Jetting abroad to get the straightest and whitest veneers – also coined “Turkey teeth” – has dominated conversations in the dental space over the last few years. Luckily, there are plenty of cost-effective, less invasive oral hygiene products to achieve a perfect smile, including the best teeth whitening kits.
For those wanting dazzling pearly whites, today’s market includes everything from LED whitening devices and toothpastes to pens, powders, and strips. Indeed, it’s easy to get carried away, but “whitening should generally be used in moderation rather than continuously,” Bespoke Smile founder Dr Sam Jethwa explains.
“Most people will top up their whitening periodically to maintain results, rather than whitening constantly throughout the year. Overuse is where problems tend to arise, particularly with sensitivity.”
As a general rule of thumb, the leading cosmetic dentist recommends using teeth whitening products on clean teeth and to “avoid strongly coloured foods and drinks immediately afterwards, as teeth can be slightly more prone to staining straight after whitening.” Home whitening kits are typically lower strength and more gradual.
Read more: Users say this viral kit makes teeth up to eight shades whiter over time – and it's now 50% off
Best at-home teeth whitening kits at a glance
Best overall – The Icy Bear dental 14-day smile transformation kit: £64.99, Icybeardental.co.uk
Best budget buy – ISOHEALTH carbon teeth whitening strips: £9.99, Iso-clean.co.uk
Best whitening strips – Spotlight Oral Care ultra teeth whitening strips, £33, Lookfantastic.com
Best for rapid white results – Rapid White 1-week tooth whitening power set: £10.67, Amazon.co.uk
Dr Jethwa also reassures me: “For patients with sensitive teeth, whitening can still often be done safely, but it’s important to choose the correct strength and formulation. Problems usually arise when people over-whiten or use products too frequently.”
After wearing braces as a teenager (a head brace and train tracks, may I add) to straighten my teeth, I have made it my mission to take extra care of my gnashers. So much so, I pride myself on having no fillings at the ripe age of 33, which isn’t bad going.
However, as an avid coffee drinker with a penchant for acidic fresh orange juice, red wine and sour sweets, I am conscious that these vices will stain my teeth. So, in a bid to brighten my smile and minimise some yellowing, I have been testing the best at-home teeth whitening kits that promise professional results in as little as seven days.
How I tested
Over the last few months, I’ve taken before-and-after pictures using each kit to examine any changes in the brightness of my smile. Incorporating each kit into my daily oral hygiene routine, I used teeth whitening toothpaste daily, alongside whitening powder and strips. Other products required only evening use.
I measured the colouring of my teeth after the recommended course, while paying close attention to any new sensitivities, whether my teeth felt cleaner, and if the products left any unpleasant residue. I also compared the recommended usage, ingredients, and price.
Icy Bear Dental 14 day smile transformation kit
★★★★★
Best: Overall teeth whitening kit
What we love: Great value for money, effective results within five days, includes a shade guide to monitor progress, suitable for sensitive teeth, and peroxide-free
Take note: Powder was difficult to use
The Icy Bear set includes a diamond whitening toothpaste, a teeth whitening powder and a box of 28 teeth whitening strips. All use PAP+ to lift any stains and discolouration, while still protecting the enamel.
Every item in this kit was easy to incorporate into my daily oral hygiene routine, which helped me stay consistent. I used the toothpaste every morning and evening, following with the teeth whitening powder. However, I often combined the powder with the toothpaste to save time – and to avoid any mess.
Admittedly, I didn’t use the kit as often as the twice-a-week recommendation, thanks to an accidental spillage. But I used the teeth whitening strips on my top and bottom teeth religiously every day for two weeks – and they’ve become my favourite.
Easy to use, gentle, and effective, within three days of using the toothpaste and teeth whitening strips, I noticed a significant difference in the brightness of my teeth. My discoloured canines appeared whiter.
Every product in this kit was gentle on my sensitive teeth, and the strips were easy to remove. Most importantly, it achieved visible results within the timeframe.
Buy now £64.99, Icybeardental.com
Isohealth carbon teeth whitening strips
★★★★☆
Best: Budget teeth whitening strips
What we love: Cruelty-free and vegan, peroxide-free formula, 28 strips for a two-week supply to use on bottom and top teeth, affordable, available in clear or carbon version, and strong hold
Take note: Messy and stubborn to remove
Created by dental experts, I had high hopes for these teeth-whitening strips. While ISO Clean offers clear teeth whitening strips, I tested the carbon teeth whitening strips that work similarly to charcoal toothpastes. But were they as effective in strip form?
Applying two black strips to your teeth is a little scary at first, but these thin strips have a strong hold that stayed put for the full half hour. However, the strong adhesive, combined with how fine the strips are, made them difficult to remove.
The strips are quite messy too, leaving charcoal over my hands, under my nails and residue in my teeth. Nevertheless, I noticed my teeth were visibly whiter after a few sessions – but I would recommend the clear version for a mess-free alternative.
Buy now £9.99, Iso-clean.co.uk
Colgate max white teeth whitening overnight wand
★★★☆☆
Best: For easy maintenance
What we love: Easy-to-use, travel-friendly option, delicate on sensitive teeth, quick results, and affordable
Take note: Leaves an unpleasant finish on the teeth and lips
If you are looking for an easy-to-use and travel-friendly teeth-whitening option, Colgate’s max white overnight whitening serum is a worthy contender. I used the pen every evening for one week and noticed a subtle change in the whiteness of my teeth.
The tube is filled with teeth-whitening serum and has a fine brush fitted to the lid to paint your teeth. Designed for evening use, it’s easy and comparably mess-free to powders.
The pen must be applied to clean, dry teeth so the liquid formula can stick. When it dries, the formula creates a clear film over the teeth: an unpleasant, crispy texture at first that I would compare to PVA glue.
This residue can be quite stubborn to remove, so take extra care not to scrape at your enamel when brushing off any remnants in the morning. Regardless, the formula itself is gentle, easy to use, compact to take on the go, and doesn’t cause any sensitivities.
Buy now £10.00, Amazon.co.uk
Hismile V34 teeth whitening strips
★★★★☆
Best: Multifunctional teeth whitening kit
Take note: Two-week supply that promises whiter teeth after one use, with short application (30 minutes), colour correcting technology, hydrogen peroxide free, and refreshing menthol taste
Take note: Leaves some purple formula on my teeth after use
Despite the negative reviews on Boots, I wanted to test Hismile’s V34 teeth whitening strips for myself – as the Hismile Stain ID Mouthwash (£9.99, Amazon.co.uk) is excellent.
The V34 Teeth Whitening Strips are different to Hismile’s PAP+ Teeth Whitening Strips. They combine the PAP+ whitening formula with the V34 range’s instant colour correction for more effective results.
After two weeks of trialling on both my top and bottom teeth, I noticed my smile was slightly whiter and brighter. Though easy to use – simply apply to clean and dry teeth and leave on for 30 minutes – and malleable enough for me to mould to my teeth, the strips left some of the purple formula. However, it was easy to remove with a quick brush, similar to ISO Health’s Carbon Teethy Whitening Strips.
These strips contain menthol, which left my breath feeling, tasting and smelling fresher. A small detail, but who doesn’t want clean and minty-fresh breath?
Buy now £29.00, Hismileteeth.com
Rapid White 1-week tooth whitening power set
★★★★★
Best: Fast acting and whitest results
What we love: Rapid results, promises teeth whiten by three shades after one use, the dental tray is easy to mould to your teeth, includes a container to protect the dental tray, peroxide-free, and each product states the step in the routine for ease of use
Take note: The preparation to mould the dental tray must be accurate for a comfortable fit, and there are a lot of steps to follow in preparation, so follow instructions carefully
The Rapid White teeth whitening kit ticks a lot of boxes. Among the most affordable teeth whitening kits, it delivers visible results within one week, though I noticed my teeth looked whiter within the first few days.
It includes various steps and elements, including two dental trays that users need to mould to their teeth. This part is fiddly and confusing to beginners – but if you’ve had retainers, you’ll be familiar with the process (soften in hot water before gently moulding them). Thankfully, you don’t need to do this again – and you can always pop the moulds back in hot water and repeat if you don’t get it right the first time.
The whitening process only takes 10 minutes, twice a day, for one week. There’s also an applicator to paint your teeth while the whitening gel fills the mould. Both formulas combine while the tray is in your mouth for 10 minutes. The process gets easier with practice, but the aftertaste is unpleasant.
Despite its more protracted process, Rapid White Teeth was the most effective teeth whitening treatment – it pays to be patient and persistent. The kit can’t be used more than six times a year, which does make me question how safe and gentle it really is.
Buy now £10.00, Amazon.co.uk
Smile Science PAP teeth whitening powder
★★★☆☆
Best: Longlasting teeth whitening product
What we love: Quick to use, whether on its own or with toothpaste, and it’s formulated with menthol for fresher breath. It also claims to strengthen enamel and protect against decay
Take note: Can be messy as the powder flies out
Teeth whitening powders can be less effective because of the short duration of use. But the Smile Science powder’s appeal is its multifunctionality. Claiming to whiten teeth while strengthening and rebuilding tooth enamel, it’s designed to protect against tooth decay.
Using the formula twice a day for just over a week, I can attest to how gentle this ultra-fine powder is – but I can’t confirm if my enamel is stronger or has been rebuilt. But, unlike rival dental products, this powder didn’t have a gritty or scratchy texture.
The tub will likely last months, too – even after a few weeks, the powder had barely depleted. Though a gentle formula for teeth and gums with a minty taste and scent, the whitening results were not prominent. Plus, no matter what technique I used to avoid the mess, there was always evidence of the teeth whitening powder around my bathroom sink – and another unnecessary chore for me to do.
Buy now £19.99, Tesco.com
Spotlight Oral Care ultra teeth whitening strips
★★★★☆
Best: Travel-friendly teeth whitening kit
What we love: Includes 14 strips and toothpaste, developed by dentists, and suitable for sensitive teeth
Take note: Not suitable if pregnant or breastfeeding, Spotlight Oral Care recommend 14 day course for best results, and stubborn to remove
Having used various Spotlight Oral Care products over the years, I trust that the Ultra Teeth Whitening Strips are effective and gentle on my teeth.
Using the strips daily over one week, I found them easy to apply but stubborn to remove – a personal concern owing to a small fixed retainer at the back of my top teeth. The slim strips fit neatly into a pouch – ideal for those who want to maintain their whitening routine on holiday.
Like most teeth whitening strips, Spotlight’s strips left a thick residue behind, but nothing a quick brush and rinse couldn’t solve. I appreciated the strip’s rectangular shape for even coverage, while leaving enough excess to wrap behind my teeth for a secure fit.
These strips are to be worn for an hour – longer than The Icy Bear and ISO health versions – which is less well-suited to busy schedules.
After a week, I didn’t notice a huge difference in the colour of my teeth. However, the brand recommends a 14-day course for the best results.
Buy now £33.00, Lookfantastic.com
What are the best teeth whitening kits?
Two at-home teeth whitening kits made a standout, noticeable difference to the whiteness of my teeth. Rapid White’s kit gave gleaming results, only requiring 10 minutes of use per session (despite careful preparation and a fiddly process).
But The Icy Bear kit pips the number one spot for ease of use, efficacy, gentle formulations and frequency. Within just a few days, The Icy Bear’s teeth whitening strips – combined with daily use of the toothpaste – reduced the appearance of yellow stains significantly on my canines, without causing any sensitivities.
Your teeth whitening questions answered
How often should you use teeth whitening kits?
There is a lot of noise around how often you should use teeth whitening kits, and whether excessive use can be counterproductive. However, Bespoke Smile founder, Dr Sam Jethwa, highlights that this depends on each individual and the product they are using to whiten their teeth.
The cosmetic dentist explains: “Whitening should generally be used in moderation rather than continuously. Most people will top up their whitening periodically to maintain results, rather than whitening constantly throughout the year. Overuse is where problems tend to arise, particularly with sensitivity.”
What is the difference between home and in-clinic teeth whitening?
Some at-home teeth whitening kits claim to deliver professional results, but is that accurate? According to Dr Sam Jethwa the products and treatments vary.
The expert details: “In-clinic whitening is performed under professional supervision using stronger whitening agents and tailored treatment plans, so results are often faster and more controlled. Home whitening kits are typically lower strength and more gradual. Professionally prescribed home whitening from a dentist tends to sit somewhere in the middle, offering both safety and effective long-term results.”
How to use home teeth whitening kits
Dr. Sam Jethwa stresses the importance of following the instructions on each at-home teeth whitening kit “exactly” and warns against using products for longer than the recommended time.
As a general rule of thumb, the leading cosmetic dentist recommends using teeth whitening products on clean teeth and to “avoid strongly coloured foods and drinks immediately afterwards, as teeth can be slightly more prone to staining straight after whitening.”
Are teeth whitening kits safe for those with sensitive teeth?
Dr. Sam Jethwa reassures us: “For patients with sensitive teeth, whitening can still often be done safely, but it’s important to choose the correct strength and formulation. Problems usually arise when people over-whiten or use products too frequently.”
Are teeth whitening kits safe for those with composite bonding, crowns or veneers?
“Whitening treatments only work on natural tooth structure”, affirms Dr. Sam Jethwa. The expert adds that home whitening kits “won’t whiten composite bonding, crowns or veneers, in the same way they whiten natural enamel.”
The professional warns that some patients with composite bonding may notice uneven colouring if they have existing dental work and use whitening kits.
Can teeth whitening kits destroy enamel?
According to Dr. Sam Jethwa, the claims that teeth whitening kits can destroy enamel is “one of the biggest myths around whitening.”
The expert weighs in: “Professionally approved whitening products do not remove or ‘strip away’ enamel when used properly. What people sometimes experience is temporary sensitivity or dehydration of the teeth immediately after treatment, which can slightly affect appearance for a short period. The idea that whitening permanently causes yellow teeth or destroys enamel is largely misinformation when treatments are carried out correctly.”
Are there any ingredients to be wary of when shopping for the best home teeth whitening kits?
Dr Hanna Kinsella, founder of Icy Bear Dental and Kiln Lane Clinic, warns that some unregulated teeth whitening kits are available to buy online, which is why it’s important for customers to pay close attention to the ingredients, brand credentials and retailer.
She advises: “If you're prone to tooth sensitivity, pay attention to the whitening technology used. Some people find peroxide-based whitening products can increase sensitivity, so peroxide-free alternatives, such as PAP, may be a better fit. Ultimately, when choosing a whitening kit, opt for a trusted brand that is transparent about its ingredients and has been developed or backed by dental professionals."
How long do the results of at-home teeth whitening kits last?
The results of at-home teeth whitening kits can vary, as they are dependent on the individual, their lifestyle, diet, oral hygiene habits, and the whitening kit.
Dental professional Dr. Kinsella, shares: “Factors such as regularly drinking coffee, tea or smoking, and consuming foods that are likely to cause staining can all affect how long your results last, while certain medications can also contribute to tooth discolouration.”
How long should you wait before using another set of teeth whitening?
The dental experts acknowledge that the frequency of teeth whitening kits depends on the individual, their sensitivity, and their oral hygiene routine. Typically, it is advised to use the teeth whitening kit for the full course, or when you have reached your desired results within the recommended period, and it is paramount not to overuse teeth whitening treatments. Dr. Kinsella shares: “The key is to follow the recommended usage instructions and tailor your routine to your individual goals and lifestyle - if you have reached your desired shade, then stop using the product."
Why trust me
I have been reviewing beauty products for over 12 years. After wearing train-track braces as a teenager and countless retainers, it’s safe to say I have had my fair share of dental appointments.
While I’m not afraid of going to the dentist, I am keen to avoid any further treatments. I have maintained a rigid oral care routine to keep my teeth in top-tier condition. I brush my teeth twice a day (morning and night) with an electric toothbrush, floss, use a mouthwash, and tongue scraper, but I have recently started to incorporate at-home teeth whitening kits into my dental regimen to perfect my smile.
Read more: Users say this viral kit makes teeth up to eight shades whiter over time – and it's now 50% off
