9:47 PM on Aug 20, 2023 CDT — Updated at 10:31 PM on Oct 26, 2023 CDT
If you’re reluctant to show off your smile because of stained or yellow teeth, an at-home teeth whitening kit could be the perfect option for you. Whether you choose a kit with whitening strips or whitening gel, these kits promise to lighten your teeth by several shades in just a couple of weeks. Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Do teeth whitening products work, and which ones are worth your time and money? Below, we’ve reviewed the best teeth whitening kits based on active ingredients, user reviews, and cost to help you decide.
We picked NuBeam Supersmile as one of the best teeth whitening kits because it provides faster results than many other at-home teeth whiteners. The company claims that you could whiten teeth by up to 12 shades in a mere 14 days. If you’ve got an important job interview or a date coming up fast, NuBeam teeth whitening strips could be right for you.
NuBeam amplifies your tooth whitening results with the help of a powerful LED booster light. Unlike other whitening treatments that can damage sensitive teeth and gums, NuBeam is gentle on your tooth enamel. It doesn’t include harsh ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, carrageenan, and triclosan.
Perks of NuBeam Supersmile Kit include:
Each NuBeam SuperSmile Kit includes everything you need to brighten teeth in two weeks or less. The Supersmile Kit costs $79 (free shipping included) and comes with:
Here’s how NuBeam works. The company infuses its whitening strips with a next-generation hydrogen peroxide gel called PVP. PVP causes a chemical reaction to gently dissolve stains on teeth while blocking new stains from forming on enamel.
The LED booster light uses special blue light frequencies to turbocharge whitening strips and allow the ingredients to penetrate tooth enamel deeply for fast results.
NuBeam only works on natural teeth and can’t whiten veneers, caps, bridges, crowns, or implanted teeth. However, that’s true of other teeth whitening products as well.
If you run out of teeth whitening strips, you can order a pack of 14 for $49. That’s a little more expensive than some whitening products but far cheaper than what professional whitening costs.
NuBeam guarantees that you’ll be happy with the results, too. If you’re displeased for any reason, the company offers a 60-day money-back guarantee. It’s easy to get in touch with NuBeam by email, phone, or live chat.
Check out what some customers have to say about NuBeam:
We picked Auraglow as one of the best teeth whitening products for people with tooth sensitivity. Unlike other whitening strips that contain harsh ingredients, Auraglow contains 35% carbamide peroxide gel, which is gentle on sensitive teeth and clinically proven to eliminate surface stains.
This teeth whitening treatment kit also includes an LED accelerator light to speed up the whitening process. Auraglow claims that its whitening solution could brighten your teeth by up to 10 shades in seven days.
Auraglow doesn’t use strips to whiten your teeth like many other products do. Rather, it includes trays that you fill with carbamide peroxide gel and place over your teeth. You get two syringes of gel with your kit (enough for 20 treatments) and can order more when you run out. You’ll pay $59 for the starter kit and $30 for replacement strips.
Perks of the Auraglow whitening kit include:
With your LED teeth whitening kit, you’ll get:
Auraglow also sells a compact teeth whitening pen for those who want to whiten teeth on the go. Just click the whitening pen button to dispense gel, then brush it onto each tooth. It’s a great way to maintain the look of your smile or whiten hard-to-reach teeth in the back of your mouth.
For the regular teeth whitening pen, you’ll pay $24. Auraglow also has an extra-strength teeth whitening pen with 9% hydrogen peroxide gel for even faster results. The extra-strength whitening pen will cost you $30.
All of Auraglow’s products come with free shipping and a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you’re unhappy with your teeth whitening kit, you can return it for a refund, no questions asked.
Auraglow received resounding praise from quite a few professional reviewers. Here’s what they have to say:
We chose the SmileDirectClub Teeth Whitening Kit as the best teeth whitening kit for people who want to remove years of built-up stains. It’s also a great choice for those who don’t want to fuss with messy teeth whitening strips every day. With just one treatment per week, you’ll get results that last for up to six months.
This teeth whitening kit doesn’t include any hard-to-use strips or trays that you need to fill with gel. Simply brush the teeth whitening gel onto your teeth, then use the included LED light for five minutes. After just one treatment, your teeth will look as good as if you visited a cosmetic dentist.
Here’s how to use this professional whitening treatment:
Each kit includes eight whitening pens for two full treatments; each full treatment lasts for six months. The kit costs $67 and comes with free shipping. You can buy additional whitening pen packs for $45.
SmileDirectClub also regularly offers discounts to new customers. Right now, you can get 15% off your first order in exchange for providing your email address.
Benefits of the SmileDirectClub Teeth Whitening Kit include:
Customer reviews for this sensitive teeth whitening kit are very positive. Customers say:
We selected Crest 3D Whitestrips as one of the best teeth whitening products because it’s the number-one at-home teeth whitening brand recommended by dentists. These whitening strips have been on the market for years and are clinically proven to wipe out surface stains fast.
Crest says that by using these whitening strips, you can remove over 15 years of tough, set-in stains in only 30 minutes a day. This whitening treatment lightens teeth by up to 12 shades after just 16 treatments.
Like some of the other whitening products we reviewed, Crest’s kit comes with a powerful LED accelerator light to amplify your results. Each kit also includes 16 strips (eight for your top teeth and eight for the bottom row).
Hydrogen peroxide is the main active ingredient in Crest 3D Whitestrips. Other ingredients include PVP, sodium hydroxide, and sodium saccharin.
Crest’s teeth whitening strips are generally safe for people with sensitive teeth, but some users may experience mild tooth sensitivity. Discomfort should go away within a few minutes after removing the strips from your teeth.
To use these teeth whitening strips:
Crest’s premium teeth whitening kit does not work on crowns, veneers, dentures, or other dental work. Do not use the product on loose teeth, braces, or restorations.
This teeth whitening kit will cost you $75, which is a little more expensive than some other brands. However, when you buy a kit, you can get a second one for free with the code “BOGO.” You’ll also score free shipping, and if you’re not happy with the results, you can return the kit for a refund within 60 days.
Crest 3D Whitestrips earned high praise from outlets such as Vice, Medium, and The New York Times Wirecutter. Customers love this teeth whitening gel, too. Reviewers say:
We picked Glo Science Advanced Glo Brilliant White Smile as one of the best teeth whitening products because its active ingredients are clinically proven to wipe out tough stains fast. With this kit, you can whiten your teeth by up to 10 shades after only five days.
You’ll have to use the kit three times per day for results like these, but if you want to whiten your teeth quickly, you may find the routine to be well worth it.
This teeth whitening kit includes a professional-grade mouthpiece paired with advanced heat technology to whiten teeth faster than other brands. It also uses less hydrogen peroxide than other kits (the active ingredient is just 6% hydrogen peroxide), making it ideal for people with teeth sensitivity. In an independent study, 100% of people who tried Glo Science reported that the product didn’t irritate sensitive teeth.
Benefits of this at-home whitening kit include:
We chose Glo Science as one of the best teeth whitening products because it’s easy to use. Simply apply the teeth whitening gel and insert the included mouthpiece (or use the lanyard for hands-free whitening). Then shine the LED light on your teeth for eight minutes. The device will blink when you’re done.
The Glo Science teeth whitening trays will cost you $159, and you can buy refills of tooth whitening gels for $65. If you subscribe to regular shipments, you’ll pay $55, which is a savings of 15%.
Customer reviews of this sensitive teeth whitening kit are very positive. Look at what a few customers had to say:
Teeth whitening kits are products designed to lighten the color of teeth, aiming to remove surface stains and discoloration. These kits are intended for at-home use, providing a more affordable and convenient alternative to professional in-office teeth whitening treatments. Here’s a breakdown of the common components and types of teeth whitening kits:
The active ingredients in most of these kits are hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which break down and oxygenate stains to lighten the overall shade of teeth. It’s essential to note that the concentration of these ingredients can vary, with higher concentrations often providing faster results but potentially increasing the risk of tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
Choosing the best teeth whitening products requires a careful consideration of your dental health, desired results, and budget. Here are some steps and tips to guide you in selecting an effective and safe teeth whitening kit:
Remember, while at-home teeth whitening kits can be effective, results might not be as dramatic or long-lasting as professional treatments. Always follow the instructions to avoid potential risks, and if you experience prolonged sensitivity or gum irritation, consult your dentist.
You’ll find quite a few different at-home teeth whitening kits out there, but which one will work best for your needs? Whitening toothpastes and pens are popular options, but they aren’t the only ones. Here, we describe some of the most popular types of whitening products for sale today.
Whitening strips are one of the most common types of at-home whitening solutions you’ll find on store shelves. These strips come infused with a whitening agent, usually either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, as the active ingredient. However, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is less than what you’d get with a whitening treatment in the dentist’s office.
Strips are easy to use: simply press them against your teeth and wait for five to 30 minutes, depending on the brand. You’ll notice slight whitening after the first few treatments, but it generally takes a few weeks of use for serious results.
Whitening strips are a good choice if you’re on a budget. The best whitening strips typically cost $25 to $50.
One drawback of strips is that they can be rather messy. These strips can stimulate the production of saliva, and some people find it hard to keep them in their mouth for the recommended amount of time. They can also cause pain for people with sensitive teeth.
Whitening trays and gels are another type of at-home whitening to try. They’re more powerful than strips but a bit more complicated to use. Kits come with plastic trays, which you’ll fill with a peroxide-based bleaching gel and leave in your mouth for about 30 minutes. You should see results after about seven to 14 treatments. Whitening gels and trays cost about the same as strips.
As with strips, trays and gels can be messy. They’re also a bit inconvenient to use since you’ll need to fill the trays yourself for every treatment.
LED teeth whitening systems are quickly becoming one of the most popular types of at-home whitening solutions, and for a good reason. These systems deliver fast results, and you might notice brighter teeth after just one treatment. Some brands say you’ll lighten your teeth by up to 10 shades in just a few weeks.
If you have sensitive teeth, you could benefit from an LED whitening kit. These kits contain less hydrogen peroxide as an active ingredient, making them a good match for people with tooth and gum sensitivity.
Such systems work by using the power of LED bulbs to amplify the effects of active ingredients in whitening gel. If you’re dissatisfied with how long it takes to brighten teeth with other products, an LED kit could be a wise choice.
One downside of these kits is that they’re expensive. You’ll pay about $60 to $150 for your kit, depending on the brand. Gel refills can be pricey, too.
If you’re looking for a natural option, activated charcoal kits are a popular at-home whitening solution that you may want to try. Activated charcoal is a black powder, so rubbing it on your teeth to whiten them can seem rather counterintuitive. However, fans of this solution say that charcoal can wipe out stains from coffee, wine, acidic foods, and even old age. It’s also thought that these products have antimicrobial properties and can remineralize teeth.
You may see activated charcoal as an active ingredient in teeth whitening toothpaste. Some companies sell charcoal as a loose powder that you can apply directly to your teeth.
There’s limited evidence that activated charcoal really lightens teeth, however. Plus, using it can potentially harm your teeth. That’s because it’s abrasive and can damage enamel, which means your teeth might actually become more yellow over time.
If you decide to give activated charcoal a try, expect to pay about $6 to $10, depending on the product you choose.
Tooth whitening prefilled trays are another type of at-home teeth whitening kit that you might want to consider. Their main draw is convenience because you don’t have to fill the trays yourself. Plus, they’re disposable, so you don’t need to worry about cleaning the trays after each use. Active ingredients in tooth whitening prefilled trays typically include hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.
Some dentists sell pre-filled trays that you can use to whiten your teeth at home. They can be a good choice if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of office visits.
Pre-filled trays are a bit more expensive than trays you fill yourself, and they’re usually even costlier if you buy from a dentist (products sold by a dentist tend to be highly effective, though). If you go this route, it’ll cost you anywhere from $50 to $100 per box of trays.
Paint-on teeth whiteners are another popular type of at-home teeth whitening kit. Unlike other whiteners, these products merely cover up stains and cannot remove them. The effect is dramatic and immediate, but the results don’t tend to last long (usually just 24 to 48 hours).
Paint-on whiteners can be a good choice for people with sensitive teeth because most don’t contain hydrogen peroxide or other harsh ingredients. Another benefit is that they coat teeth and protect them from food and drinks that can cause staining.
Paint-on products are best for people who want brighter teeth for special occasions, such as a date, photo shoot, or important job interview.
Paint-on whiteners are relatively inexpensive and will cost you about $10 to $15.
Not all whitening kits contain the same ingredients, and some are more effective than others. Below, we’ve covered some of the most common ingredients and explained their pros and cons.
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural ingredient found in many teeth whitening kits. This ingredient works by penetrating the surface of teeth to break down deep, hard-to-remove stains.
Whitening products sold for at-home use have a fairly low concentration of hydrogen peroxide, usually about 5% to 10%. Products used by dentists are much stronger and can contain up to 30% hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is an effective whitener, but it can damage enamel if you leave it on your teeth for too long. It’s also known to cause tooth pain at high concentrations.
Carbamide peroxide is another common natural ingredient that you might see on the label of your tooth whitening kit. It contains a 1:3 ratio of hydrogen peroxide to carbamide.
Carbamide whitens teeth as effectively as hydrogen peroxide, and the results last for about as long. Carbamide takes a bit longer to break down, though, which means it can be rougher on people with tooth sensitivity.
You’ll find products on shelves with very high concentrations of carbamide, sometimes up to 44%. Such products are best for people with healthy teeth and gums. They’re not ideal for those with braces, open mouth sores, decayed teeth, or periodontal disease.
If you prefer whitening products with natural ingredients, you may like activated charcoal. Charcoal is abrasive, which helps to remove food and beverage stains from the surface of your teeth. However, that same abrasiveness can damage teeth if you’re not careful.
Activated charcoal also doesn’t work on stains below the surface of the enamel, such as those caused by overexposure to fluoride and certain prescription drugs. And if you have veneers, dentures, or other dental work, it’s not fully known how charcoal could affect these restorations.
Baking soda is an all-natural teeth whitening ingredient, and chances are good that you have a box of it in your kitchen pantry right now. Also known as bicarbonate of soda, baking soda is a mild abrasive that gets rid of stains on the surface of your teeth.
Several companies sell toothpaste with baking soda as an ingredient. You can also make your own whitener by mixing equal parts baking soda and water in a small bowl.
Mix well until the baking soda and water form a thick paste, then coat your teeth with the paste using a toothbrush. After two minutes of brushing, spit out the paste and rinse your mouth with water.
Calcium carbonate is a natural ingredient needed for strong bones, and it’s also helpful for teeth whitening. Calcium carbonate not only whitens teeth but also strengthens enamel to prevent stains from building up on your teeth.
This ingredient has been clinically proven to wipe out stains, too. One study has shown that toothpastes containing calcium carbonate eliminated significantly more stains than toothpastes without the ingredient.
One big perk of calcium carbonate powder is that it’s very cheap. You can buy a one-pound jar for as little as $12 to $15.
When trying to whiten your teeth, you may find yourself facing many different questions. How do you find the best options available? How long will it take before you can see the results you’re looking for? Are at-home options really as effective as professional treatment?
Our goal is to answer as many questions as we can. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common ones we’ve seen. With our help, you can learn more about topics such as how long these treatments last, if these treatments are effective with veneers, and much more.
How long it takes to see a noticeable difference depends on the teeth whitening products you use. Some products promise results after just one or two treatments. A few can lighten your teeth by several shades in one to two weeks. The stronger the ingredients, the faster and more impressive your results will be.
There are quite a few teeth whitening kits for sensitive teeth. The best ones include an LED light to boost whitening results with less hydrogen peroxide, which can irritate sensitive teeth. If you don’t want to shell out money for an expensive LED whitening kit, you may want to look for products that contain natural active ingredients, such as coconut oil.
At-home teeth whitening products, such as whitening gel and whitening toothpaste, may or may not provide the same results as professional treatments depending on the brand you use. Some at-home teeth whiteners work better than others.
The effects of at-home whitening treatments can last for about six months. Some products boast whitening effects that last for a whopping 12 months. Your results will last longer if you whiten your teeth regularly.
Teeth whitening products, such as whitening toothpastes and gels, typically don’t come with many side effects. The most common side effect you might notice is mild tooth sensitivity, but this should go away over time. If your teeth and gums still hurt after a few treatments, discontinue use and ask your dentist for a solution that’s better suited to people with sensitive teeth.
You may also want to consider natural solutions, such as dead sea salt, lemon peel oil, or coconut oil. Ingredients like coconut oil may not whiten teeth or remove surface stains as effectively as other whitening treatments, but they’re gentler on your teeth.
Some teeth whitening kits are safe to use if you have fillings, veneers, or crowns. Look for kits that include LED bulbs, as they contain less hydrogen peroxide. Too much hydrogen peroxide may damage dental work.
Although some products are safe to use on dental work, they cannot whiten crowns or veneers. That’s because the hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide in these products interact with enamel, which crowns and veneers don’t have.
Use your teeth whitening kit as often as the product instructions tell you to. Some instruct you to use whitening gel or whitening strips up to three times per day. For other, more powerful brands, you might only need to use the product once per week.
To maintain your newly whitened teeth after using any of the best teeth whitening kits on our list, it’s a good idea to limit foods and drinks that can cause staining. These include coffee, wine, tea, soda, and dark chocolate. Dark-colored sauces, such as barbecue sauce and ketchup, can stain teeth too.
You should also limit acidic foods, such as oranges, lemons, and limes. Acidic foods can damage enamel and make it easier for your teeth to develop stains.
Kids Electric Toothbrush Finding the best teeth whitening kits doesn’t have to be difficult. Simply browse our list, then visit the sites of one of the products listed to purchase the right kit for you.