The 10 Best Whitening Toothpastes, According to Dentists

If you suffer from sensitive teeth or gums, opt for Before’s minty toothpaste. It’s made with gentle, soothing ingredients like aloe vera and refreshing mint oil, and provides a thorough clean thanks to hardworking sodium fluoride.

• Key ingredients: Sodium fluoride, aloe extract, coconut-derived cocamidopropyl betaine, menthol, spearmint, and peppermint oils

Customer review: “Love how fresh and super minty this toothpaste is! Also makes my teeth feel super smooth. My new go-to toothpaste for sure!” —Yvonne

Sensitive teeth can be particularly challenging to whiten—especially if there aren't enamel-protecting or gentle stain-removing ingredients in the formula. “If you’re prone to twinges from hot or cold foods, choose a toothpaste specifically formulated to combat sensitivity (think nHAp or potassium nitrate),” suggests Wagner. This option from Sensodyne has potassium nitrate and is void of hydrogen peroxide, which, while effective at whitening, can make teeth more sensitive.

• Key ingredients: STP, alumina, silica, potassium nitrate

Customer review: "I have used this product for a while now, the quality is good helps to lighten my teeth as well as helps with my sensitivity when brushing." — JoLe147

This aloe vera and green tea toothpaste also contains xylitol to fight bacteria, plus nano-hydroxyapatite (a Japanese-created fluoride alternative) to keep enamel strong. It also contains coconut oil and baking soda to help neutralize stains while keeping gums hydrated. Wagner is also partial to the brand's fluoride-free formula that leverages nHAp. “Boka’s toothpaste gently polishes away stains while helping to fortify enamel. I really enjoy the consistency and flavor profile,” he notes.

• Key ingredients: Aloe vera, xylitol, green tea

Customer review: “I absolutely love this toothpaste and have seen a difference in the whiteness of my teeth!” —Taylor

“A standout for those prioritizing natural ingredients, Davids uses nHAp plus mild abrasives to lighten stains, all while staying eco-friendly,” Wagner notes. The toothpaste's nHAp formula also nicely helps protect tooth enamel while minimizing sensitivity overall.

• Key ingredients: nano hydroxyapatite (n-HA)
• Number of tubes included: one

Customer review: “I just started getting stains on my teeth from drinking coffee. I read I could have weak enamel on those teeth. Regular toothpastes did nothing to remove the stains. This toothpaste takes the stains away and keeps them away. Leave on teeth at least one minute after brushing. I love this toothpaste.” — Debbie

Opal by Opalescence’s fluoride toothpaste is another of Lipari’s favorites, specifically for sensitive teeth. It uses a low-abrasion silica blend to polish away surface stains, along with a combination of sodium fluoride and xylitol to minimize cavities and guard against tooth decay.

• Key ingredients: sodium fluoride, silica, xylitol
• Number of tubes included: one

Customer review: “I really like this whitening toothpaste. It does a great job cleaning, leaves the mouth feeling fresh, and brightens your teeth.” —Anonymous

This dentist-created n-HA toothpaste formula is made from many of the same minerals as your teeth and uses baking soda and silica to gently remove surface stains. It also does double duty, since it not only aims to enhance brightness by two shades after a week of brushing but also is ideal for tooth demineralization and sensitivity reduction.

• Key ingredients: baking soda, coconut oil, xylitol
• Number of tubes included: one

Customer review: “Love this toothpaste! Tastes great...only need a little bit. It makes teeth feel super clean all day long and think they are whiter already. Not to mention so many healthy ingredients.” —Grandma J.

Lipari counts this top-rated and natural whitening toothpaste from RiseWell as one of his all-time favorites. “RiseWell makes a hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste which has natural whitening properties,” he says. “Although hydroxyapatite-based toothpastes are a newer product here in the United States, there are numerous studies showing that they may be a great alternative to traditional fluoride-based toothpastes.”

• Key ingredients: essential oils, xylitol, silica, calcium carbonate, peppermint oil, wild mint oil
• Number of tubes included: one

Customer review: “I started using Risewell a couple of years ago when I developed an allergy to sodium lauryl sulfate. I tried Risewell due to its lack of the ingredients and other chemicals. It works well. It tastes good. I like it! I also like the mouthwash.” —Stephanie

A favorite of cosmetic dentist Jon Marashi, this paste skips traditionally used preservatives and instead uses ingredients that absorb and bind to the compounds that stain your teeth, so once you rinse, your teeth are left bright and shiny. “I love the Hello formula because it’s gentle and safe for enamel and everyday use,” he says. “It’s also free of peroxide, dyes, sulfates, parabens, triclosan, preservatives, and gluten, as well as artificial sweeteners and flavors. The activated charcoal whitens the teeth naturally.”

• Key ingredients: mint, coconut oil, and activated charcoal

Customer review: “I tried this because I didn't like all the additives in other toothpastes. One thing I noticed right away was how white it made my teeth. It's really strange the toothpaste is black, but when you're finished and you look in the mirro,r your teeth are white.” —PortraitArtist