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In recent years, it seems that we, as a society, have become hyper-obsessed with improving our smile. Everyone wants whiter, brighter teeth, but who can really afford professional whitening treatments and Hollywood veneers in this economy? Luckily, there are at-home teeth whitening kits—and we’ve found seven of the best options on the market from brands like Crest, Moon, Supersmile, and SmileDirectClub. Keep looking for your guide to the best teeth whitening kits for the most picturesque pearly whites, and how to use them effectively yet completely safely and painlessly, according to experts.
➼ Frequent questions
➼ Our top picks
➼ More tried and true options
➼ Our experts
Known as the #1 at-home dentist-recommended teeth whitening product, you can’t go wrong with Crest 3D Whitestrips. They are made with the same hydrogen peroxide whitening ingredient that dentists use, which will help improve your smile after a recommended ten days of use. “Bridge strips are a great option because they are safe and approved by the ADA (American Dental Association),” says dental hygienist Alejandra Diaz. “They have recently become part of my self-care routine after my nightly bath or while steaming my face.” But you don’t have to save popular products for the evenings. You can also wear them as you go about your day. The anti-slip grip technology makes it easy to use the bands while talking or drinking water, so you can go about your daily tasks without interruption.
A personal favorite of mine (especially for travel) is this pick from Twice, backed by A-list rocker Lenny Kravitz. According Business Insider, after a dental mission trip to the Bahamas, Kravitz teamed up with the Levine brothers, whose father is renowned dentist philanthropist Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, and co-founded Twice. The mission-driven brand donates 10 percent of proceeds to the GLO Good Foundation, which provides underserved communities with dental services, supplies and education. And when it comes to a brighter smile, these powerful whitening strips can deliver whiter teeth in just one 30-minute treatment. This kit comes with 40 easy-to-apply strips — containing coconut oil to reduce sensitivity and really taste great — for 20 full treatments.
If you love teeth whitening trays, look no further than the Opalescence Go. Favorites of Dr. Clement Kairouz of Apa Aesthetic for “stronger whitening,” these trays use 15 percent hydrogen peroxide to guarantee a bright, pearly white smile. UltraFit pre-filled trays are ready to use right out of the box and easily fit your smile. For optimal results, it is recommended to wear the trays for 15 to 20 minutes for five to ten consecutive days.
You may be familiar with Moon thanks to Kendall Jenner, who has collaborated with the brand on several products, from a toothbrush kit to the popular Teeth whitening pen. Moon has taken oral beauty to the next level with the launch of the Smile Perfector Duo, made from the brand’s best-sellers advanced platinum whitening formula which uses a “mild” urea peroxide (instead of hydrogen peroxide) as well as an Elixir III blend of honeysuckle leaf extract to brighten and strawberry extract and lavender oil to help soften your teeth and gums. “Lip gloss on the other end contains ethically sourced blue mica to neutralize yellow tones on teeth for an all-in-one smile product that delivers brightness,” says Moon product developer Rachel Desai. Using Duo’s brush applicator, simply apply the product to your teeth twice a day for up to two weeks for best results.
If you prefer to just brush your teeth every day as usual and see immediate results (instead of relying on whitening trays or pens), this may be the best option for you. They were created by cosmetic dentist Dr. Irwin Smigel, Supersmile products contain Calprox, an exclusive whitening ingredient that helps dissolve layers of plaque and bacteria that build up on teeth. The kit contains a professional whitening toothpaste, a whitening accelerator that lifts deep stains, a whitening pre-rinse and bars. All you have to do is brush your teeth with Supersmile products twice a day, every day, for two minutes (as usual), and you’ll see visible results in just a few weeks. For extra whitening, you can also buy it Supersemile Dissolving Films.
You’re probably already familiar with SmileDirectClub — it’s often referred to as the dental company that fixes smiles, so it’s no surprise that SmileDirectClub also has a fan-favorite whitening kit. Featuring the same enamel-safe whitening agent used by dentists, these hydrogen peroxide gel pens are a great choice if you’re looking for an easy application tool with near-five-star results. This particular kit comes with four pens and a 20 LED boost light that you can use to boost the power of the gel. Both the pens and the LED light are portable so you can use them anywhere. For whiter teeth in just one week, apply the gel pens twice a day for about five minutes and top it off with the LED light.
The Glo Science Kit is the only home whitening device on the market that uses advanced heat technology to optimize results. The pure formula does not cause tooth sensitivity, as it is gluten-free and comes in biodegradable packaging. And unlike most whitening kits that provide results based on daily use and routine, the Glo Science Kit is only a five-day treatment. after three eight-minute sessions a day, you’ll see long-lasting results for up to 12 months (depending on oral care and maintenance). The kit comes equipped with a patented mouthpiece and cover, Advanced Glo Controller with temperature indicator and countdown timer, five bottles of mint-flavored Glo gel brightener and — similar to the Moon lip brightener — a Glo Nourishing Lip Care balm.
According Dr. Clement Kairouzcosmetic dentist in luxury dental office in New York Apa Aesthetic, to be a “good” whitening product “it must contain either hydrogen peroxide (fast acting but increased sensitivity) or carbamide peroxide (slower acting but less sensitivity). She adds, “Acids or other chemicals that claim to whiten can damage enamel, so be sure to read the ingredient list. Don’t fall for catchy marketing.” And while it’s great to use oral whitening products like a toothpaste or mouthwash every day, you need an actual whitening kit to really brighten your teeth. “Whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes do not actually whiten enamel. All they do is remove extraneous stains like coffee, tea and wine,” he says Dr. Blair Schachtel DMD at CitiDentalGroup, New York.
It’s probably obvious that professional whitening is the best option because it’s “much stronger, faster to get results, and better at preventing tooth sensitivity,” says CitiDentalGroup dental hygienist Alejandra Diaz. “With in-office whitening, you get a higher percentage of the active ingredient, applied by a professional who knows how to isolate and protect your gums,” adds Dr. Kairouz, who went on to say for those interested in professional whitening treatments, recommends doing it once or twice a year along with an at-home kit that can be used every four to six months to maintain results. Home whitening kits, on the other hand, are much more convenient and affordable.
Home whitening kits are mostly safe to use. “At-home whitening is very safe, but make sure you’ve seen a dentist recently for a check-up to make sure there aren’t any cavities or areas of recession that could be a whitening problem,” says Dr. Schachtel. Safety comes first! But what people really want to know is whether these kits work. Rest assured, they do — if you go out of your way to ensure results. “At-home kits work, but you have to do your part to get results,” adds Schachtel. “Be sure to get a professional cleaning one to two months before whitening and always apply the product to freshly brushed teeth.”
A good at-home whitening product should not cause too much tooth sensitivity, but results will vary depending on oral health. “Any teeth whitening product will cause temporary sensitivity that can last up to 24 hours. How much sensitivity depends on several factors, such as the percentage of bleach used, the age of the patient, and more,” says Diaz. “Patients who are not candidates are patients who are pregnant or taking drugs with photosensitivity effects.”
- Dr. Clement Kairouzcosmetic dentist at Apa Aesthetic in New York.
- Dr. Blair SchachtelDMD at CitiDentalGroup, New York.
- Alejandra Diaz, dental hygienist at CitiDentalGroup.
