Whitening pens or gels: These formulas contain the active teeth lightening ingredient hydrogen peroxide in a pen or gel form that you glide over your teeth to whiten them. Some are left on teeth (even created to be left on overnight), while others are meant to be rinsed off. Because the ingredients can be diluted or washed away in your mouth over time, the whitening results are generally more moderate. Some studies suggest that bleaching can lead to tooth sensitivity . However, this only applies to aggressive bleaching methods. Examples of aggressive bleaching methods include power bleaching, where high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (30 to 50%) are used to whiten teeth. 5 Sensitivity-friendly ingredients: If you have sensitive teeth, "carbamide peroxide is less sensitizing than hydrogen peroxide because it takes more time for the whitening action to occur," Dr. Huang explains. For extremely sensitive teeth, there are also products that don’t contain peroxide, and instead are made with ingredients like aloe vera and coconut oil, which have natural whitening effects that pull stains from the teeth, she says. "They're not as effective as peroxide, but are a good natural option that’s gentler on the teeth," Dr. Huang notes.

In testing, this gel was easy to put on and caused no discomfort during or after application (including for those of us with sensitive teeth). The mouthpiece fit well and stayed in place, thanks to the fact that it’s soft and flexible, not rigid. We also loved that the tray could be plugged into our smartphones, so we could get up and move around the house while we waited out the whitening time. Generally, though, Dr. Izhaky says strips are safe to use twice a day for up to two weeks for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time. Depending on the ingredient percentage, she adds, gels can be used for one to two hours per day for two weeks as well. GLO Brilliant® White Smile At Home Teeth Whitening Device: Our teeth were much brighter after using this kit in testing, but the 24 minutes we had to spend walking around with an awkward device in our mouth make this a fairly inconvenient option, especially compared to less bulky competitor trays. Some people find teeth whitening gels can be a bit messy, which is something you should also consider How you use a teeth whitening pen depends on the kind of results you’re expecting. You can use a teeth whitening pen as a full teeth whitening treatment, using a pen once to twice a day—or more, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions—for a week to see higher-level results.

If you got your teeth whitened by a dentist, you can buy refills from them. However, our top pics for best peroxide free whitening gels in the UK are Smile Avenue, and Hismile. Their gels use PAP as the active whitening ingredient and other ingredients to strengthen your teeth as you whiten. You can buy teeth whitening gel from your dentist, but it may not be as strong as the one they can use in practice during in-office treatments due to UK regulations. How do whitening gels work? The different styles available can make a difference as some are messier than others, and some are safer for your teeth. If you already own a whitening kit you can use the refills with the mouthpiece, trays and LED lights that you already own.

Potency level: The maximum percentage of active teeth lightening ingredients is 10% for over-the-counter products, Dr. Huang says. "Higher concentrations will result in faster and better results, yet may cause tooth sensitivity," Dr. Gonchar explains. "Lower-concentration products will take longer to achieve the desired results, but may be more appropriate for those with sensitive teeth or other dental needs." This whitening pen isn’t just effective; it’s affordable, easy to use, and comes in multiple flavors. It features a brush-tip applicator for simple and fast application and a formula containing hydrogen peroxide to effectively remove surface stains and help you achieve a whiter smile. The pen comes with a lot of gel, meaning it will last you quite some time—after using it twice daily for two weeks, there was still tons of product left. Besides feeling a chemical burn, you might recognise gum irritation during the whitening process if your gums develop white spots or parts of your gum turn white. Your gums might become inflamed, and you could experience tooth sensitivity as well. How To Prevent and Protect Burned Gums From Teeth WhiteningDr. Yazdani does note that you should be careful when applying teeth whitening pens, since they do require a little more free-hand work than most other whitening treatments. “Ensure you brush or rinse your mouth after directed use to help lower the risk of irritating your gums,” he says, because “if applied incorrectly, there is the possibility of irritating the gums.”

You shouldn’t head into a whitening toothpaste expecting the same results as whitening strips or a kit with gels and trays. But a whitening toothpaste like this one from Opalescence can help whiten teeth or help maintain a whiter smile over time. We rated it high for convenience and comfort, mostly because it functioned like normal toothpaste. We liked that there was no learning curve to the application process; it was easy to work into our daily routine, and it didn’t cause any initial discomfort. Use a sensitive toothpaste. Another step you can take to minimise irritation and pain around your gums is to switch to a sensitivity toothpaste. Reduce acidic food and drink in your diet. Acidic foods can amplify gum sensitivity and irritation. If you’re experiencing pain in the gum area after teeth whitening, stay away from acidic food and drinks like coffee, wine, and citrus fruits like lemons and grapefruits.Try choosing whitening pens with ingredients that help with sensitivity, such as potassium nitrate. This can help you use the whitening pen more often without worrying about sensitive teeth. Number of Uses

Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017: everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that help you manage everyday conditions. SmileDirectClub recommends using the whitening pen twice daily for fuller results, which should take just one week to see. Application takes five minutes—and the cool mint flavor makes the wait even easier. We also like that this kit includes lip balm as teeth whitening can sometimes chap lips during treatment—so you can freshen up both simultaneously. Most people associate whitening gels with including hydrogen peroxide as the whitening agent. However, there are some available with peroxide-free ingredients that are safer for teeth. Some commonly used whitening gel ingredients include: Mouth rinses — Whitening mouth rinses release hydrogen or carbamide peroxide into the mouth when you use them, helping remove surface stains

Find in store

Fortunately, if you don’t want to pay dentist prices, quality at-home whitening kits and gels are available. The whitening ingredients in the teeth whitening gel or serum release an oxygen molecule that gets below your enamel and causes a reaction to change the chemical structure of stains, which removes discolouration. This ingredient will also work to remove stains on the surface of your teeth. To help you narrow down the list of whitening kits that will meet your needs, we tested the best options on the market. We tried out dozens of whitening kits, following each brand's specific instructions. Throughout the test, we paid close attention to how easy it was to use the product, whether we experienced any discomfort or teeth sensitivity, and how effective the product was in whitening our teeth. We then took careful notes on the appearance of our teeth before, during, and after the whitening process.An orthodontist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding dental hygiene and the efficacy of active whitening ingredients.