The best teeth whitening kits are easy to use at home when you need to brighten your smile (like our best overall pick from UltradentOpalescence Go). They’re also a convenient alternative to having it done at the dentist’s office and often just as effective as a professional treatment, at a more affordable cost. These at-home products come in many forms, including LED mouthpieces, strips and trays that are suited for even the most sensitive teeth.
The best teeth whitening kits work quickly over time without causing sensitivity.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
Dentists recommend shopping for treatments that include active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which help to diminishing stains. “Hydrogen peroxide is the main ingredient in most tooth whitening products; this or carbamide peroxide act as bleaching agents to change the color of teeth,” says If Your Mouth Could Talk author and dentist Dr. Kami Hoss. “Peroxide can partially penetrate the layers of teeth, removing compounds that cause discoloration.” Read on for the best teeth whitening kits and how to use them, according to experts.
Type: Tray | Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 15 to 30 minutes daily
The Opalescence Go is an easy-to-use system that’s available in various strengths, like 10% hydrogen peroxide, to suit various needs. NYC-based dentist Dr. Sharon Huang finds it perfect for at-home use. “It’s strong enough to be effective, but not too strong that it will make teeth sensitive or cause harm when used as instructed,” she says.
Cosmetic dentist Dr. Lawrence Fung also prefers this system over other options. “I like the Opalescence Go versus some of the other brands, as their whitening gels not only include hydrogen peroxide but also potassium nitrate, which helps desensitize the teeth,” he says. For best results the trays should be worn for 15-30 minutes daily over the course of 5-7 days.
This system from Smile Brilliant takes the guesswork out of whitening your teeth. “You take molds of your upper and lower teeth, and the company creates trays that fit your teeth” says Huang, who considers it as close as it gets to a customizable take-home whitening solution. It comes with a whitening gel made from 22% carbamide peroxide and a syringe for applying the solution to the trays. “If you choose the sensitive option, they will also include desensitizing gel to make the process more pleasant,” she says.
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Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: Carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 10 minutes daily
“This kit uses carbamide peroxide, a version of hydrogen peroxide that has a proven track record for whitening,” says New York City dentist and Park Slope Dentistry Seventh Avenue director Dr. Angelique Freking. It’s enamel-safe and won’t cause any tooth sensitivity, according to reviewers. The kit should last you four whitening cycles, and when you need a refresh you can repurchase the pen alone, which is great.
Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 8 minutes (4 times per day for 5 days)
Freking also recommends Glo Science’s Glo Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device. “This chic kit uses hydrogen peroxide and a tray with LED light built in to brighten your teeth,” she says. Wondering how bright your teeth can go? This system claims to make them up to five shades brighter in as little as one week. Plus, it includes a lip balm to prevent dry, cracked lips.
Type: Strips | Active ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 30 to 60 minutes daily
It doesn’t have to be inconvenient or expensive to whiten your teeth like a professional. Crest’s 3D White Strips are an affordable option you can use on the go that makes teeth look brighter after one 60-minute treatment and up to 18 shades whiter in 20 days. The kit includes 20 mess-free whitening strips coated in hydrogen peroxide. What’s best is that they cling to your teeth and stay put, so you can go about your day as usual.
What our staffers say: “I’ve given them a go on a few separate occasions,” says managing editor Emmy Favilla. “They produce noticeable results, and quickly. I’d say within 10 to 12 days, I tend to already see a slight difference in terms of the shade of my teeth.” She does, however, suggest taking it slow if you tend to experience tooth sensitivity. “After just a few uses my teeth became sensitive to things like cold drinks. If you tend to have sensitive teeth, tread lightly,” she says.
For similar fast results but with less irritation, account manager Blaire Tiernan recommends the sensitive version of the White Strips. “I recently switched to these, and I have noticed my teeth are significantly less sensitive compared to when I use the regular strips,” she says.
Type: Strips and pen | Active ingredient: Carbamide peroxide | Usage directions: 90 minutes daily
When it comes to choosing the products for you, cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Apa recommends looking for something easy to use, fits comfortably in the mouth and delivers safe and effective results—which is why he created this kit. You don’t have to deal with a clunky mouth tray or messy gel formula. “It’s a five-day, two-step process that uses a White Pen and White Films (both contain carbamide peroxide) to deliver maximum results, with minimum sensitivity,” he says.
Type: LED whitening tray | Active ingredient: Hydrogen peroxide | Usage directions: 30 minutes daily
Laughland’s At-Home Whitening Kit combines professional-grade results with the ease of use at home. The kit comes with an LED tray that you control via an app on your phone. Once you add some of the included gel formula to the mouthpiece and set it in place, it’s recommended that you use it for a minimum of 5 minutes, and up to 30 minutes for teeth that are not sensitive. The best part? According to clinical trials by the brand, 100% of participants had results without any increase in sensitivity.
What our editors say: “I’ve enjoyed using the Laughland teeth whitening kit for several days at a time,” says updates editor Karen Tietjen. “Unlike other teeth whiteners I’ve used, this one gave me no tooth sensitivity during or after treatments, which I really appreciate. It’s also fun to use—just plug the mouthguard into your phone and watch it glow. It’s brightened my teeth after just a few uses. My biggest criticism is that the gel tastes incredibly bitter if you get it on your tongue, but if you’re careful you can avoid it.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
As users of at-home teeth whitening kits and products ourselves, the Forbes Vetted staffers and contributors who have written, updated and edited this list have years of combined experience in this personal care category. The beauty and grooming vertical is overseen by Jane Sung, a senior editor who has covered lifestyle and wellness topics for well over a decade. We work with expert contributors to test and analyze products so you can look and feel your best. We also consulted with industry professionals like dentists Huang, Fung and Hoss on tips and what to look for in the top teeth whitening kits.
How We Chose The Best Teeth Whitening Kits Of 2023
To find the best teeth whitening kits, we consulted with five dentists for recommendations on how to get a more radiant smile. The products on this list feature hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as active ingredients, which are commonly used to effectively lift stains according to several of our experts.
From there, we chose teeth whitening kits from top-rated brands (some were also recommended by the pros) and then looked at their overall value, key features and customer reviews. We also made sure the selected products accommodate various types of teeth, lifestyle factors and preferences.
For those who are hesitant to try teeth whitening products, Huang recommends the Opalescence Go because it’s strong enough to whiten without causing sensitivity. For those who would prefer a customizable system, Huang recommends the tailor-made plan from Smile Brilliant, which takes a mold of your teeth and is also available in a sensitive option. This story is regularly reviewed and edited to provide the most current and accurate information possible; it was last updated in May 2023.
What Do Dentists Recommend To Whiten Teeth?
Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are two of the most common key ingredients recommended by dentists for whitening teeth. “They can be quite effective and safe when used in the right way,” says Huang. “They are made up of water, oxygen and radicals. The reaction from these free radicals will lift stains from teeth and make teeth appear whiter.” According to Hoss, most over-the-counter products feature a range in concentration from 3% to 10%, while dental professionals typically offer treatments with concentrations up to 40%.
What Is The Best Tooth Whitener On The Market?
There were several top contenders when assembling this list of teeth whitening kits, but there was one that stood out to our team. UltradentOpalescence Go earns our overall best spot since it has an effective formula that is suitable even for sensitive teeth. It also comes recommended by the experts.
Which Ingredients Can Cause Tooth Sensitivity?
“When an active ingredient travels through the microtubules of the teeth from the enamel to the deeper part, that’s when sensitivity may occur,” says Huang. Fortunately there are things you can do to reduce potential sensitivity. “The first is to use at-home whitening products as directed and not to overuse them,” she says. “The second tip is to brush with a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth for a few weeks before treatment to temporarily plug these microtubules. This will significantly reduce the sensitivity pathway during and after your whitening procedure.”
How Long Does The Whitening Effect Last?
“Whitening lasts as long as you can keep new stains from forming,” says Huang. She cites some ways to potentially extend the longevity of your results, such as avoiding stain-causing foods, using a straw to drink dark-colored liquids and brushing and flossing twice daily. Fung also adds “for some people, the brightness can last a month or two, while for others it may last up to 6 months.”
Keep in mind that these aren’t a substitute for routine dental cleanings and exams, but maintaining those can certainly help. “Those who see their dentist regularly, brush twice a day and floss daily will be able to keep the whitening effect lasting longer,” Fung says.
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