Best Teeth Whitening
Features a no-slip design to hold the strip firmly in place
3 days
Yes
No
Offers rapid results in a short time
5-10 days
No
No
Offers excellent results without irritating sensitive teeth or gums
14 days
Yes
Yes
Powerful formula whitens teeth in a month while remaining gentle on enamel
4 weeks
Yes
No
Comes with a 14-day money back guarantee
14 days
No
Yes
In a world full of radiant smiles on billboards, magazines and social media, you may be interested in putting your best face forward with sparkling white teeth. While regularly brushing twice a day and flossing may help to keep your teeth in good shape, it may not be enough to keep them white. Over time, they may become stained, especially if you regularly drink tannin-rich beverages like coffee, tea and red wine.
That's where teeth-whitening solutions like whitening strips, gels and pens come in. Unlike dental office whitening treatments which can be expensive, at-home teeth whitening solutions are an affordable way to whiten your teeth.
However, choosing a suitable product can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of options. So, which one is right for you? To help you decide, we sifted through numerous offerings to help you pick the best for your pearly whites.
Our Top Picks For Best Teeth Whitening
- Best Whitening Strips – Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips
- Best Teeth Whitening Kit – Opalescence GO Teeth Whitening Kit
- Best Whitening Toothpaste – Colgate Optic White Advanced Whitening Toothpaste
- Best For Sensitive Teeth – Crest 3D Sensitive Teeth Whitening Kit
- Best For Whitening Gel – Bite Whitening Gel
Best Teeth Whitening Reviews
Below are our top five picks for the best teeth whitening products. We chose the products based on their effectiveness, price and customer reviews.
Why we chose it: Crest's 3D Whitestrips are easy to use and feature a no-slip grip design that ensures they cling to teeth.
Whitening strips are effective, but some brands of strips don't stick to the teeth securely. Crest's 3D Whitestrips have a no-slip design, firmly staying in place so you can wear them while going about your regular routine.
Crest's 3D Whitestrips are currently the only whitening strips with the Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association (ADA). The seal verifies the strips have been scientifically proven safe and effective in whitening teeth.
The kit comes in a pack with 40 strips for 20 treatments. Crest recommends wearing the strips for at least a half hour per day. You should start to notice results in as little as three days. As a bonus, Crest also includes two sets of express whitening strips for same-day results.
Crest's 3D Whitestrips offer great value, as a pack of 40 strips costs $45. However, the strips contain some hydrogen peroxide, which may irritate your gums and teeth if they're sensitive.
Besides the Professional Effects Whitestrips, here are some other ADA-approved whitening strips Crest offers:
- Crest 3D Whitestrips 1 Hour Express: Ideal for rapid results
- Crest 3D Whitestrips Original: Ideal for whitening teeth up to 12 shades
- Crest 3D Whitestrips Glamorous White: Ideal for removing up to 15 years of stains
Why we chose it: The Opalescence GO Teeth Whitening Kit offers visible results within 10 days with just 30 minutes of daily use. And the trays come prefilled with the bleaching agent, so you won't have to worry about making a mess.
You may find it challenging to get accustomed to whitening strips. They can stick to your gums, causing discomfort. If that's the case, consider the Opalescence GO Whitening Trays. The trays stick to the teeth like strips, but they offer more comfort because they mold to your mouth.
The Opalescence GO Whitening Trays come prefilled with hydrogen peroxide gel in varying concentrations of 10%, 15%, 20% and 35%. With products at different concentrations, you can choose a kit depending on your dental sensitivity and how quickly you want to see results. The brand recommends wearing the trays for 30 to 60 minutes daily to see visible results within 10 days.
If you want a mess-free tray that whitens teeth fast, the Opalescence GO Teeth Whitening Kit is a solid choice. While the whitening kit isn't ADA-approved, a clinical study has shown effectiveness.
The trays with high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide may cause sensitivity, so you may want to choose the one with the lowest concentration if you have sensitive teeth and gums.
Finally, at $84, the kit costs more than other options on this list. But considering you'll see results within 10 days after just half an hour of daily use, we think the kit deserves its place on this list.
Why we chose it: Colgate's Optic White Advanced whitening toothpaste offers remarkable results after a month of daily use and is enamel-safe.
Using whitening toothpaste is undoubtedly the easiest way to brighten your teeth, as you use it like regular toothpaste. The only caveat may be that some whitening toothpastes aren't as effective as other teeth whitening treatments, like gels, trays or strips.
But that's what sets Colgate's Optic White Advanced whitening toothpaste apart from other brands. Unlike other brands that don't contain any hydrogen peroxide, this product contains low concentrations of the whitening agent. When used as directed, it whitens teeth after just four weeks.
If you're OK with waiting a month or so before seeing optimal results, Colgate's Optic White Advanced whitening toothpaste is a good choice. Note that a study from the International Journal of Dental Hygiene reports that you should avoid using whitening toothpaste beyond a month. If you don't, you could damage your enamel and gums. So don't throw away your regular toothpaste.
Why we chose it: Crest 3D Whitestrips contain low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, so they don't irritate sensitive teeth or gums. Plus, they offer excellent results in just two weeks.
Many teeth whitening products contain high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, making them unsuitable for people with sensitive teeth and gums. If you have sensitive teeth and gums but want to add sparkle to your smile, Crest's 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth may be perfect.
Unlike many strips with high hydrogen peroxide levels that irritate the teeth and gums or cause mild pain, these ADA-approved strips contain low concentrations of the whitening agent. The strips come in a kit of 28 for 14 treatments. Crest recommends wearing the strips for 30 minutes, once daily, for two weeks for best results.
These strips won't offer rapid results compared to regular strips, but if you want whiter teeth without discomfort, they're a solid option. However, if you don't experience any sensitivity and want quick results, the previously mentioned Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips may be better suited for you.
Why we chose it: This affordable gel contains peppermint oil to reduce sensitivity and doesn't contain synthetic dyes, flavors or alcohol.
Unlike most gels that come as trays, Bite's Whitening Gel comes in a glass bottle with a small brush to apply the gel on teeth. It's an excellent option if you don't like the feel of trays in your mouth. Plus, it's vegan-friendly, and its carbamide peroxide formula won't irritate your teeth and gums.
Best of all — if you don't see any noticeable results within two weeks of daily use, you'll receive your money back, making the gel a risk-free option. However, the gel isn't ADA-approved, and learning how to effectively apply the serum without making a mess can take some time.
But if these aren't deal-breakers, Bite's Whitening Gel is an excellent pocket-friendly option. The gel only costs $24 for 28 treatments or $20 with a subscription plan.
Other Teeth Whitening We Considered
We evaluated many teeth whitening products. While several offered great results, we excluded them from our top picks because they were either pricey, less effective or unsuitable for sensitive gums and teeth.
iSmile Teeth Whitening Kit
The iSmile Teeth Whitening Kit offers good results. You'll need to fill the tray with gel and place it in your mouth once a day for only 10 minutes, and you'll see your teeth brighten up to eight shades in just seven days.
However, the iSmile Teeth Whitening Kit didn't make it to our list of top picks because many reviewers stated it felt too uncomfortable on their gums and was pricier than the other options.
Auraglow Teeth Whitening Pen
Pens offer a convenient way to whiten teeth on the go, but there's a downside. Most pens don't provide effective results compared to other treatments. While we liked the Auraglow pen's portability, it didn't make the cut because of its lower efficacy compared to the top picks.
Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste
The Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste was fairly effective compared to other whitening toothpaste brands we reviewed. It brightened teeth up to two shades in about four weeks. However, it didn't offer long-lasting results. Stains developed after discontinued use.
Teeth Whitening Guide
Teeth whitening products offer an effective way to remove stubborn stains and add sparkle to your smile. However, there's no one-size-fits-all teeth whitening solution, as each has its pros and cons. So, how do these different products work, and how do you choose the right one for your needs?
What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening refers to various cosmetic procedures to make your teeth shades lighter and brighter. While teeth whitening can't turn teeth completely white, it can lighten them several shades without damaging the tooth surface when used as directed.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Over time, teeth become stained due to various reasons. Surface stains on your teeth are extrinsic, stemming from foods, drinks or tobacco use. But intrinsic stains develop under the enamel, often from age or other problems with your teeth.
Over-the-counter teeth-whitening solutions, such as strips, gels and pens, contain one of two bleaching agents: hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide diffuses rapidly and releases its whitening ability within 30 to 60 minutes of exposure. On the other hand, carbamide peroxide takes up to two hours to diffuse, but it can remain active for up to six hours. Despite this notable difference, both bleaching agents are equally effective teeth whiteners.
The efficacy of teeth whitening products varies depending on their hydrogen or carbamide peroxide levels. While products with high concentrations of either bleaching agent offer faster results, a high concentration could irritate sensitive teeth and gums.
Remember that over-the-counter teeth-whitening solutions won't whiten artificial teeth. They also won't resolve discoloration caused by oral health issues, such as excessive plaque buildup, tooth decay or cavities, regardless of the concentration of the bleaching agent in the product.
Therefore, consult your dentist if you've tried to whiten your stained teeth without success. You may have an oral problem that requires an alternative treatment rather than teeth whitening.
What To Look For In Teeth Whitening Products
While many teeth whiteners produce excellent results, they aren't all created equal. Depending on the severity of your discoloration and teeth or gum sensitivity, one product may better suit you than another.
The Right Active Ingredients
The best teeth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active bleaching agent. Look for products with either of these bleaching agents, as those without them probably won't whiten your teeth effectively. Additionally, steer clear of products with hydrated silica — an abrasive substance that can damage the tooth enamel.
Also, look for products with hydrogen peroxide levels of 10% to 15% or carbamide peroxide levels of at least 35% for best results. However, you can opt for products with lower concentrations if you have sensitive teeth or gums. It just may take longer to see the effect.
Dentist Approval
Most over-the-counter teeth whitening products are generally safe for use at home. However, experts recommend you consult your dentist before using any whitening product to determine if it suits your needs. Doing so is particularly important if you have sensitive teeth or gums.
You should also consult your dentist to rule out the possibility of any oral health conditions, as teeth whitening treatments should only be performed in a healthy mouth. Not only will consulting your dentist ensure you choose an appropriate treatment plan, but it could also lead to better results.
An Easy Whitening Process
Some whitening strips prove quite challenging to secure to the teeth, some gels are difficult to apply without making a mess and some trays don't fit easily in the mouth without modification.
A hard-to-use product may discourage you from using it as directed. Therefore, look for easy-to-use products with clear instructions for a no-frill treatment.
Typically, whitening toothpaste products and pens offer the easiest route to starting a whitening routine. However, their ease of use comes with a huge drawback. They aren't as effective as other treatments, and they offer short-term results. If you consider this a downside, you're better off with strips or trays.
Positive Customer Reviews
Many customers who love a product won't hesitate to vouch for it, and the best teeth whitening products have numerous positive reviews. If you're considering a product, check out how it fares on customer review websites.
Pay close attention to in-depth reviews that describe the product's ease of use, effectiveness and comfort. Often, detailed customer reviews can provide invaluable insights about a product you may not have considered.
Finally, check out the number of reviews the product has. Consider other options if you come across a well-known product with only a few reviews.
An Affordable Price
DIY teeth whitening products lighten teeth at a fraction of the cost of in-office dental treatments. However, some whitening products come at a hefty cost because they contain high hydrogen or carbamide peroxide levels.
Generally, whitening toothpaste products are the least costly teeth whitening option, trays are costlier and lightening kits are the most expensive. Meanwhile, teeth whitening options like pens, gels and strips are moderately priced. These cost roughly $20 to $60, depending on the active ingredient concentration and the brand.
The teeth whitening products we evaluated cost $60 on average. However, if you're on a budget, there are some pocket-friendly options that cost under $20.
Teeth Whitening FAQ
How We Chose The Best Teeth Whitening
We chose the best teeth whitening products on this list after comparing the pros and cons of numerous over-the-counter products. We also looked at dozens of online reviews from trusted sources to see where there was a consensus. Ultimately, here are the key factors we gave priority:
- Effectiveness: We noted that some products didn't give users desirable results after several weeks of daily use. We only listed products with clinically proven results.
- Comfort and sensitivity: Some of our evaluated products caused severe gum and tooth irritation. While not all the products we listed are ideal for people with sensitive teeth and gums, we only listed products that caused mild irritation.
- Ease of use: We valued products highly if they were reasonably easy to use and therefore listed those.
- Whitening speed: We compared the timespan of noticeable outcomes per reviewed product. We only listed products that offered visible results in under a month.
- Price and value for money: We compared affordability to results. While some of the products were listed at bargain prices, they offered substandard results. We listed products that were both reasonably priced and didn't compromise quality.
Besides these factors, we also looked at the active ingredients in each product we evaluated to ensure the list only contains safe products. We conducted rigorous research to ensure the product list didn't contain harmful ingredients. However, we also recommend you check the ingredient label on all teeth whitening products, and consult your dentist before starting a teeth whitening regimen.
Summary Of The Best Teeth Whitening Products
- Best Whitening Strips – Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips
- Best Teeth Whitening Kit – Opalescence GO Teeth Whitening Kit
- Best Whitening Toothpaste – Colgate Optic White Advanced Whitening Toothpaste
- Best For Sensitive Teeth – Crest 3D Sensitive Teeth Whitening Kit
- Best For Whitening Gel – Bite Whitening Gel
This content is meant for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or for diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of health conditions. Consult with a healthcare professional before making health-related decisions.
