Dentists and Testers Agree: These Are the Best Teeth Whiteners Available (2024)

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Our Top Picks

Type: Strips | Session Duration: 45 minutes | Key Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide

Recommended by dentists and beauty editors alike (and even influencers), it’s no surprise that the Crest Professional Effect Whitestrips came out on top. “This is among the most effective over-the-counter whitening products,” says Dr. Sands. “It’s known for providing noticeable results, making it a go-to choice for many patients who want to brighten their smile without a visit to the dentist.” It’s formulated with a 10% hydrogen peroxide-based formula, which is the ingredient that dentists recommend and use in-office for teeth bleaching and whitening treatments, and it can make the teeth up to 23 levels whiter in just 24 days.

The strips included can fit all teeth sizes and shapes, and you only have to use them once a day for 45 minutes. This kit also comes with four one-hour express treatments to see results even quicker. The best part is that it’s gentle on your enamel and won’t cause any damage with continued use while whitening. “The strips do not cause major sensitivity, and they work well for stains on the outside of teeth,” says Dr. Joshua Perlman, DMD.

Jenna, tester: "My smile looked slightly brighter by the third uses and continued to brighten more over the remaining week. By the end of the testing period, my smile was noticeably whiter."

Type: Strips, light | Session Duration: 60 minutes | Key Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide

If you have an upcoming event and want whiter teeth fast, you’ll love these Whitestrips with LED light for quicker results. It comes with only 10 treatments—so you’ll see full results in 10 days. The blue light can weaken the stains on your teeth, making it easier for the hydrogen peroxide to lift them and whiten. “The inclusion of light technology can enhance the results by accelerating the whitening process,” says Dr. Sands, and he notes that it’s used by many of his patients who want to whiten at home.

They’re simple to use—apply the strips to the teeth, leave them on for 60 minutes, and then shine the light for five minutes (it has an auto-shutoff, so there's no need to set a timer). It can remove years of stains, and the results can last for months at a time. When using an LED whitening treatment, Dr. Sands says to proceed with caution and follow the instructions exactly. “It's crucial for patients to use it correctly to avoid potential sensitivity or gum irritation,” he explains.

While testing, we loved that the strips had a nice grip that stayed in place, and we say a noticeable brightness after about five days. After 10, we found that any surface stains had faded significantly and our smile was much whiter.

Jenna, tester: "They’re effective, they’re affordable, and they’re way stronger than the averagewhitening toothpaste.”

Type: Gel, trays | Session Duration: 20 minutes | Key Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, xylitol

Extrinsic stains can be found on the outside of the teeth and are usually caused by food or beverages. Intrinsic stains are set deeper in the teeth, usually behind the enamel. “Intrinsic stains are a bit more challenging and need a more intensive system of whitening to achieve optimal results,” says Dr. Perlman. “Whitening gels need to penetrate into teeth and break up stain molecules deep inside the structure of teeth. In our office, we use the Opalescence Go 15% kit for these cases.”

This powerful whitening kit includes pre-filled trays with 15% hydrogen peroxide gel, which Dr. Sands says is effective but gentle on your enamel. He recommends it for patients seeking a professional-grade whitening experience at home. It’s also easy to use—all you need to do is put the tray on the teeth firmly, suck for two seconds, and then remove the outer green tray. After 15 to 20 minutes, remove and then brush your teeth. We love that it has a comfortable fit that doesn’t cause any discomfort, and the mint flavor leaves your breath fresh.

Type: Gel, light | Session Duration: 32 minutes | Key Ingredients: Hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide

Whitening treatments are usually out of the question for sensitive teeth since the chemicals used to lift stains can be harsh and irritating. If you’re looking for a way to brighten your teeth and remove surface stains without the pain, we recommend this LED device kit. It only has about 6% hydrogen peroxide (a lower concentration than any other option on this list) to reduce irritation and sensitivity. But that doesn’t mean it’s less effective.

“This is a well-engineered, at-home whitening system that combines heat and light to enhance the whitening process, offering results that approach what patients might expect from an in-office treatment,” says Dr. Sands. “It’s a solid option for those seeking more advanced at-home care.” Dr. Irina Kessler, DDS, is also a fan of this kit—she frequently provides these for patients to use at home, and it has a powerful formula that works well in conjunction with office bleaching. The combination of LED and heat makes the active ingredient work better and quicker—with a lower concentration. During testing, we found that the application process was lengthier than other products on this list, but our teeth got brighter and brighter with each use. We also loved that it's portable, so it's a great choice while traveling.

Type: Gel, light | Session Duration: 9-30 minutes | Key Ingredients: Carbamide, hydrogen peroxide

Kits are a great choice to prevent or treat yellowing without an office visit, as they usually come with everything you need to whiten your teeth effectively. This one from Snow Diamond includes a whitening gel pen, an LED light device, and a charging case as well as a teeth shade guide to help track your progress and take note of results. After brushing, apply the gel directly to the teeth, and then you can use the mouthpiece to add LED light for up to 30 minutes (but it can be effective in just nine minutes a day.)

Dr. Sands says this pick is a favorite for his patients when whitening at home. “This is popular for its ability to deliver results while minimizing sensitivity, which is often a concern with over-the-counter products.” If you’re already dealing with sensitive teeth or gums, don’t worry—this won’t exacerbate it (the gel can also repair and rebuild the enamel for stronger teeth).

Leigh, tester: "I noticed a change in my teeth color right after the first use, when I had the device in my mouth for about ten minutes. I would say my teeth became about one to two shades lighter—it was definitely noticeable."

Type: Gel | Session Duration: n/a | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, dead sea salt

Want to quickly whiten your teeth before eating to guard against stains? The Lumineux Dual Action Pen does just that. “This pen is particularly useful for quick touch-ups and maintaining a bright smile between more comprehensive whitening treatments,” says Dr. Sands. “It’s easy to use and a good option for patients looking for a simple, on-the-go solution.” This pen does not contain actual bleaching ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, but coconut oil (a popular ingredient for the Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling) and dead sea salt instead—which has been shown to reduce bacteria and plaque in the mouth.

Dr. Adrianne Koster, DDS, recommends using this as a stain repellant before consuming food or beverages that are known to yellow the teeth, like red wine and coffee. Since it isn’t made without the standard whitening chemicals that can be harsh on the teeth and gums, we also love this for those with super sensitive mouths who can’t tolerate hydrogen peroxide. Our tester can attest to this, as she has extremely sensitive teeth and was able to use everyday during the testing period. She had noticeably whiter teeth after less than a week and found the pen easy to use multiple times throughout the day. It won’t be able to lighten old or deeper stains, but it’s great for those who have subtle surface stains they want to eliminate.

Virginia, tester: "I love that the pen has dual functionality and can actually be used on-the-go, multiple times a day. I'd apply the product ahead of breakfast and sometimes lunch for stain repelling capabilities, and right after brushing my teeth before bed for whitening capabilities. It dries down fairly quickly and doesn't feel thick on the teeth."

FAQ

• How long does teeth whitening last, and how often can you use teeth whitening products at home?

  “The duration of teeth whitening results depends on the type of treatment and how well you care for your teeth afterward,” says Dr. Sands. “At-home kits can maintain results for four to six months, and you can use them up to three or four times a year.” He stresses that you should not overuse any whitening products in order to prevent enamel damage or sensitivity.

• Are teeth whitening products safe?

  Teeth whitening products are completely safe to use—as long as they're used properly and the instructions are followed, according to Dr. Kessler. “Whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, and the dosage is low in over-the-counter products,” she says. In-office treatments have higher dosages of the same ingredients to work quicker. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for options that are specifically targeted for those with sensitivity. They’ll usually have even lower concentrations of the active ingredients to whiten without causing irritation.

• What causes yellow teeth?

  Dr. Kessler explains that yellow teeth are usually caused by one of two things: genetics or lifestyle. Frequently consuming foods and beverages such as red wine, coffee, or cherries can cause the teeth to yellow, as can smoking or using tobacco. Another big one is poor oral hygiene. Your teeth can yellow if you’re not brushing twice a day or flossing daily, and you should also ensure that you see a dentist for a cleaning twice a year. Teeth can also yellow as a part of the natural aging process.