Last updated: January 26, 2017
Are your selfies getting a lot of attention for the wrong reason? Could it be your stained teeth? You don’t need to go to the dentist and get an expensive procedure to whiten your teeth. The best whitening toothpaste will give you whiter teeth just by brushing, something you are already doing every day. You are brushing twice a day, right?
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Product | Price | Features | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
  Tom’s of Maine | $$$ |
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 | $$$$$ |
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  Natural Whitening Activated Charcoal Toothpaste | $$$ |
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  Crest 3D White Glamorous White Teeth Whitening Vibrant Mint Toothpaste | $ |
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  Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste | $$$$ |
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Table of Contents
Why are my teeth stained?
Your tooth enamel gets weak over time and becomes more susceptible to staining. The acid in coffee can speed up the weakening of your enamel which makes it even easier for the dark color of the coffee to stain your teeth. Even worse for your teeth is tea. It is highly acidic and tannic, which leads to heavier staining. The same is true of red wine.
The tar and nicotine in cigarettes are the worst culprits when it comes to teeth staining, especially if you are a heavy smoker.
What are the benefits of teeth whitening?
The most obvious benefit to having whiter teeth is that you are likely to have more confidence in yourself. When you feel like you look better, it makes you feel better about yourself which leads to smiling more and being more outgoing.
When you are more outgoing and confident, it makes you more attractive to people who naturally gravitate toward confidence. This leads to having more social and professional connections.
You may find that you get more attention at work which then leads to getting a raise. You might get that big date for Valentine’s Day, or you may experience a bigger social circle. Something as simple as whitening your teeth can have a profound effect on your life. When these positive changes happen, you feel less stressed.
And what happens when you feel less stressed? Your brain is calm, and you can get more rest. You may have been wondering how whitening your teeth relates to a website dedicated to helping you sleep. It is not a far-fetched idea that using a good teeth-whitening toothpaste will lead to better sleep when you take this perspective.
The Best Natural Teeth Whitening Toothpastes
Tom’s of Maine Simply White Toothpaste
- No bleaching agents in the whitening formula
- Silica derived from sand whitens teeth without harsh abrasive
- No animal testing
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Every ingredient is listed along with its purpose or source
Best Natural Option
A beautiful smile can be natural with Tom’s of Maine. All of the ingredients in this whitening toothpaste are natural. It uses silica derived from sand to gently scrub the stains off of your teeth leaving them a bright and healthy white. It is also a great toothpaste for preventing cavities and leaving your teeth strong and healthy.
These results are all achieved without the use of any dyes or artificial sweeteners. For those who are concerned about the well-being of our furry friends, rest assured that Tom’s of Maine never does any animal testing on their products. Using Tom’s of Maine Simply White toothpaste will not only give you whiter teeth but also give you peace of mind.
All Natural Charcoal Teeth Whitening Gum Powder
- Contains no synthetic additives, preservatives, fluoride, artificial colors or flavors, and no foaming agents or abrasive salts
- Does not bleach teeth with chemicals
- Will whiten teeth by 2-3 shades
- Vegan and animal cruelty free
- Contains Organic Coconut Activated Charcoal, All Natural Bentonite Clay, Organic Mint Extract, Organic Orange Peel Extract
Best Powder
I included this as a whitening toothpaste when in fact it is a tooth whitening powder, a very good one at that. It is all natural and uses a mild coconut charcoal abrasive to gently scrub the stains off of your teeth. If you have sensitive teeth, this is the way to go. Some whitening toothpastes can be very harsh on sensitive teeth. This formula doesn’t use any chemicals, so it doesn’t cause any discomfort.
The other benefit, in addition to having whiter teeth, is that it detoxifies the mouth and gets rid of bacteria that leads to bad breath. Your mouth will feel much fresher than if you use traditional toothpaste.
Because it is a powder, it can be a bit messy to use until you get used to it. It is very easy to use; just dip a wet toothbrush into the powder and brush your teeth as normal. Rinse your toothbrush well, brush again, and rinse one more time. You should use this powder with your normal toothpaste to get all the benefits of fluoride for strong teeth.
Natural Whitening Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
- Benefits of charcoal powder for whitening but in toothpaste form
- A natural way to whiten teeth without fluoride, toxic ingredients, or bleach
- Vegan and cruelty free
- The only truly natural activated charcoal, breath freshening, and teeth whitening toothpaste available
You may not ever go back to regular toothpaste after whitening your teeth with this all-natural and organic toothpaste. You will have whiter teeth and, in the process, leave your mouth feeling incredibly fresh and clean. If you have had problems with tartar build up, this will all but eradicate the issue.
The activated charcoal is the real star in this toothpaste. It is a very mild abrasive that will eliminate the stains on your teeth and will kill most of the bacteria in your mouth. It is black because of the charcoal, so the look may take some getting used to. It is very similar to the powder that I already mentioned, but it is far easier to use and can replace your other toothpaste completely.
The Best Fast Acting Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Crest 3D White Glamorous White Teeth Whitening Vibrant Mint Toothpaste
- Removes up to 90% of surface stains
- Exclusive Whitelock Technology seals out future stains
- Has a special formula made with enamel-safe whitening toothpaste ingredients
- Noticeable results after only one or two uses, and optimal results after only five days
Best Overall
If you have a date coming up soon or an important meeting suddenly scheduled, you have hope without needing to buy bleaching strips. You can use this Colgate 3D White toothpaste to get your teeth noticeably whiter in just 1-2 days. To get up to three shades whiter, it takes up to five days, but you will see a difference in how white your teeth are very quickly.
The micro-cleansing whiteners polish the teeth and remove up to 90% of stains. They are a very mild abrasive and won’t damage your enamel. In fact, the formula will actually strengthen your enamel. You can use this toothpaste everyday as it works great at preventing cavities. Where it really stands out, though, is in preventing future stains with its Whitelock technology. If you never want to have to deal with yellow teeth again, then this is the toothpaste for you.
Great Add On
Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
Great for cleaning the tough to reach spots, and highly recommended by dentists. Read our full review of the Waterpik Aquarius here.
Best Teeth Whitening Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste
- Sodium lauryl sulfate free
- Helps re-harden acid eroded enamel
- Gentle formula is great for sensitive teeth
- Use as an everyday toothpaste
Best For Sensitivity
People with sensitive teeth were out of luck for a long time if they wanted a teeth-whitening toothpaste since many of them contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Not wanting to subject themselves to tooth pain just to have whiter teeth, they would have to go to the dentist.
Now, Sensodyne has formulated a teeth whitening toothpaste that is gentle on teeth and gums. In addition, it also rebuilds acid softened enamel. Many acidic foods can weaken and erode enamel. The formula in Sensodyne Pronamel can be used everyday to whiten teeth and make them much stronger in the process.
FAQ About Teeth Whitening Toothpastes
Q: Does teeth whitening damage teeth?
A: Most teeth whitening toothpastes use a bleaching agent to whiten the teeth. Those that use bleach don’t damage the teeth but it can be harsh on the gums and mouth. Some teeth whitening toothpastes use an abrasive that polishes the teeth. An aggressive abrasive can strip the enamel off of teeth and lead to tooth decay.
Q: Can you use a teeth whitening toothpaste while pregnant?
A: Getting a teeth whitening process or using the at-home strips should not be done while pregnant. Many teeth whitening toothpastes will advise pregnant women not to use them only because the potential effects on a fetus are unknown. Best to use a natural teeth whitening toothpaste like Tom’s of Maine.
Q: Can I use a teeth whitening toothpaste with braces?
A: You won’t do any damage to your braces if you do, but it only works on the area of exposed tooth. When you get your braces off, your teeth might show yellow or stained where the braces were which is worse than just having stained teeth. Once you get them off, whitening toothpaste will help them shine again.
Final Thoughts on the Best Whitening Toothpaste
Taking care of your teeth leads to good overall health. Having cavities, tooth decay and infections can lead to adverse health problems that don’t just affect your teeth.
Sometimes it takes seeing a physical result of your actions to stay motivated to do the right thing. When you see your teeth getting whiter, you are more likely to brush more regularly and take better care of your oral hygiene. Another great way to make your teeth shine is to take care of your skin as well - read our review of a great daily moisturizer.
Something as simple as getting a good teeth whitening toothpaste could lead to so many positive changes in your life that you never thought of.
I hope this review of the best whitening toothpastes helps you get your smile back and your dentist off of your back!
Best Pick: Crest 3D White Glamorous White
Teeth Whitening Vibrant Mint Toothpaste
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