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 are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
FAQs
Using hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can help to whiten stained teeth . For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week.
What toothpaste will actually whiten your teeth? ›
Hoang recommends Colgate Optic White Toothpaste. It's effective (the formula contains 5% hydrogen peroxide, the highest concentration available in an over-the-counter toothpaste) and gentle.
What whitens teeth the fastest? ›
Quick Whitening Solutions for Brushing
- Baking Soda. One option for quick teeth whitening is to brush your teeth with baking soda. ...
- Activated Charcoal. Activated charcoal is made via heating using gas. ...
- Powdered Milk. Powdered milk has a number of benefits for your teeth. ...
- Banana Peel. ...
- Strawberries and Baking Soda.
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.
What whitens teeth overnight? ›
Overnight whitening products like strips, gels, and trays can lighten teeth. These magical concoctions often contain bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide, breaking down stain molecules on your enamel's surface and leading to a noticeable improvement. However, “overnight wonders” might be a bit optimistic.
How to get rid of yellow teeth overnight? ›
Tray-based tooth whiteners
This tooth whitening method involves wearing a fitted tray over the teeth. The tray contains a bleaching gel and is worn for 2 to 4 hours a day or overnight . It is important to look for products that contain 10 percent carbamide peroxide.
Can yellow teeth become white again? ›
What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.
What really 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.
Do any whitening toothpastes really work? ›
Indeed, no toothpaste actually whitens. All toothpaste can do is remove stains from the surface of a tooth.
Does vaseline whiten teeth? ›
3) Vaseline
According to many people, Vaseline and toothpaste can help to keep your teeth clean and white. This involves brushing your teeth thoroughly and then applying a thin layer of Vaseline (or any brand of petroleum jelly) on the exposed surfaces of your teeth.
For your benefit, we've provided you with seven different ways to naturally whiten your teeth.
- Eat Strawberries. ...
- Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
- Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
- Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Apply Coconut Oil. ...
- Brush Your Tongue. ...
- Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.
While teeth whitening is the most popular treatment in the field of cosmetic dentistry, it may not be the best option for everyone. Luckily, permanent, whiter teeth can be achieved by receiving porcelain veneers in Scotts Valley.
How can I whiten my teeth in a week at home? ›
Combine 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of baking soda and gently brush your teeth with the mixture. Limit the use of this homemade paste to a few times per week, as overuse can erode your tooth enamel.
How to make teeth whiter in 3 minutes without baking soda? ›
Apple cider vinegar can be used in very small amounts to whiten teeth. Make a mouthwash by mixing 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with 6 ounces of water. Swish the solution for 30 seconds. Then rinse with water and brush your teeth.
How can I whiten my teeth in 2 minutes at home? ›
Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.
How can I get white teeth in 7 days? ›
One popular method is brushing with baking soda. This household staple has mild abrasive properties that can gently remove surface stains from your teeth. Simply mix a small amount of baking soda with water to form a paste, then brush your teeth with it for about two minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
How do I get my teeth white quickly? ›
For your benefit, we've provided you with seven different ways to naturally whiten your teeth.
- Eat Strawberries. ...
- Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
- Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
- Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Apply Coconut Oil. ...
- Brush Your Tongue. ...
- Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.
Tooth whitening strips and gels.
Applied directly to the teeth with a brush or a thin strip, these peroxide-based tooth bleaching products usually need to be applied once or twice a day for 10 to 14 days. They can lighten your teeth by a shade or two. Results last four or more months.
