There's just something confidence-building about having a bright white smile. And we love so many of the products that'll give you dazzling pearly whites, from teeth whitening strips to whitening toothpastes and gels. So no matter how much time and effort you have to give to your smile, there's a solution that'll work for you. These are our top picks for the best at-home teeth whitening products on the market.
Choosing the Right Product for a Brighter, Whiter Smile
There's something about self-confidence that just makes us smile. And having a brighter, whiter smile is so confidence-boosting. Thank goodness there are so many great products on the market that'll give you the grin you want. But with so many options, how do you choose? Here's what we considered when making our rankings.
Budget
Most at-home whitening kits are made for the budget-conscious — at least when compared with an in-office dental treatment. However, product pricing can range from under $10 for about a week of treatment to around $100 depending on the type of at-home teeth whitening treatment you use. We've tried to include products with a budget range of less than $10 to under $100.
Time Investment
If you've ever sat with teeth whitening strips for 60 minutes or a lighted tray and gel for upwards of 90 minutes, then you know that some at-home teeth whitening products require a significant time commitment. For the most part, we chose products that wouldn't take up a huge chunk of your day. Keep in mind that with some products, the longer time you use them, the more quickly they'll show results — but always stick within the manufacturer's recommendations so you don't damage your teeth and gums.
Ease of Use
We're all about finding products that are easy to use while still maximizing results, and we've selected those that are nearly foolproof provided you follow instructions. There's not a complicated teeth-whitening system in our picks so that you'll have the greatest chance of success.
Teeth Sensitivity
Some whitening products can cause sensitivity after treatment. And while different mouths have varying tolerances, we've tried to choose those that balance effectiveness with gentleness so you're less likely to experience post-treatment discomfort.
Active Ingredient(s)
You'll find products will all types of different active ingredients with varying degrees of safety, effectiveness, and sensitivity. We always recommend checking with your dentist before using any at-home teeth whitening product to ensure what you choose is safe for your unique situation. Some active ingredients you might find in at-home systems include:
- Glycerin — Glycerin removes moisture from teeth so the whitening ingredients can penetrate more quickly and easily.
- Hydrogen peroxide — This is essentially a gentle bleach for the teeth; higher concentrations are more effective but can lead to greater sensitivity. Hydrogen peroxide usually results in faster whitening than other active ingredients.
- Baking soda — Mostly found in whitening toothpaste, baking soda acts as an abrasive to scrub away surface stains; over time, it can wear down teeth enamel, so use in moderation.
- Lemon juice (or other acids) — Sometimes found in natural whitening treatments, the acid in lemon juice can wear down enamel over time, so talk to your dentist about long-term use.
- Coconut oil — You'll find this in many natural teeth whitening products. While it's gentle, there isn't a ton of proof that it's very effective, so look for other whitening ingredients for better results. It can, however, fight plaque due to its anti-microbial properties, so it can prevent or even reduce surface staining over time.
- Carbamide peroxide — A bleach similar to hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide tends to provide more gradual, gentler results than hydrogen peroxide. It can cause post-treatment sensitivity over the short-term.
Results
We're talking about two things here — how quickly you see results and how much whiter your teeth will be at the end of the recommended course of treatment. Several things in the product (and in your teeth) will affect your outcome.
- Active ingredients: Some active ingredients produce whiter, faster results, but the payoff may be greater sensitivity post-treatment. Other ingredients may not show as dramatic of results in the short-term (and even over time), but they won't cause as much sensitivity. In our rankings, we've sought a balance between these two factors.
- Active ingredient concentration: Higher concentrations of active ingredients tend to create quicker, more dramatic results, while lower concentrations may be more gradual or less whitening.
- Your teeth: There's probably not a ton you can do about some of these factors, such as a less white smile as you age or the starting color/natural color of your teeth. But other factors, like the types of stains (think coffee, wine, etc.) you have on your teeth may benefit from different types of treatments.
- Dental restorations: If you've had any dental restorations, whitening products are unlikely to affect these, which may cause you to have different degrees of whiteness in your smile after using an at-home teeth whitening product.
- Adherence to instructions: For all of the products, following the instructions is essential for optimizing your results.
Teeth Whitening at Home
If you don't have hundreds of dollars to drop on in-office dental whitening treatments or veneers, you can still get a brighter, whiter smile at home. With so many different types of teeth whitening systems to choose from, you're sure to find one that fits your unique situation so you can face the world with your brightest smile.