Perhaps you’ve noticed your smile is looking a little dull after indulging in one too many glasses of red wine. The best teeth-whitening toothpastes can help amp up the sparkle without going all in on professional whitening treatments or a full-blown arsenal of teeth-whitening products.
First off, how do teeth get stained in the first place? “All teeth are made out of tubes—like pores,” Alice Hoang, DMD, founder of Brooklyn Mint, a dental practice in New York City, previously told Glamour. When you eat or drink something richly pigmented—red wine, turmeric, tomato sauce, coffee—those pigments can penetrate the porous structure of enamel, creating that stained or dingy appearance.
The best whitening toothpastes work by using one of two primary whitening methods: chemical bleaching and physical abrasion.
The first method involves peroxide. “Peroxide acts as a bleaching agent to change the color of your teeth,” says Lauren Becker, DDS, a dentist certified in biomimetic dentistry in NYC. “If a toothpaste claims to whiten, it should contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.” Both chemicals “react with the molecules causing stains on the teeth,” Kevin Sands, DMD, a board-certified cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills, previously told Glamour. “This reaction helps break down the stains into smaller, less visible particles, leading to a brighter and whiter appearance of the teeth.”
The second way toothpastes can whiten is through physical abrasion, or exfoliation, of the enamel. These formulas often contain ingredients like baking soda or charcoal, which “remove stains by physically scraping them off the surface of the tooth,” Dr. Becker says.
Experts caution that both whitening methods can damage teeth if you overdo it. Overexposure to peroxide can cause sensitivity and damage gums, and abrasion can damage enamel. (Avoid charcoal toothpastes if you can, our experts told us—despite being a popular ingredient in whitening toothpastes, charcoal has “no proven whitening effect and can remove enamel,” Dr. Becker says.)
Other ingredients in toothpaste can also support whitening without causing sensitivity or risking enamel damage. “If you’re finding your teeth to be more sensitive, look for formulas that have stannous fluoride or a hydroxyapatite,” says Dr. Becker.
To determine whether a whitening toothpaste will actually work, “it’s best to look at the concentrations of the peroxide in the teeth-whitening product,” says Daniel Rubinshtein, DDS, a celebrity cosmetic dentist in NYC. Higher concentrations—up to 10% carbamide peroxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide—will generally be more effective, but lower concentrations are better for sensitive teeth, he says. “The best way is to visit your dentist and let them create a specialized dental game plan for your teeth-whitening experience so you can get the best results with the least discomfort,” he says.
The best teeth-whitening toothpastes, at a glance:
Your teeth-whitening questions, answered:
- How effective are whitening toothpastes?
- How often should I use whitening toothpaste?
- What if I have sensitive teeth?
Below are expert-approved teeth-whitening toothpastes from dentists who use them and recommend them to their patients.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
FAQs
Colgate Optic White
This toothpaste is commonly recommended as the best whitening toothpaste due to its unique formulation. It contains 2% hydrogen peroxide, an active ingredient known for its bleaching ability. This makes it highly effective at removing surface stains on teeth, resulting in brighter and whiter teeth.
Which toothpaste whitens teeth in 3 days? ›
WHITENS TEETH IN 3 DAYS* VISIBLE WHITE O2 WHITENING TOOTHPASTE. *1 shade whiter teeth when used as directed on the pack.
How can I make my teeth super white in a week? ›
Here are some tips for achieving a brighter smile in just one week !
- Brush a nd Floss Regularly:
- Avoid Foods a nd Drinks That Stain Teeth:
- Use a Whitening Kit:
- Visit Your Dentist f or Professional Whitening:
- Wrapping Up.
In-office whitening procedures like Zoom Advanced Power whitening can see immediate results because dentists use a 35% solution of hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with a "light source directly on the teeth to break up all the molecules that cause staining and discoloration," he explains.
What is the number 1 recommended teeth whitening? ›
The Crest Whitening Emulsion with LED Light stands out as the best overall teeth whitening product due to its ease of use, effectiveness, and comfort. Its simple, straightforward process, coupled with the ability to carry on with normal activities during treatment, makes it highly convenient and user-friendly.
Do any toothpastes really whiten teeth? ›
Indeed, no toothpaste actually whitens. All toothpaste can do is remove stains from the surface of a tooth. And according to a recent survey by Consumer's Union, the best toothpaste for removing stains was one of the cheapest on the market.
What whitens teeth right away? ›
Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking soda can help get rid of plaque that's on your teeth while hydrogen peroxide is an antibacterial agent that can whiten your teeth and keep them free of germs. When you mix these two together, you'll create a paste-like substance.
How can I whiten my teeth in 5 days? ›
Use Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is a great way to get whiter teeth in just a few days. The best whitening toothpaste will contain ingredients like potassium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide, and fluoride. These chemicals help remove stains from your teeth while strengthening them against future damage.
What whitens your teeth the most? ›
Brush with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste:
Baking soda has teeth whitening properties; that's why it's prevalent in toothpaste commercials. It helps in rubbing off stains from the tooth surface due to its mildly abrasive nature. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, is a natural bleaching agent.
How can I get 100% white teeth? ›
There are several methods to make teeth whiter, including:
- Brushing regularly.
- Using whitening products at home.
- Avoiding things that stain teeth.
- Getting professional teeth whitening.
- Opting for veneers.
Due to it's high acidity, ACV is not recommended for teeth whitening. If you use it, it is best to dilute it and ensure you are rinsing your teeth afterward. There are better alternatives for teeth whitening, including the use of teeth whitening strips, hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda.
What actually whitens teeth at home? ›
Hydrogen Peroxide
It's the bleaching agent found in most home whitening kits. It actually changes a tooth's color. One study found that painting an over-the-counter gel with 6% hydrogen peroxide on teeth made a noticeable difference after 2 weeks.
What whitens teeth straight away? ›
As with the other effective teeth whitening methods, peroxide gel is the key to this option, too. The difference is that the bleach concentration used is much higher in order to achieve dramatic results within a short amount of time (usually about an hour).
What is the cheapest way to whiten your teeth? ›
Over-the-counter options, like whitening toothpastes, strips, and kits, tend to be the cheapest options. If you feel self-conscious about the brightness of your smile, you are far from alone.
What do most dentists use for teeth whitening? ›
Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are commonly used in whitening interventions and can readily permeate dental hard tissues. Temporary tooth sensitivity and gingival inflammation are the most common adverse effects of vital tooth whitening.
What teeth whitening products actually work? ›
- Crest 3D Whitestrips Classic Vivid.
- Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips.
- Opalescence Go Teeth Whitening Trays.
- Nu Skin AP 24 Toothpaste.
- Burt's Bees Whitening Toothpaste.
- ACT Whitening + Anticavity Fluoride Mouthrinse.
- Colgate Optic White ComfortFit LED Whitening Kit.
All you need to do is to put your regular toothpaste on your toothbrush and then add a little quantity of powdered milk on top of the toothpaste and then brush your teeth. Ensure to rinse your mouth properly after brushing. After a short while, you will notice that your teeth will become whiter than they use to be.
