15 best teeth whitening products and kits to whiten your teeth safely at home
Like most people with a weaker enamel and sensitive teeth, I was always weary of teeth whitening products. Whether they came in form of gel, strips or LED kits. Truth be told, I'm still dealing with the consequences of my epic teeth whitening fail that occurred nearly 10 years ago, when I first tried the infamous White Crest Teeth Whitening Strips which are actually banned in the UK due to their higher percentage of hydrogen peroxide – that ended up being way too strong for my teeth. So much so that I couldn't bite into an apple for the next month without being in excruciating pain.
Thankfully, today's teeth whitening kits are nothing like the pain-inducing versions of the past. When used correctly and consistently, they're gentle and completely safe for your teeth, resulting in a natural-looking pearly smile (definitely not one as blinding as Ross' in that Friends episode). And when paired with a quality electric toothbrush and a powerful water flosser, consider your at-home dental routine invincible.
Of course, "it is always best to see a dentist who has an interest in cosmetic dentistry and understands smile design or facially driven treatments," advises dental professional and Waterpik oral care ambassador, Dr Rhona Eskander. "Check their qualifications and see their before-and-after pictures. To gauge their level of experience, have a look at their portfolio of previous cases and reviews from recent patients. In addition, the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry have search tools where you can locate any dentist that is part of the academy.”
But, for those of us who want to give our natural teeth a spruce from home, what are the options? It’s (obviously) very important to do your research when it comes to how to use at-home teeth whitening kits safely if professional teeth whitening is not on your radar right now: check out key ingredients, processes and risks. So, we asked dentists for their expert advice on how to achieve a brighter smile and to answer all your FAQs.
SKIP TO: How does teeth whitening work? | Will teeth whitening get rid of stains? | Do at-home teeth whitening treatments also use hydrogen peroxide and is it safe for your teeth? | Does LED light treatment actually work? | How long will it take to whiten my teeth? | Are there any natural alternatives?
Best teeth whitening kits at a glance – our top picks:
- Best teeth whitening kit overall: CurrentBody Skin Teeth Whitening Kit, £109, CurrentBody
- Best teeth whitening kit for sensitive teeth: SmileTime Teeth Whitening Kit, £39.99, SmileTime Teeth
- Best teeth whitening strips: Teeth Whitening Strips, WAS £39.95 NOW £25, Spotlight Oral Care
- Best teeth whitening pen: Teeth Whitening Pen, WAS £14.99 NOW £8.99, Spotlight Oral Care
Squeaky clean.
Meet the experts:
- Dr Rhona Eskander, dental professional and Waterpik oral care ambassador
- Dr Ayah Siddiqi, advanced aesthetic practitioner, cosmetic dentist and CurrentBody resident LED expert
- Dr Richard Marques, dentist at Wimpole Street Dental
- Dr Derek Swan, dentist and partner at New Town Dental Care
How does teeth whitening work?
"Teeth whitening works by lightening teeth from the inside out," explains celebrity dentist Dr Richard Marques at Wimpole Street Dental (the man responsible for the smiles of Rita Ora and Binky Felstead). "The whitening solution usually contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (although some methods do use other agents such as sodium perborate but these are generally considered less effective)."
"The peroxide solutions basically bleach or whiten the enamel, which is the outer covering of the tooth, and the dentine, which is the inside of the tooth. When both the enamel and dentine are bleached or whitened you get a much improved colour of the teeth that is usually sustained well for the long term," he says.
How long will it take to whiten my teeth?
According to Dr Swan, the time it takes differs depending on the result that you want. "The in-clinic appointment for laser whitening often takes around an hour, but you’ll need to wear your whitening trays for 30 minutes a day, for anywhere between three and 14 days after your appointment, depending on how white you’d like your teeth to be. For a naturally white smile, three days is sufficient.”
How we tested teeth whitening kits
Over the years, the GLAMOUR team has collectively tested dozens of teeth whitening products and kits, having also reviewed them on sensitive teeth with a weaker enamel. When judging each option, we've considered its value for money, efficacy (how well they brighten the teeth) as well as strength (whether they resulted in any abnormal sensitivity or uncomfortable feel) and how intuitive they are in use (especially if the reviewer is new to teeth whitening).
Looking for more dental products? Make sure to check out our guides on the best electric toothbrushes, best teeth whitening strips and the best whitening toothpaste.
For more beauty, makeup and skincare content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.