Maybe you’ve noticed that your smile looks a little dull after you’ve had one too many glasses of red wine. The best teeth whitening toothpastes can help boost your shine without resorting to professional whitening treatments or a full arsenal of teeth whitening products.
First, how do teeth get stained in the first place? “All teeth are made of tubes—like pores” Alice Hoang, DMDfounder of Brooklyn Mint, a dental practice in New York, previously said Glamor. When you eat or drink something rich in pigments – red wine, turmeric, tomato sauce, coffee – these pigments can penetrate the porous structure of enamel, creating that stained or dirty look.
The best whitening toothpastes work using one of two main whitening methods: chemical whitening and physical abrasion.
The first method involves peroxide. “The peroxide acts as a whitening agent to change the color of your teeth,” he says Lauren Becker, DDS, a certified biomimetic dentistry dentist in New York. “If a toothpaste claims to whiten, it should contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.” Both chemicals “react with the molecules that cause stains on teeth.” Kevin Sands, DMDa board-certified cosmetic dentist based in Beverly Hills, previously said Glamor. “This reaction helps break down stains into smaller, less visible particles, leading to brighter, whiter teeth.”
The second way toothpastes can whiten is through physical abrasion or peeling of the enamel. These formulas often contain ingredients like baking soda or charcoal, which “remove stains by naturally scraping them off the surface of the tooth,” says Dr. Becker.
Experts warn that both whitening methods can damage teeth if overdone. Excessive exposure to peroxide can cause gum sensitivity and destruction, and friction 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 strip away enamel,” says Dr. Becker.)
Other ingredients in the toothpaste can also support whitening without causing sensitivity or risking enamel damage. “If you find that your teeth are more sensitive, look for formulas that contain stannous fluoride or hydroxyapatite,” says Dr. Becker.
To determine whether a whitening toothpaste will actually work, “it’s best to look at the peroxide concentrations in the teeth whitening product,” he says. Daniel Rubinstein, DDS, a celebrity cosmetic dentist in New York. 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 toy plan for your teeth whitening experience so you get the best results with the least amount of discomfort,” she says.
The best teeth whitening toothpastes at a glance:
Your Teeth Whitening Questions Answered:
Below are expert-approved teeth whitening toothpastes from dentists who use them and recommend them to their patients.
