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Caroline Igo (she/her/hers) is a wellness editor and holds Sleep Science Coach and Stress Management certifications from the Spencer Institute. She earned her bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Miami University and continues to develop her craft in her spare time. Before joining CNET, Caroline wrote for former CNN anchor Daryn Kagan.
- Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)
Tooth discoloration is normal, but many of us want to fix it. The easiest solution is an at-home whitening kit. Whether you’re looking to tackle stubborn stains or minor discoloration, the best whitening kits are the key to a brighter smile. There are a variety of options, from whitening pens to whitening trays. The best part is that these easy at-home solutions are much less expensive than a trip to the cosmetic dentist.
These kits use highly concentrated whitening gels. Typically, these gels contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, although you can also find some with milder ingredients. While there are many options available, these are some of the best kits for stain removal and teeth whitening.
What is the best teeth whitening kit?
While teeth whitening strips have been around for a long time, there are now kits that do it a little better. From sensitive teeth to long-lasting whitening, the best kit for you largely depends on your oral health and your needs.
Best Teeth Whitening Kits for 2024
Teeth whitening kits aren’t exactly what most people would call fascinating. But I have to say I was blown away by the entire process and package from Smile Brilliant. I didn’t know you could get custom-made whitening trays anywhere other than at the dentist, but with Smile Brilliant you can.
Wearing these whitening trays is just like wearing a retainer. They fit your teeth perfectly because they are designed using putty impressions that you make of your teeth. The process works like this: you order a kit, Smile Brilliant sends you a putty impression kit, you send the impressions back in a pre-paid package, and then Smile Brilliant sends your custom-made whitening trays within a few days.
If you make a mistake during the impression process (which I did — my impressions were clearly a little shallow), Smile Brilliant will either send you a new impression set or continue with the trays if they think they can make it work. In the latter case, the company will still send you an impression set 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 slide them on. Be careful not to squeeze too much gel or it could spill over the top of your trays and onto your gums and tongue. I did this the first time I wore my Smile Brilliant trays and the gel felt quite tingly. Other than that, I had no problems with these trays, despite my shallow impressions.
The Lumineux whitening kit isn’t your typical teeth whitening kit. Instead of hydrogen peroxide gel and an LED mouthpiece, this whitening kit simply contains everyday teeth whitening supplies, which is why it’s best for sensitive teeth — most people with sensitive teeth can’t handle things like hydrogen peroxide and LED lights.
This whitening kit includes Lumineux whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, and mouthwash, all of which utilize Lumineux’s proprietary formula of coconut oil, Dead Sea salt, and citrus oil. For extra white teeth, don’t just use these products separately as you normally would. The instructions are clear: wear the strips for 30 minutes, brush immediately afterwards for at least one minute, and then rinse with mouthwash for at least one minute.
I love this set because I have sensitive teeth and struggle with whitening treatments that use bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
This teeth whitening kit is decent overall, but there were a few things that kept it from the top of my list: the mouthpiece felt huge (even though I have a small mouth) and the gel didn’t seem to be evenly distributed across my teeth. I also got quite a bit of white chemical burn from the gel in this product. Still, if you’re looking for a teeth whitening kit that’s under $100, it can’t hurt to give this one a try 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 out small tubes of whitening gel with other products. The nozzle, while too large for me, feels quite nice on the teeth. It’s very soft 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.
I tested several kits to bring you this list of the best teeth whitening kits for 2024. While I couldn’t accurately rate these products for their whitening effectiveness (I wish I could, but my teeth won’t let me), I did evaluate them on criteria like tray fit, type of whitening gel, kit contents, treatment length, and refill options.
While this product wasn’t a favorite below, it does have some qualities worth mentioning. It could be a whitening kit for you.
- Shyn Brighter LED Whitening System: Previously, Shyn had an LED bleaching kit that used Rembrandt bleaching stripswhich I loved. It was on my original list of the best teeth whitening products. I liked the old kit because the whitening strips are much less messy than whitening gel and, as far as I know, it was the only whitening kit that used strips instead of gel. Unfortunately, that product is no longer available, 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, most notably the Colgate SuperNova. It comes with a silicone tray, an LED light device, and whitening pens to fill the tray with gel. This kit comes with three whitening pens, which is a nice addition because you don’t have to order refills as often as you do with other kits. When the time comes, you can buy a single refill for the maximum strength whitening pens or a pack of three. You can also use the pens without the LED tray if you don’t want to walk in with a mouthpiece. The Shyn Brighter kit also comes with a travel case. The suitcase provides neat storage at home, but also when traveling.
There are many teeth whitening kits on the market, so it can be difficult to choose the best one for you. Here’s what to look for before you buy your next teeth whitening kit.
- Main ingredients: The most effective bleaching products contain peroxide. The most common are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Although some products contain only hydrogen peroxide and others carbamide peroxide, they have similar effects. To research have shown that both peroxides have the same whitening effect on teeth.
- Bleaching levels: If you are looking for a whitening kit to remove years of stains, you will want one with a high level of whitening power. These may be a bit more expensive and may require a longer wear time or treatment. You can be less picky with whitening kits for easy maintenance or occasional use.
- Species: There are four types of whitening kits available: gel, LED, pens, and toothpaste. Depending on the kit, you may have multiple options instead of just one. If you don’t know which type works best, look for a kit that has almost four types to try.
- Sensitivity: If you have particularly sensitive teeth, it is important to look for products that meet your needs. Whitening your teeth can be a little uncomfortable, but if the pain is unbearable, stop using the product immediately.
- Cost: Teeth whitening kits can cost anywhere from $50 to $500. However, a professional whitening treatment is can cost up to $1,800Home care packages are the most cost effective.
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The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals.
