Our Experts Written by Jessica Rendall Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Why You Can Trust CNET 16171819202122232425+ Years of Experience 14151617181920212223 Hands-on Product Reviewers 6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000 Sq. Feet of Lab Space How we test CNETs expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. What to consider Health of your mouth Teeth whitening is mostly a cosmetic concern, meaning brightening your smile won't fix underlying oral health issues like cavities, gingivitis or pain in or around your teeth. As you look for a home-whitening product, check your books to make sure you're on top of your regular teeth cleanings. Also, take note of whether you practice habits that can prevent staining, like swishing with water after drinking coffee. How fast you want your teeth to be white If you're looking into whitening products for a specific reason or event coming soon, whitening toothpaste will most likely not cut it. If you can swing the price, consider an in-office whitening procedure with your dentist for effective results. You can also consider buying whitening strips or other at-home products. Whether your toothpaste is safe for long-term use Toothpastes have different levels of relative dentin abrasion (RDA), which can give you an idea of how abrasive your toothpaste is or how safely you can use it regularly without risking damage to your enamel. In general, it's also good to look for products that contain fluoride or hydroxyapatite to help prevent your teeth from weakening. Table of Contents Our Picks Best whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide Colgate Optic White Pro Series View details $8 at Amazon View details Most affordable whitening toothpaste Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste View details $4 at Walgreens View details Best whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening View details $34 at Walmart View details Best whitening toothpaste with essential oils Lumineux Whitening toothpaste View details $7 at Walmart View details Best natural whitening toothpaste Boka Ela Mint n-Ha toothpaste View details $12 at Amazon View details Table of Contents Everyone wants sparkling white teeth, especially with how common it has become with celebrities. For those looking to whiten their teeth, it's common for dentists to offer whitening procedures. However, these can be extremely pricey and often leave your wallet aching something awful. But there is another way: teeth-whitening toothpaste. Not only is this easier to access, but it's far more affordable too.While a quality toothpaste marketed for teeth-whitening can help you achieve a brighter smile, its important to understand its limitations.Teeth-whitening toothpaste can be helpful, but if you use it too much, it might do more harm than good. The best bet is to focus on keeping your teeth healthy overall, as that can actually help keep stains from happening in the first place.It's totally normal for teeth to get a little discolored, so it's important to keep your expectations in check when it comes to how your smile looks. If you're thinking about whitening your teeth, here are some things to keep in mind when picking out the right whitening toothpaste.Does whitening toothpaste work? Is it safe?Most whitening toothpastes remove surface stains from teeth by using abrasives. While all toothpaste can be abrasive, too much scrubbing can harm your enamel, a protective outer coating that shields your teeth. Dr. Sarah Tavares, a dentist at Bentway Dental in Toronto, Canada, says whitening ingredients like silica and calcium carbonate can be especially rough. Other abrasives, such as baking soda and charcoal, can be more damaging.Other whitening agents in some toothpastes or whitening strips contain chemical agents that bleach the teeth, such as hydrogen peroxide. These may be "generally safer" for your teeth than more abrasive ingredients, but Tavares said, "they can still cause gum irritation or sensitivity if overused or used improperly. "To reduce the risk of enamel damage, limit the frequency of whitening treatments to a week at a time with good intervals in between," she said. What is the best whitening toothpaste overall?We did not choose a single best whitening toothpaste because the ideal option depends on individual preferences and needs. Below, we have listed various types of whitening toothpaste based on dentist recommendations. However, if you have any questions, it's best to consult your dental provider for personalized advice.Best whitening toothpaste of 2025 Photo Gallery 1/1 $8 at Amazon Pros Contains 5% hydrogen peroxide, which whitens intrinsically and extrinsically Cons Formula may be too strong or cause irritation for some Main whitening agent Hydrogen peroxide, 5% Contains sodium lauryl sulfate YesContains fluoride Yes $8 at Amazon Colgate Optic White Pro Series toothpaste is one whitening toothpaste that Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist in Houston, Texas, recommends.Some of her reasons for recommending it include its trusted brand name and its 5% hydrogen peroxide whitening agent. Unlike other whitening agents that work by removing stains on the surface of the tooth, hydrogen peroxide can get inside the tooth so it whitens intrinsically as well as extrinsically.According to Khan, one downside to this toothpaste is that it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, which may cause irritation, such as canker sores. Other popular whitening toothpastes may also contain SLS, so it's important to look at the ingredients before you buy a product if you're sensitive to it. $4 at Walgreens Crest Pro-Health Advanced Extra Whitening toothpaste is recommended by Dr. Elizabeth Himel, owner of Aspen Dental. This toothpaste whitens through hydrated silica, a mild abrasive. Crest is also a well-known brand with many products (quite a few of them marketed toward whitening), making this an approachable choice for many.