Yes, Spotlight Whitening Strips used in conjunction with the whitening toothpaste over the course of 14-days gradually remove stains and whiten teeth. Results may be noticeable sooner. They are an easy to use at-home whitening solution, that will leave you feeling confident with your pearly whites. Essentially, you position the upper and lower trays on your teeth, bite down for a few seconds, and then remove the colored outer tray, leaving behind a more snug-fitting inner tray containing the whitening gel. This allows you to get a snug and comfortable fit every time. However, this option isn’t entirely painless. In testing, we found that the upper tray caused some serious gum discomfort (even after we brushed our teeth to remove the gel). We'd describe it as being similar to the feeling of applying an acid facial peel or retinoid for the first time—painful but bearable. And now, a word about my personal grooming habits to give you some additional context. If I had to choose one word to describe my beauty behavior that word would be “intermittent.” As in, the only thing I can remember to do daily is brush my teeth, and that’s thanks to childhood indoctrination. Pens deposit much less product onto your teeth, so can be used more frequently, but you should still aim for one to two applications per day (and limit use to one or two weeks at a time or as needed). Trays are commonly recommended for up to 30 minutes, and light kits are usually left in place for shorter periods of time, often less than 10 minutes. The duration for both varies but is usually no more than two or three weeks in total. Our panel of 318 testers tried 21 teeth whitening kits to find the ones that really deliver. They reviewed how easy each one was to use, treatment time, and how teeth looked and felt after use.

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. The Spotlight Mouthwash for Whitening Teeth works like any other mouthwash, except its active ingredients are hydrogen peroxide and active seaweed particles. Spotlight recommends using this mouthwash twice a day to ‘rejuvenate oral tissues’ and whiten teeth. Dental floss for whitening teeth How long the whitening effect lasts is down to your individual lifestyle and teeth (as some teeth have naturally darker shades of enamel). But, in general, expect to see results last for a few months. How we test 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. Throughout the testing, we considered whether we were able to apply the product and go about our day as usual, how much whiter our teeth were from start to finish, whether we experienced any sensitivity, and if we thought the kit was an overall good value based on its retail price and the results it delivered.Snow, on the other hand, is based in the US and uses hydrogen peroxide in their whitening strips for effective whitening at home. Let's take a closer look at these alternative whitening strips. Crest Whitestrips Many whitening products can leave you with a sloppy mess on your hands (and teeth!), but we found the iSmile Teeth Whitening Kit to be a tidier and more effective alternative to some of the other kits we tested. As we tested, we realized you can apply the gel to the mouthpiece before inserting it, which aids in making sure you’ve got the right amount and that all the whitening solution really covers your teeth. For true whitening success, you need to know what type of whitening kit to use and whether or not whitening products are safe for you. Experts recommend avoiding whitening products altogether if you have gum or mouth disease, untreated tooth decay, or significantly worn enamel. If a specialist has given you the green light to begin using at-home whitening products, you can select the right product based on ingredients and price. In addition to having effective ingredients like carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, the best product for you will fit into your routine and budget.

Pens. Whitening pens allow for easier and more precise whitening on-the-spot, which Dr. Kalasho says are helpful for minor staining—but most of it washes away with your saliva, so more intense stains probably won’t show ultra noticeable results. When compiling our list, we also consulted three dental professionals to learn exactly how teeth whiteners work and get their advice on how to use them. These experts included: Always follow the treatment programme to the letter," says Dr Kinsella, who adds that "consistency is key". The Teeth Whitening Pen was also awarded 4.9/5 stars from 29 customers on SpotlightOralCare.com. One user was skeptical at first, but is now a dedicated convert: Even though I’d seen people get instant results using the pen on TikTok, I assumed it was some sort of camera manipulation. I was also apprehensive about trying anything that had enough bleaching agent in it to produce fast results. You see, years before, I used teeth whitening strips, which left my teeth permanently sensitive to temperatures. And besides, it wasn’t like I had a big toothy grin to show off anyway…so what’s the big deal if my teeth were a little coffee-stained?Now that you know a little more about the brand, this Spotlight Oral Care review will move on to its pros and cons. Pros Other ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium perborate, activated charcoal or even coconut oil offer a more natural alternative, although these are usually considered less effective, as they mainly only remove surface stains. Her overall thoughts are that Spotlight Whitening Strips work and that they definitely lightened her teeth over time. However, if you already have streaky enamel, then you may end up with patchy teeth. Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits in the UK can only contain 0.1% hydrogen peroxide – the number one whitening ingredient - while professional whitening, done by a dentist, can use up to 6%. Though this limits how much of a whitening effect DIY kits can have on teeth, it could be dangerous to handle a stronger solution untrained at home.

Ready for a brighter smile? Scroll down for the best DIY whitening kits and tools to add to your basket now. Are whitening kits bad for your teeth? Initially, we couldn’t leave the tray in for the recommended 15 minutes because it was so uncomfortable. But over time, we did get used to it. The best part was that our teeth whitened. Even though we only left it in for about eight minutes, our teeth went up a full shade. It hurt, but the pain was worth it in our eyes. We also started with the highest concentration possible, which we wouldn’t recommend if you have sensitive teeth or have never whitened your teeth before (in that case, you may want to start with the lowest concentration and work your way up from there). Do your best not to develop a routine of using these products regularly,” says Dr. Izhaky, noting that overuse and misuse of whitening products can lead to dental problems. This may include tooth painand nerve damage. Sonic Toothbrush has an innovative design that lets oxygen pass through teeth with 3 different cleaning functions Dr Hanna Kinsella, cosmetic dentist and founder of Icy Bear Dental, explains: "Hydrogen peroxide is a weak acid with strong oxidising properties, meaning it steals the electrons that hold the staining molecules together, causing them to fall apart. It will change the colour of your teeth, rather than simply removing surface stains. Carbamide peroxide is another similar ingredient."A variety of oral care products that are free from many harmful ingredients including BPA, sulfates, and gluten Teeth-whitening strips are flexible, see-through strips that you wear to whiten yellow, grey or stained teeth. Each strip has a coating of whitening gel on one side which you apply directly to your teeth. Colgate Optic White Pro Series Teeth Whitening Pen and LED Tray: If you’re short on time, this kit only requires 10 minutes per day, but it’s not the most comfortable after application (and it’s more expensive than similar kits).