It doesn’t take a lot for teeth to yellow – most causes boil down to age, coffee and tea stains, and tobacco use, even if we brush and floss regularly. Luckily, these stains can be lifted from the enamel with the help of a professional or, better yet, over-the-counter whitening kits when dentist appointments are not feasible.
When you’re browsing for products that whiten teeth, it’s best to steer clear of teeth whitening pens, advises Dr Feda Nazzal, a dentist with over 10 years of experience in the profession, working at Invisalign Center in Dubai. Such pens have been known to reduce the enamel on teeth and in some cases, cause gum irritation.
But teeth whitening kits for home use are a different story. She said: “Home whitening is a very convenient way to get white teeth with little or no sensitivity. After consulting your dentist, you can wear trays for a few hours during the day or at night for one to two weeks for optimal results.”
There are practically no concerns with using teeth whitening kits, according to Dr Nazzal. She said: “They are a very safe way to get whiter teeth, whenever you want. There are almost no disadvantages to home whitening treatments if instructions by your dentist are followed. But know that overusing any whitening gel could lead to sensitivity and damage to your enamel.”
Based on Dr Nazzal’s advice, and top user ratings, we looked up some of the best rated at-home teeth whitening kits on Amazon that are budget-friendly and get the job done in a matter of days. From gels to strips, your options also include less abrasive vegan and all-natural formulas.
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1. Best Overall: Philips Zoom Whitening (Nite White 22%)
Pros
- Contains amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to protect enamel
- Professional-grade tooth whitening gel
- Easy to use
Cons
- Suitable for night time only
- Needs trays, which are not included
These professional whitening syringes by Philips come highly recommended by Dr Nazzal, who said she has been using them for more than nine years with no issues. Philips’ Zoom Whitening syringes come in DayWhite and NightWhite varieties - while the prior produces dramatic results within minutes and should be used in the day time, our pick is the latter for slower, but more effective and long-lasting results. The NiteWhite formula contains ACP to reduce sensitivity, protect the enamel and help improve the lustre of teeth. Just apply to a tray and wear it overnight, or for two to four hours a day, and you’ll see amazing results in two weeks’ time. Satisfied reviewers say their teeth look brighter and cleaner but still appear as a natural shade of white.
2. Best Budget: Crest 3D Whitestrips, Vivid Plus, Teeth Whitening Strip Kit, 24 Strips (12 Count Pack)
Pros
- Easy to use for beginners
- Results in 10 days
- An addition of two one-hour strips
- Value for money
Cons
- Everyday use can cause tooth sensitivity
- Packaging may vary, checking with seller is advised
Achieving a bright smile can be as easy as peeling off strips and applying them to your teeth. Ranked as the best teeth whitening strips on Amazon, Crest 3D Vivid Whitestrips promises results after 12 treatments, 10 pairs of 30-minute strips and two pairs of one-hour Express Whitestrips. According to reviewers, continuous use can cause sensitivity, which they’ve dealt with by spacing out treatment days.
3. Best Travel Kit: GLO Science Brilliant Teeth Whitening Gel Treatment Kit
Pros
- Brush-on applicator
- No trays needed
- Includes lip care treatment
Cons
- Needs consistent application in a day
- Works better with GLO’s LED mouthpiece device
Another gel treatment for you to consider is GLO Science’s teeth whitening vials. Coming 10 in a pack, these pocket-sized vials are fitted with bristles at the top like the regular toothbrush, so all you have to do is carefully brush each tooth with it. The gel is formulated with pure hydrogen peroxide and is completely cruelty-free, which means each vial offers six doses of multi-use. For those who are on-the-go, this is a great option since it’s portable and doesn’t need rinsing after. Your kit will come with a hydrating lip care treatment in a tube, made with vitamin E.
4. Best Vegan Treatment: Zimba Teeth Whitening Strips
Pros
- Contains natural ingredients
- Cruelty-free, vegan
- Available in 10 flavours for a more pleasant experience
- Does not slide off teeth
- Value for money
Cons
- Consecutive 14 days of treatment needed
- Can cause gum sensitivity, if comes in contact with gums
If you prefer an all-natural, gentle formula, try Zimba’s teeth whitening strips that use vegan ingredients alongside hydrogen peroxide. In this pack, you get two sets of 14 treatments each, one infused with coconut oil and the other menthol. Leave the strips on for 30 minutes, peel off and rinse after each use for 14 days to see results, as long as they don’t come in contact with gums. Although they don’t whiten teeth drastically by several shades, reviewers still find this affordable option practical.
5. Best for Sensitive Teeth: Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips, 21 Treatments
Pros
- Non-toxic ingredients, excludes harsh bleaches like peroxide
- Targets bad breath with essential oils
- Little to no sensitivity, as per reviews
- Repeated use will not damage enamel
Cons
- Strips may not cover all teeth
- Takes 21 days to show results
- Lack of a bleaching ingredient might hinder results
For a kit that does not bleach but rather uses ingredients like coconut oil, Dead Sea salt, sage oil and lemon peel oil, Lumineux’s strips can be used as many times as you want. They are certified non-toxic and enamel safe, especially with coconut oil acting as a natural whitener. Apply two strips every day for 30 minutes for the recommended 21 days to see results. Not only does the kit whiten teeth, but it also targets bad breath with essential oils like mint, basil and clove.
6. Best for Quick Results: Novashine Teeth Whitening Kit
Pros
- Five-day treatment
- Blue LED light mouthpiece included
- Contains hydrogen peroxide for quick results
Cons
- Expensive
- Not an on-the-go solution
Novashine contains a two-step treatment in its teeth whitening kit for long-lasting results: a whitening gel and a blue LED mouthpiece. The kit only includes two syringes so your product will last you five days, using the mouthpiece to lock in the gel for 30 minutes each time. What does the blue LED light do? It speeds up the teeth-whitening process by breaking down the gel. To turn on the device, all you have to do is connect it to your phone using the provided USB cable.
7. Best LED Light Kit: AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit
Pros
- Full, comprehensive kit
- Battery LED lights, with timer
- Comes with one-size mouth tray and retainer case
- High concentration of carbamide peroxide for lasting results
Cons
- Expensive
Another at-home kit with LED whitening technology is Auraglow’s all-in-one package, which comes with two syringes, teeth trays and an LED light accelerator. Instead of lugging around a wired device, this battery-operated accelerator offers you the convenience of going about your chores, hands-free. The device also alerts you every 10 minutes with a beeping alarm to help you keep track of your 30-minute session. Each syringe contains 5ml of whitening gel formulated with 35 per cent of carbamide peroxide.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
