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USING THE BEST teeth whitening kits is an easy, cost-effective way to brighten your smile. The truth is that, over time, food and beverages such as red wine, which contains tannins—a group of bitter and astringent compounds—can cause excessive staining of the teeth. Yes, we know it’s not the news you wish to hear. But if you want to avoid a pricey trip to the dentist, then you can pick up the best teeth-whitening kits to use at home to maintain those pearly whites.
Best Teeth-Whitening Kits
Before making a selection of which type to buy, you should find out how sensitive your teeth may be to the ingredients, according to Heather Kunen, DDS MS. “Each whitener has a certain concentration of peroxide, so if you're someone who is more sensitive, it is best to stick between 10-15% peroxide,” she recommends. “If you can tolerate a higher concentration, you can go up to 35% peroxide.”
To help you choose the best teeth-whitening kits, we consulted with a group of orthodontists and grooming editors who’ve tested the products firsthand. They broke down which type of kits are the most effective and how long you should use them. With their expertise, we ranked the best teeth-whitening kits with a range of options that are low maintenance and don't cost a fortune.
What To Consider
Ingredients
The most efficient at-home teeth-whitening products contain a chemical agent such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, according to Dr. Kevin Sands, board-certified celebrity cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills. "[It] will react with the molecules that caused the stains, breaking them down all together or into tiny, less visible particles that are less visible or invisible leading to a brighter, whiter smile,” says Sands.
Type
- Gel: Typically whitening gels are packaged in most kits and applied directly to your teeth as well as custom and store bought trays. To whiten your teeth, it's made with key ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
- Whitening Strips: Designed for at-home application, the strips allow users to whiten their teeth without needing professional assistance. You simply peel the upper and lower strips from plastic backing liner and apply them to both your top and bottom row teeth.
- Pens: This type is generally used as a quick fix as opposed to the ultimate whitening solution. Structurally, they're thin plastic tubes, housed with a whitening gel and applied to the teeth with a brush head.
- LED-powered devices: Using light, these devices aim to further amplify the whitening power of the concentrated hydrogen peroxide film on the teeth.
Duration of Use
At-home teeth whitening kits are used for the ongoing day to day removal of stains your teeth acquire from mostly colored liquids. That said, each product is recommended to be used for a specific amount of time in order for your application to be effective. For the best results, read the instructions closely and follow the directions as each whitening regimen varies.
How We Selected
To find the absolute best teeth-whitening kits, our intrepid team of testers and orthodontists have tried several different types, and evaluated each one based on their comfort, convenience and overall effectiveness—meaning if their teeth became a few shades brighter.
Best Overall Teeth-Whitening Kits
Snow Original Teeth Whitening Kit
Now 47% Off
Pros
Comes with a total of 75 treatments- Packaged with an extra-strength serum
- Can connects to four different devices
- Easy-to-use steps
Cons
- Other picks have more additional tools to use
Snow's Original Teeth Whitening Kit comes highly recommended by Dr. Kevin Sands, board-certified celebrity cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills, CA. It contains 75 treatments, which means you get more than six months supply. Packaged inside is a LED mouthpiece with blue-light technology, two whitening serums and a third one with extra strength to remove the deepest of stains.
We love that this kit has four adapters to connect to your phone or other USB device, so there’s no battery pack or charging needed (a great option for city workers or travelers). The rules are simple: apply the serum after brushing your teeth, gently insert the tray for 9-30 minutes, and then rinse your mouth and the device. After just a few days of using this teeth-whitening kit, we notice our teeth were a couple shades lighter. Like everything else, the key to seeing results is consistency.
| Ingredients | Hydrogen Peroxide, Xylitol, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) |
|---|---|
| Type | LED Device |
| Duration of Use | Once per day, 9-30 minutes |
Pros
- Completely wireless and waterproof
- Has a 16-minute built-in timer
- Packed with dentist-approved whitening gel syringes
Cons
- One of the more pricier kits under $100 (but effective)
Linhart's home kit received a stamp of approval by Dr. Kunen. "For those looking to replicate a chairside whitening experience, this is closest you will find," she says. "This whitening system was custom designed by high-end cosmetic dentists in New York City and utilizes the same whitening gel they use in their office on their patients."
The collection includes 4 syringes of 35% carbamide peroxide whitening gel, and LED whitening light to activate the gel, and a milder whitening gel to help maintain your results. After a few weeks of use, one of our testers claimed, "this is the brightest my teeth has ever been".
| Ingredients | Hydrogen Peroxide, |
|---|---|
| Type | Gel, LED Device |
| Duration of Use | Once daily |
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Pros
- One of the most dentist-recommended strip versions
- Super easy to apply and won't slip off
- Accessible for pick-up at your local drugstore
Cons
- Can leave some gel behind, but can be resolved with a simple rinse
Crest Whitestrips were one of the first at-home teeth-whitening products that were accessible to the masses. To this day, they're still recommended by dentists including Dr. Kunen. "The design of strips instead of trays takes away the need for a pre-made whitening tray," she says. "The concentration of the product ranges from 6.5% - 14% peroxide, so those patients who have higher sensitivity may have an easier time with [this option]."
If you want to keep things simple and still achieve powerful results, using the strips is one of the best strategies. We've been wearing them for over five years now and have seen huge difference from our first week of treatment. And they're super easy to put on and take off. What's more: the strips can be picked up at your local drugstore.
| Ingredients | Hydrogen Peroxide |
|---|---|
| Type | Strips |
| Duration of Use | 1 hour per upper/lower strip |
Best Teeth-Whitening Kit for Sensitive Teeth
Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Extra gentle on enamel
- Comes in 10 different flavors including mint and peach
- Includes LED accelerator light and tooth desensitizing pen
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Will have to reup (but it'll be a few weeks)
Zimba's whitening strips are targeted towards those with sensitive teeth. Their offering is slick (no gel or goop) and arrives in 10 different flavors. Plus, they contain hydrogen peroxide, which will help whiten your teeth even faster.
Believe it or not, the results were pretty instant using these strips. Within two days, we were able to spot a lighter shade of our teeth. There were no signs of discomfort or irritation on our gums. It also didn't hurt that there was a pleasant taste from the spearmint flavor.
| Ingredients | Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Water, Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Menthol |
|---|---|
| Type | Strips |
| Duration of Use | 30 minutes |
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Best Teeth-Whitening Trays
Opalescence Go 15 Prefilled Teeth Whitening Trays
Pros
- Made with Xylitol, which reduces the risk of tooth decay
- Zero discomfort
Cons
- Will run out quickly
Opalescence has been a long time favorite among the dental community, which includes Dr. Pia Lieb, DDS. Previously, the brand sold syringes of their gel to pipette into a whitening tray, but their new Opalescence GO comes with prefilled disposable trays.
Our testers were impressed by the color improvement of their teeth after using these trays for three months. To see a significant change, we suggest going with the 15% strength version. While it did cause some slight sensitivity, that feeling eventually wore off after brushing with a gentle toothpaste.
| Ingredients | Hydrogen Peroxide |
|---|---|
| Type | Trays |
| Duration of Use | 4-6 hrs/day |
Best Enamel-Safe Teeth-Whitening Strips
Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips
Now 40% Off
Pros
- Enamel-safe
- Undergone clinical testing and studies for non-toxicity
- Comes with whitening mouthwash
Cons
- Not made with hydrogen peroxide
Unlike most products that effectively remove teeth staining, Lumineux omits hydrogen peroxide from its whitening strips. Instead, the brand's formula infuses natural ingredients such as dead sea salts, mint, essential oils, and aloe vera. On the brighter side (no pun intended), this option lifts stains without messing with your enamel.
During our testing, we found that the strips' efficacy was lower than other kits that we've tried. That's not to say they didn't work, but be prepared for more applications to see the best results.
| Ingredients | Coconut Oil, Sage Oil, Lemon Peel, Dead Sea Salt |
|---|---|
| Type | Strips |
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Are Teeth-Whitening Kits Safe?
The short answer is yes. However, some patients should double check with their dentist first before exploring any kind of whitening treatment. If you have thin enamel, it's likely you may experience a certain level of pain. Anyone with gum disease or cavities should also take precaution and resolve those issues before brightening their grill. And for those that have had any previous dental work done, it's a must that you get approval from your primary orthodontist.
Which Teeth-Whitening Kits Have the Best Results?
The length of time your teeth remain brighter varies, and it's influenced by how often you drink trigger beverages such as coffee, tea, dark soda, red wine or whether you smoke. “The results vary from person to person, depending on how receptive one’s teeth are to the bleaching gel,” says Dr. Kantor. “People whose teeth have more of a yellow/brown tone usually bleach better than people with gray tones in their enamel," he says.
And while at-home products generally contain a weaker percentage of hydrogen peroxide than in-office teeth-whitening products do, they can still work. That said, a higher percentage of chemicals might not be better for you. "If you are a patient who tends to have more sensitivity, select a teeth-whitening product that has a lower peroxide concentration (15 percent or less), or select a product that doesn’t use peroxides as their chief whitening ingredient," says Dr. Kunen.
Teeth-whitening products always work best when the tooth surface is clean and free of debris, Kunen says. So brush and floss before you whiten with whatever product you choose.
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Meet the Experts
- Dr. Heather S. Kunen, DDS, MS is an orthodontist and Invisalign specialist in New York, NY
- Dr. Kevin B. Sands, DDS is board-certified celebrity cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills, CA
- Dr. Pia Lieb, DDS is a board-certified cosmetic dentist in New York, NY
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