The Best Teeth Whitening Kits

Buying Guide for Teeth Whitening Kits

Why should you buy a teeth whitening kit?

There are plenty of reasons why people get their teeth whitened, and the added expense of a dentist appointment doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying the benefits. Some people find that their teeth become discolored due to plaque and tartar buildup, a long-term smoking habit, or frequent consumption of coffee, red wine, and other foods or drinks that discolor teeth over time. Others want to brighten their smile to look their best for a special event like a job interview, a wedding, or graduation. No matter the source of your off-white teeth, an at-home kit will give you gleaming teeth without the high price tag.

What should you look for in a teeth whitening kit?

• Type: There are two main types of over-the-counter teeth whitening kits you can purchase to use at home: whitening strips and gels. Whitening strips are small, thin strips of plastic covered with peroxide gel applied directly to the teeth and left on for the instructed length of time. Teeth whitening gels are used with a tray similar to a mouthguard. You fill the tray with the gel, slide it into your mouth, and leave it on for however long the instructions require. Some of these kits come with an LED light meant to help speed up the whitening process. There are also teeth-whitening toothpastes and rinses that contain a mild abrasive to remove tooth stains during brushing, but not everyone finds these effective, especially on bigger or deeper stains.
• Tooth Sensitivity: It’s not uncommon for teeth whitening kits to cause slight sensitivity when you first start using them, but this problem will disappear over time. However, if you have sensitive teeth or gums, you’ll want to be careful about which teeth whitening kit you pick. Not all kits are suitable for people with heightened tooth sensitivity. They might irritate your teeth and gums even more sensitive. Fortunately, there are kits explicitly designed to help avoid this problem. If you have sensitive teeth and gums, look for one of these kits to whiten your smile without pain or irritation.
• Time: It’s essential to keep in mind that home teeth whitening kits won’t make your teeth drastically whiter after just one use. Whitening strips and toothpaste usually take a few weeks of daily applications to make a noticeable difference. Whitening gels work much faster than whitening strips but won’t produce instant results either. You’ll want to check how often you’ll have to use your teeth whitening kit before noticing a difference and whether they require daily use for the best results. If you want to add teeth whitening to your daily routine, the time that it takes for whitening kits to make a difference might not be important. If you want your teeth to be whiter and brighter for a special event, though, this is an especially important consideration so that you can plan appropriately.

Should you purchase strips or a gel-based whitener?

While both options will have a whitening effect, the different approaches can change exactly where the whitening takes place. Gel formula can reach into the crevices of your teeth as the tray pushes the formula into the tight spaces. Strips are less capable of making contact with these hard-to-reach places due to their shape. If you have a set of super-straight teeth, a whitening strip should reach most of your teeth, but people with any angle in their teeth should opt for a gel to better whiten every surface.

Our Picks for the Best Teeth Whitening Kits

Pros: The Lumineux Teeth Whitening Kit comes with everything you need to take your teeth from dull to dazzling: seven whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, whitening mouthwash, and a super-soft bristled bamboo toothbrush. This kit is certified nontoxic and microbiome-safe, so you can feel confident that your mouth is getting the care it deserves. It’s also gentle on your teeth—it lifts stains without taking away too much of your enamel, so you don’t have to worry about sensitivity when using this product. With over 50 double-blind university studies backing up the safety and effectiveness of this whitening system, you know that this kit will give you exactly what you need with no preservatives or additives.

Cons: The taste of the mouthwash and toothpaste may not be pleasant for everyone.

Bottom Line: This three-in-one kit is ideal for those who want a variety of whitening products with the convenience of a compatible set. 

 

Pros: This teeth whitening kit is designed to be safe and gentle on your enamel to avoid creating sensitivity in your teeth. This kit consists of a pack of enough whitening gel for at least 20 treatments, two 5-milliliter gel syringes, a mouth tray, a tray storage case, an accelerator LED light, and instructions that detail how to use it. The gel is gluten-free and kosher, so it accommodates most dietary restrictions. The mouth tray doesn’t need to be molded or boiled to fit your mouth, so it can whiten the top and bottom rows of your teeth simultaneously. The LED light is designed to accelerate the whitening process and has a built-in timer and beeper so you can easily time the length of your whitening sessions. Use it for 30 minutes daily, and you can get rid of stains left behind by coffee, wine, smoking, and more.

Cons: Since this tray can’t be molded to your mouth, people with narrow or extra-wide teeth might struggle with getting the fit right. This can also cause the loss of gel product for small mouths since you’ll need extra product to fill the tray up to achieve complete coverage.

Bottom Line: This gel and tray combo will give you more direct contact with the lightening formula than a strip, leaving you with white teeth from all angles. While it won’t provide the ideal fit for all mouths, its formula will lift your everyday stains.

 

Pros: If you want whiter teeth sooner rather than later, this whitening kit gives you the best shot at seeing whiter teeth within a short period. You might even get teeth up to eight shades whiter after only a straight week of use, with potential visible results after just one session. The gentle whitening gel formula is enamel-safe and takes only 10 minutes a day to work. Use the syringe to insert the gel into the universal silicone mouth tray that fits any mouth size without being molded or shaped. The 100% silicone material is BPA-free and designed to be snug and keep the gel safely contained without feeling tight or irritating your gums. It has integrated ventilation to prevent breathing issues during whitening. The LED light speeds up the process, and it comes equipped with a 10-minute timer and alarm so that you don’t cut your whitening treatment short or go over. An instructional guide with easy-to-follow directions comes included with your purchase.

Cons: The speed of this whitening product comes from an intense formula, which might not be suited for people with sensitive mouths. Burning gums can happen when the gel makes contact.

Bottom Line: This product features some serious whitening power that’s not suitable for everyone. However, it’s ideal for a tight timeframe for people who need a quick fix to their yellowing teeth.

 

Pros: This easy-to-use kit features pre-mixed, mess-free syringes of 35% carbamide peroxide gel that breaks up and dissolves stubborn stains caused by food, wine, coffee, smoking, and aging. A five-LED light bulb accelerates the gel to break up the stains, and a 10-minute timer built into the mouth tray ensures accurate timing without needing to watch the clock. The kit also includes a remineralizing gel that strengthens tooth enamel, and the one-size-fits-all universal mouth tray makes this budget-friendly product simple for anyone to use.

Cons: Some may experience gum sensitivity. While the kit comes with three syringes of whitening gel, it only comes with one syringe of the remineralizing gel that is supposed to relieve sensitivity if it occurs. Extra supplies of remineralizing products are sold separately.

Bottom Line: Consider this kit if you’re looking to brighten your smile without a trip to the dentist or breaking the bank. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, you may want to plan ahead and shop for an extra remineralizing agent to get more comfortable results. 

 

Pros: This travel-friendly kit gets your teeth up to nine shades whiter in just one week. The same enamel-safe whitening agent dentists use is included in each low-mess pen, so you can feel confident that your teeth are being treated gently and effectively. The hands-free smartphone-powered LED accelerator light lets you conveniently brighten your smile while on the go.

Cons: It seems that the LED light can be a bit finicky. Some experienced it randomly turning off during use and had to unplug and replug it to get it to start up again.

Bottom Line: This kit is a solid option for those who want to brighten their teeth while traveling. In addition to the eight-piece whitening pen kit, this brand is available in sets that include four pens or one pen.

 

Pros: This complete kit can give you the dentist’s whitening results without the office visit. It includes three whitening wands, one extra-strength wand, a shade guide, and an LED mouthpiece. This kit is designed for speed, allowing you to treat in just nine minutes. And with up to 75 treatments in the wands, you might achieve that ultra-white smile that’s sought after. SNOW created the formula to be safe for people with braces, caps, crowns, and more to achieve a brighter smile.

Cons: This kit isn’t going to offer you instant results. The high amount of product you get allows you to slowly remove stains and add brightness over an extended period of use. Additionally, the USB cord on the light is slightly short, so it might be difficult for you to comfortably watch TV, use your phone, or read without staying close to the power source.

Bottom Line: With so many whitening product, this kit offers a longer-lasting result than previous whitening options. While seeing your pearly whites shine brighter might take some time, the results cause less sensitivity.

Final Thoughts

If you want your smile to dazzle, investing in whitening kits can help you catch the eye of more people. While they’re not for people with extremely sensitive teeth or compromised enamel, teeth whiteners can help most people achieve the pearly whites they’ve always wanted. Whether you’re looking for an alternative to your dentist’s expensive treatments or want a quick fix before an important day, whitening kits will brighten your teeth while removing stubborn stains.