Any smile that is the result of happiness is beautiful to us, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting to brighten up your teeth every now and then. Especially for those of us who are fans of coffee and red wine, sometimes just your standard brushing routine isn’t going to cut it. But what’s the best way to whiten your teeth? The dental market offers such a variety of products it can sometimes be overwhelming! There are plenty of clean, vegan and alternative teeth-whitening products as well as dentist-level treatments available.
It’s important to do some research into what to know before whitening your teeth, as well as which ingredients you may prefer. Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide offer a more clinical approach, while other options feature charcoal, and various oils such as coconut, peppermint and cranberry seed. If you’re not sure which you prefer, order a travel size of a few different kinds and see which results have you beaming! Whether your goal is to achieve that dazzling smile you’ve always dreamed of, or simply to make sure your breath isn’t offensive, we’ve found the best whitening products for every need and budget.
20 Best Teeth Whitening Products
Plus White Speed Whitening Gel – Works in 5 Minutes – Professional Teeth Whitening w/ Dentist Approved Ingredient (2 oz), $7.19 at Amazon
This powerful little product is here to help in a pinch. Keep this ultra speedy whitening gel in your purse or car for those last-minute after-work drinks. The formula works on new and old strains from coffee, tea, wine and smoking. Some reviewers do mention that it sometimes takes closer to 10 minutes, so make sure you have a tiny bit of wiggle room in your schedule the first time you apply!
TheraBreath Whitening Fresh Breath Oral Rinse, $12.99 at Ulta
This vegan wonder product is a two-in-one whitening and fresh breath rinse. It’s a great essential to bring to the office to freshen up post-lunch and fight any stains from your morning coffee. Hundreds of satisfied shoppers can attest to its many benefits! One five-star reviewer reports, “I was surprised during my latest dental appointment when both the hygienist and the dentist couldn’t stop gushing over the beautiful state of my teeth (honestly, it started to get weird).”
Related: Should You Brush Your Teeth Before or After Drinking Coffee?
CO. by Colgate Oh So Glowing Toothpaste with Charcoal, $15 at Ulta
Think of CO. by Colgate as the iconic brand’s cooler younger sister. Their charcoal toothpaste offers a different experience than most whitening toothpaste with the boosted whitening effects from enzymes in the formula. Many happy brushers reported a very gentle mouth feel and flavor with fresh breath that lasts for hours!
Keeko Botanical Teeth Whitening Pen, $18.40 (originally $23) at Anthropologie
Ideal for throwing into your carry-on, this botanical pen from Anthropologie offers a natural approach to whitening. It’s an oil-based product, following the Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling. Its product description says that seven days of use will leave teeth feeling refreshed and new!
Carbon Coco Original Teeth Whitening Strips, $20 at Urban Outfitters
These fan-favorite whitening strips are made with coconut oil and charcoal. Some reviewers warn that the process can be a bit messy but still very worth it for the pearly end result! Another great pick for traveling light.
Plus Ultra Premium Teeth Whitening Strips, $20 (originally $25) at Anthropologie
Discounted at Anthropologie for a limited time, these teeth whitening strips not only feature chic packaging, but an ingredient list that’s 100% vegan. They’re specifically designed to be gentle on sensitive teeth and leave you with a light minty flavor after rinsing.
Colgate Optic White Overnight Teeth Whitening Pen, $24.97 at Walmart
In just two weeks, the Colgate Optic overnight whitening pen can completely transform your smile and maybe even your confidence. This gel product should be applied after your nighttime brushing, right before you head to bed. In the morning, your normal oral hygiene routine will remove the leftover residue leaving you with noticeably more dazzling teeth.
MySmile Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light, 10 Min Non-Sensitive Fast Teeth Whitener with 3 Carbamide Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gel, $29.99 (40% off—originally $49.99) at Amazon
For a mega deal on a full-blown whitening kit, look no further than this one by MySmile. Available via Amazon for 40% off, this set of essentials is a cost-effective way to figure out if the LED light tool is right for you. The gel—which comes pre-loaded into syringes—was developed to minimize any sensitivity during treatment.
Made By Dentists Teeth Whitening Pen Rose Gold, $30 at Ulta
With a brand name like that, this teeth whitening pen better be amazing! Its product description says that it contains twice the whitening power of other formulas for a safe and fast whitening option.
Moon Lunar Peppermint Dissolving Teeth Whitening Strips, $34.99 at Nordstrom
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For a celebrity-endorsed whitening solution, look no further than Moon. The brand has worked with Kendall Jenner to promote its line of dental care products, even developing a custom collection. The dissolving feature of these whitening strips makes clean-up easy with no yucky used strips to discard.
Related: 7 Tips for Whiter, Brighter Teeth
Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips 21 Treatments – Enamel Safe for Whiter Teeth – Whitening Without the Harm – Dentist Formulated and Certified Non–Toxic – Sensitivity Free, $49.99 at Amazon
Lumineux takes their “do no harm” motto seriously, ensuring their products only tackle tough stains and leave your precious tooth enamel alone. They back up that promise with studies in effectiveness and certifications verifying their microbiome safe formula—meaning that it only knocks out bad bacteria, leaving the healthy stuff you need intact.
Supersmile 6 Minutes To A Whiter Smile Kit, $54 at Ulta
With five products and six minutes, you can give your teeth the refresh they’ve been waiting for. An $80 value, this $54 deal is a straightforward intro to the elevated side of teeth whitening.
Elims Magic Melt-Away Teeth Whitening Masks, $55 at Urban Outfitters
An innovative melt-away design makes these teeth whitening masks by Elims a game changer. No nasty taste or messy clean-up, this simple one-step approach makes maintaining a gorgeous smile easier than ever. Each pack has enough strips for three full weeks of mask-like strips.
SmileDirectClub Pro Teeth Whitening System with LED Light – 4 Pack Pens and Whitening Toothpaste – Professional Strength Hydrogen Peroxide – Pain-Free and Enamel Safe, $55.90 at Walmart
Try this LED light teeth whitening system to see what all the SmileDirectClub hype is about! This professional strength system features a three-step process that promises to optimize your smile in as little as one week. If used properly, results can last up to a whole six months! That makes this set relatively cost-friendly given how infrequently treatments are needed.
Crest 3D Whitestrips Supreme Bright At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit, $73.99 at Ulta
With over 5,000 five-star reviews on Ulta, this tried-and-true staple remains a high-performance option. The strips are designed with a no-slip technology for a comfortable treatment experience. With enough strips for three weeks of whitening, this kit is a product you’ll re-order over and over again.
Go Smile Dental Pro On-the-Go Sonic Blue Teeth Whitening System, $79 at Nordstrom
For those in the market for a whole dental hygiene upgrade, consider this teeth whitening system by GO SMILE. It includes a travel-size toothbrush with a blue light feature plus a tube of teeth whitening gel. The online product instructions say to simply implement these into your regular routine with your favorite toothpaste for a daily brightening treatment.
Opalescence Go – Prefilled Teeth Whitening Trays — 15% Hydrogen Peroxide — Mint, $79.50 at Amazon
If you’re one of those people who find teeth whitening strips to be a bit challenging and uncomfortable—totally understandable—then pre-filled trays might be a great alternative for you. The kosher, gluten-free and vegan gel has a subtly sweet mint flavor that leaves mouths feeling clean and teeth looking vibrant.
CO. by Colgate SuperNova Rechargeable At-Home Teeth Whitening Kit, $109 at Ulta
This at-home whitening kit is out of this world. The SuperNova set includes a whitening wand and a rechargeable LED whitening device. Its ergonomic shape fits comfortably in your mouth during treatment, which is just 10 minutes a day. As far as quality LED light options go, this CO. by Colgate model is a pretty reasonable price point. Plus, Ulta is known for its killer sales, so you could score this smile hero for even less.
GLO Science GLO Brilliant White Smile — At Home Teeth Whitening Device, $127 (on sale from $159) at Sephora
Using a mix of light and heat technology, this at-home kit by GLO Science is super innovative. It’s recommended to use it for just eight minutes because the process is so effective. Its gentle formula makes it ideal for those prone to tooth sensitivity.
Bride Brite Briten Advanced Teeth Whitening Kit, $160 (originally $200) at Anthropologie
Currently $40 off—for a limited time—this sleek whitening kit includes everything you need to brighten your teeth by several shades—the light-technology mouthpiece, whitening pens and gel, plus a shade guide, help you really see your progress.
Next Up: Bobby Berk On the One Product He Swears By for Fresh Breath
