Dealing with sensitive teeth and gums? According to Lipari, you can still choose a whitening toothpaste as long as it contains a range of natural or milder ingredients to remove stubborn stains without additional pain or irritation. “The most common symptom or problem with whitening products whether it’s whitening toothpaste or strips is tooth sensitivity,” she explains. “This doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to whiten your teeth again, but it does mean you should reduce the amount of whitening products you use on your teeth until the sensitivity subsides.”
Lipari suggests that those with sensitive teeth keep their eyes peeled for whitening toothpastes powered by the ingredient potassium nitrate, which helps reduce overall sensitivity. While using one of the best whitening toothpastes makes it a breeze to brighten or maintain the desired shade of your smile, experts advise staying patient as noticeable results can take up to a month to show with consistent brushing.
If you brush it. are you ready to trade your tried and true tube for a formula that helps your teeth really to sparkle, read some of the most popular toothpastes available from Colgate, Dr. Apa and many more, worth adding to your daily (and nightly) routine.
Related: The 14 Best Teeth Whitening Kit for a brighter smile
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Each product on this page has been selected by a Harper’s BAZAAR editor. We may earn a commission on some of the items you choose to purchase.
Colgate
Optic White Pro series whitening toothpaste
Colgate
Optic White Pro series whitening toothpaste
Advantages
- Vegetarian
When it comes to his top whitening toothpaste of choice, Lipari often reaches for this one from Colgate to brush morning and night. “I usually recommend Colgate Optic White, as I personally think I’ve had the best results with it.”
| Star rating: | 4.4/5 |
|---|---|
| Basic ingredient: | Hydrogen peroxide |
Advantages
- Without fluoride
I’ve tried a number of whitening toothpastes as a beauty editor, but this one from Marvis is one of my favorites—and more than 5,000 Amazon shoppers agree. Not only does the vintage-inspired tube look stylish on my bathroom counter, but the mint flavor always leaves my mouth feeling more refreshed after brushing.
| Star rating: | 4.6/5 |
|---|---|
| Basic ingredients | Hydrated Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Limonene |
| A satisfied customer writes: | “I made the switch! My favorite fluoride free toothpaste so far. It definitely whitens really well.” —Amazon customer |
Sensodyne
Extra Whitening Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth (Pack of 3)
Sensodyne
Extra Whitening Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth (Pack of 3)
Advantages
- No sulfates
For patients with sensitive teeth, Lipari often recommends Sensodyne’s Extra Whitening toothpaste. Contains an anti-cavity formula that provides up to 24 hours of gum and enamel protection while making your pearly whites brighter.
| Star rating | 4.7/5 |
|---|---|
| Basic ingredient: | Sodium lauryl |
Ridge
3D White Radiant Mint Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Ridge
3D White Radiant Mint Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Crest 3D Whitestrips are a cult favorite for many beauty enthusiasts, so it’s no surprise that the brand’s Radiant Mint teeth whitening toothpaste is also a big hit.
| Star rating: | 4.6/5 |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients: | Sodium fluoride, fluoride ion |
| A satisfied customer writes: | “Nice talk about the best toothpaste ever! I’ve been using this for almost five years now, and I’ve gotten so many compliments on my teeth and I’m constantly being asked how I keep them so white. I’m also an avid coffee drinker and use it everyday for sure bends coffee stains.” —sarahh691 |
Advantages
- Without fluoride
- Safe for sensitive teeth
This fluoride-free toothpaste from the cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Apa cleans surface stains to brighten teeth, along with hydroxyapatite – one of the foundations of tooth enamel – to help rebuild it as you brush. And because it’s made with carbamide peroxide instead of hydrogen peroxide, it’s safe for sensitive teeth.
| Key Ingredients: | Hydroxyapatite, peppermint oil, carbamide peroxide |
|---|
Advantages
- Best for sensitive gums
- Budget friendly
If you suffer from sensitive teeth or gums, choose Before’s Mint Toothpaste. It’s made with gentle, soothing ingredients like aloe vera and refreshing peppermint oil, but deep cleans with sodium fluoride.
| Key Ingredients: | Sodium fluoride, aloe extract |
|---|
Opalescence
Whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Opalescence
Whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Advantages
- Ideal for sensitive teeth
Opalescence fluoride toothpaste is another Lipari favorite especially for sensitive teeth. It uses low friction silica to polish away surface stains, along with potassium nitrate to minimize tooth pain and gum irritation.
| Star rating: | 4.4/5 |
|---|---|
| Basic ingredient: | Potassium nitrate, xylitol, silicon, fluoride |
| A satisfied customer writes: | “Nice light, mint flavor. Didn’t hurt my teeth like some other whiteners.” —Sbhuskins |
Arm & Hammer
Advance White Breath Freshening toothpaste
Arm & Hammer
Advance White Breath Freshening toothpaste
Advantages
- Top score
Baking soda acts as the main ingredient in this popular toothpaste to gently lift surface stains and neutralize acids that weaken enamel.
| Star rating: | 4.6/5 |
|---|---|
| Basic ingredient: | Baking soda |
| A satisfied customer writes: | “I’m 63 and have the whitest teeth thanks to Arm and Hammer. My dental hygienist is amazed at how little she cleans my teeth every six months, and I’m a total tea lover!” -Nana |
Hello
Natural Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste (3-Pack)
Hello
Natural Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste (3-Pack)
Advantages
- Without parabens
Here’s a three-pack of peppermint toothpaste from Hello that uses a blend of calcium minerals to whiten teeth while strengthening enamel naturally.
| Star rating: | 4.7/5 |
|---|---|
| Basic ingredients | Peppermint, Calcium Mineral Blend, Tea Tree Oil, Coconut Oil |
| A satisfied customer writes: | “Leaves teeth as clean as if I went to the dentist!!” —C Sancho |
Upload well
Natural hydroxyapatite toothpaste
Upload well
Natural hydroxyapatite toothpaste
Advantages
- Without fluoride
“Risewell makes a toothpaste based on hydroxyapatite that has natural whitening properties,” Lipari continues. “Although hydroxyapatite-based toothpastes are a newer product here in the United States, there are numerous studies that show they can be an excellent alternative to traditional fluoride-based toothpastes.”
| Star rating: | 4.8/5 |
|---|---|
| Basic ingredients | Essences |
What are the benefits of using whitening toothpastes?
Whitening toothpastes make it easy to enhance the shade of your smile with little to no effort, with noticeable results after about a month of use. “These options are a great way to maintain your teeth and achieve a smaller whitening effect on a daily basis,” says Lipari.
How should I use whitening toothpaste?
Brushing your teeth with one of the best whitening toothpastes is no different from the process of using a regular tube. Those who are already brightening their smile with a teeth whitening kit can still use a whitening toothpaste. However, experts advise caution that most whitening products used on your teeth may increase your risk for future enamel sensitivity.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Rich Lipari is a cosmetic dentist at Lipari & Mangiameli Dentistry in Chappaqua, New York.
Why trust Harper’s BAZAAR?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women of every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skin care, hair care and fragrance. Every story we publish is thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty trade editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in forecasting trends, building relationships with big and emerging brands, and creating shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product trials. Tiffany’s work has previously been featured in outlets such as SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she has been featured as a business and beauty expert in publications and platforms such as The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.
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