You’d think that purchasing a tube of toothpaste would be an easy task, but when you’re looking for the best teeth whitening toothpaste, that’s certainly not the case. A stroll down the aisles of any supermarket reveals a bewildering array of teeth whitening toothpastes on the shelves, all claiming to whiten and brighten your teeth; And figuring out which toothpaste brands work and which don’t is as challenging as finding a diet that works.
On the plus side, teeth whitening toothpastes are convenient and come with a low price tag that makes them appealing but do they work? Well, the answer is yes to a certain extent, but they do have their limitations.
You don’t have to be a scientist to understand that the best teeth whitening products are those that sit on the teeth for longer, such as teeth whitening strips. Toothpaste only has a short time to work – around two minutes – and because it’s touching other parts of your mouth besides the teeth, the solution can’t be too potent, or it could aggravate the mouth and gums and cause problems with your oral health.
But regularly used (most toothpaste brands recommend using whitening toothpaste twice a day for at least four weeks), your teeth may lighten by one or two shades.
How does teeth whitening toothpaste work?
You’ve probably noticed that whitening toothpaste looks just like any other toothpaste, but the difference lies in a few of the additives. These are mainly chemicals that break down staining and abrasives that remove surface discolouration. The product can also polish the teeth to make them look brighter.
The most prominent tooth whitening toothpaste ingredients are abrasives that scrub away the stains on tooth enamel. Some toothpaste brands use a calcium carbon abrasive like charcoal, whereas others use hydrated silica.
Just as scrubbing a work surface with an abrasive household cleaner can remove stains and grime, so the use of toothpaste-based abrasives removes surface stains from the teeth to leave them looking whiter.
When used regularly and in conjunction with dentist-supervised treatments, tooth whitening toothpaste can help prevent the build-up of stains and prevent further discolouration.
On the downside, if you’re in a hurry for whiter teeth, then look elsewhere. Even with the best teeth whitening toothpaste, progress is slow. Most toothpaste brands recommend brushing twice daily for three to six weeks until any results are noticeable.
So which is the best teeth whitening toothpaste?
The good news is that there are plenty of options if you have a specific requirement, such as the toothpaste needs to be for sensitive teeth or it has to be natural. We’ve done our research and put together our ‘pick of the best’ together with the pros and cons of each one to help you discover the teeth whitening toothpaste that’s best for you.
So, read on to discover what toothpaste brands will give you the best result for your dental needs.
The best teeth whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Sensodyne True White Toothpaste Mint
Some teeth whitening toothpastes can aggravate sensitive teeth, so it’s vital to look for gentle and low-abrasive ones. Sensodyne fits the bill since it has the lowest abrasion formula ever in a Sensodyne® toothpaste.
Pros
- It gives teeth a natural white appearance
- It’s not overly abrasive
- It stops gums and teeth from being sensitive
- It leaves a protective shield to help prevent new stains from forming
- It has a nice minty flavour
- The tube can be stood up on its base
Cons
- The tube is small, containing 85g
Cost
- $12.03
Best teeth whitening toothpaste for coffee addicts
iWhite Dark Stains Toothpaste
If giving up your morning cup of coffee is unthinkable, then this whitening toothpaste deserves a place on your bathroom shelf. Its triple-action whitening solution helps remove odours and dark stains caused by the drinks you love – coffee, cola and red wine. Active ingredients of charcoal and fluoride unite to whiten and strengthen.
Pros
- Tastes good and leaves a fresh feeling in the mouth
- Noticeably whiter teeth in just a few days
- The shine makes the teeth appear brighter
- Removes stubborn stains
- Need very little paste on the brush
Cons
- The box size gives the impression of a larger tube of toothpaste
- You may not like that the toothpaste turns grey when you brush due to the charcoal in it
- It’s very expensive
Cost
- $20
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste Duo
HiSmile Day and Night Toothpaste
HiSmile’s day and night toothpaste whitening duo has recently been rebranded with a new formula and certainly looks stylish on a bathroom shelf. The package provides a dual process that claims to protect and gently whiten the teeth.
The daytime toothpaste is designed to remove stains that form on the teeth during the day and helps keep teeth clean as toothpaste should. Brushing leaves a micro wax shield that offers protection throughout the day.
The black ‘night’ tube of toothpaste removes surface stains to whiten teeth gently and remove plaque without damaging the teeth and gums.
Pros
- It contains subtle abrasives that whiten the teeth by gently removing surface stains
- Two tubes are included in the price – one for the day and one for the night
- Antibacterial ingredients and the micro-wax shield offer tooth protection
- Their small size makes them easy to store in the bathroom
- Flip lid works well to open and close the tubes
Cons
- The tubes are small
- It’s expensive for the amount of toothpaste in the tubes
- The charcoal in the night toothpaste leaves the sink messy and can linger on the toothbrush
Cost
- $29
Best teeth whitening toothpaste for fast results
Crest, 3D White, Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste, Glamorous White
If you want whiter teeth fast, this toothpaste produces noticeable results after just a couple of weeks of use. It has a fresh minty flavour that freshens the breath and fluoride to fight against tooth decay and cavities. The whitening agent is safe on tooth enamel, and the toothpaste has a foaming action to clean, brighten and whiten your smile quickly and effectively.
Pros
- Enamel-safe whitening
- Active polishing crystals
- Help prevent future stains
- Foaming action helps clean those hard to reach areas
- Gentle whitening that works
- It doesn’t feel as if the enamel has been stripped off the teeth like with some other teeth whitening toothpastes
- Great price
Cons
- None!
Cost
- $8.93
Best natural teeth whitening toothpaste
Mr Bright Whitening Toothpaste
Most whitening toothpaste brands contain hydrogen peroxide, the active bleaching ingredient found in professional teeth whitening treatments. If you’ve experienced tooth sensitivity from hydrogen peroxide, you might want to consider switching to your new best pal, Mr Bright.
Ultra-gentle, this toothpaste states that it can whiten teeth by up to 5 shades. It replaces hydrogen peroxide with hydrated silica (a mild abrasive) and uses lauryl glucoside to remove stains and simultaneously reduce sensitivity.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Free from parabens and sulphate
- Removes stains from enamel
- Fights plaque and bacteria
- Detoxifies gums
- Refreshing gel texture
- Super-minty taste
Cons
- Few people seem to have noticed any difference in the colour of their teeth, but this could be that they haven’t been using the toothpaste for long enough to see any results.
Cost
- $13.95
Best Teeth Whitening Toothpaste With Ingredients Used By Dentists
Colgate Optic White High Impact White Toothpaste
This brand of toothpaste claims to deeply whiten teeth by up to four shades when brushing twice daily for six weeks. It contains 2% hydrogen peroxide which is among the higher percentages of whitening agent.
Pros
- Fluoride formula to protect teeth
- Four shades visibly whiter teeth within six weeks when used twice a day
- Professionally approved ingredient – hydrogen peroxide
- Enamel-safe toothpaste
- Well-known reputable brand
- Nice minty flavour
- Foaming toothpaste that feels like it’s working right away
Cons
- Mixed reviews as to whether the toothpaste works or not
Cost
- $9.99
So which of the teeth whitening toothpastes do we recommend?
While teeth whitening toothpaste has its place, remember that they only remove light surface staining at best and are not ideal for tarnished teeth.
If you’re looking to achieve whiter teeth on a budget, a better solution could be dentist-supervised custom take-home whitening kits.
The bottom line
Even the best teeth whitening toothpaste that you can purchase from supermarkets and chemists will not lighten your teeth noticeably. It will, however, stop the build-up of surface stains and help prevent further discolouration. Dentists often recommend that patients brush their teeth with whitening toothpaste a couple of times a week following professional teeth whitening for this reason.
At Dental 266, we can help you achieve a whiter, more confident smile with SDI Pola White. We offer patients both in-chair (at our clinic) whitening treatment and take-home whitening kits. Whichever you choose, you can be assured of long-lasting results.
With five different Pola White products to choose from, there’s sure to be one that meets your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Why not schedule a consultation with the experienced team at Dental 266 Burwood by calling on (02) 9051 0600 and take the first step to brighter, whiter teeth. You won’t be able to stop smiling.