If you like indulging in a glass of red wine (or two) or can’t live without your morning cup of joe, your pearly whites may be looking slightly dull or yellowish.
Opting for a professional teeth whitening job is quite the financial investment, but at-home kits have come a long way tech and safety-wise, offering a quick DIY fix that will brighten up your smile for less.
Are teeth whitening kits bad for your teeth?
Despite their dodgy reputation for not working, our rigorous testing has proven that there are some decent teeth whitening kits on the market today.
"In-clinic whitening will always give you the best results because we can legally use products with higher percentages of bleach that break down stains and change the colour of your teeth," says Dr Hanna Kinsella, cosmetic dentist and founder of Icy Bear Dental. "That said, the at-home alternatives can still be effective, especially when used alongside professional dental treatment or as top-ups."
DIY teeth whitening kits bought in the UK can’t legally contain more than 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide (the seriously powerful stuff), but the formulas your dentist uses can contain up to 6%. This law helps limits the damage you can do to your teeth and gums, but if you’re worried, talk to your dentist before diving in.
"Exercise caution and only buy kits from reputable sellers," adds Dr Kinsella. "Some products can damage the tooth enamel and cause or exacerbate gum sensitivity. If possible, choose a treatment that contains fluoride, as this is key for fighting decay and protecting against cavities."
Don’t overdo it by using the kit too frequently and always stick to the recommended treatment schedule. Yes, it might take longer to see results (expect to notice improvements after about a fortnight), but safety must come first.
Can anyone use a teeth whitening kit?
Err on the side of caution if you have sensitive teeth and gums, as the whitening chemicals may cause discomfort. But again, your dentist is best positioned to advise.
Note that teeth whitening kits are ineffective against false teeth like crowns and veneers.
Men's Health Lab Approved
Every kit listed below has been vigorously tested in our Men's Health Lab, aided by our panel of 318 testers.
Images of their teeth were taken before and after treatment using our VISIA complexion analyser. Our experts then used a whiteness scale to assess any difference in brightness.
Our panellists also reviewed the whitening kits at home, noting how easy each product was to use, how long the treatment took, whether there were any sensitivity issues and their overall effectiveness.
1
Best teeth whitening kit
Billion Dollar Smile USB LED Teeth Whitening Kit
1
Best teeth whitening kit
Billion Dollar Smile USB LED Teeth Whitening Kit
If you're ever in need of emergency whitening (say, for aspontaneous post-workdate), this efficient kitcan be powered by your smartphone or other USB device to accelerate the treatment time on the move.
The LED light switches itself off after the 16-minute session, eliminating the need to keep checking your watch,and the gel didn't trigger any sensitivity among our testers.They loved how simple the kit was to use andenjoyed brighter smilesafter just four to sixdays – results backed up by our lab test for 75% of the images.
Key specs
Treatment time: 16 minutes
Treatment duration: 6 days
Format: LED mouthpiece
2
Best teeth whitening strips
Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening System
2
Best teeth whitening strips
Spotlight Oral Care Teeth Whitening System
Just missing out on the top spot were these hard-working strips from dentist-created brand Spotlight. They feature hydrogen peroxide, that champion ingredient in the whitening world thatdigs deep into the enamel to banish stubborn stains and brighten teeth from within.
Our panel approved of how mess-free and comfortablethey were to use, with the average person reporting whiter teeth in only eight to ten days. Their fresh minty taste was a hit and86% experienced little to no sensitivity.
Key specs
Treatment time: 1 hour
Treatment duration: 14 days
Format:Strips
3
Most comfortable mouth tray
Boots Expert Teeth Whitening Kit with Blue Light Activation
3
Most comfortable mouth tray
Boots Expert Teeth Whitening Kit with Blue Light Activation
This kit mostly lived up to itsbold claim of leavingyour teeth up to ten shadeswhiter in a week, with 63% of our panelagreeing that it removed unsightly stains.It fared well in the lab, too.
Our testersraved about how comfortable the flexible silicone mouthpiecewas to fit andwear, but itwas a tad messy to use, so do so in the bathroom.
Key specs
Treatment time: 15-20 minutes
Treatment duration: 7 days
Format: Blue light activatedmouthpiece
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4
Best for top-ups
Moon Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen 2.65ml
Don’t dismiss this one just because it’s got a Kardashian’s name slapped onto its branding.The pen format made it easy to apply,92% of our testers likedits tastyvanilla mint flavour and nobody reported any sensitivity.
Itgave half the panelinstantly whiter teeth and our lab analysis declared it effective. It does require you to keep your mouth open for 30 seconds to let the product dry, meaningyou might look a bit odd in the changing room, but it’s an acetop-up option to toss into your gym bag.
Key specs
Treatment time: 10-30 minutes
Treatment duration: Instant
Format: Pen
5
Best for avoiding sensitivity
Millionaire Smile Teeth Whitening Kit
5
Best for avoiding sensitivity
Millionaire Smile Teeth Whitening Kit
The perfect pairing for those who wince every time they sipa colddrink, thisperoxide-freekit got the seal of approval from our testers with sensitive gnashers.
The "nice and tidy" design earned it somebrownie points, as did the overall whitening effect it had on 75% of our panel's teeth. They liked the gel's taste and texture and found the instructions clear to follow, making it a good choice for beginners.
Key specs
Treatment time: 20-30 minutes
Treatment duration: 6 days
Format: LED mouthpiece
6
Best for travel
Mr. Blanc Teeth Non Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gel Strips
6
Best for travel
Mr. Blanc Teeth Non Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gel Strips
Though not the best performing of the bunch (half the panel reported whiter teeth after two weeks andit proved moderately effective in our lab test),this kit makeson-the-go treatmenta breeze. Ideal for overnight stays, each set of strips comes individually wrapped for hygienic convenience.
The peroxide-free formula had a decent aftertaste and didn’t spark sensitivity for 75% of our panel, making it a solid wallet-friendly option.
Key specs
Treatment time: 30 minutes
Treatment duration: 14 days
Format: Strips
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7
Best brush-on
Pearl Drops Professional 3 Step Whitening Treatment
7
Best brush-on
Pearl Drops Professional 3 Step Whitening Treatment
This three-part brush-on kitinvolves literally paintingyour teeth whiter. Don't panic,no art skills are required, as the brightening serum, tooth polish and whitening activator serumcan all be squirted ontoyour normal toothbrush.
Our testers found it quick to apply, taking just three minutes, but some found it slightly messy. Its taste was a hit with 72% and a high 92% found it irritation-free.
Key specs
Treatment time: 3 minutes
Treatment duration: 10 days
Format: 3-step brush-on treatment
8
Best for fresh taste
Billion Dollar Smile Teeth Whitening Strips
8
Best for fresh taste
Billion Dollar Smile Teeth Whitening Strips
Whitening products often come with a chemically taste,but these thin yetsturdy stripsleft testerswith a minty fresh feel in their mouths.
Mostfound they lifted deep-rooted stains without sparkingany sensitivity, leaving 77% with a rejuvenated smile. These results are relatively impressive, especially considering the short 15-minute wait time.
Key specs
Treatment time: 15 minutes
Treatment duration: 14 days
Format: Strips
