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Amanda Capritto
Caroline Igo Editor, Sleep
Caroline Igo (she/her/hers) is a wellness editor and holds Sleep Science Coach and Stress Management certificates from the Spencer Institute. She received her bachelor's degree in creative writing from Miami University and continues to further her craft in her free time. Before joining CNET, Caroline wrote for past CNN anchor, Daryn Kagan.
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- Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)
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Tooth discoloration is natural, but many of us can't help but want to fix it. Enter teeth whitening kits. Whether you're trying to tackle tough stains or light discoloring, the best teeth whitening kits are the key to a brighter smile. There are a wide range of such kits available in the market, including teeth-whitening trays and whitening pens. The best part is that these easy at-home solutions are far cheaper than a visit to the cosmetic dentist.
These kits use highly concentrated whitening gels. Usually, these gels include hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, though you can find some with gentler ingredients. While there are countless options available, these are some of the best kits to remove stains and whiten teeth.
What is the best teeth whitening kit overall?
While teeth whitening strips have been around a long time, there are some kits out now that do it a little bit better. From sensitive teeth to longterm whitening, the best teeth whitening kit overall for you will largely depend on your oral health and your needs.
Teeth whitening kits aren't exactly what most people would call riveting. But I must say I was blown away by the entire Smile Brilliant process and package. I wasn't aware you could get custom fitted whitening trays anywhere other than a dentist's office, but you can with Smile Brilliant.
Wearing these whitening trays is just like wearing a retainer. They fit perfectly to your teeth because they're designed using putty impressions you make of your teeth. The process works like this: You order a kit, Smile Brilliant sends you a putty impression kit, you return the impressions via prepaid packaging and then Smile Brilliant sends your custom fitted whitening trays within a matter of days.
If you mess up during the impression process (which I did — my impressions were evidently a bit shallow), Smile Brilliant will either send you a new impression kit or go ahead with the trays if they think they can make it work. In the latter case, the company will still send an impression kit along with your whitening trays just in case.
To use the trays, simply squeeze the carbamide peroxide whitening gel into your upper and lower trays and slip them on. Be careful not to squeeze too much gel, or it may spill over the tops of your trays and get on your gums and tongue. I did this the first time I wore my Smile Brilliant trays and the gel felt pretty tingly. Other than that, I had no problems with these trays, despite my shallow impressions.
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The whitening kit from Lumineux is not a typical teeth-whitening kit. Instead of hydrogen peroxide gel and an LED mouthpiece, this whitening kit simply includes daily essentials for teeth whitening, which is why it's the best for sensitive teeth — most people with sensitive teeth can't handle something like hydrogen peroxide and LED lights.
This whitening kit includes Lumineux whitening strips, whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, all of which use Lumineux's patented formula containing coconut oil, dead sea salt and citrus oil. For extra white teeth, don't just use these products separately like you normally might. The instructions are explicit: Wear the strips for 30 minutes, brush immediately after for at least one minute and then rinse with the mouthwash for at least one minute.
I love this kit because I have sensitive teeth and struggle to get through whitening treatments that involve bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
This teeth-whitening kit is decent all around, but a few things prevented it from topping the list: The mouthpiece felt massive (although I have a small mouth) and the gel didn't seem to spread evenly over my teeth. I also got quite a few white chemical burns from the gel in this product. However, if you're looking for a whitening kit that costs less than $100, it couldn't hurt to try this one, as long as you don't have sensitive gums or teeth.
The whitening gel is easy to dispense from the syringes — a welcome feature after spending too much time and effort squeezing tiny tubes of whitening gel with other products. The mouthpiece, though too big for me, feels rather nice on the teeth. It's very squishy compared to the harder plastic in some other products.
Finally, the case that comes with it is nice to have. It makes it easy to travel with your whitening kit if you want to.
Best teeth whitening kits compared
| Teeth Whitening Kit | Superlative | Type | Recommended frequency of use | Recommended duration of use | Ingredients | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smile Brilliant Custom Teeth Whitening Trays | Best custom fitted whitening kit | Trays and gel | When teeth are sensitive, 1-2 hours every other day is recommended. When little to no sensitivity is experienced, as long as 3 hours once daily is recommended. | A person with average stained teeth and no natural sensitivity will see results in 7-14 applications. For those with sensitivity (who require shorter whitening sessions), it may take more than 14 applications. | Glycerin, Carbamide Peroxide, Carbomer, Menthol, EDTA | $149 |
| Lumineux Whitening Kit | Best whitening kit for sensitive teeth | Whitening strips, whitening toothpaste and mouthwash | For whitening strips: Apply the whitening strips for 30 minutes, then brush with Lumineux whitening toothpaste and rinse with Lumineux whitening mouthwash. Use as often as you’d like. For mouthwash: Rinse vigorously with 1 capful of mouthwash for 60-120 seconds twice a day. For toothpaste: Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and gently brush in circular motions for two minutes. | Use strips 7 days in a row, then 1-2 times a week thereafter to maintain your white smile. | Whitening Strips: Vegetable Glycerol, Deionized Water, Carbomer, Carboxymethyl, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Dead Sea Salt (Maris Sal), Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil. Whitening Formula Mouthwash: Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Xylitol*, Purified Water (Aqua), Dead Sea Salt (Maris Sal), Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Organic Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Oil. Whitening Formula Toothpaste: Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Xylitol*, Hydrated Silica, Purified Water (Aqua), Dead Sea Salt (Maris Sal), Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Xanthan Gum*, Titanium Dioxide, Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Oil, Carrageenan†, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Organic Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Oil | $28 |
| Auraglow Deluxe Home Teeth Whitening Kit | Best gel and LED whitening kit | Gel and LED | Use for 30 minutes per day for best results. | Whitens up to 10 shades in 7 days. | Glycerin, Urea Peroxide, Propylene Glycol, Xylitol, Carbomer, Mentha Piperita Oil, Triethanolamine, Aqua, (35% carbamide peroxide) | $60 |
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Another teeth whitening kit we tested
While this product below wasn't a favorite, it has some qualities worth mentioning. It may be a whitening kit for you.
- Shyn Brighter LED Whitening System: Previously, Shyn had an LED whitening kit that used Rembrandt whitening strips, which I loved. It was on my original list of the best overall teeth-whitening products. I liked the old kit because whitening strips are much less messy than whitening gel and, to my knowledge, that was the only whitening kit out there that used strips instead of gel. Unfortunately, that product was discontinued, but Shyn now has a whitening kit that uses a carbamide peroxide whitening gel. The Shyn Brighter LED whitening kit is similar to other whitening kits on the market, especially the Colgate SuperNova. It comes with a silicone tray, an LED light device, and whitening pens to fill the mouth tray with gel. This kit comes with three whitening pens, which is a nice touch because you won't have to order refills as soon as you would with other kits. When the time comes, you can buy a single maximum-strength refill teeth whitening pen or a pack of three. You can use the pens without the LED tray, too, if you don't want to walk around with a mouthpiece in. The Shyn Brighter kit also comes with a travel case. The case makes for neat storage at home in addition to traveling.
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How to choose the best teeth whitening kit
There are many teeth whitening kits on the market, so it might be difficult to choose the best one for you. I tested several kits to bring you this list of the best teeth whitening kit options for 2024. Though I couldn't accurately judge these products on whitening power (I wish I could, but my teeth won't allow it), I did judge them against criteria like mouthpiece fit, type of whitening gel, kit contents, treatment length and refill options.
Here's what to consider before buying your next whitening kit.
- Key ingredients: The most effective whitening products will contain peroxide. The most common are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. While some products may contain only hydrogen peroxide and others carbamide peroxide, they have similar effects. Studies have shown that both peroxides have the same whitening effect on teeth.
- Whitening levels: If you are looking for a whitening kit to reverse years of stains, you will need one with high levels of whitening power. These may be a bit more expensive and may require longer wear or treatment. You can be less picky with whitening kits for simple upkeep or the occasional use.
- Types: There are four types of whitening kits out there — gel, LED, pens and toothpastes. Depending on the kit, you may have a few options instead of one. If you don't know which type will work best, look for a kit that contains almost four types to try.
- Sensitivity: If you have especially sensitive teeth, it is important to look for products that cater to your needs. Whitening your teeth can be a bit uncomfortable, but if the pain is excruciating, stop using the product immediately.
- Cost: Teeth whitening kits can cost you anywhere from $50 to $500. However, professional whitening treatment can run as much as $1,800. At-home kits are the most cost effective.
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Best teeth whitening kit FAQs
What whitens teeth really fast?
Though at-home whitening kits will lighten teeth over time, if you want instant results, you should head to your dentist for professional whitening. This is typically done by applying a combination of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, followed by exposure to a light or laser.
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Can yellow teeth become white again?
Yes, if you have stained or yellow teeth, it's possible to whiten them. Whether this can be done at home or requires sitting in a dentist's chair depends on how deeply the discoloration has penetrated your tooth enamel.
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What vitamin deficiency causes yellow teeth?
A lack of vitamin D can not only affect your bones but also your teeth, sometimes causing yellowing or brown spots in more extreme cases.
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Do any teeth whitening kits actually work?
Yes, teeth whitening kits with active ingredients such as peroxide can whiten your teeth. These kits help to remove stains by penetrating the enamel. Some teeth whitening kits can lighten your teeth up to 10 levels.
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Is it OK to whiten your teeth at home?
Yes, it is OK to whiten your teeth at home with safe products. However, talk to your dentist before trying any at-home teeth whitening kits if you have thin enamel, sensitive teeth, unfilled cavities or gum disease.
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What do dentists recommend to whiten teeth?
According to the American Dental Association, dentists recommend both in-office bleaching procedures and over-the-counter whitening products to be used at home. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are both effective ingredients in these whitening products. However, the ADA encourages the public to consult a professional to first determine if whitening is appropriate.
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