ARE your teeth not looking quite as sparkly as they once were?
Investing in a good home teeth whitening kit can help to lighten and brighten your smile, by removing stains and discoloration.
Often our favourite food and drinks, like tea, coffee and red wine, can stain teeth, leaving them with a yellow tinge.
Luckily, at-home teeth whitening kits have come a long way, and offer quick and effective results from the comfort of your own bathroom.
They are also a fraction of the cost of getting your teeth professionally whitened.
Are at-home teeth whitening kits safe?
Teeth whitening kits are safe and legal to use, providing your ingredients don't exceed the percentage allowed.
These kits can only be bought over the counter if they contain less than 0.1 percent hydrogen peroxide, to ensure they are safe to use at home according to EU regulations.
Bear in mind that a qualified dentist can legally use up to 6 percent hydrogen peroxide, so a professional whitening is likely to be more effective.
There are also a few risks to be aware of when using home kits, according to the NHS.
When whitening your teeth on your own, the mouth guard provided may not fit properly.
This can cause some of the bleaching gel to leak out onto your gums and into your mouth, which can cause blistering and sensitivity.
If you have any doubts about using an at-home kit, the NHS recommends visiting a dentist first to talk about your options.
When you're happy to proceed try one of the best teeth whitening kits we've listed below to try.
Best at-home teeth whitening kits for 2022
1. Billion Dollar Smile Teeth Whitening Kit
After just six days of using the Billion Dollar Smile teeth whitening kit you will notice a difference.
This easy-to-use kit is a fraction of the price of a professional service, and it actually works.
The set comes with a mini LED light and a gentle gel formulation that you administer into a mouth guard with a syringe.
The LED light helps to accelerate the whitening process and will automatically turn off after 10 minutes, but you can repeat three times for up to half an hour.
Do this every day for six days and you will see your teeth lighten up a few shades. But you must avoid stain-causing foods for the duration of treatment.
Yes, that means no morning cuppa for six days, but no pain, no gain.
- Billion Dollar Smile Teeth Whitening Kit, £39.99 from Superdrug – buy here
2. MySweetSmile Teeth Whitening Powder
MySweetSmile teeth whitening powder is an Amazon bestseller – and for good reason.
The easy to use powder formula can remove stubborn stains and yellowing after just a few uses.
The non-abrasive teeth whitening powder uses a key ingredient called PT (Pentasodium Triphosphate) to remove stains without causing any enamel damage or sensitivity.
It's recommended that you use the powder 1-2 times a week to see effective changes to the appearance of your teeth and maintain results.
Plus, each tub contains has about a six-months supply of product, so you won't have to worry about needing to remember to restock on a monthly basis.
- MySweetSmile Teeth Whitening Powder, £22.49 from Amazon – buy here
3. iWhite Instant 2 Professional Teeth Whitening Kit
The iWhite Instant 2 Professional teeth whitening kit can lighten teeth by up to eight shades.
Daunted by complicated-looking kits? Don't be. This simple-to-use set is a great way to kick off your teeth whitening career without confusion.
Inside the kit you get a lightening gel and 10 trays (mouthpieces).
All you need to do is put the gel in the mouthpiece, place over your teeth and wear for 20 minutes a day. A good time to do it is when you're getting ready for bed.
Do this for five consecutive days and you'll see teeth get up to eight shades lighter.
It's best used with the iWhite dark stains whitenening toothpaste and the iWhite Instant Teeth Whitening Mouthwash.
Hello, Hollywood smile.
- iWhite Instant 2 Professional Teeth Whitening Kit (10 Trays), £35 from Boots – buy here
4. Mr. Bright Teeth Whitening Pen
The Mr. Bright Teeth Whitening Pen is a great portable whitening number for anyone who travels regularly and is time-poor, but still wants to achieve a perfect Hollywood smile.
Just brush the pen over your teeth in under a minute every day.
One pen should last at least a month, and you will see your teeth lift up to seven shades lighter with regular use.
The formula is vegan and hydrogen peroxide-free, so won't cause sensitivity. Bonus.
- Mr. Bright Teeth Whitening Pen, £23 from Boots – buy here
5. Pro Teeth Whitening Co. Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder
Notice a lift in colour with the Pro Teeth Whitening Co. Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder.
Charcoal is having a moment in the beauty world, with the ingredient being praised for its skin-boosting benefits as well as a teeth saviour.
Activated charcoal is pure carbon that is treated to create a fine black absorbent powder.
This product is 100% natural and vegan, containing no nasties so it is safe on the enamel of your teeth.
To use, simply clean your teeth as usual, wait 10 minutes, and then pop a pinch of the powder in your palm.
Dip a wet toothbrush into the powder and then brush for one to two minutes before rinsing.
Brush again with water to remove any residue.
The grey colour is a little off-putting at first, but if you use it twice daily over two weeks you will definitely notice a brightening effect.
- Pro Teeth Whitening Co. Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder, £15 from Boots – buy here
6. Best Teeth Whitening Polish
If the idea of the full LED light and trays whitening kits isn't for you, there are other simple steps you can take to get a perfect grin.
An effective whitening polish, which can be applied just like toothpaste, is the perfect solution.
This Mr Blanc Teeth Whitening Polish is formulated to lighten stains and discolouration with activated charcoal extract.
The charcoal acts as a purifying agent, soaking up staining tannins caused by all of our favourite goodies (red wine, we're looking at you).
As well as whiter-looking teeth, the paste also prevents against tartar build-up and strengthens enamel.
Use twice daily and leave on your teeth for a minute before brushing for extra effect.
This is not a toothpaste, so you'll need to brush your teeth, as usual, every day too.
- Mr Blanc Teeth Whitening Polish, £8.67 from Boots – buy here
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Are there any side effects when having teeth whitened?
Some people may experience side effects after having their teeth whitened. These include:
- Sensitivity
- Uncomfortable gums
- Cold sensations
- Sore throat
These side effects should be temporary and disappear within a few days.
Why do teeth become stained?
It's rare you'll come by someone with naturally bright white teeth.
Dentin, the hard, inner part of teeth, is primarily responsible for tooth colour, and this darkens as you get older, making the teeth appear yellow or grey.
The top layer of the tooth – enamel – can be stained yellow by what you eat and drink, with coffee, red wine and spices being the main culprits.
Brown teeth can also be a result of medication, injury to the tooth or nerves and smoking.
Teeth whitening lightens teeth and makes them appear brighter by helping to remove stains and discoloration.
The procedure is one of the most popular when it comes to cosmetic dentistry.
How long it takes to reach the desired shade, and how long it lasts, will depend greatly on your method of choice.
But it isn't permanent, lasting between a few months to three years before needing topping up.
Are there any alternatives to whitening?
Dr Reena Wadia of RW Perio told Fabulous Online: "Before whitening, it might be worth trying out an advanced polishing treatment such as Airflow. This aims to remove stains that traditional scaling and polishing may not remove.
"It uses a combination of flavoured fine powder particles, compressed air and water and patients do not experience any sensitivity or discomfort.
"Lots of my patients have felt this gives enough of an improvement and that they don't require whitening afterwards – however, if you do whiten your teeth, the advanced polishing treatment will improve the results you get. It's a win, win!"
Using an electric toothbrush is also recommended by dentists.
Speaking to The Sun Dr Rhona Eskander, oral care ambassador for Waterpik said: "I recommend brushing twice a day with an electric toothbrush and also using the Waterpik(r) Whitening Water Flosser.
"If used daily, the product is clinically proven to remove an additional 25 per cent stains vs brushing alone."
You can also make simple changes to your lifestyle – stop smoking, drinking so much coffee and eating sugar.
Experts at Milliways Super Natural Gum said the food you eat can also have an impact on your smile.
"Garlic, onions, coffee… we love them for so many reasons, but if maintaining a fresh smile is on your to-do list then you may need to think twice.
"Rather opt for some crunchy snacks like apples, carrots or celery, which aren’t just healthy but also help get rid of bacteria stuck to your teeth.
"And whilst we’re on the topic of health, keep drinking that water! It activates saliva in your mouth that breaks down food particles and stops bacteria from getting stuck to your teeth."
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