6 Keys to Selecting the Best Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Are you happy with your smile? Do you proudly show it to the world or do you hide it behind your hands?

One of the main reasons why people are unhappy with their teeth is having uneven, stained or yellow teeth.

In your quest for a pearly-white smile that lightens up a room, you’ve probably tried many teeth-whitening products on the market.

But often, the simplest solution is right in front of you – in your toothpaste.

Finding the best teeth whitening toothpaste comes with some trial and error. Many brands will over-promise but under-deliver and you’ll be left unhappy with the results.

So keep reading to discover our tips on finding the right teeth-whitening toothpaste for you.

6 Tips on Finding the Best Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

1. Look at the Ingredients List

If you know how to decipher a toothpaste’s ingredient list, you’re one step closer to finding the right product for you.

Besides the whitening component, your whitening toothpaste should still be able to protect your teeth from decay and food acids.

Look for the following active whitening ingredients in the product:

• Potassium Nitrate (helps in the whitening process and reduces teeth sensitivity)
• Hydrated Silica (an abrasive used to remove teeth stains)
• PVP/Polyvinylpyrrolidone (prevents teeth from future stains by bonding with the tooth enamel)
• Sodium Bicarbonate (commonly known as baking soda, an abrasive that helps whiten the teeth and neutralize food and drink acids)
• Sodium Tripolyphosphate (helps remove teeth stains)
• Hydrogen Peroxide (a common ingredient in teeth-whitening toothpaste, helps bleach the teeth)
• Sodium Monofluorophosphate, a.k.a. Fluoride (protects and strengthens your teeth and prevents cavities)

Note that many of these ingredients may not normally be present in regular toothpastes. The main role of these agents is to whiten the teeth and remove stains from coffee, cigarettes, and food. This is due to their abrasive nature.

However, toothpaste with strong abrasive ingredients can erode your teeth enamel, causing increased sensitivity to hot/cold foods and drinks.

2. Check the RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasiveness) Value

Teeth-whitening toothpaste brands will go to great lengths to convince you that their product is the best on the market.

But the whitening effect of any toothpaste can be measured by its Relative Dentin Abrasiveness (RDA). Basically, the higher the RDA, the more harmful it is. For example, 0-70 is considered low abrasive, 70-100 medium, 100-150 highly abrasive, and 150-250 is a harmful level of abrasiveness.

The brands don’t disclose the level of abrasiveness on the package, so you should either consult your dentist or contact the company directly to ask.

For comparison, an Arm & Hammer Dental Care toothpaste has a low abrasive level of 35, a Colgate Total has a medium 70, an Ultra Brite has highly abrasive 132, and a Pearl Drops Toothpaste Extra has a 227 high level of abrasiveness.

3. Do Your Own Research

Standing in the oral care aisle in the supermarket trying to decide which is the best teeth whitening toothpaste?

Doing some research before you decide to buy can save you a lot of money, time and disappointment.

Luckily, a simple internet search can give you hundreds of articles, reviews, and studies on the topic.

You can compare brands, prices, and efficiency of the toothpaste, so when you buy it, you’ll know what to expect.

4. Look for a Seal of Approval From a Reputable Dental Associations

In general, you should always choose oral care products and toothpaste types that have a seal of approval from an official dental institution or association.

This guarantees that the toothpaste has been tested and evaluated by professionals in the industry and was declared safe for your oral health and effective in its purpose.

5. Find Out What Works Best for You

Finding the best teeth whitening toothpaste for you depends on various factors. Before you buy the most expensive brand or the one that promises instant results, consider the condition of your dental health.

Everyone has a different chemical saliva makeup, so you should choose a product that’ll suit you on a daily basis.

For instance, if you have sensitive teeth, don’t choose a toothpaste with strong whitening effects. These are very abrasive and will do more harm to your enamel than good.

In general, what works for one person may have the opposite effect on another. So try a few different kinds and brands of toothpaste before settling on one. This way, you can compare their effectiveness, but also see how your teeth feel after brushing.

On a side note, when you’re testing out a teeth-whitening product, you should eliminate the foods and drinks that stain your teeth. For instance, red wine, coffee, hard candy, berries, sugary drinks, tea and tomato sauce.

You won’t be able to assess the whitening results if you consume these foods and drinks on a daily basis.

6. Talk to Your Dentist

If you’re overwhelmed by the many teeth-whitening products out there and aren’t sure what to pick, ask your dentist for advice.

Because they’re familiar with your dental history and the condition of your oral health, they’ll give you some recommendations.

For example, if you’ve had a lot of work done on your teeth in the past, you should consider a toothpaste for sensitive teeth with lower abrasive properties. If you’ve never whitened your teeth before, you should be fine with medium abrasive kinds.

In any case, consult your dentist if you’re not sure about the toothpaste ingredients and their effect on your teeth.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the best teeth whitening toothpaste may take some time, but with our tips, you’ll know what to look for.

Be careful when you choose the brand and carefully read the list of ingredients. Also, do your own research or ask for recommendations from other people.

Teeth whitening toothpaste does its job gradually, so don’t expect overnight results. It can take a few weeks until you notice the first changes. Prolonged use of a month or two is enough to see a substantial difference.

Need a faster, more effective solution? Check out our high-quality whitening strips and get the bright smile you desire today!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help!