Best teeth whitening toothpastes for a sparkling smile

Swap your toothpaste for a whitening alternative to give yourself that brighter, whiter smile you've always dreamed of.

Whitening toothpaste

by Lorna White |
Updated on

At Yours, we're here to help you find your smile with the best teeth whitening toothpaste - which is one of the best teeth whitening methods. We don’t know about you, but we could certainly do with a boost of happiness right now with a teeth whitening product. Did you know that smiling has been scientifically proven to make us happier? According to some studies, smiling spurs a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain hormones, including dopamine and serotonin, which make us feel happier.

It’s totally normal to feel a little insecure about your smile, but there are a few simple things we can do to help us feel more confident when smiling. One of those things is swapping your usual toothpaste for a whitening alternative to help remove teeth stains and plaque to make your smile whiter and brighter. This is a more natural way to whiten the teeth and is an ideal option if you're a little wary of stronger whitening products, such as a teeth whitening kit.

Best teeth whitening toothpaste at a glance:

Editor's choice: Colgate Max White Ultimate Radiance Toothpaste - Buy now on Amazon UK
Best for quick and effective results: Oral-B 3D White Luxe Pearl Glow Toothpaste - Buy now on Oral-B
Best dentist-strength toothpaste: Pearl Drops Pro White 4D - Buy now on Amazon UK
Best overall whitening toothpaste: White Glo Extra Strength Whitening Toothpaste - Buy now on Amazon UK

Whitening strips and toothpaste works to remove surface stains and plaque as a result of food and drinks such as coffee or red wine to help whiten teeth. They often use three different methods to achieve those pearly whites; optical, chemical, and buffing. You can read more about this in our FAQs section.

If you’ve never used teeth whitening toothpaste before, you may be thinking, is this really safe for my teeth? The short answer is yes. However, if you do suffer from sensitive teeth, you may want to opt for a more gentle toothpaste and one that isn’t abrasive, as this could break down your enamel even further, causing more sensitivity. Below are the best teeth whitening toothpastes we've found, tried and tested.

Best teeth whitening toothpastes

Editor's Choice

Colgate claims this is their most advanced and most effective whitening formula yet and can remove up to 15 years of discolouration and stains, as well as fight bad breath, leaving your mouth fresh. This is a big sell. But, what did reviews say on Amazon?

Checking in to a respectable 4.2/5 stars, the Colgate Max White Ultimate Radiance Toothpaste has been praised for its performance - saying it's effective and really works. We're glad to hear that it lifts stains, leaving teeth clean and bright. One customer commented that changes started within two days and made their mouth feel clean.

As for negatives, some customers were not keen on how expensive it was (compared to ordinary toothpaste) - not to mention the chemical taste, especially when you spit it out. Though it doesn't touch a professional whitening, it costs very little (in comparison) and doesn't make your teeth sensitive. Alas, some reviews are unconvinced by the results.

We've made this our "Editor's Pick" as it comes highly-reviewed on Amazon, from a substantial well-known brand within the dental industry. Plus, with the tagline of "reverses up to 15 years' worth of stains", you didn't need to convince us that the dentist is a scary place.

Pros

  • Complete with a non-abrasive formula
  • Contains fluoride to prevent decay
  • Helps 15 years of discolouration

Cons

  • Taste is a little chemical, not minty fresh

Best for quick and effective results

Oral-B 3D White Luxe Pearl Glow Toothpaste
Price: £3 (was £6)

shop.oralb.co.uk

This Oral-B whitening toothpaste is formulated to show results in just three days. Not only is it designed to remove stains, but it will also help combat any new stains, too. Oral-B calls it "revitalising" as its penetrating foam improves hard-to-reach areas and strengthens enamel.

What do customers think of the Oral-B 3D White Luxe Pearl Glow Toothpaste? With 4.65 stars, this pick is well-liked by reviews, saying it keeps teeth clean and leaves your mouth feeling really fresh, Unlike the previous pick, it tastes great, which is a plus. A customer commented that it has removed 90% of their yellow staining - impressive. Any negatives?

Some customers, again, find whitening toothpaste pricey, and this is no exception. Luckily, it's nearly always on sale for you to bag a bargain. Though the flavour is great and it is miles cheaper than a professionally cleaned and whitened, this toothpaste does take its time to work - and may gradually lighten the shade of your teeth in a few weeks. Be patient.

If you have a good teeth cleaning routine in place, this Oral B pick can help, protecting you against surface stains for 24 hours - with fluoride for a boost to fight decay. With pearl extract and mint flavour for long-lasting freshness, this is a refreshing choice.

Pros

  • Quick and effective stain removal
  • Enamel safe formula
  • Contains natural pearl extract

Cons

  • May take a few weeks to work for some

Best dentist-strength toothpaste

Pearl Drops - Pro White 4D
Price: £9.23
Alternative retailers
Walmart$14.35View offer

If you're familiar with whitening toothpaste, you'll have already heard about Pearl Drops Pro White 4D. Pearl Drops has different kinds of toothpaste and this one promises to make teeth up to four shades whiter in just three weeks using a buffing technique.

What do customers say? With a 4.5 rating, this Pearl Drops Pro White 4D toothpaste is of great quality and value. Many customers agree that this toothpaste is effective - and does what it says, whitening your teeth five times more than a regular paste. Plus, it contains perlite, which is used by dentists. A customer, in their sixties, commented that they're eager to fight the 'old age dingy look' of their teeth - and found it restored their teeth and brightneed them to 20 years old. Are there any negatives to this dentist-approved pick?

The brand recommends brushing three times a day for six weeks to results. If you have the time (and patience), this pick will be worth it. Some reviews appreciate the bearable taste, saying it's not very strong. Some customers found it pricey but worth it.

Pearl Drops has over 40 years of experience in developing formulations tailored to your needs. Great value, this clinically proven formulation helps target stains and grants you an immediate whitening boost. With this pick, you can achieve a brighter, whiter smile.

Pros

  • Contains perlite, as used by dentists
  • Cleans and polishes your smile
  • With fluoride for protection from decay

Cons

  • You may have to wait a little for results

Best cleaning kit

If you suffer from sensitivity but still want to achieve a whiter look, Sensodyne's teeth whitening paste is for you. While providing an extra whitening effect, the Sensodyne Pronamel Regime Kit also works to build and protect your enamel to combat sensitivity.

It has 4.7/5 stars on Amazon, with customers claiming that it "works wonders" and is the right product to choose when you find the first signs of possible tooth decay. A customer commented that their teeth are "looking great and feel great". Not only does this toothpaste help with sensitivity, but it can help eliminate signs of decay and leaves your mouth feeling fresh. Enjoy healthy gums and teeth.

Any negatives for this one? There are very few negative reviews for this one. Few customers were left unconvinced by the effectiveness of this toothpaste. and few didn't like the flavour of the paste.

Complete with a specifically designed toothbrush to help protect enamel, this Sensodyne Prronamel is recommended by dentists and ensures healthy teeth and gums. It's a great kit for when you need to give your not-so-pearly whites a little TLC.

Pros

  • Cavity and enamel protection
  • Maintains healthy gums and teeth
  • Kit comes with a toothbrush

Cons

  • Not a nice taste, not minty fresh

Best for eco-friendly ingredients

Looking for something a little more natural? Try this organic formula from Dr. Organic which uses coconut oil to naturally whiten teeth. It also works to prevent cavities and to freshen your breath. The Dr Organic Coconut Oil Toothpaste is one of our eco-friendly picks.

What do customers think? On Holland & Barrett, the toothpaste has an impressive 4.6/5 star average. However, the reviews are not very detailed, but discuss how they love that it is an organic product - and how clean their teeth feel after a brush. One customer, in particular, loves the coconut element as it can prevent bacteria in the mouth. Another said that commercial toothpaste stripped the lining of their mouth, and since changing to natural toothpaste such, they haven't looked back. Some customers didn't like the taste, though.

Soothing and equipped with anti-cavity whitening treatment, this Coconut Oil Toothpaste can cleanse and protect your teeth with deep-cleansing bioactive extracts.

Pros

  • Anti-cavity whitening treatment
  • Soothing and protective
  • With deep cleansing bioactive extracts

Cons

  • One customer says the coconut flavour is overpowered by a strong ingredient

Best overall whitening toothpaste

Containing both a toothbrush and paste, White Glo Extra Strength Whitening Toothpaste is an enamel-safe formula that's number 1 in Australia and is great if you're looking for a whitening toothpaste with extra strength. But what are the reviews saying on Amazon?

With 4.6/5 stars on Amazon UK, the White Glo Extra Strength Whitening Toothpaste is well-liked for its quality, whitening success, and effect of the toothpaste. Many reviews agree that it's the best quality toothpaste. Why? Well, they say it leaves their teeth whiter and that it makes their teeth feel dentist-clean. That being said, opinions are mixed on the value.

This pick comes with a built-in Micro Particle for effective stain removal, especially when used with the anti-stain toothbrush. Say goodbye to yellowing and hello to pearly whites. Plus, it comes with fluoride for protection against cavities. And it comes with a flosser.

Pros

  • Whiten your teeth with the built-in Micro Particles
  • Anti-stain toothbrush lightens yellowing
  • Contains fluoride for protection against cavities

Cons

  • Gradual discolouration lift

Best non-abrasive toothpaste

BlanX Intensive Stain Removal Whitening Toothpaste
Price: £16.00

BlanX intensive stain removal whitening toothpaste is ideal for stubborn stains from years of coffee drinking and smoking, this intense paste this product uses naturally active Arctic Lichen to remove stains and fight plaque. And, what are the reviews saying on Amazon?

Amaozn's average rating for this product is 4.2/5 stars. Customers like the whitening aspect and vouch for the stain removal - plus, the taste isn't too bad, either. Revews agree that the toothpaste is non-abrasive - so gentle - and their teeth look whiter. One customer commented that within a few days, their teeth look (and feel) hygienist clean. High praise - and all in a few days. As for negatives, some reviews are mixed on performance and value.

For a healthy smile, brush thoroughly for two minutes twice a day.

Pros

  • Natural, non-abrasive whitening
  • Peroxide-free and enamel-safe
  • 100% vegan and cruelty-free

Cons

  • Best for maintenance

Best Teeth Whitening Toothpaste FAQs

What are the different toothpaste whitening methods?

Optical: The use of blue-toned brighteners can often provide that ‘instant’ whitened effect which is the reason why so many whitening toothpaste can be blue in colour.

Chemicals: Hydrogen peroxide, for example, is sometimes used to brighten teeth within whitening toothpaste. A teeth whitening pen will typically contain bleach, too, which can break down stains and lighten the shade of your teeth.

Buffing: If you’ve ever had your teeth cleaned at the dentist, you’ll feel how rough the polish they use can feel in the mouth. Many of the best teeth whitening toothpastes uses a similar formula, such as activated charcoal to break down any discolouration.

Any top tips for keeping my teeth white?

If you're wanting to brighten up your smile, it can be tricky to face the professionals. After all, the dentist can be a scary place, especially since we've had bad experiences as children. So, we've written our own guide on how to keep your teeth white, some of these include stopping smoking, chewing gum and drinking water after a meal.

How do I remove tartar?

Tartar is plaque build-up on your teeth which has hardened. We have lots of bacteria in our mouths and it mixes with our food, forming what we know as plaque. Plaque is sticky, and it easily coats your teeth. Plaque carries bacteria which can damage our tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Luckily, if you regularly remove the plaque, you can avoid this happening. However, if this plaque is not removed, it can develop and harden into tartar.

Once the plaque has hardened, it's very hard to remove, which is why it's best to see a professional. However, if you're not keen on dentists, it can be tempting to remove the tartar yourself with some home remedies. From white vinegar to baking soda, there are a great number of suggestions. But, the best option is to see a dentist or hygienist.

Any natural teeth whitening methods?

Although there are many teeth whitening kits that will give you a sparkling smile, some of these kits aren't suitable if you suffer from sensitivity. That's why you can opt for natural teeth whitening methods which are safe for our gums. We've compiled a list of natural teeth-whitening techniques, from baking soda to oil pulling.

Lorna White is a Digital Writer at Yours.co.uk and MotherandBaby.co.uk. She was previously a writer at Yours Magazine writing features and news stories before joining the digital team.

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