Potassium nitrate is the desensitising ingredient found in Sensodyne Original - perhaps the most well-known toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth. There’s good evidence that potassium nitrate builds up over time to desensitise nerves. However, the time taken to work is the downside – it can take up to two weeks to be effective. Stannous fluoride If you suffer from enamel erosion, talk to your dentist too. They may suggest alternatives, such as changing your diet or brushing technique, using fluoride mouthwashes separately to brushing, or professional application of fluoride varnish. These might have an immediate whitening effect, but won’t last as saliva washes away most paste quite rapidly. Look carefully and you'll see the claims have small print to this effect. When we challenged Colgate about its Purple Reveal toothpaste, it couldn't tell us exactly how long the effect would last. Sodium bicarbonate

Some whitening toothpastes use abrasives, such as microbeads, to remove stains. These can be effective for tough stains and for removing dental biofilm plaque from teeth. Fluoride-free formulas - some products making natural claims are also fluoride free. This puts you at increased risk of dental caries, no matter how carefully you brush. Fluoride is considered to be safe and effective by dental experts.Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) - a foaming detergent that dissolves dirt and grease. It can be quite harsh. A 2019 systematic review found that SLS-free toothpastes reduced the number and duration of mouth ulcers so if you suffer from these, you may want to choose a toothpaste without SLS. Alternatives include cocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl glucoside and disodium cocoyl glutamate. Joiner A. (2011). A silica toothpaste containing blue covarine: A new technological breakthrough in whitening.

Be sure to follow instructions carefully, some stronger whitening toothpastes may not be intended for daily use. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.However, some people don’t like the feel of abrasives in their mouth. And regular use of abrasive toothpastes can wear away more than stains. Read the ingredients A common concern is that consuming fluoridated tap water and using fluoride toothpaste could lead to excessive fluoride consumption, but the NHS says dental fluorosis, a condition that causes pitting or discolouration of children’s teeth caused by excessive fluoride, is uncommon in the UK, as fluoride in the water supply, where it is added, is carefully regulated. Artificial or added sweeteners and flavour providers - ingredients such as limonene, cinnamal, peppermint oil, sucralose, lota carrageenan, sodium saccharin, aroma and mint flavour are there to improve the taste. The first three essential oils are known allergens. There are now a significant number of products that market themselves on their eco, vegan or sustainable credentials.