Best Whitening Toothpaste of 2018 - Dentist Recommendations

Although they won't make your teeth instantly jump several shades brighter like an in-office treatment would, whitening toothpastes are a great way to subtly remove stains and diminish yellowness. While peroxide is still the gold-standard ingredient to make teeth sparkle, those concerned about its harshness have a number of alternative ingredients to help keep their smile bright. "There are a number of good products on the market for whitening that, when used correctly, will not damage teeth," Mark Wolff, a professor at New York University College of Dentistry. "They generally contain a peroxide of one form or another and some contain different abrasives." These picks feature a wide variety of whitening agents, including peroxide, silica, and charcoal, but Wolff urges people to have realistic expectations. "The 'tissue test' seen on commercials — holding a white tissue to the front of your tooth and expecting the same color — is just not realistic," he says. "Expecting teeth to be brilliant white even after whitening is not always possible." Start small with these 10 brightening formulas, recommended by the experts.