to 5 stars: These are the best whitening toothpastes we tested. We recommend them without reservation.

Our panel of 278 testers brushed and rinsed their way through 13 brands of the best whitening toothpastes over an eight-week period. They assessed any whitening effects, stain removal and prevention, and whether the toothpaste increased any sensitivity in their teeth or gums. The controversy over triclosan was inflamed in September 2016 when the US Food and Drug Administration effectively banned a range of antimicrobial agents including triclosan from hand and body washes. The FDA ruled that the evidence submitted by the manufacturers “were not sufficient for the agency to find that these ingredients are Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective”. Colgate-Palmolive, the US company behind Colgate, Sanex and Palmolive, is one of the world’s biggest cosmetics and personal care companies and has recently come under severe criticism for its palm oil sourcing.Enzyme-action: With enzymes usually derived from fruit, this method claims to break down proteins on the teeth that have been linked to teeth staining. Brushing your teeth removes plaque buildup and bacteria to help prevent cavities. This toothpaste from MOON helps you do just that while also whitening your teeth. Our tester noted that there was no sensitivity at all when using this toothpaste and it had a nice texture which is why it received a five out of five stars for comfort. However, it's whitening effect wasn't as effective as some others on this list.

There are different types of fluoride, but stannous fluoride and sodium fluoride are most commonly used in toothpaste. Stannous fluoride acts as an antibacterial agent, which can help eliminate bad breath and plaque buildup. It can also help reduce tooth hypersensitivity when brushing. Sodium fluoride strengthens teeth and helps protect them from decay and cavities. In terms of marketing and advertising, the brands that dominate the market portray their products as scientific and technological with unique, specialised ingredients purportedly conferring proven health benefits. For example, in 2018, a Colgate advert was banned by the Advertising Standards Agency for making misleading claims that a product “repairs teeth instantly”, according to the BBC this is the fifth dental product advert Colgate has had banned in the last seven years. While many companies now offer at least one type of vegan toothpaste, the entire range of the following toothpastes are clearly labelled or certified as vegan. We also state whether the whole company group is vegan, vegetarian or neither. Company type

When I started Kingfisher in 1988 I asked the advice of one of the health advisers to the Labour Party. He gave me a lot of reading to do and strongly recommended that we make our toothpaste with fluoride. This we did but after a year or so, when we could afford it, we introduced a fluoride-free alternative. While the company has made some improvements since we last updated the toothpaste guide such as bringing out a vegan and organic certified toothpaste and removing triclosan from all its products, with a score of 3.5 it still has a long way to go. Fluoride: When selecting any toothpaste—whitening or not—fluoride is an important ingredient. “Toothpaste should also contain fluoride, which doesn’t whiten the teeth but fights cavities,” Dr. Morgano says.

and below: We don't recommend whitening toothpastes with this rating; you won't find any on our list. How We Tested Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide removes both surface and intrinsic stains, leaving noticeably brighter, whiter teeth. This Crest toothpaste was amazing with my sensitive teeth and gums and left my mouth feeling clean and refreshed. I can't say that the results were very drastic; perhaps with longer-term use, I might see a more noticeable change, but I liked this toothpaste better than my regular toothpaste, so I might just switch to this brand permanently." — Hildara Araya, Commerce editor, Verywell Family Taking these variables into account, the dosage of fluoride achieved by this route of administration is highly unpredictable. Since an excess of fluoride causes mottling of teeth (dental fluorosis) and has been linked to brittle bone disease (skeletal fluorosis) we believe that a more carefully controlled dosage is required. We advise that people who are concerned about fluoride deficiency should consider taking fluoride tablets or drops from a pharmacy.

The UK market value for toothpaste is estimated at about half a billion pounds, and while there are hundreds of toothpaste products easily available the market is dominated by three main companies, Colgate taking by far the largest share. When determining the best whitening toothpastes to test, we reviewed dozens of toothpastes from the top oral care brands. Then, we selected fifteen whitening toothpastes for home testing. Our testers evaluated and recorded their pre-test teeth color using the VITA Guide, brushed with the toothpastes as directed for several weeks, and then reevaluated teeth color. Fluoride: This is the single most important ingredient in conventional toothpaste. “Fluoride is going to be the primary active ingredient,” says Dr. Manz. Dr. Kennedy adds, "[Sodium fluoride] is a safe way to strengthen your teeth and to prevent tooth decay or cavities.” Triclosan is an anti-bacterial agent, first used by surgeons to sterilise their hands, which is still in use in health settings. Triclosan and other antibacterial agents have been in widespread use in a surprising array of consumer products including sports clothing, children’s clothing, soft toys, mattresses, deodorant, make-up, skincare lotions, chopping boards, pencils, and kitchen tools. Some toothpaste ingredients have raised intense debates and controversies on their effects on human health and the environment, such as triclosan and Sodium Laurel Sulphate (discussed below).