The star of a dazzling smile? Bright, white teeth. But even with the aid of dental products like water flossers, electric toothbrushes and dentist-recommended toothpastes, daily wear-and-tear to your pearly whites can lead to stubborn stains. To the rescue: the booming category of at-home teeth whitening products that help erase stains and brighten teeth, a more accessible alternative to professional whitening treatments.
At-home teeth whiteners include whitening strips, gels, pens, whitening toothpastes, whitening mouthwashes and LED lights as accelerators, which can provide noticeable effects over time. “They use chemical or abrasive agents to lighten or remove stains on your teeth to make them appear whiter,” says Marina Gonchar, D.M.D., orthodontist and owner of Skin to Smile in Morristown, New Jersey.
1 Best Overall
Crest 3D White Daily Whitening Serum
Pros
- Visibly whitens teeth
- Removes surface tooth stains
- Appealing taste and minimal residue
Cons
- Some user reported tooth sensitivity
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| Results in | Within 2 weeks |
| Recommended usage | Twice per day for 30 minutes |
| Level of whitening | 2.6 shades |
2 Best Value
Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips
Pros
- Whitens teeth nearly three shades in two weeks
- Easy to use
- Adheres to teeth well
- Pleasant flavor
Cons
- May leave residue on teeth
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| Results in | 2 weeks |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 30 minutes |
| Level of whitening | 2.7 shades |
3 Best LED Light Teeth Whitening Product
Crest 3D Whitestrips 1 Hour Express + LED Dental Whitening Kit
Pros
- Whitens teeth by 2.6 shades
- Effectively removes surface tooth stains
- Doesn’t cause sensitivity
- Not messy
Cons
- Requires more time than other products
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| Results in | 19 days |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 1 hour with strips only, plus 5 minutes with strips and light |
| Level of whitening | 2.6 shades |
4 Best Whitening Product for Sensitive Teeth
Rembrandt 1 Week Whitening Kit
Pros
- Measurably whitens teeth in one week
- Doesn’t cause sensitivity
- Minimal residue left on teeth after use
Cons
- The strips didn’t fit as well or sit as securely on teeth
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| Results in | 7 days |
| Recommended usage | Twice per day for 30 minutes |
| Level of whitening | 1.6 shades |
5 Best Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Colgate Optic White Renewal Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Pros
- Contains high levels of hydrogen peroxide for a toothpaste
- Effectively removes stains
- Affordably-priced
- Doesn’t cause irritation
Cons
- May take more time for visible effects
| Whitening ingredients | Hydrogen peroxide, silica |
|---|---|
| Results in | 4 weeks |
| Recommended usage | Two times per day |
| Level of whitening claimed | Up to 10 years of stains |
6 Best Teeth Whitening Kit
Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects Teeth Whitening Strips Kit
Pros
- Proven to whiten teeth multiple shades
- Clear strips are discreet to wear and stick to teeth well
- Simple to use
- Recommended by dentists
Cons
- Some people felt sensitivity during use
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| Results in | 20 days |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 45 minutes |
| Level of whitening | 2 to 4 shades |
7 Best Professional-Level Teeth Whitening Product
Snow DiamondSeries Wireless Teeth Whitening Kit
Pros
- Whitens teeth one shade in a week
- Didn’t cause irritation
- Wireless mouthpiece is simple to use
Cons
- The LED device could feel uncomfortable in the mouth for some
- Expensive
| Whitening ingredients | Carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| Results in | 1 week |
| Recommended usage | Once per day for 9 minutes |
| Level of whitening | 1 shade |
8 Best Teeth Whitening Pen
Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen
Pros
- Works while you sleep, saving time
- Doesn’t cause tooth sensitivity
- Effectively whitens teeth and removes stains
Cons
- Wand was difficult to clean
| Whitening ingredient | Hydrogen peroxide |
|---|---|
| Results in | 1 week |
| Recommended usage | Once per night |
| Level of whitening | 1.9 shades |
