Approach any product with “teeth whitening” in its marketing language with caution. Oral care, in general, is “pro whitening” in that it keeps teeth clean and might prevent stains, but that doesn’t mean a simple floss or mouthwash will actively reverse existing stains. For anyone looking to whiten their teeth, in addition to regular dental hygiene, they need to look for kits with a few key additions.
A good whitening kit will have at least one product that uses active whitening ingredients, like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, to effectively “bleach” and lift away stains. This will likely be whitening strips, gels, trays, or something similar. On top of that, the products need to be FDA-registered, since there are a lot of companies out there that are selling products without any oversight from the regulatory bodies. Don’t go risking tooth pain, gum damage, and enamel loss on a budget teeth whitening kit.
Also, make sure to combine any at-home whitening efforts with routine cleanings and professional brightening sessions at the dentist’s office, says cosmetic dentist Dr. Daniel Rubinshtein, aka Dr. Daniel, of Bensonhurst Dental in Brooklyn. “Professional treatments are safer, more effective, and can also be customized based on your specific needs, condition, and lifestyle. It’s not a one-size-fits-all all approach like over-the-counter drugstore options,” he explains.
Related Stories
The Best Swim Goggles for Men, According to Competitive Swimmers
The Best Car Air Fresheners, According to Frequent Drivers
For more insight on teeth whitening kits, and proper expectation-setting, read below for expertise from Dr. Daniel as well as Dr. Nicolas Aguilera, aka Dr. Nicolas, of Apa Aesthetic in NYC.
The Best Teeth Whitening Kits: At a Glance
BEST OVERALL
Philips Zoom! NiteWhite Whitening Kit
Buy Now On Amazon$30.50Jump to Details
BEST VALUE
Colgate Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit
Buy Now On Amazon$47.00Jump to Details
BEST UPGRADE
Apa Beauty White Duo Teeth Whitening Kit
Buy Now$150.00Jump to Details
BEST PEROXIDE-FREE
Boka Rapid Radiance Teeth Whitening Kit
Jump to Details
What the Experts Say
What is the actual “whitening” potential of things like toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and chewing gum? First and foremost, Dr. Daniel wants to make it clear that the word “whitening” is thrown around too freely, and that expectations should vary between products.
Charcoal is an active whitening ingredient in many “whitening toothpaste” and can help lift stains, but it isn’t good for one’s enamel, says Dr. Daniel. And anything that strips enamel exposes the teeth to even more staining in the first place. “Charcoal toothpastes vary from slightly abrasive to very abrasive, and can create the illusion that your teeth are brighter and whiter, but over time the abrasive ingredients can strip your teeth and can give them a grayer appearance.”
Dr. Nicolas suggests looking to toothpaste as a means of preserving whiteness with pro-enamel solutions, rather than framing tooth brushing as a whitening step itself. Look for toothpastes with hydroxyapatite which “remineralizes enamel and relieves sensitivity,” potassium nitrate that’s “great for tooth-sensitivity,” and sodium fluoride that reinforces enamel and prevents cavities.
No floss is actually going to whiten the teeth. Regular flossing will prevent plaque, which yellows teeth, and Dr. Daniel prefers two brands for this job. “Cocofloss is a great floss option because it has a thicker sponge-like floss that is less harsh on your gums and absorbs plaque well. And a WaterPik [water flosser] is also a great additive to flossing and can help keep plaque at bay and also help with the appearance of whiter looking teeth.”
If mouthwash is labeled as “whitening”, then it probably contains hydrogen peroxide, notes Dr. Daniel, making it the one product on this list that might actually proactively brighten the smile. Alcohol in mouthwash, however, should be avoided according to Dr. Daniel, as it “removes good and bad bacteria, will dry out your mouth, and create an environment for more bad bacteria to grow.”
Lastly, chewing gum is another product category where whitening language has been co-opted. “There is no gum that can truly whiten teeth,” says Dr. Daniel. “However, it can help clean teeth, and help freshen your breath.” Look for gum with the active ingredient Xylitol, a natural sweetener, which the doc says will help prevent cavities, remineralize the teeth’s enamel, and relieve dry mouth.
The Best Teeth Whitening Kits
BEST OVERALL
Philips Zoom! NiteWhite Whitening Kit
$30.50
Buy Now On Amazon
“Philips is continually improving its offering and introducing new at-home solutions,” says Dr. Nicolas of the brand that also provides clinical treatments across the US. This whitening kit is the one that gave me my fastest and most compliment-eliciting results.
The gel needs to be worn for at least four hours, which can get a little tedious, but I found it easiest to apply after dinner (post brushing) until bedtime, and on occasion would wear it to bed with a 4-hour alarm to rinse mid-slumber. That’s the timing of my usual bathroom break anyway.
This yields very fast and effective results, but do not sleep with it on for a full eight hours. This can cause gum irritation or even impact sensitivity. I’d even suggest getting a moldable mouth tray to keep the gel in place for the duration of those four hours.
BEST VALUE
Colgate Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit
$47.00$64.99
Buy Now On Amazon
Kit Includes: A sensitivity-friendly hydrogen peroxide pen gets a brightness boost from a flexible LED mouth guard.
Why It’s Great: Here’s a straightforward two-piece kit from a reputable brand that’s comfortable to use and doesn’t break the bank. There was a year between whitening sessions where this was my routine solution for brightness maintenance. It was very easy to use and the lack of serious side effects made it feel like another step in my oral care routine, rather than an uncomfortable step for vanity.
BEST UPGRADE
Apa Beauty White Duo Teeth Whitening Kit
$150.00
Kit Includes: A carbamide-peroxide pen whitens teeth and deploys both potassium nitrate and peppermint oil to neutralize bacteria and protect nerves. After that, there are 90-minute strips to seal in the active ingredients and minimize interference.
Why It’s Great: “You should want a product designed by a practicing dentist,” says Dr. Nicolas, who, full disclosure, is touting his boss’ product.
I’ll vouch for it too, though, as Dr. Apa’s clinic is where I get my whitening touchups in NYC, and they keep me stocked on this stuff. “There’s a difference between marketers pushing a gimmick and professionals developing functional at-home solutions,” he adds. “This line is designed by a practicing dentist and not just any dentist, but one who built his business around aesthetics, so you’re not just getting incredible functionality but also products that look good on your counter.”
BEST PEROXIDE-FREE
Boka Rapid Radiance Teeth Whitening Kit
$70.00
Kit Includes: There are about 60 applications’ worth of whitening gel in this kit, with peroxide-free PAP+ as the key brightening agent, as well as an LED mouth guard to expedite results.
Why It’s Great: Boka’s new kit juices up each dose with enamel-fortifying nano-hydroxyapatite, which mitigates sensitivity. Together this kit yields faster results, lowers the chances of a rough recovery, and leads the new trend of PAP+ whitening solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening Kits
What are the key whitening ingredients?
“The majority of at-home whitening strips, pens, gels, or kits contain different concentrations of either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, the active ingredients used for the removal of surface stains on teeth,” explains Dr. Daniel. “If the product you are using doesn’t contain those active ingredients, it won’t be as effective. The ones that have a stronger percentage of these ingredients tend to give the stronger results.”
There’s one increasingly common ingredient in at-home whitening products: phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid gel (aka PAP+), whose brightening effects and safety are also supported by studies.
Read about the best teeth whitening strips (and what to look for when buying them).
What’s the difference between professional and at-home whitening treatments?
Over-the-counter whitening products are formulated with very low doses of active ingredients compared to professional treatments, says Dr. Daniel, so they require days or weeks of consistent use to work. “Another downside is that they are not custom to your teeth, and it may be difficult to make sure you’re applying the products evenly. It can also get on your gums and can cause irritation.”
To remedy this problem, he recommends custom-fit trays, since they maintain the gel in a specific area of the mouth and are made custom for the shape of your teeth. A tray can also prevent any whitening gel from seeping into your gums (which Dr. Daniel notes could lead to irritation, burning, and sensitivity). Whitening gel also tends to be stronger and more potent than whitening strips.
What about LED light?
Another common teeth-brightening agent is LED light, which is commonly built into custom-fit trays or simple mouth guards to boost the results of whitening gels. “LED is said to activate the potency of the active whitening ingredients,” explains Dr. Daniel. This in theory “speeds up” the whitening process. But don’t expect any magnification in brightness if the gel itself isn’t highly concentrated. “The gel used is what determines the level of whitening achieved,” he adds.
What is the difference between whitening strips and whitening gels?
While exceptions always exist, teeth whitening gels often offer a higher concentration of whitening agents compared to whitening strips. This generally means that whitening gels offer more quick and effective results.
Do you need professional teeth whitening if you also use at-home whitening products?
It’s important to frame at-home whitening solutions as a way to maintain the whiteness achieved by professional treatments—rather than as the sole brightening solution in one’s regimen. “In-office treatments are without a doubt the best option for optimal whitening results. You’re getting a higher percentage of the active ingredient, applied by a professional, who knows how to isolate and protect your gums,” says Dr. Nicolas. “Treatment also typically includes a sensitivity gel, so you’re less likely to battle those whitening ‘zingers.’”
What is PAP+ in teeth whitening?
PAP+ in teeth whitening refers to an ingredient known as phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid, or PAP. PAP is an alternative to traditional teeth-whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. PAP is that it is generally considered to be less abrasive and less sensitive than those other primary teeth whitening ingredients, and its safety and effectiveness have been backed by studies. The “+” in “PAP+” means that a product uses PAP in addition to other active ingredients.
About the Author
Adam Hurly has been covering the grooming industry for a decade after getting his start at Birchbox in 2013. Since becoming a freelance journalist in 2016, he has written for nearly every men’s title. In addition to SPY, his frequent clients include GQ, Men’s Journal, Robb Report, Forbes, and more. Hurly is a South Dakota native, a University of Kansas graduate, a New Yorker at heart, and has resided in Berlin for 5 years.
