When you have a healthy, confident smile, everyone notices. Likewise, if you are not comfortable smiling because you’re not comfortable with your teeth, people will notice that, too. For these and other reasons, a whiter, brighter smile is something that people of all ages can appreciate. After all, if we want a whiter smile for ourselves, why not for our children? To help you achieve the best smile possible, you need regular visits to the dentist and great whitening toothpaste.

Here are five of the best toothpastes on the market for teeth whitening, each designed to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted.

Gentle Whitening Toothpaste by Sensodyne

One of the largest complaints among adults who use whitening toothpaste is the level of abrasiveness. They also sometimes contain ingredients such as sodium lauryl-sulfate that can cause gum irritation. For individuals with sensitive teeth, this means trouble.

Sensodyne Pronamel toothpaste for teeth whitening combats this problem by using less abrasive ingredients in their whitening toothpaste. It also begins rebuilding the enamel of your teeth, which can benefit the overall health of your teeth. These factors make it the ideal whitening toothpaste for adults with sensitive teeth. It also comes in refreshing Alpine Breeze!

Fluoride-Free Anti-Plaque & Whitening Toothpaste by Tom’s of Maine

The appeal of the Tom’s of Maine brand is that they avoid putting fluoride in their toothpaste. Instead, they use zinc and other natural ingredients to fight plaque and whiten your teeth. It’s available in several different flavors, including peppermint, spearmint — even fennel. If you are looking for whitening toothpaste for your child, Tom’s of Maine may be a good bet. However, be sure to consult with your dentist about the safety of the product on your child’s teeth before use.

Glamorous White by Crest 3D White

It is likely that you have seen advertisements for Crest 3D White. This line includes everything from whitening strips to toothpaste, and promises to remove 90% of surface stain in just 5 days. The active ingredients in this toothpaste work because of the gentle foaming action. The foam surrounds each individual tooth, allowing the active ingredients to be effective all the way down to the gum line. Its foaming property makes it one of the fastest, most effective types of whitening toothpaste available on the market.

Gentle White for Canker Sores by Rembrandt

One of the reasons that ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate aggravate the mouth is the presence of canker sores. If you suffer from canker sores, you are not alone. It is believed that an impressive 19% of adults in the United States have this problem. Canker sores, or ulcers of the mouth, can be easily irritated by the abrasive ingredients in many kinds of whitening toothpaste.

As a bonus, this toothpaste contains sodium fluoride that can help to restore tooth enamel that may have decayed and provide a stronger, healthier smile.

Kid’s Toothpaste by Honest

Honest toothpaste brand uses all natural ingredients to gently remove stains on your child’s teeth. They use ingredients such as silica and baking soda for polishing and brightening, calcium to strengthen and protect the enamel of the teeth, and organic ingredients that soothe gum irritation.

If you are looking for an all-natural, safe way to whiten your kid’s teeth, Honest Kid’s is one of the best toothpastes available on the market. Even if your dentist approves of using your whitening toothpaste to help with the stains of your teeth, only a small amount of toothpaste can be used because whitening toothpaste for adults often has harsh ingredients that younger kids may swallow. This is the reason that Honest Kid’s toothpaste is one of the best toothpastes to whiten for children. It even comes in a yummy strawberry flavor.

As always, remember that your dental health is best managed by a team that includes not just yourself, but the staff of a qualified dental office. If you are not sure what whitening product works for you, or if you want the additional input of a dentist, schedule an appointment with Dr. Johnson and she and her team will get you pointed in the right direction.

Lautaro Martinez is a freelance writer and family man who contributes articles and advice on a variety of issues affecting families and home life.