9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (2024)

9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (1)

Whiter teeth are top of everyone’s beauty wish list. Whether you’re a coffee addict or need to remove the telltale signs of a few too many merlots, there’s a kit out there for you.

Although, of course, they won’t provide the same results as professional whitening, home kits are budget-friendly, quick, easy-to-use, and really do work - just ask our 318 testers who put the most popular kits through their paces to find the very best.

Ready for a brighter smile? Scroll down for the best DIY whitening kits and tools to add to your basket now.

Are whitening kits bad for your teeth?

Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits in the UK can only contain 0.1% hydrogen peroxide – the number one whitening ingredient - while professional whitening, done by a dentist, can use up to 6%. Though this limits how much of a whitening effect DIY kits can have on teeth, it could be dangerous to handle a stronger solution untrained at home.

"Home teeth whitening kits have developed for the better in recent years," says Dr Hanna Kinsella, cosmetic dentist and founder of Icy Bear Dental. "Even so, it's important to consider your health and safety and only buy trusted kits from reputable sellers.

"Unfortunately, some treatments can do more harm than good by damaging the tooth enamel or irritating your gums, especially if you already suffer from dental sensitivity."

If you’re nervous to start a course of whitening treatments, always talk to your dentist first to see if it’s suitable for you.

"Make an appointment with your dentist" says Dr Kinsella. "In-clinic whitening will give you the best results every time, because we can legally use stronger products with higher concentrations of bleach. These DIY alternatives can still be effective, but they're usually much weaker and best used as a top-up."

How often should you whiten your teeth?

As with most things in life, everything in moderation. Never use an at-home kit more often than recommended in its instructions and they should only be used as a one-off treatment, rather than a form of daily maintenance.

"Always follow the treatment programme to the letter," says Dr Kinsella, who adds that "consistency is key".

How long the whitening effect lasts is down to your individual lifestyle and teeth (as some teeth have naturally darker shades of enamel). But, in general, expect to see results last for a few months.

How we test

Our panel of 318 testers tried 21 teeth whitening kits to find the ones that really deliver. They reviewed how easy each one was to use, treatment time, and how teeth looked and felt after use.

We also performed a lab test using a VISIA complexion analyser, and took pictures of testers' teeth before and after the trial to see any brightening effects using a whiteness scale.

1

Best teeth whitening kit

Billion Dollar Smile Cosmetics USB LED Teeth Whitening Kit

9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (3)

1

Best teeth whitening kit

Billion Dollar Smile Cosmetics USB LED Teeth Whitening Kit

Teeth whitening doesn’t get any easier than this LED mouthpiece, which can be plugged into either your phone or laptop for handy on-the-go use.

The treatment takes just 16 minutes, after which the LED light switches off so you know it’s done. Our testers saw results in as little as four days.

Key specifications
Treatment time: 16 minutes
Treatment duration: 6 days
Format: LED light and mouthpiece

Designed by dentists, these strips contain hydrogen peroxide to penetrate the top layer of enamel and brighten and eradicate tough stains.

The strips themselves didn’t make a mess and were simple to use. The average tester saw results within eight days of committed use, without causing any tooth or gum pain.

Key specifications
Treatment time: One hour
Treatment duration: 14 days
Format: Strips

3

Best for reducing stains

Billion Dollar Smile Teeth Whitening Strips

9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (5)

3

Best for reducing stains

Billion Dollar Smile Teeth Whitening Strips

Now 14% Off

These minty-fresh strips help tackle stubborn stains caused by one too many cups of tea (or red wine). Though tough on stains, they were gentle on teeth, and didn't cause anysensitivity. Impressively, 77% of our panelreported a snowy-white smile, while 69% said prominent stains appeared reduced.

Key specifications
Treatment time: 15 minutes
Treatment duration: 14 days
Format: Strips

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4

Best whitening pen

Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Pen

9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (6)

4

Best whitening pen

Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening Pen

This was a favourite among our panel for how compact and quick it was to use, leaving behind a “natural-looking whiteness”. It avoided any messiness and sensitivity but still left 69% of testerswith a whiter smile.

Key specifications
Treatment time: 5 minutes
Treatment duration: Instant
Format: Pen

5

Best for sensitive teeth

Millionaire Smile Teeth Whitening Kit

9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (7)

5

Best for sensitive teeth

Millionaire Smile Teeth Whitening Kit

Trust us, this set is a game changer for sensitive teeth. Peroxide-free, its gentle on teeth and sensitive gums, and couldn't have been easier to use. The sleek design of the LED light and mouth tray earned it extra points, while 75% of testers were left witha whiter smile.

Key specifications
Treatment time: 20-30 minutes
Treatment duration: 6 days
Format: LED light and mouth piece

6

Best vegan teeth whitening pen

Moon Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen 2.65ml

9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (8)

6

Best vegan teeth whitening pen

Moon Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen 2.65ml

Now 33% Off

Teeth whitening doesn’t have to taste chemically – case in point, this vegan formula has a pleasant mix of vanilla and mint.

It provided half our testers with whiter smiles in just a few clicks, without causing any sensitivity. You do need to keep your mouth open for 30 seconds whilst it dries – which some found to be a little tricky – however this didn’t bother the majority of our panel.

Key specifications
Treatment time: 10-30 minutes
Treatment duration: Instant
Format: Pen

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7

Best for comfort

Boots Expert Teeth Whitening Kit with Blue Light Activation

9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (9)

7

Best for comfort

Boots Expert Teeth Whitening Kit with Blue Light Activation

We'll admit, mouthpieces are typically not the most comfortable, which is why this set stood out from the crowd. It was commended for how comfortable it was to wear, with the majority of our panel noticing existing stains disappear.

Aiming to leave teeth 10 shades whiter in just a week, 67% of testers reported more dazzling pearly whites, which our lab test confirmed. It wasn’t the most mess-free method to use, but it was effective and gentle on teeth.

Key specifications
Treatment time: 15-20 minutes
Treatment duration: 7 days
Format: LED light and mouthpiece

8

Best 2-in-1 kit

Beverly Hills Professional 2-in-1 Whitening Kit

9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (10)

8

Best 2-in-1 kit

Beverly Hills Professional 2-in-1 Whitening Kit

Now 42% Off

Offering excellent value for money, this budget-friendly kit comes with 28 whitening strips and a pen to target any troublesome areas. Itleft half our testers with whiter teeth.Not bad.Formulated with coconut oil, which issaid to reduce the pesky plaque-causing bacteria, our testers found it had a pleasant taste, too.

Key specifications
Treatment time: 30 minutes
Treatment duration: 14 days
Format: Strips

9

Best for travel

Mr. Blanc Teeth Whitening Strips

9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (11)

9

Best for travel

Mr. Blanc Teeth Whitening Strips

Now 64% Off

Described as“comfortable, quick and easy to use”, this kit comes with individually packaged strips, so you can pop one in your wash bag and go.

The peroxide-free formula had a pleasant taste and scent, which didn't cause any sensitivity for 75% of testers and left half our panel with a brighter smile.

Key specifications
Treatment time
: 30 minutes
Treatment duration
: 14 days
Format
: Strips

9 best teeth whitening products to upgrade your smile (2024)

FAQs

What is the best thing on the market to whiten your teeth? ›

“Over the counter, I recommend Crest 3D White Whitestrips,” Dr. Hadaegh says. “A lot of my patients who naturally have whiter teeth or slightly discolored teeth are happy with the results.”

Which teeth whitening option provides the fastest results? ›

Whitening strips allow the whitening gel to stay on the teeth longer than whitening toothpaste, which means you're more likely to see faster, brighter results.

What is the most effective teeth whitening method? ›

Option #1: In-Office Laser Whitening

This is one of the popular teeth whitening methods that some people believe is the most effective way to get a brighter smile. Using lasers and peroxide-based whitening agents in a professional setting, this teeth whitening method provides dramatic, lasting results.

How can I whiten my teeth at 60? ›

Bleaching Trays

They are an easy and quick way to enhance your smile. Compared to commercial products, whitening trays from your dentist are stronger and much safer for seniors in particular. As you age, your gums and teeth can become more sensitive.

Do any OTC teeth whitening products work? ›

Then, over-the-counter whitening agents can work effectively. But because it's not dentist-monitored, many of them don't do anything. For instance, a mouthwash containing a whitening agent such as hydrogen peroxide probably is not going to be very effective.

Is there really a toothpaste that whitens teeth? ›

Indeed, no toothpaste actually whitens. All toothpaste can do is remove stains from the surface of a tooth. And according to a recent survey by Consumer's Union, the best toothpaste for removing stains was one of the cheapest on the market.

What toothpaste do dentists really use? ›

Consumer Experience
CategoryToothpaste Product
Best for General UseCrest Pro-Health Toothpaste
Best for Sensitive TeethSensodyne ProNamel Toothpaste
Best for WhiteningTom's of Maine Simply White Natural Fluoride Toothpaste
Best for Natural PickThe Natural Dentist All In One SLS FREE Aloe Toothpaste
Nov 30, 2023

Can hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is a common and effective active ingredient in many commercial teeth whitening solutions. Products containing peroxides, such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, act as bleaching agents to change the color of the teeth.

What teeth whitening do the Kardashians use? ›

Kim Kardashian turns her teeth temporarily purple as she promotes the V34 Colour Corrector Serum from the brand HiSmile.

What is the new technology for teeth whitening? ›

Laser technology is one of the most exciting advancements in the process. The bleaching process is accelerated by a non-invasive treatment called laser tooth whitening. Your teeth are covered with whitening gel, which is then activated by a laser to whiten your teeth.

What home remedy whitens your teeth? ›

Rub banana, orange, or lemon peels:

To perform this “trick,” take a banana, orange, or lemon peel and gently rub it on your teeth. Keep rubbing it for about 2 minutes, then thoroughly wash your mouth and brush your teeth. The peels of these fruits contain citric acid, which theoretically helps in teeth whitening.

How do celebrities whiten their teeth? ›

To do this, a cosmetic dentist might target the size, shape, alignment, or whiteness of the patient's teeth. For celebrity-level whiteness, cosmetic dentists will usually use one of three different procedures: professional whitening treatments, veneers, or crowns.

How can I whiten my teeth in one day at home? ›

10 Ways to Whiten Teeth in a Day and Keep Healthy Gums
  1. Brush with Baking Soda. ...
  2. Use Hydrogen Peroxide. ...
  3. Activated Charcoal. ...
  4. Powdered milk and toothpaste. ...
  5. Coconut Oil Pulling with Baking soda. ...
  6. Essential Oils Whitening Toothpaste. ...
  7. Turmeric Whitening Toothpaste. ...
  8. Baking Soda and Strawberry Paste.
Mar 27, 2019

Can yellow teeth become white again? ›

Can yellow teeth be bleached? Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.

Can old yellow teeth be whitened? ›

Whitening Aging Yellow Teeth: What to Consider

Dentistry for seniors suggests tooth whitening can be done at any age of adulthood. Tooth whitening products remove built-up stains and brighten the enamel. They are affordable and easy-to-use solutions to the problem of aging yellow teeth.

What can I use to whiten my teeth permanently? ›

Dental veneers are a great way to permanently whiten your teeth, so no more white strips and no need for whitening treatments. A dental veneer is a thin piece of porcelain material that is placed on top of natural teeth. They are bonded to the tooth with a cement-like material to ensure a stronghold.

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