Whitening toothpastes

Daily whitening without damaging enamel and without peroxides. These toothpastes remove stains from coffee or tea and smooth the surface of the teeth, providing a natural brightening effect. Looking for a fluoride-free option? Check the appropriate box in the "Ingredients" filter.

How peroxide-free whitening toothpaste works

A tooth darkens for two reasons: surface staining from coffee, tea, wine, and cigarettes, and the color of the dentin beneath the enamel. The toothpaste only addresses the former. It does so in three ways: gentle abrasives (silica, baking soda) remove surface stains, polishing smooths the surface, and nano-hydroxyapatite deposits into microscopic enamel lesions, which helps the teeth reflect light better. The result depends on the type of staining and the regularity of use. If you want to actually change the shade of your teeth, you need peroxides — we write about this in our articles on at-home whitening and Opalescence tray whitening.

Which one to choose

PrevDent nHAp — 15% nano-hydroxyapatite and potassium nitrate: for those who want to brighten their teeth while also dealing with sensitivity; fluoride-free and SLS-free. BOKA Refresh Mint — nHAp plus silica and baking soda, fresh green mint; fluoride-free. LyDenti Elements (SMIWE, SMIME, SMIYO Sensitive) — hydroxyapatite and micro-polishers, toothpastes from a German company specializing in professional whitening, designed as "post-treatment" toothpaste; SMIYO is for sensitive teeth. Opalescence Cool Mint — a toothpaste from the manufacturer of Opalescence systems to maintain results after tray whitening, low abrasivity (RDA 78), 28g travel size. More on the differences: hydroxyapatite toothpastes and toothpastes for sensitivity.

Frequently asked questions

Does whitening toothpaste damage enamel?

Highly abrasive toothpastes (high RDA) can wear down enamel over time. The toothpastes in our selection use mild abrasives, and those containing nano-hydroxyapatite additionally deposit minerals onto the enamel and smooth it rather than wearing it down. Opalescence Cool Mint has an RDA of 78 — a safe level for daily use.

How long does it take to see results?

Results depend on the type of staining, regularity of use, and the initial tooth shade; the toothpaste will not change the color of the dentin.

Can I use whitening toothpaste if I have sensitive teeth?

Yes, if you choose a toothpaste designed for it: PrevDent nHAp (nHAp + potassium nitrate), LyDenti SMIYO Sensitive, or BOKA Refresh Mint. Avoid toothpastes with a high RDA.

Do these toothpastes contain peroxides?

No. None of the toothpastes in this collection whiten with hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. Tray whitening systems, which we describe in our Guide, are intended for peroxide whitening.

Which one should I use after professional whitening?

Opalescence Cool Mint (from the manufacturer of the Opalescence system) or LyDenti SMIWE — both were created as toothpastes to maintain effects after a procedure. Start immediately after whitening: that is when the enamel is most prone to absorbing pigments.