

Based on our testing, here are the best whitening toothpastes. We evaluated each toothpaste for its active ingredients, effectiveness, comfort, taste, and before and after teeth color according to the VITA guide. An orthodontist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding dental hygiene and the safety and efficacy of the ingredients in whitening toothpastes. To determine the best whitening toothpaste, we spoke to dentists and home-tested dozens of products from the leading oral care brands.
#CREST 3D WHITE BRILLIANCE TOOTHPASTE REVIEW PROFESSIONAL#
But don’t expect whitening toothpaste to work miracles-he says toothpaste won’t whiten your teeth lighter than their natural shade only bleaching (in a professional setting) can do that. Because whitening toothpastes go beyond simply cleaning your teeth-they work to remove staining-they are often more abrasive than their non-whitening counterparts.Īccording to Steven Morgano, DMD, the chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, whitening toothpaste will work if you follow the instructions. Key whitening ingredients include hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, as well as more abrasive whitening agents such as silica, which works to rub stains off the surface of your teeth. And while you won't find a Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) score for your toothpaste on the label, this number gauges the toothpaste's potential erosive effects on your teeth.

Sodium fluoride is a key ingredient in any toothpaste for preventing cavities and strengthening teeth. When shopping for whitening toothpaste, it's important to check the ingredients. “Most toothpastes, whether they're labeled whitening or not, have some kind of a mild abrasive in them to safely remove surface stains from the teeth,” says Edmond Hewlett, DDS, professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association (ADA).

While you brush away plaque and debris and prevent cavities, the addition of whitening ingredients like hydrogen peroxide can also remove stains caused by things like drinking coffee, tea, red wine, or even smoking. Anything higher than that may be harmful, but the maximum amount approved by the FDA is 200, Khan says.Whitening toothpaste is a simple way of getting even more out of the twice-daily habit of brushing your teeth. An RDA value of 0-70 means low abrasion, 71-100 is medium abrasive, and 101-150 is highly abrasive. To determine a toothpaste's abrasion, you should check its RDA value, Khan says. Higher abrasion can mean more irritation for those with sensitive gums or teeth. Lastly, some whitening toothpastes are more abrasive than others. You should also be cautious of using multiple whitening products at once, since this can disrupt the enamel and cause more sensitivity. If you do start to notice any sensitivity, she recommends then switching to a desensitizing toothpaste with one of these active ingredients-potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride, or strontium chloride to help with the sensitivity. "The majority of whitening toothpastes state they have been tested and are safe to use twice a day for two minutes," says. When using a whitening toothpaste, you pretty much use it like you would any other paste. To combat this, opt for toothpastes with a low abrasion level or with lower concentrations of ingredients, like peroxide. If you lose enamel, your teeth in turn will appear more yellow. "These ingredients can lead to enamel-wear, which can cause sensitivity and affect overall aesthetics due to their abrasive nature," Khan says. There is a downside to these ingredients, though, Khan says. "It restores mineral density and therefore makes teeth appear whiter and less translucent." Fluoride can help control cavities and strengthen your tooth enamel. "Hydroxyapatite is another ingredient that helps remineralize your teeth and remove extrinsic staining," says Khan. Next, you should look for ingredients, like fluoride and hydroxyapatite. You can also ask your dentist what they carry at their office if you're looking for suggestions, says Tabaraie. "When choosing whitening toothpaste go with one with the ADA seal because it has been tested for safety and efficacy," says Khan. First things first, check for an American Dental Association seal (ADA).
