Professional teeth whitening procedures may be costly and time-consuming, as anyone who has had them knows. Appointments for professional treatments can last up to 90 minutes and usually cost more than $200. Fortunately, a lot of dental care companies provide more affordable, at-home, over-the-counter teeth-whitening solutions. Although they aren’t as effective as in-office treatments, experts claim that with proper and persistent use, they can address mild discolouration.
I spoke with two dentists below about what to look for and what to anticipate from at-home teeth whitening procedures. I also compiled our top picks from companies like Burt’s Bees, Colgate, and Crest.
GO Ahead and SkipWhich teeth-whitening product is best for you? How did I choose the best teeth-whitening products? Why should I trust NBC Select?
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Best teeth whitening penColgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen
$12.99$19.99Amazon
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Best smartphone-enabled kitColgate Optic White ComfortFit LED Whitening Kit
$31.85$49.99Amazon
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Best rechargable LED kitAuraglow Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Accelerator Light
$39.99$59.99Amazon
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The best at-home teeth whitening products
I compiled a list of a few at-home teeth whitening products in a range of sorts and price points while keeping professional advice in mind. I’ve included NBC Select Wellness Award Winners, ADA Seal of Acceptance-certified alternatives, and other highly regarded treatments that I believe you should be aware of.
Best teeth whitening strips and trays
Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips
Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips
- Good for sensitive teeth
- Nothing to note at this time
Since Lumineux’s whitening strips don’t include bleaches or peroxides, which can cause pain for people with sensitive teeth, I suggest them if you have sensitive teeth. According to Lumineux, the natural materials used to make the strips—coconut oil, sage oil, lemon peel oil, and dead sea salt—help remove stains from teeth. 42 teeth-whitening strips are included in one box, enough for 21 sessions. When I use these whitening strips as instructed for 30 minutes a day, I see a change in the color of my teeth, and I regularly buy more of them.
Type: stripes30 minutes is the application time.
Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive
Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive
- Easy to use
- Non-slip grip
- ADA-approved
- Nothing to note at this time
One of the few ADA-approved whitening strip varieties available is the Sensitive variation, which is one of Crest’s several product varieties. There are 36 strips in one box, enough for 18 30-minute treatments. Hydrogen peroxide is used to make the strips, which adhere to teeth thanks to their non-slip grip.
Type: stripes30 minutes is the application time.
Opalescence Go Teeth Whitening Trays
Opalescence Go Teeth Whitening Trays
- Easy to use
- Minty flavor
- Pre-filled trays
- High price point
Opalescence Try Whitening Your Teeth Prefilled trays include a minty gel with 10% hydrogen peroxide. The brand claims that because the trays are flexible and single-use, they may fit your teeth and mouth shape. The duration of treatments is 30 to 60 minutes.
Trays are the type.Time spent applying: 30 to 60 minutes.
Best teeth whitening toothpastes
Nu Skin AP 24 Toothpaste
Nu Skin AP 24 Toothpaste
- Thick, smooth texture
- Good for sensitive teeth
- Contains SLS
According to the brand, Nu Skin’s AP 24 Toothpaste, an NBC Select Wellness Award winner, is made with mild abrasives to remove surface stains from teeth and make them look whiter. The fluoridated toothpaste has a neutral vanilla mint flavor and comes in a 4-ounce tube. Additionally, according to experts in our guide to the best toothpastes, it contains sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a chemical that is present in many toothpastes and functions as a tooth detergent. I tried Nu Skin’s toothpaste, and I like it better than most thinner, gel-like brands because it’s smoother and thicker. Furthermore, it doesn’t aggravate my occasionally sensitive teeth.
Type: toothpasteTwo minutes for the application.
Burt s Bees Extra White Fluoride Natural Toothpaste
Burt s Bees Extra White Fluoride Toothpaste
- ADA-approved
- SLS-free
- Nothing to note at this time
According to the brand, Burt’s Bees’ ADA-approved whitening toothpaste is made with hydrated silica to help get rid of surface stains on teeth. The toothpaste comes in a 4.7-ounce tube and tastes minty.
Type: toothpasteTwo minutes for the application.
Best teeth whitening mouthwash
ACT Whitening + Anticavity Fluoride Mouthrinse
ACT Whitening + Anticavity Fluoride Mouthrinse
- Alcohol-free
- Dye-free
- Contains fluoride
- May cause sensitivity
According to the brand, ACT’s Whitening + Anticavity mouthwash utilizes fluoride and hydrogen peroxide to brighten teeth and prevent cavities without the use of alcohol or colors. The 16.9-fluid-ounce bottle of mint-flavored wash has an average rating of 4.5 stars based on more than 6,300 reviews on Amazon.
Mouthwash typeTwo minutes for the application.
LED teeth whitening products
Colgate Optic White ComfortFit LED Whitening Kit
Colgate Optic White ComfortFit LED Whitening Kit
- Timed treatments
- Easy to clean mouthpiece
- Smartphone required for use
According to the firm, this package includes a flexible LED whitening light that conforms to the curve of your teeth to provide consistent coverage. During ten-minute treatments, you can continue using your phone by plugging the device’s cable into an Apple or Android smartphone. Before utilizing the light, use the hydrogen peroxide gel-filled whitening pen included in the kit to wash your teeth. For optimal results, Colgate suggests using the kit once daily for ten days. My teeth were noticeably brighter when I followed the kit’s instructions.
LED light type; application time: 10 minutes.
Auraglow Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Accelerator Light
Auraglow Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Accelerator Light
- Rechargeable
- Timed treatments
- Wireless
- Nothing to note at this time
If you want a cordless, rechargeable whitening light, Auraglow’s kit includes a battery-operated tray with integrated LED lights to assist activate the carbamide peroxide whitening gel that is included. To begin a 30-minute treatment, you squeeze the gel into the tray, put it in your mouth, and turn the machine on. A charging case and cable are included with the lamp, which has an average rating of 4.1 stars based on more than 44,450 reviews on Amazon.
LED light type; 30-minute application time.
Best teeth whitening pens
Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen
Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen
- Overnight whitening
- Precision applicator tip
- Portable
- Nothing to note at this time
Colgate claims that its hydrogen peroxide gel-filled whitening pen is safe for sensitive teeth and daily use. With the help of a little brush attached to its lid, you can apply the quick-dry gel to each tooth exactly. The gel is applied overnight, and in the morning, it is brushed off.
Pen type; overnight application time
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How I picked the best at-home teeth whitening products
Since every person’s teeth are unique, it will probably take some trial and error to discover a whitening procedure that suits you, according to Dr. Ilona Casellini, the dentist and creator of Swiss Quality Smile in Los Angeles, California. Observe how various products affect your teeth, taking note of which ones brighten tooth color the best while causing the least amount of irritation.
Experts advise taking into account the following aspects when looking for at-home teeth whitening procedures.
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Active ingredients
: Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are the most common whitening agents products rely on to get rid of tooth stains,according to the ADA
. These active ingredients penetrate tooth enamel and break down discoloration without softening or thinning teeth, experts say.
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Strength
: Every teeth whitening product is made with a certain percentage of active ingredients, and the higher that percentage is, the stronger its whitening capabilities are. But the most powerful whitener may not be the best option for you, says Dr.Matt Messina
, an assistant professor at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and the clinic director at Ohio State s Upper Arlington Dentistry. If you ve never whitened your teeth before or have a history of tooth sensitivity, he recommends starting with products that contain lower concentrations of active whitening ingredients and gradually increasing if you can tolerate it.
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Product type
: At-home teeth whitening products are available as toothpastes, whitening pens, whitening trays, mouthwashes and more. Think about which you prefer and which best fits into your lifestyle. How effective at-home teeth whitening products are greatly depends on using them consistently, so choose a product you can see yourself sticking with, says Casellini. -
ADA Seal of Acceptance
: The ADA Seal of Acceptance is the gold standard for oral care products, experts told us. When you see that seal, it means the brand submitted data and other materials to the ADA and the organization determined that the product meets specified safety and efficacy requirements. This does not mean that whitening products without the ADA Seal are ineffective it just means brands have not submitted their products for the ADA to review.
What are the different types of teeth whitening products?
Your dentist’s advice and your personal tastes will determine the teeth-whitening procedure you select. I list some choices below:
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Teeth whitening pens:
If you re looking for a portable teeth whitening option that you can travel with, many brands offer pens filled with a gel formula of whitening ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. To use a whitening pen, you brush the gel on your teeth, leave it on for the specified amount of time and repeat as directed. -
LED teeth whitening treatments:
Some teeth whitening kits come with devices (kind of like mouth guards) that have built-in LED lights, which help activate the included whitening gel, experts told us. You add the whitening gel to the device or directly to your teeth, and wear it for a set amount of time. Once you own the LED light device, you can buy refills of the brand s gel to continuously reuse it. -
Mouthwash:
Like whitening toothpaste, whitening mouthwash typically has a lower concentration of whitening agents, so its impact is minimal, experts told us. With that being said, whitening mouthwash can be a good option to use after a professional whitening treatment or if you ve never whitened your teeth at home before. -
Whitening toothpaste:
Whitening toothpaste primarily relies on abrasives to help remove surface stains on teeth, according to the ADA. All toothpaste is mildly abrasive to scrub teeth clean, but whitening toothpaste typically contains ingredients that specifically target surface stains, like sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda. Whitening toothpaste is a great option to start with if you ve never used other teeth whitening products since it typically has a lower concentration of active ingredients, experts told us. It tends to work best for surface stains and maintenance after you ve used another form of whitening, says Messina. -
Whitening strips:
Whitening strips are typically coated with a thin layer of hydrogen peroxide or another bleaching agent, and they come in kits with multiple strips for the upper and lower teeth. As directed by the brand, you use the strips for a few days in a row for a set amount of time to gradually whiten your teeth. -
Teeth whitening trays:
Teeth whitening trays are similar to whitening strips they adhere to teeth and whiten using active ingredients while you wear them. Some trays come prefilled, and others need to be filled with a whitening agent before you use them. Dental offices also sometimes make custom trays that fit the exact shape of your mouth to use with whitening gel.
Frequently asked questions
Both the inside and outside of teeth can get stained. While external surface stains are typically linked to tobacco use and the consumption of pigmented foods and beverages like coffee, red wine, and dark fruits, those inside the teeth can be caused by aging or certain genetic illnesses, according to Casellini.
Depending on whether they’re addressing surface or inner stains, whitening treatments address tooth discolouration in different ways, although the majority use bleaching chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. According to the American Dental Association, these active substances brighten tooth color from the inside out by penetrating enamel and soaking into internal dental tissues during treatments.
According to specialists, one of the main distinctions between teeth-whitening products is the concentration of the active chemicals used in their formulation. Whiteners are generally more effective the higher the concentration of the active ingredient and the longer they are left on the teeth. But issues like gum inflammation and dental sensitivity arise as active component concentrations rise. In order to whiten teeth according to your sensitivity level while safeguarding other areas of your mouth, dentists are able to utilize whiteners with larger concentrations of active chemicals in their offices.
Since a chemical reaction is necessary to reach deeper inside the teeth, whitening treatments that target inner stains frequently contain higher concentrations of active chemicals. Exterior discoloration treatments typically contain less active substances and rely on mechanical methods, such as using whitening toothpaste to remove stains from the enamel surface, which dulls the appearance of the teeth.
Not everyone should get their teeth whitened. People who are unhappy with the color of their teeth or want to match their natural teeth to a crown or bridge are the best candidates for whitening, says Casellini. On the other hand, people who have prosthetics like crowns, bridges or veneers that already match the color of and are located very close to their natural teeth should not whiten them. Doing so can result in mismatched tooth colors since the natural teeth will get lighter and the prosthetics will stay the same, she says.
In-office whitening treatments are the most effective option since they re formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients, experts told us. This is especially the case if you have discoloration from oral issues like cavities and tooth decay, which may make teeth turn a dark gray color that won t go away with at-home whitening, says Messina. The same goes for other oral problems like plaque build-up or gum irritation.
With that being said, at-home teeth whitening products can help correct more surface-level tooth discoloration. However, it s crucial that you use whitening products consistently. Most people are not compliant at home and therefore do not get the results they are looking for, says Casellini. In-office bleaching is more effective because you get instant gratification. In one session, patients usually get one to two shades lighter and all they have to do is relax while the dentist does the work.
Teeth whitening is safe overall. However, experts say it’s important to talk to your dentist before starting a whitening treatment at home to make sure it s a viable path for you, especially if you ve experienced tooth or gum sensitivity in the past. If you can t handle a higher concentration of whitening agents, your dentist can help you find a product that works best.
While whitening your teeth at home, pay attention to how you feel, especially if you re trying something new. If at any point you notice sensitivity on your teeth or gums while using at-home whitening products, stop using the whitening product immediately and contact your dentist.
One way to ensure you re whitening your teeth safely is to follow the product s directions. If it says 30 minutes, an hour isn t better, says Messina. It may instead dramatically increase your tooth sensitivity, making it hard to handle cold things like ice cream or even water.
Whether it s dental care, skin care or hair care, anything used in excess can potentially cause damage. As far as at-home teeth whitening treatments, prolonged, continuous and incorrect use of bleaching products can be potentially harmful over time, says Casellini. Even though at home bleaching products usually have a lower concentration of peroxide, if used excessively, it can cause your teeth to become dehydrated and brittle, not to mention overly sensitive, she says. To prevent damage, follow a product s directions exactly and limit how often you use at-home whitening products. Also be sure you follow a standard oral care routine that involves proper tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and mouthwash.
Beware of beauty fads and do-it-yourself approaches to teeth whitening, experts told us. They have not been studied as extensively as professional treatments or over-the-counter options, and can have negative side effects like reducing teeth hardness or increasing sensitivity, according to the ADA. A common example is using charcoal toothpaste the abrasiveness of the ingredients can remove the enamel from your teeth overtime, which Messina compares to sanding a floor. Other common DIY teeth whitening treatments include making pastes out of acidic fruits, vinegar and baking soda, as well as oil pulling, which involves swishing coconut oil in the mouth these practices are not well-researched and are recommended against by the ADA and our experts.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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Dr.
Matt Messina
is an assistant professor at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and the clinic director of Ohio State s Upper Arlington Dentistry.
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Dr
.
Ilona Casellini
is the founder of and a dentist atSwiss Quality Smile
in Los Angeles, California.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who writes about dental care, including stories onelectric toothbrushes, toothpaste, whitening toothpaste,kid s toothpaste, floss andwater flossers. For this article, I interviewed two experts about how to shop for at-home teeth whitening treatments and rounded up products that align with their guidance.
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