The Best Whitening Toothpastes That Work, According to Dentists

There are plenty to choose from regardless of your teeth needs. These toothpastes will keep them white. Our Experts Written by  Anna Gragert Written by  Jessica Rendall Article updated on March 31, 2026 at AM PDT Anna Gragert Senior Editor, Health and Home Anna Gragert (she/her/hers) was previously the lifestyle editor at HelloGiggles, the deputy editor at So Yummy and the senior lifestyle editor at Hunker. Over the past 12 years, Anna has also written for the LA Times, Elle, Bust Magazine, Dazed, Apartment Therapy, Well+Good and more. At CNET, she's a senior editor on the Healthy Home team, and her coverage includes health, wellness tech, meal kits and home and kitchen tech with a focus on the technology that aims to help us live our healthiest, happiest lives. Expertise Health and wellness tech, meal kits, home and kitchen tech, food, mental health See full bio Jessica Rendall Former Wellness Reporter Jessica was a writer on the Wellness team, with a focus on health technology, eye care, nutrition and finding new approaches to chronic health problems. Expertise Public health, new wellness technology and health hacks that don't cost money Credentials Added coconut oil to cheap coffee before keto made it cool. See full bio 30+ Years of Experience 35 Product Reviewers 15k Sq. Feet of Lab Space CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Reviews ethics statement How we test Teeth whitening is mostly a cosmetic concern, meaning brightening your smile won't fix underlying oral health issues like cavities, gingivitis or pain in or around your teeth. As you look for a home-whitening product, check your books to make sure you're on top of your regular teeth cleanings. Also, take note of whether you practice habits that can prevent staining, like swishing with water after drinking coffee. If you're looking into whitening products for a specific reason or event coming soon, whitening toothpaste will most likely not cut it. If you can swing the price, consider an in-office whitening procedure with your dentist for effective results. You can also consider buying whitening strips or other at-home products. Toothpastes have different levels of relative dentin abrasion (RDA), which can give you an idea of how abrasive your toothpaste is or how safely you can use it regularly without risking damage to your enamel.