming toothy smile. The enamel and dentin layers of your teeth can be discolored from a number of things in your life.

Some you may already know like wine and coffee, but others might come as a surprise. Chromogens are the color pigments in wine and other foods that stain your enamel.

Tar and nicotine in cigarettes can also stain your enamel.

Age can also have an impact on the color of your teeth as your dentin yellows, and the outer layer of enamel starts to thin allowing that color to come through.

Trauma to your teeth can have the same impact as your dentin may change color. Medications can also have an impact on the color of your teeth.

Choosing the best whitening toothpaste means that you need to do your homework on ingredients, side effects, and the determine the importance of the seal of approval from the American Dental Association, also known as ADA.

Some people prefer to buy products that have been approved by the American Dental Association or the Federal Drug Administration, also known as the FDA, but that is a personal choice.

Whitening Toothpaste  Our Rating Price
Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste
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Crest Pro-Health HD Toothpaste
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Colgate Total Advanced Fresh Whitening Gel
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Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste
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Tom’s of Maine Natural Whitening Toothpaste
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Things to Consider Before Buying a Whitening Toothpaste

There are a few things that you should keep in mind when you start looking into the best toothpaste for your needs.  For one, you have to consider the reason behind the stains on your teeth.  Often, staining or discoloration that has come about from medications or trauma will not respond to whitening toothpaste or even other bleaching solutions.  You should also consult with your dentist before seeking an over-the-counter whitening toothpaste as white teeth may not equal healthy teeth.  Starting with a healthy base is always a good idea before changing any of your routine regiments.  Most people wouldn’t start a diet without talking with a doctor about their overall health, so the same is true for your teeth.  Plus, your dentist may be able to recommend a toothpaste or if another treatment type might be better for your particular situation to get the results that you are looking for with your teeth.  They are the experts after all.  You also should consider the ingredients of each brand you research, and any side effects that you may expect to experience when using this type of toothpaste.  A final thing to consider before buying a whitening toothpaste is what about making your own as you can find ingredients in your kitchen cabinets that could be just what you needed to whiten your teeth.

Best Whitening Toothpaste Reviews

Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste

 opalescence whitening toothpaste reviews

Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste offers all natural ingredients with fluoride.  It helps to fight cavities while getting rid of the surface stains on your teeth.  A cool mint flavor will help to make your mouth feel refreshed after brushing.  It has been formulated not to be too abrasive for your enamel and dental work.  This is also the perfect whitening toothpaste choice for people that have braces or already suffer from sensitivity.

Highlighted Features:

  • Superior surface stains removal capabilities
  • It’s a cool mint with fluoride
  • Low abrasion formula for maximum enamel and dental protection
  • Effective cavity fighter
  • Made from natural ingredients and flavors

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Crest Pro-Health HD Daily Two-Step Toothpaste System

Crest Pro-Health HD Daily Two-Step Toothpaste SystemIf upon your visit to your dentist you found out that your gums need a little assistance with gingivitis, the Crest Pro-Health HD Daily Two-Step Toothpaste System might be the right kind of whitening toothpaste for your needs.  This is a two-part toothpaste that may take a little more time to use than other one-step toothpaste, but is well worth the extra time.  The first step works to remove the plaque on your teeth while the second step works to whiten and polish your teeth to their pearliest white potential.  The first step’s active ingredient is stannous fluoride and the second step’s active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide.

Highlighted Features:

  • Promotes 6xwhiter teeth and healthier mouth in a week compared to the regular toothpaste
  • Step one purifying cleanser strips away all the plaque in your mouth
  • Step two perfecting gel helps polish and whiten your teeth
  • Step one unit eliminates gingivitis effectively, thanks to the stannous fluoride its composed of
  • The daily Step Two system gives you instant teeth whitening results

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Colgate Total Advanced Fresh + Whitening Gel Toothpaste

The Colgate Total Advanced Fresh + Whitening Gel Toothpaste is accepted by the American Dental Association.  It not only works to whiten your teeth, but it also works to prevent plaque, cavities, and gingivitis.  If you already have been told that you have gingivitis, it works to reverse it, as well.

Highlighted Features:

  • ADA (American Dental Association) approved
  • Whitens your teeth effectively
  • Helps prevent plaque, gingivitis, and cavities
  • Helps reverse gingivitis

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Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste

Sensodyne is a well-known toothpaste for people with sensitive teeth to help reduce their sensitivity.  Now, they have released their version of a sensitive toothpaste that also offers whitening.  Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste offers the same great sensitive teeth toothpaste that users love with a formula that helps to get rid of stains and protect the enamel against acid erosion.  Acid erosion is something that occurs naturally from what a person consumes in their day, for instance, pop and orange juice have acids in them that can damage a person’s enamel from drinking them in a day.  This toothpaste helps to prevent that acid erosion from occurring.  It works to harden the enamel while whitening it.  This also offers fluoride to prevent cavities.

Highlighted Features:

  • A gentle teeth whitening toothpaste that helps fight acid erosion and removes stains from your teeth
  • Packed with fluoride that helps prevent cavities
  • Goes a long way in hardening and whitening your teeth enamel
  • Freshens breath
  • Helps restore the natural teeth whiteness

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Tom’s of Maine Natural Antiplaque Tartar Control & Whitening Toothpaste

Tom’s of Maine is probably the first brand that a person may think of when thinking about natural hygiene products.  Tom’s of Maine Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride-Free Toothpaste uses natural ingredients, including naturally occurring silica to naturally whiten teeth.  The natural ingredients include zinc citrate and xylitol.  This is a fluoride-free toothpaste that is also cruelty-free, halal and kosher certified along with being gluten-free which may make this product more appropriate for some households.

Highlighted Features:

  • Made from authentic, 100% natural ingredients
  • Helps whiten your teeth using naturally sourced silica
  • Contains NO Fluoride
  • Has no artificial dyes, flavors, and sweeteners
  • Gluten and cruelty-free
  • Halal and kosher certified

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Mentadent Toothpaste, Advanced Whitening

Mentadent Toothpaste, Advanced Whitening uses peroxide, fluoride, and baking soda for whitening and cleaning.  This product is useful for tartar build-up, cavities, and plaque.  One of the things that users love about Mentadent toothpaste is that it has less mess and is easier to use with their unique packaging and refill system where you push down to dispense out the toothpaste.  No longer are you struggling to try to get the last of the toothpaste out of the tube with this one-of-a-kind design.

Highlighted Features:

  • This toothpaste produces noticeable teeth whiting results within 2 week
  • It also helps prevents tartar buildup, plaque, and cavities formatio
  • Contains a baking soda, fluoride, and peroxide formulation that helps whiten your teeth

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Arm & Hammer Complete Care Plus Whitening Toothpaste

Arm & Hammer is another household name that consumers trust when it comes to baking soda. Arm & Hammer Complete Care Plus Whitening Toothpaste is the complete package offering their known-to-be-effective in cleaning baking soda in it.  The whitening in this toothpaste comes from their baking soda and peroxide.  You can expect a deep clean around the gum line thanks to these ingredients.  It helps to fight tartar, plaque, and cavities while providing fresh breath as baking soda is a natural odor fighter.

Highlighted Features:

  • Superior dull stains removal, thanks to the baking soda and peroxide formula
  • Made from dentist recommended ingredients
  • Promotes fresh breath
  • Deep cleans between your teeth and deep within the gum line to eliminate harmful bacteria
  • Fights against tartar and cavity
  • It comes with Stain Defense Technology which helps prevent formation of new stains on your teeth

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Davids Natural Toothpaste

Davids Natural Toothpaste is another natural toothpaste that caters to individuals that are concerned about ingredients.  This has xylitol to promote healthy enamel, baking soda for whitening, and uses mint oil for a minty fresh flavor. This toothpaste comes in a recyclable metal tube and is made with ingredients that are mostly sourced from the United States.  It is free of sulfates, SLS, and fluoride.  It is a smooth toothpaste that is not gritty.

Highlighted Features:

  • Made from natural ingredients to help whiten your teeth effectively and safely
  • Effective plaque removal capabilities
  • Fluoride-free, SLS-free
  • Contains natural sugars- xylitol
  • Kids-friendly
  • Promotes fresh breath

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Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste

Sensodyne Extra Whitening Toothpaste is similar to Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste in that it offers a whitening solution to those with tooth sensitivity without the enamel hardening agents from Pronamel.  This offers a great taste with fluoride for cavity fighting, as well as helping sensitivity suffers enjoy the foods and drinks that they enjoy without having to worry about that deep throbbing tooth pain that comes from sensitivity.

Highlighted Features:

  • Helps remove all the stains from your teeth, exposing your white enamel
  • Contains Fluoride for cavity protection
  • Promotes a fresh and clean mouth

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Supersmile Whitening Accelerator Tube

The Supersmile Whitening Accelerator Tube is a little different from the other whitening toothpastes that have been reviewed.  This is added to the Supersmile Professional Toothpaste to get professional level results without having to visit a dentist.  The calp rox and the peroxide in the accelerator and the toothpaste are said to whiten your teeth from intrinsic and extrinsic stains meaning that it works on stains that come from the enamel and the dentin being stained.  You need to add equal amounts of the accelerator and the toothpaste for the best results.

Highlighted Features:

  • Formulated to safely strip away stains that settle deep within the enamel
  • Teams up with supersmile professional whitening toothpaste to help removes both intrinsic and extrinsic stains from your teeth
  • Promotes fresh breath and healthier gums

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Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening Brisk Mint Toothpaste

Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening Brisk Mint Toothpaste comes from a well-known brand that offers fluoride for cavity fighting along with removing impurities and plaque build-up on your teeth.  It offers both baking soda and peroxide for whitening and cleaning agents.  The bubbles made by brushing your teeth releases oxygen that helps to give your mouth a nice clean feeling.  These bubbles help to provide a deep clean in your mouth.  It has a mint flavor that is pleasing.

Highlighted Features:

  • Utilizes Deep Cleaning Action to help whiten your teeth
  • Contains Fluoride for fighting cavities
  • Permanently removes plaque and impurities that causes teeth discoloration
  • The brisk mint flavor helps promote fresh breath

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Do Whitening Toothpastes Really Work?

The short and simple answer is yes.

Whitening toothpastes work as they contain chemicals that work to dissolve or breakdown the buildup of stain on your teeth along with having some abrasives that will polish your teeth.

For instance, blue covarine will attach to the enamel surface of your teeth, and will reduce how yellow your teeth look through an optical illusion.

Toothpastes with this ingredient may be immediately noticeably different.

Most times, whitening toothpaste can take about two to six weeks of using it twice daily for whitening to occur.  So, don’t give up on a brand just because it’s been a couple of weeks and you’re not seeing instant results since it may take some time to remove the stains that have been accumulating over your lifetime.

Some people choose to use this type of toothpaste after a whitening treatment offered by their dentist or bleach treatment to help keep the stains away longer.

Many people do not want to give up on their favorite coffee drink or wine, so they look for this to be a helpful solution to allow them to get the white teeth while being still able to enjoy things that may stain teeth.

In some cases, the short and simple answer might be no.  Of course, every case is going to be different on how effective the brand of whitening toothpaste you decide on will work for you.

People that have badly stained teeth that are brown in color, as well as those that have teeth discolorations from medications or trauma, will probably not see the type of results that those with yellowing teeth will see.

It will also not work on any dental appliances like crowns, fillings, veneers, or caps.

If you are not seeing the results that you want to see after waiting an appropriate amount of time, you can consult with your dentist who may be able to give you some ideas on how to better improve the color of your teeth.

Ingredients of a Best Whitening Toothpaste

The exact ingredients and amount of each ingredient are a closely held secret by most companies.  That is how they make their money after all, but there will be a list of active ingredients that you can view on the side of the box or container of the toothpaste to help you better understand how that particular toothpaste will work towards whitening your teeth.

Some even put the type of whitening agents into the title of their product to help you better identify what is being used to whiten your teeth.

These active ingredients often include hydrogen peroxide, mild abrasives, and carbamide peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide is actually used in many of the whitening systems that you have access to through your dentist’s office as the active ingredient.

It is just in a lower concentration in your at-home toothpaste when compared to how much is used at the dentist office.  It is safe to use, but may cause tooth sensitivity for some people.

Mild abrasives include things like calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and hydrated aluminum oxides.  These are used as a polishing agent that will gently remove the stains on the surface of the enamel, and will show the whiter enamel underneath.

Some of the toothpastes listed under the review have some more natural and easier to pronounce abrasives in them, such as silica, to go along with consumers wanting more natural and naturally sourced minerals in their hygiene products.

Carbamide peroxide will actually break down into hydrogen peroxide, so you may be wondering why this is used instead of the better-known hydrogen peroxide.

Carbamide peroxide has been shown to work quicker than hydrogen peroxide in tooth whitening, even though they both level off after 12 weeks.

You may choose to go with products that contain carbamide peroxide over hydrogen peroxide if you are looking to get results quicker, such as your high school reunion is just a few weeks away and you want your smile to shine really.

Side Effects Of Whitening Toothpaste

The most common side effect of whitening toothpaste is tooth sensitivity.  This is what happens when a person’s teeth hurt without there being a reason.

A cavity would be more than likely the culprit of the sensitivity, but no cavities mean that it might be your toothpaste.  This sensitivity may also be too hot and cold items, such as drinking a cup of coffee or eating ice cream.  Often, this will be a temporary condition that will go away.

It is believed that this sensitivity is caused by the peroxide that may get through your enamel, and then, it moves in towards the dentin which can irritate the nerve in your tooth.  Stopping your use of this toothpaste, and using your regular toothpaste for a short time before starting to use a whitening toothpaste again may help to get you past this side effect.

There are some whiteners that are for sensitive teeth available commercially where you may not have to worry about this side effect.

You should also keep in mind that you must follow the instructions on your package as they will tell you the correct way to use the product.  Incorrectly or overusing a whitening toothpaste can cause tooth sensitivity along with potentially damaging your gums and tooth enamel.

If you suspect that you have damaged your tooth enamel or gums, you should schedule an appointment to see your regular dentist right away.  You would not want to try to improve your teeth only to damage them.

How To Make Your Own Whitening Toothpaste

Sometimes the right whitening toothpaste is not one that you buy in the store, but one that you make at home.  There are advantages to making your own.  The key being that you have complete control of the ingredients that you use.

Plus, the cost may be reduced by making your own.  There are also some disadvantages in that they might not work as well as store-bought brands, might be messy to make, they may also be messy to apply, and you may be limited to how often you use it.

There are a number of ways that you can create your own whitening toothpaste at home.

You can mix your own hydrogen peroxide and baking soda into a paste.  Just add a couple of drops of three percent hydrogen peroxide to baking soda, and use it on your toothbrush just like you would your store bought toothpaste.

Since this has peroxide in it and the baking soda is an abrasive, you should only use this for about three to five days, and then waiting three to six months before you should use it again.

Some fruits also work well as a whitener for your teeth.  Strawberries can work well on wine, tea, and coffee stains.  Crush them up, and add a little baking soda to the paste.

This is another remedy that should be used on occasion rather than everyday.  Banana peels can also whiten teeth because they contain minerals like potassium, manganese, and magnesium in them.

You can rub the peel across your teeth for about two minutes after your daily brushing and flossing routine.  Rinse your teeth, and go about your day.

Activated charcoal is another great ingredient for homemade whitening toothpaste.  You should mix a small amount of water to some charcoal to create your paste.  Use it by putting it on your teeth for two minutes.  Be sure to rinse your mouth well to get all of the charcoal out.

Coconut oil is a big deal as more and more people are realizing that it has a lot to offer health-wise.  You can create a paste with coconut oil by heating one cup until it becomes a liquid, add two teaspoons of baking soda, and about five to 10 drops of a spearmint essential oil.

Finally, you can rev up your regular toothpaste by adding some apple cider vinegar to it.  Dilute the vinegar with about three parts water to one part vinegar, and mix it up with some natural toothpaste.

Final Verdict

The final verdict of the best whitening toothpaste will be up to your personal preferences and the current condition of your teeth.  People with braces that are looking for a toothpaste that whitens might want to go with Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste as it works well for this dental situation.

Someone that already is facing problems with their gum health from gingivitis may find that the Crest Pro-Health HD Daily Two Step Toothpaste System is best because it works to make your mouth healthy and beautiful at the same time.

A person worried about their sensitive teeth becoming whiter while staying strong may opt for Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste as their first choice.

Those that follow a kosher-diet may choose to go with Tom’s of Maine Natural Antiplaque Tartar Control & Whitening Toothpaste because it fits their lifestyle.

Avoiding fluoride is something that is a concern for some people, so they would be good going with Tom’s of Maine’s or Davids Natural Toothpaste to avoid that common ingredient.  Davids Natural Toothpaste can also be attractive to those that are looking to go green with recyclable packaging or purchase items made in the United States.

Are you going all natural by making your own?

Just remember that some of the home pastes might not be suitable for using everyday.  Knowing your preferences for ingredients, level of staining needed to be removed, and your mouth health can help you to pinpoint what will be the perfect toothpaste for your needs.

Just remember to follow the instructions of any whitening toothpaste carefully to prevent any negative damage to your teeth and gums, and always feel free to speak with your dentist if you have any concerns about your whitening toothpaste.

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