8 Best Whitening Toothpastes (2023)

Do Whitening Toothpastes Really Work?

Whitening toothpastes tend to lighten teeth in one or two shades and only work on external teeth stains. However, they can also be too abrasive, causing more harm than good in the long run.^2,4,5,7

The whitening effects of toothpaste are limited due to:⁶

• The negligible amount of peroxide in toothpaste
• The product's limited contact time with the teeth

NewMouth only recommends whitening toothpaste to supplement other teeth whitening treatments like whitening kits and in-office treatments. This recommendation comes from considering factors like:

• Whitening toothpaste's limited effects
• The formulation of ingredients
• The side effects of whitening toothpaste
• Dentists’ recommendations

Whitening kits and in-office treatments provide better and longer-lasting results, while whitening toothpaste is more effective in maintaining the results from these treatments.

If you’re interested in the best at-home whitening kits, you can read NewMouth’s comprehensive teeth whitening kit review.

8 Best Whitening Toothpastes in 2023

NewMouth only recommends whitening toothpaste to maintain the results you can get from teeth whitening kits or in-office treatments. These kits and professional treatments are safer and more effective at lifting tooth stains, also providing longer-lasting results.

Here are some of the best whitening toothpaste we recommend for maintenance:

Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda & Peroxide Toothpaste

Best Overall

The Arm & Hammer Advance White toothpaste is one of the best to use for cleaning teeth, with an RDA value of 42. It maintains teeth-whitening treatment results without damaging your enamel.

The toothpaste is formulated with baking soda and peroxide, neutralizing acids that can weaken your teeth's enamel. The fluoride in toothpaste prevents cavities and tartar buildup.

Arm & Hammer also formulates their toothpaste with their patented Stain Defense™ technology. This prevents new stains from setting onto your teeth.

Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste with Fluoride (Colgate Regular)

Best with Fluoride

Colgate’s Cavity Protection toothpaste is the best fluoride toothpaste with an RDA value of 68. Fluoride protects your teeth against cavities, and Colgate uses a gluten-free formula.

This toothpaste is ADA-approved, meaning the product is guaranteed to be safe, reliable, and high-quality. It also uses mint flavoring to keep the mouth feeling fresh and clean.

Tom’s of Maine Children’s Toothpaste

Best for Children

Tom’s of Maine Children’s toothpaste is formulated so children can enjoy brushing their teeth. It has calcium and silica to gently clean children’s teeth and has an RDA value of 57.

The toothpaste has a fruity flavor, which prevents the usual burning sensation from mint-flavored toothpastes. Tom’s of Maine Children’s Toothpaste is also free of artificial flavoring, color, and preservatives.

Weleda Natural Salt Toothpaste

Best Salt Formulation

Weleda’s Natural Salt Toothpaste is one of the best-ranking toothpaste on the RDA chart with a value of 15. Its gentle formulation is fluoride-free while using sea salt and gentle mineral cleansers.

The salt in the formulation triggers saliva production. Their toothpaste relies on the saliva’s enzymes to naturally flush the mouth clean.

Rembrandt Intense Stain (Rembrandt Original)

Best Enmel Protection

Rembrandt’s Intense Stain toothpaste removes stains from your teeth with a unique blend of micropolishers. Their toothpaste has an RDA value of 53.

Their formula can remove stains from red wine, berries, coffee, and tobacco. They also use fluoride to strengthen and restore the teeth enamel.

Arm & Hammer Sensitive Teeth and Gums

Best for Sensitive Teeth

Arm & Hammer’s Sensitive Teeth and Gums toothpaste has an RDA value of 48. Their formula uses triple enamel protection to neutralize enamel-eroding acids.

Their formula uses Liquid Calcium™ technology, which repairs the enamel surface by filling in the tiny cracks on the teeth. It also restores tooth-strengthening minerals to improve and prevent tooth sensitivity.

Tom’s of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste

Best with Natural Ingredients

Tom's of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste is the best toothpaste with natural ingredients. Its RDA value is 49 with a formula specifically for sensitive teeth.

It uses a combination of arginine and calcium carbonate, which are derived from natural sources only.

Arginine and calcium carbonate seal cracks in the teeth, preventing nerve exposure. Tom’s of Maine’s patented formula claims to provide long-lasting protection with continuous use.

Boka Ela Mint Toothpaste

Best Non-Flouride Option

Boka Ela Mint Toothpaste is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. It has an RDA value of less than 50. 

Instead of fluoride, the brand uses nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) to remineralize teeth and reduce sensitivity. The formula is also sulfate and paraben-free.

The formula uses aloe vera, xylitol, green tea, and mint to help clean teeth while providing a refreshing flavor.

Key Ingredients in Whitening Toothpaste

According to Dr. Khushbu Gopalakrishnan, one of New Mouth’s in-house dentists, most whitening toothpastes work through abrasives and/or peroxides.

The peroxide ingredient is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. They’re bleaching agents that chemically break down and remove stains.

On the other hand, the abrasive ingredients in whitening toothpastes mechanically remove stains. Common ones include:

• Silica derivatives
• Charcoal
• Baking soda

Are Peroxides in Toothpaste Effective?

The peroxide content in whitening toothpastes is negligible, so it won’t matter significantly if they have this ingredient.⁶ Dr. Khushbu also said that, aside from the low concentration of peroxides, the contact time between toothpaste and teeth is too short to be able to give drastic results.

Are All Whitening Toothpastes the Same?

Most kinds of toothpaste have the same primary components. Although, according to Dr. Khushbu, the specific concentration and agent may vary.

The base components include:¹⁰

• Fluoride — to help prevent cavities
• Foaming agents — that spread toothpaste throughout the mouth and act as a surfactant
• Binders — to prevent the separation of powder and liquid ingredients
• Humectants — to prevent toothpaste from hardening in the tube
• Solvents — to dissolve ingredients and allow them to be mixed (water is most common)
• Flavoring agents — get rid of the unpleasant smell and taste of other raw materials and give a cold, refreshing taste
• Coloring agents — to give toothpaste an attractive appearance
• Preservatives — to prevent the growth of micro-organisms
• Pharmaceutical agents — to give the toothpaste additional uses (reduce bad breath, remove teeth stains and plaque, etc.)

Brands will often differ in their concentration and kinds of whitening agents. Some formulations can be too abrasive, causing unwanted side effects.

Side Effects of Whitening Toothpaste

The side effects of whitening toothpaste include:^2,4,5,7

• Gum irritation due to peroxide content
• Weakened teeth enamel due to abrasives
• Demineralization

Demineralization is the early stage of tooth decay, and it occurs when the teeth's enamel is worn away. It results in weakened and more sensitive teeth, making a person more prone to dental caries, discomfort, and pain.¹⁴

Can You Reverse the Side Effects of Whitening Toothpaste?

Remineralization can reverse demineralization to a certain extent. It’s a naturally occurring process in teeth and bone.

Remineralization happens with the help of a few factors, including:¹⁵

• Saliva
• Fluoride therapy
• Reduced intake of carbonated, sugary drinks
• Probiotic bacteria

Saliva is one of the essential biological tools against demineralization, neutralizing the effects of acid exposure. It also provides calcium and phosphate, which maintain the supersaturation of necessary tooth minerals.

Probiotic bacteria are naturally present in the body, but you can also get them from dairy products and supplements. A study suggests that they displace the bacteria that contribute to demineralization.¹⁵

How to Pick the Best Whitening Toothpaste

Choosing the best whitening toothpaste relies on following dentists’ recommendations and knowing a toothpaste’s relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) value.³

Dentists’ Recommendations

Some dentists prefer recommending the simplest and most affordable toothpaste from trusted brands, regardless of whether they claim to be teeth-whitening.

There isn’t much difference between recommending a standard toothpaste or a whitening one when it comes to teeth whitening. According to Dr. Khushbu, the ingredients would likely be comparable.

In some cases, dentists may recommend products based on specific needs. For example, if a patient is at a higher risk of developing cavities, Dr. Khushbu would recommend high-fluoride toothpaste.

Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) Value

An RDA value measures the erosive effect of toothpaste ingredients. The score ranges from 4 to 250.

Any reputable brand’s toothpaste with an RDA value of 4 to 70 is considered the best because it isn’t abrasive enough to cause side effects.

The chart includes all kinds of toothpaste from reputable brands, including whitening and non-whitening ones. You can refer to it here:

Toothpastes with an RDA value of 101 to 250 can harm tooth enamel. Those with an RDA value of 78 to 100 are moderately risky.

How to Prevent Side Effects from Whitening Toothpaste

You can prevent unwanted side effects from whitening toothpastes by doing the following:

• Follow dentists’ recommendations
• Know a toothpaste’s RDA value
• Be more selective with the kind of toothbrush you use

A study found that, even when paired with highly abrasive toothpaste, manual toothbrushes are not as abrasive as electric toothbrushes.¹¹ However, the specific RDA values of manual and electric toothbrushes have not yet been determined.

Theoretically, electric toothbrushes have a teeth-whitening effect because of their abrasiveness. It’s best to pair it with toothpastes having RDA values between 4 and 70.

Why Trust Our Recommendations

Because most kinds of toothpaste have the same base ingredients, NewMouth decided to focus on products with a low RDA value, are dentist-approved, and are from reputable brands.

New Mouth also focused on testing products that were more affordable and accessible than direct-to-consumer toothpaste brands.

After extensive research and product testing, this article also underwent an intensive review process:

• The article was reviewed and fact-checked by two in-house editors
• Our in-house dentists reviewed the article for accuracy
• The article is updated and reviewed again every month to ensure all information is correct and up-to-date

How to Maintain Teeth Without Whitening Products

If you can’t or don’t want to use whitening kits or get professional teeth-whitening treatments, there are other ways to maintain a bright smile.

Here are some practices you can do to maintain a bright smile without whitening products:

• Rinse or brush your teeth after eating or drinking food that stains (e.g., coffee, tea, red wine)
• Use a straw when drinking beverages that stain teeth
• Practice good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day)

Summary

Whitening toothpastes have limited effects. Most dentists would recommend the simplest and most accessible toothpaste, regardless of their whitening effects.

Whitening kits and in-office treatments are more effective, giving longer-lasting results. Whitening toothpastes are best to maintain the results from these treatments.

Depending on the formulation, some whitening toothpastes can be too abrasive, causing demineralization. You can prevent this by choosing toothpaste with an RDA value of 4 to 70.